totse.com | Looking to get a laptop for college

DocShay · #1 2007-06-27, 04:19

Well, I'm going to college this fall and taking Networking (ccna) while not required, I believe a laptop would serve usefull to me through out school, and between classes.

I'm not to familiar with any brand names, as i've never owned a laptop and have always built my computers myself. Strictly for school so I need something thats reasonably quick, and will have good battery life. No need for anything media/gaming wise as I have a gaming computer at home.

I've heard good things about Dell and their warrenty, as well as Toshiba. Also been told to stay away from brands like Acer as I'm told they generally use lower grade parts and cheap out on things. Not sure of any truth behind all that, but its what I've been told.

I'd like to keep this laptop 1000$ and under. I'd like some advice, anybody have any suggestions? I'll probably be purchasing one around the end of July to the middle of August so I have some time, but i'd like to see what m potential options are.

Thanks.

Trousersnake · #2 2007-06-27, 06:02

Do you live on campus?

What level of use will it get? As in what applications will you want to run?

I bought a secondhand Toshiba for uni...If it gets stolen it'll piss me off but not as much as if it was my proper laptop.

My 'proper' laptop is an Acer and it works fine and has done since I got it in late 2004.

With Dells I know a few people with them, spec wise I dunno how others here would like them but seemed good to me, but they have all been really heavy and bulky for some reason.

A work laptop I used to love using on the road was a Fujitsu

Just my advice...be sure to look after it as unis are filled with theiving, money-less student bastards.

Trousersnake · #3 2007-06-27, 06:05

Oh and an option might be checking out the uni store if you have one...here they usually have re-furbed laptops for sale with a warranty.

Does your college offer I.T.?? If so ask some of their students if they have a laptop they are thinking of upgrading soon.

That's what I'd do. I wouldn't buy something brand new for a few word processing type uses and intertnet access - The things capabilites (which you'd have paid for) would be going to waste.

MunkeyQ · #4 2007-06-27, 06:24

For portability, get a Dell Latitude or an IBM/Lenovo machine. Most of them are quite small, light and hard to kill by accident. My Dell D600 has fallen off tables, been stepped on and a lot more and the only signs of its misfortune is the paint coming off the metal lid.

Thinkpads are known for their strength too. Both Latitudes and IBMs have metal frames too.

Quote:

With Dells I know a few people with them, spec wise I dunno how others here would like them but seemed good to me, but they have all been really heavy and bulky for some reason.

I wouldn't say that with many Dells - mine is thinner than most modern laptops, but it is pretty heavy. The Inspirons aren't as good though. Avoid!

Toraton · #5 2007-06-27, 13:58

Apple makes my favorite laptops, just gotta get rid of OSX.

DocShay · #6 2007-06-27, 17:19

Nope not living on campus. Just a 30 minute bus ride there and back everyday, a day full of classes.

More thanlikly just using it for internet access, word processing and that sort of thing. And whatever else I may need it to do..heres my first term line up on courses.

Code:

TERM 1  	   	COURSE NAME  	CREDIT HOURS

  	ELSQ106 	Linux - Client 	6

  	ELSQ107 	Computer Hardware Fundamentals 	7

  	ELSQ121 	MCSE - Level 1 	4

  	ELSQ122 	MCSE - Level 2 	4

  	ELSQ123 	MCSE - Level 3 	4

  	ELSQ124 	MCSE - Level 4 	4

  	ETSQ101 	CCNA - Level 1 	5

  	ETSQ102 	CCNA - Level 2 	5

  	T13W100 	WHMIS Workshop 	0

  	T13W103 	General Safety Training

MunkeyQ · #7 2007-06-27, 17:35

A second hand 1ghz Thinkpad with a good amount of RAM will cost about £130, it'll be near indestructible and it's more than fast enough for word processing and web browsing. That's what I'd buy.

DocShay · #8 2007-06-27, 18:00

Built this on dell....what do you guys think?

Code:

My System Details

PROCESSOR	Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5500 (1.66GHz) 2M L2 Cache, 667Mhz Dual Core



OPERATING SYSTEM	Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition, SP2, with media	



LCD PANEL	15 inch XGA LCD Panel	



MEMORY	2.0GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 2 DIMMS	



HARD DRIVE	80GB Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 5400RPM



OPTICAL DRIVE	8X DVD+/-RW w/Sonic Digital Media™ and Cyberlink Power DVD™	

WI-FI WIRELESS CARD	Dell Wireless™ 1390 802.11g Mini Card



My Accessories

PRIMARY BATTERY	6 Cell Primary Battery	

PRIMARY POWER OPTIONS	65W A/C Adapter	



My Software

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION	Resource CD - Contains Diagnostics and Drivers	

FILE SYSTEM	NTFS File System for all Operating Systems	



My Support & Services

WARRANTY & SERVICE	1 Year Limited Warranty plus 1 Year Mail-in Service	

ON-SITE SYSTEM SETUP	No Onsite System Setup

PURCHASE INTENT	Purchase is not intended for resale.	edit

ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM

Miscellaneous	Latitude D520 Dual	

Processor Branding	Intel Core 2 Duo Processor	

OS Labels	Windows XP Brand	

Internal Keyboard	Internal English Keyboard

price tag is $784

DocShay · #9 2007-06-27, 18:46

Well shit, apparently dell.com doesnt ship to canada.

So I went to dell.ca, built the exact same specs laptop and it came to $1099! What the hell?

Everythings the same. So I figured maybe its just the currency I have to convert. So I goto XE.com conversion...

784.00 USD

=

839.993 CAD

Where the hell is this other $300 coming from? Also, shipping in the states is 70$. Shipping in Canada is $125.

I don't see why I cant buy from dell.com since they are all probably made there anyway. This is ridiculous!

Trousersnake · #10 2007-06-27, 23:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocShay View Post

Well shit, apparently dell.com doesnt ship to canada.

So I went to dell.ca, built the exact same specs laptop and it came to $1099! What the hell?

Everythings the same. So I figured maybe its just the currency I have to convert. So I goto XE.com conversion...

784.00 USD

=

839.993 CAD

Where the hell is this other $300 coming from? Also, shipping in the states is 70$. Shipping in Canada is $125.

I don't see why I cant buy from dell.com since they are all probably made there anyway. This is ridiculous!

Ring them ask them putting the pressure on them

I would but then again I like to shake things up...and by that I mean getting my response whilst being an ass.