Laptops....opinions needed.

[SpdRcrChk]

So...I got some nice cash for graduation this week. I was gonna put it away for when I go back to school to try and get a ph.d. but....I'm thinkin a laptop would be nice for school too. I'm really not an expert in this, so maybe you guys/gals can offer some suggestions. I've got about 1k to spend, but I would really rather not spend it all. Therefore...used laptops are definitely an option. I don't really need it to be fancy schmancy. A burner would be ok. A very decent amount of memory so I can use photoshop, illustrator, fireworks, and possibly other software. Of course I also need space to save stuff for school.

Suggestions / Opinions?

[Gravy]

i love my dell, 600m is great. nory hooked me up with a nice rebate. ask him for some help.....btw ur gonna spend the whole 1000 and then some for a decent laptop.

[spydaman06]

i love my dell, 600m is great. nory hooked me up with a nice rebate. ask him for some help.....btw ur gonna spend the whole 1000 and then some for a decent laptop.werd...:run: :run: :run:

[TypeRKoncepts]

i have dell and vaio, both are above 1000 but if u want to use image processing software i'd recommend at least 512 ram and a decent 60-80 gb hard drive.

You can go cheap on the video hardware, and cd burning comes standard. later on if u want to get a dvd burner u can always add a usb. 15.4" is also standard now so mostly all notebooks wont charge anything for 15.4" vs. 14"

After that is mostly aesthetics... the sony wins out in my opinion. its sleek and well designed. But i believe dell is a little cheaper.

[Mikey]

i have an alienware laptop. it is one of the most powerful laptops on the market right now.

needless to say, you do not need something like mine.


i would say go with either dell, or toshiba. dell offers great pricing, and ok service.

my vote goes to dell.

i may be getting a new laptop soon, its not really a laptop, though, its a tablet pc. lightweight, long lasting batteries and decent power. the one i want to get is called the tc1100 from hp/compaq you may want to look into something like that.

[yardy8301]

cant go wrong with a dell.

if you need something from a store. radioshack has an hp. comes with a 5.2mp camera and a photoprinter. amd64 processor, 60gig hd, 512 memory, cdrw/dvd player, memory card slots, wireless network card, pretty big screen, decent deal. $1100

[EXTREMUM]

So...I got some nice cash for graduation this week. I was gonna put it away for when I go back to school to try and get a ph.d. but....I'm thinkin a laptop would be nice for school too. I'm really not an expert in this, so maybe you guys/gals can offer some suggestions. I've got about 1k to spend, but I would really rather not spend it all. Therefore...used laptops are definitely an option. I don't really need it to be fancy schmancy. A burner would be ok. A very decent amount of memory so I can use photoshop, illustrator, fireworks, and possibly other software. Of course I also need space to save stuff for school.

Suggestions / Opinions?

www.notebookreview.com

Get back to me, later. ;)

[Bone]

I wouldn't get a laptop, i have one and I haven't yoused it as a "laptop" in like a year. your better off getting a desktop. that way you can get a lot more for a lot less. yeah moving it in and out of the dorm or whatever may be a pain but it's a lot easier to work on.

[spydaman06]

Yeah RamBone, I can haul my 30lb desktop all over the place. Good idea...:run: :run: :run:

[Bone]

Yeah RamBone, I can haul my 30lb desktop all over the place. Good idea...more than likely it would to her dorm and then back to her house once every 5 months or so. unless she has a need to be sitting in class on a computer or at lunch in a cafeteria then there really is no need for a laptop computer.

I have one and had every intention of using it as a true laptop. but I have faced the reality that it's just to much of a pain in the ass to carry one around. and if you get one with a screen that's big enough to work with then it's just a big bulky pain. you go with one that has a tiny ass 13inch screen and only has a resolution of 800x600 your screwed. things are 10 times more a pain in the ass. I know this to be fact because I have one of those sitting here as well.

I speak from expierence so chill with your lame sarcasm.

[spydaman06]

more than likely it would to her dorm and then back to her house once every 5 months or so. unless she has a need to be sitting in class on a computer or at lunch in a cafeteria then there really is no need for a laptop computer.

I have one and had every intention of using it as a true laptop. but I have faced the reality that it's just to much of a pain in the ass to carry one around. and if you get one with a screen that's big enough to work with then it's just a big bulky pain. you go with one that has a tiny ass 13inch screen and only has a resolution of 800x600 your screwed. things are 10 times more a pain in the ass. I know this to be fact because I have one of those sitting here as well.

