I'm looking to buy a computer for college, but I'm not sure what the best computer for me is. I'll be doing a lot of school work on it, but I'll also use it for music recording and pictures as well, but I will also be traveling home a lot and I would like to take it with me, so its a catch 22. What would you suggest? My price range is between $1,000-1,200. \n\nAny help is wonderful!
205153
A laptop will take up less space, plus you'll be able to carry it to class if allowed, and it will help with note-taking when you're studying at the library. You'll even be able to use it to record lectures.\n\nA desktop, on the other hand, will give you more computing power for the money, is generally easier (and less expensive) to repair or upgrade, and being less portable, it's also harder to steal. Or lose.
387843
Hmmm - can I be honest and say if you are doing video editing, you WON'T get anything close to what you are after for $1000 (esp looking at a Macbook.)\n\nBest option I would suggest going a Satellite Pro (Toshiba) - well priced and plenty of power.\n\nNB: have always found Mac rendered 3D & Video a lot slower even with comparable hardware - and charge more for the privelage!\n\nOh, and despite "Crypto's" suggestion, bootcamp is not the solution it is being hyped up to be - still buggy as all hell. Is actually much easier to get OS X working on a PC (google "OSx86" for that one) than it is to get Windows to run bug-free on the Intel Macs...and a damned site cheaper. (OS X also runs nearly twice as fast on a generic PC than it does on Apple's own hardware -  thus their efforts to shut this version down!)
284177
Many people spend far more than they need to for a laptops.  A college student or in this case a law student only needs to type on the keyboard, retrieve e-mail and do online research.  As you pointed out a wifi card is a must and can be added to an older laptop for $30.  Rather than spending $600 plus there is no reason why she could not spend $300 to $400.  Type "used laptops" or "refurbished laptop" into google and check out the first 2-3 companies that come up.
565450
The Apple MacBook could be the laptop your'e looking for. It may seem more expensive at first but it will last far longer for you as well as the lack of viruses, spyware, adware, trojans, etc. It also comes with a lot more applications and software than most windows-run laptops. I believe they're going to incorporate bootcamp soon so if you visit an apple store or something they can help you out with that as well. You can also get a 100 dollar student discount on the laptop through apple. The website below has all the specifications. any questions feel free to email me. I use both often and have a much easier time with the Macs as far as not having to do any maitenance for it.\n\nOh and it also comes with an application called Dashboard that Windows lacks. It's a program that has widgets and just a ton of  awesome stuff in general.
656024
Since you are a collage guy so i am guessing that you will use it to connect to the net to do some research, so your should have a computer having the following (I have listed these according to your specified price. You may get all these features and even more under 40K, but according to me these are of utmost important to a college guy.)\n\n1) At least 2 USB drives (To use your USB peripherals like thumb   Drive or mouse)\n\n2) Ethernet and internet ports (To connect via. Lan or dial -Up)\n\n3) Wireless connectivity (For internet on the go)\n\n4) Card Reader (To read your Mobile or PDA's memory card)\n\n5) CD-RW/DVD Drive or DVD writer (To burn Cd's/DVD's)\n\n6) 40 - 60 GB HDD and 256 MB of Ram\n\n7) Good battery back up (At least 4 - 4.5 hours)\n\nNow according to the above list your best bet is a \nCompaq Presario V2623TS(EX029PA)\n\nIt has got everything i listed above and much more. It cost Rs. 37000 approx. and weighs around 2.5 Kg but the weight shouldnt matter considering you are a student and you wont carry it that much.(you can also try the lenovo thinkpad C series but the features dont seem much appealing)\n\nWELL NOW THE CHOICE IS YOURS AND YOURS ALONE\n\nPS: You must consider carrying a USB Thumb drive having a capacity of atleast 1GB so that you can have a backup of all your files because you never know when a Machine will Bug you out.
186373
The age doesn't matter, it's the planned usage you will want to know.  What do they plan to use the computer for?  Web surfing, music, word processing, etc does not require a powerful system.  Gaming, digital imaging, conquering the world - these are what require power machines.  \n\nI would get them a decent, but budget, prebuilt system.  Preferrably an HP, Compaq, or EMachine (all HP basically since Compaq builds Emachines and HP owns Compaq).  They will come with a recovery partition that will reset the computer to the "out-of-box" setting should anything go wrong.  Some even allow you to keep software and personal files.  Much easier than reformatting, and quicker.\n\nGateway's are crap.  They gave me faulty RAM modules, then when I asked about the type (since it wasn't included in the documentation) they said I HAD to buy it from them to insure compatibility and it would be $184 for a 128MB stick.  I said I have something you can 'stick' somewhere.  Anyway, I went to Circuit City and got some RAM that works fine.  Turns out it was 128MB 100/66MHz RAM in their system.  Not sure about the other specifics.\n\nThat is my parents' computer BTW...they are mid-40s.  They need a new one, too - so while you're at it if you could pick up a decent Celeron-based PC or something for them. - j/k.
654068
I don't know how old you are, but maybe you are old enough for babysitting or a paper route.  My first job was a paper route at 15 years old.  I would try one of these kind of jobs, which might show your parents how much you want one (just don't let your schoolwork suffer).  Secondly, you had better lower your sights for your first computer, $1500 is a lot of money as you already know.  Someone already suggested a low cost Dell for around $500, that is a good idea, and there are a few other brands that have a low cost entry-level computer.  If you try to earn some of the money yourself and search for a reasonably priced system for your age and experience, they might help you out with the difference.  If you get that one and learn more about what you like and want to use your computer for, at sixteen you can get a better job and save up for a more powerful computer.  You might try upgrading your first computer along the way, but I've heard that some basic systems are difficult to add on to.  Lastly, remember that it might take longer than you want to get it, but prices are coming down all the time.  Good luck!
