Which Laptop for me?

<p>Hey Everyone, Im looking to buy a laptop for college and need some help because I've never bought a laptop before. </p>

<p>I'm looking for a laptop that </p>

<p>-Preferrably Dell or Apple even though I've never used a MAC before
-Is fast with easy to use features
-Limited viruses or easy to back up
-Adaptable to many things
-Good memory
-No major preference on games
-School focused, I will not be playing games on it but I do want it to be able to play streaming videos and surf the internet</p>

<p>Well, if you never used MAC before there's no need to switch now unless your college says they use it more. The choice is yours. Go to the Dell website and look at the different computers and choose from there. In general think about how big and heavy you want it to be. If you'll carry it around then better get a lighter one, otherwise you may spend more money and get a bigger screen. Most laptops come with Windows installed and a antivirus program so you don't have to worry about that. Even if not there are some free to download on the internet. You will find out that a laptop is not very different from a desktop computer. Look for 60 or 80GB hard disk and 516MB or 1GB RAM. Look also for blootooth, wireless and other similar functions to connect it to the internet like and ethernet port (i'm not sure that's the real name) If you're not going to play games on it you don't need a killer soundblaster and video card but they are always helpful and fun to have :)!
I hope I helped.</p>

<p>Look at a Dell E1405 or a 1505 if you are not into gaming. Go for 1gb ram, 80gb hard disk, 1.66GHz...the standard stuff. And the stuff you mentioned is applicable to most if not all the laptops out in the market today.</p>

<p>to break off from the crowd, i would recommend purchasing a mac. I switched about a year go to a mac from a toshiba satellite pro. i think it was one of the better decisions i have made in my life. if ur looking for reliability, sleek design, and no viruses, then the mac is for u. i got a powerbook and now i am thinking about purchasing a macbook pro. haven't had a single problem with it and i don't even use any anti-virus software on it. its the safest bet you can make. for first time users, i would suggest getting the macbook. good luck with ur decision. feel free to ask me any questions regarding a mac.</p>

<p>I just found out last night one of my friends works at Staples and he could give me a 15% discount on any HP laptops they have, any recommendations on which ones I should be considering?</p>

<p>15% still wont make it worth getting an HP.</p>

<p>I second the mac recommendation. A macbook begins at $1049 (with education discount) with 1.83GHz, built in camera, and 13 inch screen.</p>

<p>HP = Compaq = crap</p>

<p>Dell=Acer=crap</p>

<p>well I use HP and I have no complaints! It has a 15.4 inch screen and XP and it comes with an antivirus program.</p>

<p>After years of the PC route I went to an iBook last fall for email, surfing and school use. I am thrilled with the ease of use, etc. I don't miss Windows at all.</p>

<p>However, I wish I had waited for the Mac Book - for a few hundred $ more it is fabulous.</p>

<p>Oi! I recommend the HP Pavilion 1000t. I've got one and it's predecessor and I absolutely love it. </p>

<p>It's got most of what's mentioned here. 1GB RAM, 100GB HD, CoreDuo 2.0 GHz, 6 in 1 memory card slot, three USB ports, supports WLAN and Bluetooth for wireless connections, QuickPlay media controls at the top of the keyboard for playing movies/presentations, a 14.4 inch widescreen Brightview screen, nice standard size keyboard, ability to turn touchpad on/off, lightScribe capabilities, burns DVD's, built in webcam, and tons that I've just gotten used to and haven't think of mentioning.</p>

<p>Go for this one! =)</p>

<p>Hmm can't edit my post so I'll post again. The correct model is HP Pavilion dv1000t.</p>

<p>Well, I just bought an LG T1 express. It's pretty new in the laptop industy..Hope it won't fail me.</p>

<p>I heard HPs are overpriced, is this true?</p>

<p>I totally recommend the Dell Inspiron 6000. I have it and it's great! I've got a gig of memory, a 60 MB hard drive, and I can't remember the exact processor, but I know it's a Pentium M. All this for about $1200! If you go dell, definitely wait until there is a good dell online coupon to use. You can get them from several websites, just not the dell website. You can get $750 off one--that's what I used--and they definitely are worth it!</p>

<p>Somebody please spell out the pros and cons of the Macbook vs Macbook Pro?? D2 is not a game player, but will watch DVD's, etc. Suggestions please.</p>

<p>For the record, it's "Mac," not "MAC." "MAC" is an acronym, referring most commonly to "media access control." Just a heads up.</p>

<p>crabbylady,</p>

<p>The MacBook offers the Intel Core Duo and pretty much the same components as the MacBook Pro, but with a "slower" video card, slower hard drive, smaller screen, and no aluminum case.</p>

<p>However, you do spend quite a bit less. If you can, however, I recommend taking one for a test drive at your local Apple Store. I for one enjoy the MacBook vanilla's setup and overall feel, but I know a good number of people aren't satisfied with its less-than-standard keyboard design and glossy screen.</p>

<p>yea...my only reservations regarding the MacBook : keyboard and screen..apart from that i think its a great machine. however, i would still not settle for anything other than the pro.</p>

<p>HP are not overprice.
i'll recommend thinkpad t60.
I won't buy macbook pro just to game. There are other great gaming machine out there like dell xps or sager machines</p>