I speak from expierence so chill with your lame sarcasm.So do I. And I love mine. Its not that much of a hassle. my sarcasm is lame...:wtc: :run: :run: :run:

[TypeRKoncepts]

for college people the laptop has a lot of practical experience

i dont need to wait in line at the library to get a laptop.
I dont have to wait in computer labs to get a computer
I can use it in class
I can use it while waiting between classes.
I can simply plug it in when i get home and use it as a desktop pc without wastign space with a desktop monitor and tower.

[Yani]

more than likely it would to her dorm and then back to her house once every 5 months or so. unless she has a need to be sitting in class on a computer or at lunch in a cafeteria then there really is no need for a laptop computer.

I have one and had every intention of using it as a true laptop. but I have faced the reality that it's just to much of a pain in the ass to carry one around. and if you get one with a screen that's big enough to work with then it's just a big bulky pain. you go with one that has a tiny ass 13inch screen and only has a resolution of 800x600 your screwed. things are 10 times more a pain in the ass. I know this to be fact because I have one of those sitting here as well.

I speak from expierence so chill with your lame sarcasm.



you speak from your experiance, everyone doesnt share the same one. she has a desktop computer already, and she doesnt live in a dorm. she cant take her desktop with her to class everyday so she needs a lap top...

[M.A.R.C.]

lol... rambone must thing by attending college you automatically live in a dorm. my gf just got a dell, she doesn't use the computer at home much... only at the library and around school. i think u're confusing the utility of a laptop for someone who actually has a NEED for one with your reasons/uses.

[spydaman06]

You save a big chunk of change if you live off campus.

[supermeng]

So...I got some nice cash for graduation this week. I was gonna put it away for when I go back to school to try and get a ph.d. but....I'm thinkin a laptop would be nice for school too. I'm really not an expert in this, so maybe you guys/gals can offer some suggestions. I've got about 1k to spend, but I would really rather not spend it all. Therefore...used laptops are definitely an option. I don't really need it to be fancy schmancy. A burner would be ok. A very decent amount of memory so I can use photoshop, illustrator, fireworks, and possibly other software. Of course I also need space to save stuff for school.

Suggestions / Opinions?


I am sellign my Dell Latitude D600 for 850 if your Intrested it has 512 mb of ram with a 60 gig harddrive, it has intagrated Wireless, and a dvd burner.
Pm me if your intrested. --Jon

[Yani]

You save a big chunk of change if you live off campus.


huh?

[EXTREMUM]

huh?

Dorms are very expensive.

[SpdRcrChk]

K well.....fer one i have a pretty decent computer at home. Lots of memory, DVD / CD burner, lots of USB connections, flat screen, yadda yadda yadda it's a great PC. I'm gonna need this more for work at school, or some graphics work I will be doin' for stuff I'm doin' on the side. I forgot who mentioned it but I really like the convenience of being able to type my notes at school..not having to wait at the library or computer labs for computer and being able to take my "work" with me anywhere. I MIGHT also be using this for tuning proggies.

But anyway...I really appreciate your help guys. I'm gonna look into your suggestions. I just remembered my b/f's Mom works for Dell so I'll see if she can get a discount of sorts. :)

[EXTREMUM]

I just remembered my b/f's Mom works for Dell so I'll see if she can get a discount of sorts. :)

Ask her about laptops, with the clearview screens. It looks like a clear plexiglas screen, similar to what rear projection TV LCD screens use - no glare whatsoever, and you won't have any viewing angle issues, like a standard LCD. Those would be best, for photo publishing. Good luck.

[}{yBr!D^]

Stick with Toshiba, Dell or HP... fuck the rest... for what you'll pay for in a Vaio its not worth it...

Both the desktop and Notebook (its not a "laptop" anymore) have their needs. If you're looking for unlimited power and a dedicated source to browse sites and such a desktop is what you need... if you're going to be on the go, moving from place to place where there will be WAN's and such (like school campuses) then its a notebook... EV, if you plan on using this pc for studies some chopping and other stuff then yes get a notebook... but my suggestion stays on the three I mentioned up there....

[}{yBr!D^]

By the way, wrong thread :D

http://floridastreetscene.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=48 <-----

[@ll Moto-R]

My toshiba has been great can't go wrong with it.

