School Laptop

Crapfestival

Hey, folks. I just transferred to a University, and thought I'd like to get a good, practical laptop for simple things like web browsing, word processing, and maybe watching movies. I'd like to spend something in the neighborhood of $350-500 USD, if possible. Dell offers students here some good discounts on their laptops, putting some in that range, but I thought I'd get some opinions from here before diving into that. Thanks!

Dratatoo

$350-500 seems like a good range, if you are just jusing the laptop for the stuff you descriped. Maybe you can shave a few $ by using Linux, but most machine come with OEM versions of Windows anyway.

Unfortunately I don't have much experience besides Apple notebooks. If possible I would suggest getting a laptop which uses a basic graphic chipset which isn't Intel. This way you could do at least "something" 3D related (even if it just increases performance in movie playback, or Desktop/Window rendering) and somewhat "future proofing" it. The Dell Studio 15 can be outfitted with a low end ATI mobility - it is slightly out of your price range - with student discount you should be able to get it back to your desired price range I assume.

Daedalus

Either get something as small and light as possible or get a desktop, because if you get a heavy, cumbersome "desktop replacement", it will never leave your desk after like a week. I learned this the hard way.

Jubal77

Linux laptops might not be the best thing as Universities tend to specialize around submitting of work under a certain format. For the money you listed you are going to get a lower end laptop though. Most likely something with the older generation of Core 2 Duos or something by AMD. Most likely have to get a laptop with an intel based graphics chip too. That should still allow you to watch movies but not tons of multimedia type stuff.

I am not sure if the discount will bring the Core i3 based Laptops in your range but if you can grab one of those that is pretty much the new midrange chip out now.

Dark Shroud

Do not get a Linux laptop. This will cause you many headaches trying to get school software working.

I would also second trying to get a new Core series laptop. The Intel HD graphics chip is able to play HD video without choking.

K0dos

Daedalus wrote: »

Either get something as small and light as possible or get a desktop, because if you get a heavy, cumbersome "desktop replacement", it will never leave your desk after like a week. I learned this the hard way.

As light and small as you can afford is the way to go. I replaced my desktop replacement laptop with a 13 inch laptop and I will never go back.

Improvolone

How much do you want an internal optical drive/

EliteLamer

Can it be a netbook?

EliteLamer

Jubal77 wrote: »

Linux laptops might not be the best thing as Universities tend to specialize around submitting of work under a certain format. For the money you listed you are going to get a lower end laptop though. Most likely something with the older generation of Core 2 Duos or something by AMD. Most likely have to get a laptop with an intel based graphics chip too. That should still allow you to watch movies but not tons of multimedia type stuff.

I am not sure if the discount will bring the Core i3 based Laptops in your range but if you can grab one of those that is pretty much the new midrange chip out now.

Really I have been using OO forever and today was the first time I had an issue ever. PA helped me solve it..

Improvolone

The only school specific stuff I needed was access codes to a special website, not software. As for file formats, Open Office has been getting great and teachers are used to getting multiple formats.

Daedalus

At my school it was actually far easier to authorize a Linux laptop with the school network than a Windows one, but YMMV. (But a good indicator would probably be the size of the school's CS program.)

EliteLamer

Improvolone wrote: »

The only school specific stuff I needed was access codes to a special website, not software. As for file formats, Open Office has been getting great and teachers are used to getting multiple formats.

My English teacher had us submit everything in .RTF so everyone could turn work in no matter what word processor they used. Also, schools have been supporting OO so students don't have to pay for a word processor.

Improvolone

And because e-mailing a purposely borked file is a great way to get an extension.

Crapfestival

I'd prefer not to get a netbook, as I'm not a huge fan of the small screen entailed by it, among other things. An internal optical drive I'd rather have come along with it, though I suppose I could survive without one, now that I think about it.

Also, I was browsing Dell's deals for students, and I can get a rather good Inspiron 1545 for about $400. I'm not sure how good a deal that is, aside from that it cuts off around $150 from the regular price of the specific setup.

I thought I would also mention that I wouldn't mind a used or refurbished laptop, unless anyone wants to give some input as to why that would be a bad idea. Otherwise, thanks for the suggestions, insofar!

Improvolone

A 10'' is pretty big when you're a few feet away (as most are with a laptop), and besides the amazing battery life is fucking amazing.

EliteLamer

Newegg has a Sony right now..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=34-117-986-TS&ISList=34-117-986-Z01%2c34-117-986-Z02%2c34-117-986-Z03%2c34-117-986-Z04%2c34-117-986-Z05%2c34-117-986-Z06%2c34-117-986-Z07%2c34-117-986-Z08&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16834117986&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=SONY%20VAIO%20NW%20Series%20VGN-NW310F%2fB%20Intel%20Pentium%20T4400%282.20GHz%29%2015.5%22%204GB%20Memory%20320GB%20HDD%20Intel%20GMA%204500MHD%20NoteBook

EliteLamer

I hear Asus is really good.. 459.00


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220705

Dratatoo

I thought I would also mention that I wouldn't mind a used or refurbished laptop, unless anyone wants to give some input as to why that would be a bad idea. Otherwise, thanks for the suggestions, insofar!

