What should I look for in a laptop for going to college?
598691
Buy a nice laptop WITHOUT A GRAPHICS CARD. And don't buy anything fancy that will get you distracted.\n\n90% of the students in my college have laptops. Even the few people who use desktops usually have an extra ultraportable laptop. Even though we end up using laptops like desktops most of the time, we still carry them around often enough that getting a desktop would be burdensome. For example, it's extremely useful to be able to carry a laptop back home during the breaks.\n\nAnyways, here's my suggestions for laptops:\n\nMainstream:\n- 15-17" monitor\n- 1GIG Ram\n- Intel Centrino 1.7GHz (dual core or single core) or AMD Turion 1.8GHz\n- 60+GIG HD\n- DVD+/-WR\n- any non-discrete graphics card (unless you're one of the few who can play games and still pull off A's: in that case, get a ATI Mobility 9700 or X1600, or nVidia 6600/7600 go card). If you're really crazy, you can get a laptop with AMD Athlon X2 with SLI 7900GTX's. Yes, such a laptop exists, but in that case, you might as well go with a desktop because extra cooling will allow for higher clock speeds.\n\nOr you can go portable:\n12-14" laptop or tablet pc\nlow power intel centrino or amd turion\n1 GIG Ram (still, doesn't take much space)\n40GIG HD\nDVD+/-RW drive\n\nit's definitely up to you to decide, but i'd stay away from desktops because you'll end up carrying your laptop at least a few times during the year. however, if you end up getting a desktop, you should also get a tiny external hard drive or large flash drive so that you can carry information around.\n\ni hope this helps
818552
honestly, none. i would go with a MAC. those are the best if all you want to do is browse internet, playgames, or do anything graphic. if not then i would go with the HP, i find that HP is more reliable then compaq or toshiba. toshiba would be my second choice, and i would rather not have a computer then have a compaq.
789519
I've had Dell, Gateway & a Think Pad by IBM.  \n\nThey are all pretty good.  How about an Apple?  I hear rave reviews regarding the Apple.\n\nGood luck..........study hard & have FUN!\n\n:-)
907781
First, talk to your college.  \n\nBut laptops cost more, break easily, cost more to expand and fix and get stolen.   If you can, get a desktop.  Use a laptop only if you MUST.  \n\nFor a desktop, consider a Dell.   For a laptop, look at a Toshiba.\n\nGood luck and Happy computing.
515928
Not bad, but here's what I'd look for:\n\n- Processor: Intel Centrino or AMD Turion 64. Sempron or Celeron are just too limited.\n\n- RAM 512MB is OK, but I'd go at least 1GB if possible.\n\n- I'd also consider some of the better-known brands like HP or Dell or Lenovo (IBM) Also, if you'd consider refurbished models, ecost.com has some good deals...
1078615
If it's just for around the house use, go for a dell - it's a good value for the $$ - not the bottom doller one, get the middle of the road notebook.  If she needs something a little better look into a Toshiba for around $1,000.
638968
Few suggestions. If it's mostly for schoolwork with no gaming planned on the machine, you could go with an Intel Celeron. If gaming is a possibility, go with a Pentium single/duo core.\n\nTry to stick with to processors at least 1.5 to 2 GHz.\nMake sure the Ram is at least 512 MB, anything less is a mistake. \n\nMost computers have good sized hard disk drives now and DVD writing capabilities.\n\nI would advise against e-machines, yes they are cheap, but the quality is just not there. They will last 1-3 years in most cases, but often less. Aim for a mid-range Dell, Compaq or HP. You can easily get a prett decent machine for anywhere between $500-$800. \n\nI'll leave some examples below. \n\nAlso, purchase some Anti-Virus and Anti-spy-ware software to better protect the machine. Especially with a younger adult using it! Good anti-virus: Trend Micro "PC-Cillin" and good anti-spyware: Webroot "Spysweeper".
423916
The laptop you're looking for would be extremely basic and wouldn't require much horsepower at all. \nProbably specs like the following:\n\nCPU: Pentium 4 (Celeron)(M) 2.4 Ghz/ AMD Athlon (Sempron)(Turion) 2.4 Ghz\n\nMemory: 512 Mb- 1 Gigabyte\n\nHardrive: 40 Gigs - 60 Gigs Max\n\nMost likely a wireless network card\n\nCheck out www.dell.com for some pretty good deals for what you're looking for.\nEmail me for a more detailed response.