[EXTREMUM]

The last five of ten laptops I've repaired this month, have been Toshibas - three of them had bad hard drives. I guess they're good, until the warranty expires. :ugh:

[}{yBr!D^]

Um... my fiancée had her old Toshiba for more than a year before it got stolen... perfect laptop for its price... also, I've been fixing Dell's left and right... does that make their notebooks poor quality? Nope... its just the users of the notebooks fuck up those computers... what do you expect, the common user now a days run their pc's without anti-virus programs nor spyware programs and then expect their pc's to last forever. As of right now I'm fixing two desktops... they're running perfect now but in 3 to 4 months they'll be back in my posession being fixed yet again :D

[SpdRcrChk]

thanks again guys. :) Hybrid I definitely will need one for at least 1 or 2 purposes. But I'm not in a real big hurry so I'll just shop around. I'm gonna take what Extremum said into consideration, that glare thing definitely is a P.I.T.A.

[EXTREMUM]

Um... my fiancée had her old Toshiba for more than a year before it got stolen... perfect laptop for its price... also, I've been fixing Dell's left and right... does that make their notebooks poor quality? Nope... its just the users of the notebooks fuck up those computers...

I'm not here to argue. However, I must point out, that mechanical hard drive failure is not a user error. :ughsmile:

[}{yBr!D^]

After constant abuse.. "fallen notebooks" there could be mechanical failure... now if the HDD made the same noise off of the same model HDD then its was a manufacture failure, not the company that provided the name and installation for the notebook... so if Toshiba/Dell/HP are using the same HDD in question (for example a Samsung) and they all malfunction then who's truely at fault? One Samsung for poor quality.. then Toshiba/Dell/HP for still using the same HDD in all their machines :) (I'm not arguing, just stating facts ;) )

[supermeng]

I'm not here to argue. However, I must point out, that mechanical hard drive failure is not a user error. :ughsmile:

Yes it is, unless it came like that, Hard drives last as long as the user takes good care of it unless its a freakin 10 year old 20 gig harddrive or something like that. Hard drives dont just die, well maybe one or two cheap brands but dell usally use seagate and the are pretty fuckin good harddrives.

[EXTREMUM]

Yes it is, unless it came like that, Hard drives last as long as the user takes good care of it unless its a freakin 10 year old 20 gig harddrive or something like that. Hard drives dont just die, well maybe one or two cheap brands but dell usally use seagate and the are pretty fuckin good harddrives.

The hard drives should last a TAD longer than 90 days, since there's not a scratch on the goddamn laptops. The Toshibas I worked on, had Samsung hard drives in them. Since Hybrid said they're garbage, I'm in 100% agreement with him. I have the proof, sitting on my computer desk.

I don't care - I'm gettin' paid for the muthafucka... :rofl:

[DIENOW]

I suggest u get an iMac Laptop

For graphics its the best thing you can do.

[EXTREMUM]

I suggest u get an iMac Laptop

For graphics its the best thing you can do.

Hence, if she can't afford a new one, there's www.macofalltrades.com (http://www.macofalltrades.com). :smile:

[Bone]

lol... rambone must thing by attending college you automatically live in a dorm. my gf just got a dell, she doesn't use the computer at home much... only at the library and around school. i think u're confusing the utility of a laptop for someone who actually has a NEED for one with your reasons/uses.no i don't but most seem to unless it's a comunity college, and i know a lot of them require you to live in the dorms for the first couple of years. i know to many that have had to live on campus do to there restrictions in lower class men.

as far as the laptop issue. using one for graphic is not the easiest to do, finding a good quality mouse would be the first step. Most laptops integrated mouse pads are not very precise at all. hence the reason I went and got a track ball.

there is a kick ass wireless trackball that I found some time ago that I was going to get for mine but it runs like $80.00 I used it in one of the specialty computer shops up north, very smooth and precise.

If you have your heart set on a notebook i would recommend this one:

HP Pavilion ze2315us Notebook PC
features the AMD Mobile Sempronâ„¢ 3000+ processor and 512MB of DDR memory as well as a 60GB hard drive. This capable PC also offers a 128KB L2 cache, 1.8GHz processing speed and a 1600MHz system bus.
15.0� XGA (1024 x 768 resolution) display employs both TFT active matrix and Brightview technologies to provide an exceptionally vivid, clear picture
Combo drive: The double-layer DVD+/-R/RW drive lets you record up to 8.5GB of information on just one double-layer disc. This versatile drive also writes to CD.
Enhanced wireless: Connect to a network or the Web with built-in 802.11g/b wireless. SpeedBooster technology enhances wireless networking, providing improved performance and efficient data transmission

they have @ circuit city right now for 900, but there is a 200 dollar rebate on it.

