What Laptops do you recommend?

[boy_scout72688]

my recommendation, don't get a Dell. I am an employee of a college who does billion dollar work with Dell and we still get really really bad support calls.

[vivek16]

Originally Posted by boy_scout72688

my recommendation, don't get a Dell. I am an employee of a college who does billion dollar work with Dell and we still get really really bad support calls.

i prefer using the intraweb for tech support. but thanks, ill keep that in mind. They do have really good deals though.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by boy_scout72688

my recommendation, don't get a Dell. I am an employee of a college who does billion dollar work with Dell and we still get really really bad support calls.

I'd take this with a grain of salt. 100 people on this website probably have negative experiences with a given company, and another 100 have positive experiences.

However, it is a little hard to believe your college does a BILLION dollars of business with Dell.

[Schnabel]

$1,000,000,000 / ~$500 = 2,000,000 computers. Depending on the size of the university, it is possible. (1 laptop per student, computer labs, professor computers, ect.)

[artdutra04]

For laptops, I usually recommend Macbook Pros, Dell Inspirons or Macbooks. (Usually in about that order.) Edit: Lenovo/IBM Thinkpads are also good Windows business-class machines, although unless you are an Excel number-cruncher I usually don't recommend them.)

If you want a wicked awesome computer, get the Macbook Pro. A medium-spec Macbook Pro at $2500 (with a lifespan of like five years*) is basically the same price as two cheap (about $1000) Windows laptops each lasting two-three years.

After that, my second recommendation is usually split between Dell Inspirons and Macbooks, depending on your usage. I've owned an Inspiron for almost two years now, and it's still going strong [with everything except CAD].

If you're planning on doing a LOT of intense CAD work, I might lean towards the Inspiron with upgraded RAM and video card running XP Pro. Although you can use Boot Camp and install XP Pro on the Macbook, and do the same thing if you want to.


* Team 228 has always owned more Macs than PCs. We used several circa-1999 iMacs up until about 2005 as some of our main computers; and we're still currently using a circa 2003-iMac as one of our primary computers.

[whlspacedude]

If you want a wicked awesome computer, get the Macbook Pro. A medium-spec Macbook Pro at $2500 (with a lifespan of like five years*) is basically the same price as two cheap (about $1000) Windows laptops each lasting two-three years.

Interesting.... I have 1993 Packard Bell Laptop that i use every day for programing and i still run windows 3.11 for workgroups and it has lasted 1 years.

Anyway i would buy one of these:


Acer Aspire 9300 5349 Open Box Notebook PC - AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core TL-56 1.8GHz, 802.11b/g Wireless, 1GB DDR2, 160GB HDD, DL DVD RW, 17" WXGA+, Integrated Webcam, Windows Vista Home Premium $649.97


Gateway MT3423 Refurbished Notebook PC - AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core TL-56 1.8GHz, 802.11g Wireless, 2GB DDR2, 160GB HDD, Dual Layer DVD RW, 14.1" WXGA, Windows Vista Home Premium $649.99

Toshiba Satellite A215 S7422 Notebook PC - AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core TL-58 1.9GHz, 802.11b/g Wireless, 1GB DDR2, 160GB HDD, Dual Layer DVD RW, 15.4" WXGA, Windows Vista Home Premium $729.99

HP Pavilion dv6625us Notebook PC - AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core TL-58 1.9GHz, 802.11b/g Wireless, 1GB DDR2, 160GB HDD, Dual Layer DVD RW, 15.4" WXGA, Integrated Webcam, Windows Vista Home Premium $804.99*

HP Compaq 6715b Laptop PC - AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core TL-56 1.8GHz, Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g/draft-n Wireless, 1GB DDR2, 120GB HDD, Dual Layer DVD RW, 15.4" WXGA, Windows Vista Business $959.99


*rebate

[synth3tk]

You got some pretty nice recommendations here from CD's own "elves"! I'd agree with getting a Dell or MacBook, especially the Vostros/Inspiron.

Also have to ditto the avoidance of HP AT ALL COST!!! Bad quality and support, and not a very good deal for your money.

[Freddy Schurr]

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php=50086

^ Some useful information.

[synth3tk]

Using my brilliant knowledge of vBulliten's original URL specifications combined with mad researching "skilz", super sleuth abilities, and all-powerful computer knowhow, I have undoubtedly positively corrected your thread link in beautiful Technicolour!!!

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=50086

[EHaskins]

If you've read many of my posts, you'll know I think tablet PCs are great. They're more expensive than a noraml laptop, but once you've used one, you'll never go back.

This is the setup my brother has:
Gateway C-140X
1.66 Core2 duo(an additional $5)
1gb ram, but replaced by a pair of these 1gb sticks. That was a ten minute job that saved $100.
80gb hdd
12 cell battery, can litterally get 8 hours on battery power!!!

