<p>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^</p>
<p>Depends on what want/need.</p>
<p>I'm a fan of Lenovos if you're a Windows user, and MacBooks offer excellent value if you want to take the Apple plunge.</p>
<p>But for Wintel, definitely Lenovo.</p>
<p>actually, I'm looking for a PC. Are alienware's good? voodoo?</p>
<p>Lenovo's are built to last for quite a long time. They are very durable. However, all good things come at a price, and Lenovos are pricier.</p>
<p>How are Toshibas?</p>
<p>I've had two Toshibas, neither one terribly impressed me. But some like them.</p>
<p>Alienware and Voodoo laptops are made specifically for gaming, they will pack lots of power, and capability, but they are usually thicker and heavier, and not very portable, so they won't be easy to carry around campus.</p>
<p>If you're going to PC route I would also suggest Lenovo, they are quite reliable compared to some of the other laptops i've tried. Whatever you get just STAY AWAY FROM DELL.</p>
<p>there is the new dell inspiron e1504 and it has 8 hours of battery life...i know you said stay away from dell but this is a very attraactive feature...</p>
<p>one other ques</p>
<p>are tablet PCs good for college, like taking notes and stuff?</p>
<p>anakinsolo,</p>
<p>The Lenovos built for long use can match or beat that.</p>
<p>I love my Dell E1405.</p>
<p>I have a Lenova Thinkpad and I have been very happy with it and haven't had any problems to date. Granted, I got my computer as part of my package for school. I don't know whether I would have shelled out the 2000~ dollars for it...</p>
<p>I have an HP dv1000, and it's worked really well for me so far. It was also a very decent price, which is always nice.</p>
<p>for college, im thinking about getting a macbook. i need a laptop and, though im not majoring in music, i really want garageband software. and i am majoring in film, so i think apples are best for that fromwhat i gather.</p>
<p>so, are macbooks quality? i hear they are and they seem awesome, but i havent been able to dig yet. i have a pc now, is it easy to make that switch?</p>
<p>IBM/Lenovo makes the best laptop around, second is Asus and 3rd is Apple. All will suit your needs, But there are some other good brands,</p>
<p>best thing with IBM is, you call tech support and you speak to a True American, In Atlanta, GA. Asus while not an American company does all tech support in America, Apple does also, but there techs tend to be really cocky and just want more money from you. like the $300 laptop recycling fee. Thats a feee that if your laptop breaks and they need to fully replace it then they charge you to dispose of it. thats a joke, I know how to dispose of it myself. and it doesnt cost any money</p>
<p>umm....my apple stopped working (long story, not manufacturer error though) and I took it into the apple store, got a brand new UPGRADED one, for free w/ no charge for the disposal. I've gone in for "apple training" once and minor repairs (4 out of the 5 ended up being things i just didnt know how to do, not a defect) and the people at the store are amazing and very helpful. sorry the people at your store are cocky and take your money, but not all are like that. </p>
<p>the macbook is great for me and i've done some small film editing on it. i'm nowhere near a film major but can put clips together off my camera on my macbook. it was easy to make the switch from pc to apple. i went into the apple store a free one hour "training" session that showed me all the shortcuts on the keyboard, differences between a pc and mac, etc. i'll never go back to a pc. but i hate the apple/pc debate on these forums. some like apple, some like pc. i got an apple just because of a friends recommendation and havent looked back.</p>
<p>Oh, and eventually someone will post "omg do i need a 13" or a 15" or a 17"!!!"...i have a 13 and it works fine and is cheaper :) i dont have to squint or whatever other bogus excuse people come up with.</p>
<p>Personally, I WISH I had the 12"!
I have a 15", which is great, but the 12" looks so convenient!</p>
<p>Toshiba is probably the best value. Any laptop is good if you treat it nice and don't abuse it. Don't spend extra money unless you plan to game or such. </p>
<p>I like Toshiba, but I just have a Satelite A105, and its really only good for work.</p>
<p>I'd recommend a Toshiba Qosmio if your looking for a gaming system.</p>
<p>Otherwise....Lenovo.</p>
<p>if cost wasn't a factor, what would be your ultimate laptop for college? i'll be an engineering student next year, and i'm curious about a tablet pc for making doodles for engineering problems.</p>
<p>I have a toshiba...and the motherboard has had to be replaced...twice.</p>
<p>Its only 2 years old too. Im never doing a toshiba again! Going for mac.</p>