My cousin just purchased this same model for use in his company truck to track his drop offs and maintenance that he does. he said the battery lasts a hell of a long time between charges.

and it's a rather slim lightweight style so it's not to bad to lug around.

[EXTREMUM]

no i don't but most seem to unless it's a comunity college, and i know a lot of them require you to live in the dorms for the first couple of years. i know to many that have had to live on campus do to there restrictions in lower class men.

If you have your heart set on a notebook i would recommend this one:

HP Pavilion ze2315us Notebook PC
features the AMD Mobile Sempronâ„¢ 3000+ processor and 512MB of DDR memory as well as a 60GB hard drive. This capable PC also offers a 128KB L2 cache, 1.8GHz processing speed and a 1600MHz system bus.
15.0� XGA (1024 x 768 resolution) display employs both TFT active matrix and Brightview technologies to provide an exceptionally vivid, clear picture
Combo drive: The double-layer DVD+/-R/RW drive lets you record up to 8.5GB of information on just one double-layer disc. This versatile drive also writes to CD.
Enhanced wireless: Connect to a network or the Web with built-in 802.11g/b wireless. SpeedBooster technology enhances wireless networking, providing improved performance and efficient data transmission

they have @ circuit city right now for 900, but there is a 200 dollar rebate on it.

My cousin just purchased this same model for use in his company truck to track his drop offs and maintenance that he does. he said the battery lasts a hell of a long time between charges.

and it's a rather slim lightweight style so it's not to bad to lug around.

Good choice.


as far as the laptop issue. using one for graphic is not the easiest to do, finding a good quality mouse would be the first step. Most laptops integrated mouse pads are not very precise at all. hence the reason I went and got a track ball.


pen tablet > *

[Bone]

Good choice.



pen tablet > *now that is something that I really do need right there. but haven't found any that are of suffcient quaility and the right price.

[EXTREMUM]

now that is something that I really do need right there. but haven't found any that are of suffcient quaility and the right price.

Yeah, pen tablets are the most overlooked item on the market. Everyone thinks they're so 1980's, without realizing how advanced the technology has become. I see everyone with Macs using these, and they're all hardcore image publishers.

[Bone]

Yeah, pen tablets are the most overlooked item on the market. Everyone thinks they're so 1980's, without realizing how advanced the technology has become. I see everyone with Macs using these, and they're all hardcore image publishers.sugest a couple so we can all bennifit from the knowledge. i'm sure spdrchk could use the knowledge as well.

[EXTREMUM]

The price ranges vary, from around $150 - over $1k, depending on the size of the tablet (the average size is like 5x8, whereas I've seen the more expensive ones which are 12x18).

[}{yBr!D^]

Since Hybrid said they're garbage, I'm in 100% agreement with him.


I never said Samsung HDD's were garbage, I was using their brand as an example. I have a Samsung SV3063H (30GB HDD) thats lasted over 6 years now... along with a 160GB Maxtor 4A160J0... (I've only had the maxtor for 2 years or so)... SO saying Samsung products are garbage is not valid.. all manufactures have their defected products every now and then, some more than others... just cause you've had two Toshiba's with similar HDD problems doesn't mean every similar machine will choke and crash...

[SpdRcrChk]

I suggest u get an iMac Laptop

For graphics its the best thing you can do.

Yeah i know. And trust me i've considered ot. Problem is that...when transferring files from PC to MAC i know sometimes it can be a real p.i.t.a. I'm not sure if tuning programs work on Macs either. :confused:

Rambone, thanks alot for the recommendation. I'm definitely gonna look into it. Maybe Extremum can offer a hand later too since he seems to know a few tricks of the trade!

[Spoolio]

well all i can say from years of experience, is that all new laptops crap out on u within 2 years, i work on computers for a living, ive seen it all, i can tell u the worst company would have to be Toshiba for thier system board failures,

Precautions : whatever you do, do not bend your ac adapter port while its plugged in, that will cause the ac port on the motherboard to break, which in terms is 90% of laptops are solderd in acports, so there goes ur 1000$, ive seen this happen over 1200times, and about 2-3times a day.

also with apples, trust me, they arent so great either, apple's hardware is just as bad as any regular manufacturer, the only thing that makes apple stand out is thier durable operating systems and software.

[Mikey]

w
also with apples, trust me, they arent so great either, apple's hardware is just as bad as any regular manufacturer


fucking truth