What's the best laptop, economically and dependability wise, for a student?
485591
well first of all good luck in college.\nIt is recommended that you should get a lower line laptop because they are often easier to handle than the real hi level of laptops.\nsecond reason it is wise to use a simpler laptop because most laptops are the same.\nget a good processor and good amount of memory on the laptop\nas well as a 40-60 giga hard disk and that is fine for school. at home do the same for the desktop and you are set for moving files from one another. The desktop should be used for the heavier work do not put the laptop to hard work it will probably run out of gas. \nThe heavy work should be done on the desktop when she comes home.Get a big hard disk and a good processor as well as a good size memory and you are all set good luck
944179
Dell's are a great value, they are rather pricier than the competition. HP is a good performer, it is quite solid, the lid hinge is a prblem because after 20 rotations, the screen becomes all wobbly. E machines, are complete bargain notebooks, the new N10 bundle avalible at Wal-Mart is a solid performer. It is a quite basic notebook, but i have one and it runs well, although the proprietary sempron processor is kind of lousy, i would replace it with a Core Xeon which is Intel. Emachines didn't really do well prior to the n10 especially the M2105 which my brother has, the battery runs down and wears out quickly, hinge is too. wobbly. You are better of with a Dell if you have enough money, they start at around $543, the toshibas start at $739 and the e machines n10 is the only E machines notebook available and it is a great value, consisting of LoJack Laptop Trace, a flash drive, a Targus notebook backpack for only $548.95 at Wal-Mart. It is nice
635671
There's no reason a laptop shouldn't be as reliable as a desk top if you take reasonable care of it.   But for the same power (memory, processor speed, disk size and speed), it will certainly be more expensive.\n\nYou can have internet everywhere there is WiFi available, and for extra money, you can get a wireless modem that connects to one of the cell phone data services.\n\nIf portability isn't important to you, you're probably better off getting a desktop machine.  You should be able to use your current display with it and avoid having to buy a new one, assuming you're happy with it.\n\nYou can buy used laptops, if you decide to go that way, on eBay, assuming you trust that sort of thing.
223673
DELL! Ofcourse! I has great stability. Lasts long. Low maintaince. bla bla
742499
I would look for something with at least a gigabite of ram. and a 120 gig hard drive.\nthat would be a great laptop.
1013602
dell inspiron E1505.\nits the best!!
959637
I think that the laptop is a better choice.  If someone is going to steal your computer it is going to happen anyway (always get student insurance that covers it and other items you own), whether you get a decent desktop or a laptop.  If you look after your laptop there is no reason why it should get dropped or damaged.\n\nAs a student you are going to have to get used to moving from one room to another, or coming home for holidays etc.  A desk top is just an extra hassle to worry about.\n\nOnce you get to college you will find that there are times when you may have to be elsewhere and still want to work.  Group projects, when your room mate is 'entertaining' her male friend in your room, if you want to work at some strange time of the day or night etc.  A laptop is simply easier for all that.\n\nContact the college and find out how their internet works.  They may be wireless, or they may need a cable.  Wireless is built in to decent laptops these days, and a cable is a pretty low cost cable.  Either way it will be pretty idiot proof, so don't worry about it.\n\nThe best advice I can give you as a student is to back up your work.  The cheapest method is to simply email assignments to yourself using a service like Yahoo! Mail.  There are also online back up services where you can upload your work to a secure web site.  Or consider buying a MyBook external hard disk.  You can just save all your work onto that with a click.  Seriously, if I had a dollar for every tear shed by a student who has lost all their work, I'd be rich!  ALWAYS MAKE  A BACK UP AFTER EVERY TWO HOURS OF WORK!  You'll thank me for that one day.\n\nI also strongly suggest a PC rather than a Mac.  Macs are way more expensive to repair and buy software for.  The only reason to get a Mac is if you are in some kind of arty major where they recommend them.  Otherwise you'll find the PC cheaper and more versatile in the long run.  You can get software cheaper and easier too.\n\nGood luck.  Hope you have fun.
