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Another Laptop Thread ...
WilDPanthA05
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So let me proceed by first stating that I haven't shopped for a new laptop in over 7 years. I've had an Inspiron 8500 and it's worked well so far but it's shelf life is starting to show. I was looking around at a few different sites but I'm not really sure where to begin. I wouldn't be using it for too much gaming, but I would like to be able to play some of the stuff that is coming out now. I'm going into the teaching field so there are not too many spec bumps that are necessary, but I would like it to be up-to-date for at least a few years (or as much as that can really dictate).
I'd like to know any direction on where to go ... $$$ really doesn't make that big of a deal, last time I spent roughly $3000 but that's probably where I would top out around now. So I'm bestowing you all with my dilemna and throw whatever you want at me ...
I'd like to know any direction on where to go ... $$$ really doesn't make that big of a deal, last time I spent roughly $3000 but that's probably where I would top out around now. So I'm bestowing you all with my dilemna and throw whatever you want at me ...
WilDPanthA05 on
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Seriously, build quality is completely and utterly subpar on every PC laptop.
I don’t know what planet you live on, but on this one Apple laptops are made by a Taiwanese company known as Quanta. Quanta just so happens to also manufacture more brand-name PC laptops than any other manufacturer. There’s very little difference in quality, because they’re the same damned components in different cases.
Yeah, and Lexus sources the same parts as Toyota. Are you saying when you close the door of a Camry vs. an IS300, they sound the same, feel as solid, feel as good to the touch, et cetera?
I'm tired of this fucking stupid fallacy argument... just because you put Van Goughs in a Porta-Potty does not make it equavalent to placing them in the NYMoMA.
Go type on a Macbook Pro, open and close it, hold it, put it under your arm. Press on the case, on the sides, insert a CD, turn it on and off. Watch how it's keys lightup in low-light. Watch how it has instant-on sleep and networking.
Then go touch a PC laptop. You'll soon realize why so many choose BMW's over Hondas; Audi's over Kia's... it's not that they all have an engine, it's how it's put together.
That's funny, I've got an issue of Consumer Reports sitting right here that says Sony, Lenovo, Compaq, Dell, Toshiba, Gateway, and HP all have about the same percentage of computers requiring repairs as Apple.
To the OP, if you're going the Mac route don't waste your money on a Macbook Pro. Get a regular Macbook.
As a PC person my entire life, Macs bug the crap out of me. I know a lot of people that like them, but I get incredibly frustrated by small inconsistencies that tend to pop up in third party applications for keyboard shortcuts. It isn't as bad as Linux, which is pulling from two different paradigms, but still annoying enough that it bugs me.
The OS debate really boils down to what you use the computer for. Since you mentioned that you want to be able to play some games, you could go either way though you will have a significantly larger set of choices with a Windows machine than a Mac.
Within the academic community Macs are much more prevalent than they are elsewhere. Because of this, there is likely to be many programs that are useful for teachers on both Mac and Windows. Though any particular program is still more likely to be Windows only than Mac only.
If you want a PC - Lenovo's Thinkpad line are built like freaking bricks. The T series laptops have internal roll cages which makes them very solid/stiff feeling (it's difficult to "twist" the chassis). The X series is also very cool, not quite as robust as the T's but they get into the 4 lb range.
Dell's -> they have all crapped out on me (I still use my 5150, but the sound card died long ago). The exception to this is an XPS1210 (the 12" XPS line laptop) that I got for my dad, that one feels real solid. And my pretty old Inspiron 8000 is still going strong, I think they had higher quality assurance controls back then.
Toshiba also makes pretty rugged laptops.
If you want to do current games, look for machines with a dedicated graphics card, ones with onboard graphics tend not to do as well in games (esp. games requiring good 3D performance).
I have one, and it is sex in a sleek aluminum-clad chassis.
Superior build quality and performance.
Check out some reviews at notebookreview.com - they also have a forum with good advice for people in exactly your situation.