He also paid for $30 for a fingerprint reader, but I didn't include that.

Total cost $1050 including shipping, but you can save some more if you watch for deals.

I know this isn't the cheapest computer, but tablet PCs are great!


EDIT: If you need more storage get one of these. I have a pair of those that stay in my computer case all of the time.(they're 75% full)

[vivek16]

What would be the difference between 1.4 ghz, 1.66 ghz, and 1.83 ghz core two duo processors when running inventor or gaming?

I will still have 2 gb ram and 128 mb video card. as a poor sophomore in high school without money the processors are pretty expensive

thanks, vivek.

p.s. I will probably choose 1.66 but I was just wondering what you guys think?

[synth3tk]

The decision of choosing between those processor speeds are akin to the question of which car you buy. Sorta. The faster it is, the better things run. Actually, that car bit was an outright lie. Just a side note, if you're playing higher-end games such as BF2, CoD2, ET:QW, and so on, then 1.66 may not deliver that well. I've got a dual core 1.60 with 2 GB of RAM, and it's barely running my games on Low/Medium-Low. Then again, it is a laptop with sucky integrated graphics, but 1.6 GHz dual core on a desktop would still let you "just get by".

Although I do understand your position, since I'm trying to build a gaming machine on part time wages, try to find some good deals and treat yourself to at least the 1.83. You'll be glad you did.

http://www.tigerdirect.com
http://www.newegg.com [Recommended]
http://www.ebay.com [Not-So-Recommended, But Still An Option]

Last but not least, the RAM is more than sufficient for what you'll be doing, and the video card sounds like it's good. Kudos in those departments. BTW, what's the video card model? If you need assistance, I might just help you out with buying your processor, really got nothing else but robotics to spend my money on!

[vivek16]

Originally Posted by blakcheez

The decision of choosing between those processor speeds are akin to the question of which car you buy. Sorta. The faster it is, the better things run. Actually, that car bit was an outright lie. Just a side note, if you're playing higher-end games such as BF2, CoD2, ET:QW, and so on, then 1.66 may not deliver that well. I've got a dual core 1.60 with 2 GB of RAM, and it's barely running my games on Low/Medium-Low. Then again, it is a laptop with sucky integrated graphics, but 1.6 GHz dual core on a desktop would still let you "just get by".

Although I do understand your position, since I'm trying to build a gaming machine on part time wages, try to find some good deals and treat yourself to at least the 1.83. You'll be glad you did.

http://www.tigerdirect.com
http://www.newegg.com [Recommended]
http://www.ebay.com [Not-So-Recommended, But Still An Option]

Last but not least, the RAM is more than sufficient for what you'll be doing, and the video card sounds like it's good. Kudos in those departments. BTW, what's the video card model? If you need assistance, I might just help you out with buying your processor, really got nothing else but robotics to spend my money on!

thanks a lot, but I was looking at the dell vostro 1500 (i know I want it) and it works out to 729 added up for the laptop with 1.83 ghz c2d processor
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7100 (1.8GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic edit
LCD PANEL 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA LCD Display with TrueLife™ edit
MEMORY 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 DIMM edit
HARD DRIVE 160G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive edit
OPTICAL DRIVE 8X CD/DVD Burner w/ double-layer DVD+R write capability
VIDEO CARD 128MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8400M GS edit
MEDIA DIRECT Dell Exclusive MediaDirect™ Instant Play Software App
WI-FI WIRELESS CARD Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Wi-Fi Mini Card edit

It has all the specs I want besides the ram which I will upgrade seperately. it works out to less than 800 dollars total with 1.83 ghz c2d processor, 2gb RAM, and that video card and specs listed up there.

here is the link to the website: http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/vostronb_1500?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&~tab=bundlesta b
I chose the Enhanced graphics Performance option and customized with basic vista. I have xp pro that I will install onto it.

Should I get the Intel wireless card or keep the dell one?

thanks, vivek

[synth3tk]

Oh, ok. I don't know why I thought you were actually upgrading the system. Yeah, that's a steal for the price.

As for the wireless card, I see no reason to change it unless your connectivity needs are different. From what I read on Dell there's two Intel cards. One adds 802.11a support (pffft) and the other adds draft-N. The key word in the latter card is "draft". I'd avoid going with this one especially since it's built into a laptop. I say this because the specification for N isn't set in stone yet, as it were. Bottom line, you may end up paying for something that won't be very compatible with the final routers at all. Not that I'm implying it won't for sure, but the possibility is there.

And the one with A? Please, what consumer really uses it? Just save money and go with the Dell.