57897
i got my laptop at sams club. payed 1300 for it tax and all. It has a gig of ram and 100gig hardrive. Its an hp and has 128mb of memory devoted to graphics. its also a widescreen KILLER FOR GAMES. It a HP Pavillion Dv4000, and it also has a remote.. so try sam's club or cosco's
355277
Now a days, quite a few computer companies are targetting college students as a potential market for their laptops. Companies like DELL have introdeced a whole dedicated range that meets this new breed of consumers. But what does one keep in mind to buy a good laptop for college purposes. Lets analyze.\n\nFirstly, one needs a laptop for email, browsing, making and submitting assignments etc. For this one would typically need a wireless LAN, a good processor (Probably a Centrino Duo), atleast a 256 MB RAM and a CD writer (preferably with a DVD Rom to watch those occasional DVDs in your room). A dedicated graphics card will be handy if one is also an occasional gamer, but it not really required for college purposes. \n\nBut most importantly one needs to buy from a company that provides very good after sales service. Laptops are more complex than desktops and spares are not easily available in the open market. This is where DELL beats most of its competetiors. With thie on site next business day service, one really doesnt need to bother running to the store etc.\n\nHowever, the choice of a laptop is pretty personal and individualistic. The above analysis will help one to make the right decision.
74805
The best Laptop is the one which meets your demand and you like most!\nFor example: HP laptops are elegant, but had some glitches from time to time, but if that doesnt bother you, they are good.\nIn general: you should set your needs before u buy one, like: do u travel a lot? if yes, then u need a light weighted and GOOD battery life laptop.\nIf you work in graphics& multimedia, you need a strong processor with powerful VGA card. \nIf u want it for Internet and such stuff, you wont be in need for a Super or Ultra fast processor, i mean a P III will do the job with 256 RAM will be more than enough..\nSo,, your needs dectates your choice..\nbest luck
1064390
The four major manufacturer's of laptops are Toshiba, IBM, Dell and HP/Compaq. They have all been manufacturing laptops for many years. All four make quality products. Toshiba and IBM (now Lenovo) tend to make the most reliable products. Both focus on the corporate marketplace, as do HP and Dell.  Any of these manufacturers would make a good choice. \n\nYou might also consider an older laptop.  Many older laptops that you find from the companies that sell refurbished laptops come from leasing companies and corporations.  Decent units can be purchased for $300 to $500.\n\nFigure out what features you want and then look at the above manufacturer's websites to see what deals they are offering.  If you don't care about battery life and your laptop will see limited use then you might even consider refurbished.  Many of these units were formerly used by corporations and are great values.\n\nYou can type "used laptops" for refurbished and "discount laptop" into google and check out the companies that appear.
162517
Take a look at economic range of laptops from ACER, they are cheap and reliable
413784
If you are looking for a good looking premium notebook : Go for Sony Vaio\n\nif you want real value for your money: Get Acer\n\nHP (Compaq) is heavy - so i wouldnt recommend it\n\nDell - I have no idea!
997300
Depends on what you call economical!!!\nyou can try the HP nx 6325, this notebook is a wonderful piece!! and it has a DVCD+/- RW Writer and a dual core processor!! ie the blazing fast AMD Turion 64 X2, and 512 MB of DDR2 533 MHz RAM which you can ( or possibly SHOULD) upgrade to 1 GB of DDR2 800 MHz RAM!!
157416
This is from personal experience:\nAffordable & Dependable: DELL\nUltra Nice & Solid but pricey: SONY VAIO\n\nI NEVER had good luck with HP or Compaq...
595417
Your question is very common, and this is what I have been telling all my friends when they want to buy a laptop:\n\n1. What are you gonna do with it? Typing papers, playing video games, editing audio/video, email, browsing internet?\n\n2. Based on your answer above, you can start looking what kind of laptop that suit best for your need\n\n3. When looking, make sure you consider the following:\n\n- Quality and support are number 1. I assume you are gonna use it for awhile. So you need "a tool" you can count on to get your job done anytime, anywhere\n\n- minimum hardware specs:\n\na. While some offer Celeron processor for budget oriented people, I recommend you at least get Pentium 4 or Pentium Centrino (if you need internet wireless capability)\n\nb. RAM at minimum of 512 MB\nc. Hard disk at min of 40 GB\nd. Windows XP\ne. Microsoft Office for student edition (if you are)\nf. Ethernet adapter (which is usually already built in)\n\nThe rest of configuration is up to you and...your budget :D\n\nHope it helps...
248022
The Mac Book Pro from apple is probably the best available. Its extremely user friendly (I made the switch from a Windows PC to a Mac and have no regrets) and there are relatively few (actually no hramful) viruses that can infect them. And a thinkpad is the IBM model of laptops.