525499
Personally, i have always like my dell and am favored toward that brand.  Mine has lasted 4 years or so, is still fast and up to date.  If you take care of it with anti-virus software and anti-spyware tools, it will last a long time.\n\nIt looks as if they are pretty close, but with the 120GB HD, I would go with the dell.  Students tend to fill up that HD pretty fast.  \n\nAlso, please use a coupon, you can always save a couple hundred dollars on a good laptop.  Dell has a coupon available until the 9th, but they do have a good turnover and publish coupons every week.  Here is the coupon and details:  http://www.24houredeals.com/dell-coupons-23-mer.html
526537
Macs are definitely a better machine if you look at the technical specs.  Esp. the new MacPro Books, they have dual Xeon Core Processors (the ones found in servers!!!).  Also they offer up to 16 GB of memory, for a laptop that is amazing!  But it all depends on what you want to use your machine for.  If you need to crunch numbers and process spreadsheet and data warehousing PCs are for you.  If you want a machine that runs beautifully and so smoothly like for Video artists, Musicians, and anybody who can appreciate a piece of technology that is also dually a piece of art than the Mac is for you.  One last thing to get really hooked up the MacPro Books (I mean Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, 23" HD panel, 16 GB RAM, 500 GB harddrive space, and the works)  you will have to spend about $5,900.  PCs are much cheaper, but if you look at the specs you will see why!
256594
Very Good!! Asus socket 939 Mobo; AMD Dual core 4400+ processor; Zalman CPU Fan; 2GB Kingston ValueRAM; EVGA 256MB or 512MB AGP or PCI Card; Two-74GB Western Digital Raptor (10,000 RPM) SATA Hard Drives; a 600 Watt Power Source with fan controls; one 250GB Western Digital SATAII Hard Drive (with the 16MB Cashe) for backups; one 16x Plextor DVD-RW; one Lite-On DVD/CD Combo Drive; one Floppy Drive with Card Reader; Plenty of case fans to keep your cool. 19" monitor, keyboard, optical mouse, 5:1 amplifyed speakers. Joysticks and other interfaces. That'll probably shoot down that $2500 real fast! Try buying at Newegg.com or at Tiger Direct. That might save you some $$!
21678
If you are looking for a full out gaming computer you will need more $$$$.  But If you just want to play games and don't really care about going head to head online, you can make it happen with $1,200.  As far as components, there are a lot of good manufacturer.  You will have to look in to it and decide if you want to spend more on your motherboard or more on memory and video.  Also if you want a dvd burner or just a cd-rom.  I built my own computer that I use everyday, but I can't tell you what would be the best for you because you are the only one that would know that.  I can give you the site that I buy from.  Happy Shopping  http://www.tigerdirect.com/
337740
i repeat only what i answered you in your previous question - i simply didn't know what the HP laptop costs. but if these $1199 are no miscalculation then get it.\n\na laptop with a 2GHz AMD 64 Turion, 2GB RAM, 120GB HD and a DL DVD burner with lightscribe for that price is very astonishing.\n\nand what's the catch to it ?
101381
Check out Dell... You can get discount coupons at deals2buy.com. You can have really good configuration for $1,000 to $1,300 + Tax if applicable.\nIf you dont have budget constraints then go for Apple's MacBook Pro. At $2,499 you can get a 2.16 GHz, 1 GB RAM and 100 GB Hard Drive beauty.
9673
Well the answer depends on your budget.\nApple Laptops are way too expensive!! u only want to buy that if u're a real geek for a Mac. \nHP laptops are good and come with a mem card reader, but they have low standby time.\nIBM laptops are very drab in looks\nSony Vaio is really stylish and offers most of the features but is a little on the expensive side.\nAcer Laptops come in really decent metallic colours and have a wide screen in the standard model and are very very reasonably priced.\nDell laptops are made on custom specifications\nToshiba is not a major player in the market but their laptops are pretty stable.\n\nExcept Sony and Apple, all others come in a range of Rs. 42,000 - 48,000 .\nConversion rate: $1 (USD) = Rs. 45 (approx.)
221
I would check with your school to see if they have a existing relationship with a PC manufacturer. Many times colleges get a killer deal when you consider they also include insurance and maintenance for the whole time you are in school. \n\nIf they have no deals or you don't like their deal, then I can recommend a ThinkPad. They are not the latest and greatest technology, but they are solid and easy to get serviced. We have had a few ThinkPads go down, but the local service companies handled the warranty repair without me having to ship the thing in, usually within a day or so. \n\nBut again, I know some Universities that handle repairs in house as well, even giving out loaners while the repair happens, so it's worth it to find out what your school offers.
504491
Where?!?!?!?!  I already have my credit card out, just point me in the right direction.  In all seriousness, you can get one for $400, but NOT with all the trimmings, in fact it probably won't have any trimmings.  $700 to $1500 is still what I would call pretty decent range for a good laptop.
387610
If you r not a pro user and need the computer for basic stuff like email, web, music, films etc. you can buy one for as little as $300-400 depending on what deal u land. The specs you can expect will be something like this: Celeron-M or Core Solo cpu 1.4-1.66Ghz, 256-512mb ram, CD-RW/DVD drive, 40-60gb HDD, wi-fi wireless. If you want to go even cheaper, get one with an AMD cpu (like Sempron) instead of those intel chips. Check the weekly ads for big stores. This week both Office Depot and Walmart had sub $400 notebooks.