<p>just a note about alienware. though they supposedly use high end components and build high powered laptops, their customer service is terrible. there are numerous horror stories about alienware on the internet.</p>
<p>thinkpads are definitely the way to go for wintels. but i've stuck with my mac for the past 3 years and it's been terrific.</p>
<p>I heart my macbook. It's like an extension of my brain, I couldn't survive without it. :) 99.99% satisfied, best computer I've ever owned I think.</p>
<p>Some people really love tablet PC's and some don't. Comes down really to a personal preference thing. I think I wouldn't really like one a lot, I just scribble things in a spiral notebook I carry around. Not to mention it probably couldn't interpret my handwriting :)</p>
<p>My advice - try before buying, if possible.</p>
<p>I'm going to college in August, should I consider my Toshiba reliable..? IMO, the brand doesnt suggest the quality of a laptop. Compare a Lenevon(maybe spelt wrong) with 128MB Ram, 8GB to a Dell 1024MB Ram , 100GB Laptop...feel me?</p>
<p>Um if your major requires a laptop then check with them. But truly its very rare to lug a laptop to class every day college students just buy them because it takes up less space then a normal pc. </p>
<p>Laptops for a general user cost around $500 or less these days. You do not need a high end laptop if its not required by your major. If you want to game its best to get a PC since it would be upgradeable.</p>
<p>A Pocket PC you can write on just like a tablet pc and it costs ALOT less.</p>
<p>really, the thing you should worry about is customer service. no college student has the time to spend a day on the phone troubleshooting a problem with tech support.</p>
<p>I prefer my macbook. I would definitely recommend buying through the school as you can snag some very good deals that way.</p>
<p>My niece is CE at UCBerk-Junior yr...she recommends toshiba protege M200 tablet...she is able to write notes & formulas..I plan to get one for D when she graduates this year from HS</p>
<p>I have a Toshiba laptop for home. We have replaced the fans about once a year (it would shut off randomly due to overheating) and had to get a new harddrive after 2 (it made some clicking sound?). I want a macbook for college, but maybe a tablet would be nice too?</p>
<p>^^ oh my gosh, that keeps happening to my toshiba!! We've sent it in twice now but they've never replaced the fans...hmm</p>
<p>Which Toshiba? I had one that I replaced the mobo on twice...</p>
<p>I've had a Toshiba Satellite a45-s151 for about 3 years now with no problems.</p>
<p>I have a Gateway tablet PC and I love it...</p>
<p>how many of you generally use laptops for classes...do you take notes with them??</p>
<p>All I can say is: stay away from Compaq.</p>
<p>vaio's pretty good</p>
<p>^ Thats the one Im ordering. It smokes the Macbook Pro that costs $1800.</p>
<p>Oh, and stay away from alienware. My best friend ordered one in January of his senior year of hs, and got it on October of his freshman year...only for it to break a week later. He got it replaced in November.</p>
<p>Stay away from HP like the plague as well. Sony's aren't bad.</p>
<p>HP's customer really stinks. Don't get so much as a peripheral from HP. Get a canon or epson.</p>
<p>Also I hate acer too. I switched to Apple and I like it a lot. I actually take care of my macbook pro now.</p>
<p>IDK but when I go to college I want one of those tablet laptops....so like you can take the screen off and write on it and it comes up typed and you can save it and stuff.....
I think thats sooooo cool. And really practical.</p>
<p>^^</p>
<p>That's only practical for a few short notes, not adequate for taking notes on a lecture.</p>