I wouldn't recommend a used one, unless it is a really good deal. (like: "I bought one a month ago, but didn't use it"), because most likley the battery is worn out etc. and it might have other issues which aren't apparent. You have better chances to exchange a refurbished / new machine if it breaks.

I suggested Linux because the OP just stated: "web browsing, word processing, and maybe watching movies". If your school doesn't support it, or you are not familar with this OS and need special programs running under Windows- of course get a Windows license. Linux has also the advantage that your system is pretty save regarding Windows based viri wich might float around the campus network, or come from the cloud (teh internet) - this might save you some headaches, especially if you have important things on that machine.

Go for an optical drive, its the cheapest and easiest option for creating backups, especially if you are actually doing actual work on the laptop.

Crapfestival

That Asus looks pretty good, I may consider that one. Also, after doing some more shopping around, would you guys consider $400 for this a good deal?

Daedalus

Crapfestival wrote: »

That Asus looks pretty good, I may consider that one. Also, after doing some more shopping around, would you guys consider $400 for this a good deal?

Eh, it's an underpowered brick; I'd say spend that money on a netbook if that's your price range.

mts

stay away from HP. their laptops are crap.

Crapfestival

mts wrote: »

stay away from HP. their laptops are crap.

Are they? Care to elaborate a bit on this?

Dashui

I've been looking for something for school, too, and the Dell Mini 10 has caught my eye. Apparently it can last up to nine and a half hours on a six cell battery?

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/notebooks/inspiron-1012/pd.aspx?refid=inspiron-1012&s=dhs&cs=19&~oid=us~en~29~laptop-inspiron-10_anav_1~~

I've also been looking at their Studio 17 if I wanted something bigger, but that's over twice as much as the Mini 10.

kleinfehn

Crapfestival wrote: »

mts wrote: »

stay away from HP. their laptops are crap.

Are they? Care to elaborate a bit on this?

I can attest that HP has the worst customer service ever, and that my laptop brand has a bad chip in it that HP absolutely refuses to acknowledge even though there are threads on their websites with hundreds of people with this brand all experiencing the same problem.

So unless you like buying a computer than a year later, don't buy HP. I wouldn't recommend Dell either from what I've heard.

mts

i had one and my wife had one. mine had the motherboard (i think) with improper loading and failed usb ports and the original battery crapping out. my wifes had her motherboard die. it got sent back for a warranty claim for a known issue. it died again from another motherboard issue. among other things. dealing with their customer service was a nightmare and had to escalate pretty much every conversation i had.

i would look into lenovo if you can afford it.

Ayulin

Over in Asia, at least, Dell isn't that bad. I have an Inspiron 6000 from 2004 that's still working albeit without a battery. Customer service is pretty good, too, but that's over here, so it probably isn't much help to you.

For something more relevant, Asus is a great brand to look into. I may be wrong, but from what I've seen of Lenovo they tend to be on the expensive side of things.

Wezoin

My HP experience involved the plastic on the case cracking, the webcam stopping working (which wouldn't be that big of a deal since I never use it but it was broken in such a way that the computer kept detecting it then losing it, so I had to leave my laptop on mute to avoid the annoying noises, and still had to put up with constant alerts, literally a "found new hardware" every 10 seconds.)

I wouldn't recommend a netbook, and I know I'll be one of the few to say this, but they are ridiculously slow. I bought my mom an MSI Wind U123 (had the newer atom processor, seemed to be one of the faster ones on the market) and its still horribly slow. Also the keyboards are cramped, and they have tiny trackpads. They just aren't really usable unless you are literally just sending email and doing extremely light internet browsing.

I would recommend against used or refurbished, way too many potential problems. And refurbished often just means "a quick cleaning" and often doesn't involve replacing or repairing anything.

That Asus looks like a reasonable deal, but it is 16" and that is getting on the bigger end of things and may be a pain to carry around. Ideally I'd be looking in the 13" range if I were you - I know it seems small and seems like you are getting less of a deal because its less and sometimes costs the same or more as models with a bigger screen, but it's worth it in the long run.

Roland_tHTG

You should really go to a store to get a feel for the size differences and such for laptops in general if you've never owned/used many. If you plan on taking it everywhere you should also read up on some manufacturers build ratings, how good their stand behind their warrantys and such because if it's going to sit at your desk 100% of the time that won't be nearly as big an issue than if you toss it in a bag 6 times a day.

Once you have a good idea of what you're looking for just hit up some of the deal sites online and look for the best bang for your buck with what's in your price range. You can find a decent list of some here.

Ayulin

Notebook Review is a pretty good site for reviews, I've found.

EliteLamer

I still say ASUS is a good choice.

Roland_tHTG

I've not owned an Asus but no doubt they are since (if my understanding is correct) they are also one of the few actual manufacturers (as in making themselves) of laptops rather than having the work outsourced.