<p>Certainly all of you have received the booklet that gives the guidelines, but I'm having trouble finding laptops that I'm certain fit the requirements. Would anyone like to help a fellow student in need and direct me to one that they know fits the requirements?</p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>I'd say go for an inspiron from dell. They're more high-end (and can easily pass the requirements for NU) but they're also cheap. I think dell.com still has the 35% off deal going on, plus another 12% off for certain types of service packages, and I think an NU discount. I got an inspiron fully-loaded for under $2,000, when the retail price was almost $4,000. Oh, and don't check off any software except XP Pro (which you have to) because NU has all of the microsoft software at cheaper prices on other sites. </p>
<p>Thank you so much. I truly appreciate it your help. Actually, I've been looking at a Dell Inspirion, but am having a little trouble deciding between an Apple and a Dell.</p>
<p>For someone who's never used a Macintosh, would an Apple be very difficult to learn?</p>
<p>If you get a Dell Insipiron, I suggest you use the $750 online coupons rather than the student discounts.</p>
<p>Dell is definitely not your only option, and the fact that they can afford to give out $750 coupons to anybody who looks for them says to me that they are way over priced. They certainly aren't high end. If you want high end look at Fujitsu. If you want a good basic computer that's not over priced look at Acer.</p>
<p>I've heard that macs aren't hard to get used to at all. Also, keep in mind that apple released that bootcamp software which enables you to run either their os or windows, if you don't want to make a total switch. Either option is a good one, and I also wouldn't complain about dells being overpriced, being that mine ended up much cheaper than some other pc laptops, not only for a better system initially, but with more ram, more harddrive space, and a much faster processor. Dell's service is also excellent, so if you decided not to get a mac, I would personally recommend dell as a first choice.</p>
<p>Hey, you know what's really cheap in terms of performance? Desktops. Yeah, so I'm considering getting a desktop, is this nonsensical? Or are there computers everywhere to the extent where a laptop would not be really necessary? Are there situations where a laptop is critical?</p>
<p>RisingSun, I tried to get my daughter interested in a desktop/handheld combination last year, but she insisted on a laptop. She was right - at least for her. First of all, it's much easier to transport back and forth to school than a desktop would be. If you have to fly, that's important. It's also nice during the breaks. Second, she often takes her computer to the library or elsewhere to study, and always has her work and reference material with her that way. Third, a laptop takes up less space, and the desks are small, without a lot of extra room on, under, or next to them.</p>
<p>patd708, I'm not complaining, or saying it's bad to buy a Dell. You probably got a fine computer, which will do exactly what you need it to do. I'm just saying, if you get a good coupon, you'll get about the same value you could get elsewhere for about same money, when you consider quality, specifications, and service.</p>
<p>Dell's service used to be excellent, but my more recent experience with them hasn't been. It was especially bad around the time just before they outsourced. Their system in India has certainly improved over the last year or so but, in my estimation, it's a long way from the service that earned Dell its reputation. </p>
<p>Of course you can pay more for a system with lower specs, but you'll often get exactly what you pay for - a better built machine. Just because Dell sets their pre-discount prices high, it doesn't mean they use top of the line components. If they did, they wouldn't have the margin to consistently be giving away $700 coupons, free printers, monitors, DVD recorders, or whatever else it might be this month. </p>
<p>Most people don't purchase computers often enough to become familiar with one company's marketing techniques, but it's a good thing to take into consideration.</p>
<p>ParisKM- if you are going into the music or film industry then a I would consider a mac. For what other reason, besides maybe more viral protection, would you need one? In the end, both operating systems are good and it just depends upon what you will be using them for.</p>
<p>for people who want to buy a mac and use bootcamp, please remember that you will have to buy the windows operating system and programs as well. your preloaded programs on the mac will not (as far as i know) carry over to the windows side. Programs can get expensive!</p>
<p>I just got a dell inspiron e1505 for ~1500, discounted from ~2300. its not bad, its pretty powerful. its not that gigantic (15.4 in screen) but it definitely is bigger than the macs (at least thickness, macbook pro is a little wider).</p>