<p>I'm looking at the SCI dells and I wanted to get one with a bigger hard drive, more ram, a faster processor, and a dvd burner. I can get that on dell.com for a little under 2000. Is anyone else thinking the same as me that the SCI dells aren't really good and that princeton doesn't give us many options? In spite of that, who's buying it from princeton and who's buying their own?</p>
<p>I'm buying the powerbook from princeton. It seems to be a pretty good deal...especially with microsoft office and the warranty.</p>
<p>I personally dislike Dells so I never even considered them. I thought about converting to mac, but in the end decided against it. </p>
<p>I just got a Sony Vaio for $1392- It seems to have everything you're looking for dvd56x- DVD burner, 1.6GHz processor, 80GB hardrive, 512MB memory, and very pretty. check out their website <a href="http://www.sonystyle.com%5B/url%5D">www.sonystyle.com</a> (especially the sale section) Mine was a S380 Vaio.</p>
<p>The Apple Computers SCI offers are really nice, but I'd prefer something in between the models they offer (i.e. a 14" iBook). I think the Dell's are a bit expensive though. Dell just had an amazing sale last week (I just missed it) that took up to 34% off their laptops. You could have configured a computer almost identical to the two Dells offered for just a bit over $1,000 rather than $1,600. If you are interested in Dell, it may be worthwhile to wait for another one of their great promotional offers.</p>
<p>zante, how did you get the price so low? I went there and ended up with a 1,550 pricetag!</p>
<p>what sort of video card do you think i'll need if i plan on using my laptop to watch DVD's? will an integrated card be sufficient?</p>
<p>I found it in the clearance section. It's not refurbished or used, but the S380 is sort of last year's model since they came out with the 480, but I got it and there's nothing wrong and I thought it was a great deal.</p>
<p>As for DVDs, I think the integrated card is usually sufficient. It might be a bit choppy if you're running on battery power only but for the most part the displays are clear and DVDs play perfectly, though the speakers are meh as all laptop speakers tend to be.</p>
<p>Ah, the computer discussion... Most people seem fairly happy (or at least complacent) about the SCI Dells. Those who know specifically what they want in a computer and don't mind poring over the specs usually go with something else. Like me...</p>
<p>Last summer, I traded in my Compaq desktop for a Toshiba laptop (M35). Love the computer, but some hardware problems meant that it was in repairs for the past three weeks. A little disappointing for a year-old machine. No matter who you go with, I'd get a four-year warranty. Laptops take a beating, even when you're nice to them.</p>
<p>I envy your Vaio. Sony is on the expensive end (or was last year when I was shopping) -- but it's so pretty. Good display, feels solid but graceful.</p>
<p>If I had an infinite amount of money, however, I'd get a Tablet -- the better to write equations with. (Most people don't bring their laptops to class, but I carry it around most of the time anyway and I've found it helpful.)</p>
<p>There's a pretty active Mac users' group (<a href="http://psmug.princeton.edu/)%5B/url%5D">http://psmug.princeton.edu/)</a>, but they haven't made me Switch(TM) yet. I like them in theory, but the prospect of relearning years of user interface and keyboard shortcuts makes me cry.</p>
<p>Ashley</p>
<p>i am confused between ibook and powerbook !!!! :(</p>
<p>If you mean through pton, I think the ibook's 12" screen is kinda small if it's your main computer...</p>
<p>so you suggest i go for powebook???d
but i dont think it offers too many extra features that ibook does not offer....am pretty confused :(</p>
<p>I'll go for the iBook. I want something I can lug around easily.</p>
<p>is it ok to just bring my desktop?? I don't think i'll get a new labtop cuz I don't think i REALLY need it...if I feel like i need it, i'll get cheap one later though....</p>
<p>I think the majority of people have laptops, and depending on your major, you might need to have a computer in class. But I don't think it's an absolute necessity, as long as you don't get jealous of everyone with their portable laptops :p</p>
<p>If you've <em>already</em> got a desktop, you can always bring it and see how life is with one before springing to buy a laptop. However, if you're trying to decide between purchasing a new desktop or laptop, I highly recommend the laptop... it's nice to be able to take it with you.</p>
<p>Ashley</p>
<p>Also, wireless internet coverage is improving; next year there will be access points in all the dorms.</p>
<p>Ashley</p>
<p>I'm gonna go for the Dell. They're pretty reliable, but cheaper to add on to/get replacement parts. (I like to play around with my PC.) I want to buy an external hard drive for my lappy, too, which I have enough connections to get cheaply for PC. <em>wink</em></p>
<p>EDIT: Also, I think my Palm Pilot is only compatible with Windows. Btw, I think it's the most useful little thing ever.</p>
<p>Haha I haven't touched my PDA in more than a year.</p>
<p>My PDA was heavily used when I had a desktop, but now that I have a laptop, I just carry the latter everywhere.</p>
<p>Ashley</p>
<p>i might go with the tablet. it didnt look legitimate at first (the deal being offerred through facebook, sup with that) but i contacted the person through microsoft, so it should be alright. the benefit of not having to carry a paper notebook at all (especially to math class) makes a tablet worth it.</p>