385184
I agree that you should stay away from E-Machines.  They have a bad reputation -- check out the forums and Usenet (do a meta search).\n\nToshiba are well known for their laptops.  They take a lot of abuse well, have a good, clicky keyboard with the CTRL key in the proper place (bottom left -- a lot of stupid laptops have the Fn key there) -- BTW Toshiba invented the Fn key...\n\nOn what you have asked, I would say go with the Toshiba.  \n\nHowever, you would probably get more for your money with Dell (Dell also have the CTRL key in the right place) -- but you would have to buy on-line of over the telephone (and it is not easy nor user-friendly).  I can completely understand why you want to buy from a store -- and Wally has a great returns policy -- which is really important with this sort of stuff.\n\nWhat are you doing at College?  If CAD or graphics/web design/ games etc - you will need more than the popular RAM for laptops of 256MB, you'll need a minimum of 512MB, but more is better.\n\nBurning a CD/DVD might be a good way to backup/store or transfer data -- and you can make compilations audio CDs, or get major amounts of songs onto a CD or DVD blank by ripping them first into MP3s (a lot of players now can handle MP3 files on discs).  Memory sticks are cheap -- or you can use iPOD or Zen Nanos (etc) -- they are like a small light Walkman that cannot skip or jump, that hold music as MP3, as well as pictures and doc files etc -- so you will need lots of USB ports (or get a hub).\n\nYou won't get a floppy anymore, and you won't get a printer socket (the 25 pin thingy) or even a mouse socket in PS/2. It's all USB these days.\n\nYou might need at least an SD reader for camera cards or a multicard reader in the USB again. (Big load on USBs)\n\nDell have better battery life than Toshiba, it runs quieter and does not get as hot as the Tosh laptops.\n\nIf you are thinking of transferring video camera movies onto DVDs, then you might need 80GB for safety over time.  If you are planning to rip all you music and sell off all your CDs at a car boot sale, then you will want 80GB minimum.\n\nTry for a clock speed as high as possible -- as well as fast HDD revs. Two HDDs with a RAID array or front side bus etc -- all the latest techy terms!  Do not worry about them...\n\nThink more about what you need it to do, and what you might want it to do -- surf, wireless surfing on battery, printing, using a mouse, sound card, graphics card, lightweight or desktop replacement and sturdy...\n\nWishing you all the best!
260536
First, it depends on what tye of game you wish to play. If you planning on playing games that are featured on yahoo.com, or pogo.com something like that, any laptop will work. I would not use a laptop to play any graphic heavy game (possibly the alienware). If i were buying a computerr for a freshman in college, I would get a HP pavillion. They are very reliable and offer good tech support. I am a college student but I use a Mac, and they are not cheap. I had an HP laptop, and loved it.
867501
Dell Inspiron or Toshiba lapotops are a good buy. But as someone rightly said; its a mix of your budget and computing needs.
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
266220
By the time they get to college you'll be looking at getting another laptop.  So focus on what a good laptop if for a high school student.  And is a laptop what they need?\n\nSome high Schools encourage a student have a laptop but other don't want the laptop at school (Schools can't control network settings or whats on the laptop if the student uses a personal laptop.)\n\nIf the high school wants the student to have a laptop then they most likely have a recommendation list to make class work intergration easier, that you can follow.   I'd check with school and see what they say. Even most college now recommend what computers student should use or at least what features the computer need to have. (I've even hear some college mandate you buy the laptop they have set up for students.)\n\nIf the high school does not encourage a laptop then actually a PC might be better for them.  A PC tends to be cheaper then a laptop and is actually easier to upgrade so it has a longer shelf life then a laptop. (Because of issues in part prices and fit it still tends to be better to buy a new laptop when tech has signifcantly upgraded.)\n\nAlso if you teen plays computer games and your ok with that, Desk Top PC are still better.  To get a laptop that plays games well you will have to pay around $1500 to $2000 but a good $600 Desk Top will play most games better then the pricer laptop.\n\nPlus with a teen, a Desk Top isn't likely to get dropper or have stuff poured on it or get thrown in a back seat of a car where tons of other stuff gets thrown on top of it.\n\nAs to where to buy?  Dell is having some really good deals these days and it's a site is pretty good at explaining what you need and what to get.\n\nHP also makes a really good laptop, very sturdy and their prices where very good.  Last one I priced was $650 (with rebates) and it quited loaded for a laptop.\n\nI also saw some nice ones on Walmart surprisingly enough.  Not alot of choices but the pricing was good and their machines would cover all the basic needs of a general PC user.
25170
It depends -- \n\nIf you are interested in hooking a MASSIVE amount of kids up with a computer that can do alot of things -- made for education -- look here: http://laptop.media.mit.edu/\n\nIf you are just an average joe, let me tell you a few things to look for in finding you the perfect laptop...\n\nFirstly, at this day and age, it's hard to find a bad laptop to do the basics -- what I mean  by this is: Pretty much every computer on today's modern market will fulfill your basic educational needs.\n\nI think you should check out some of these review sites.. And if it all possible: SEE the model that interests you in REAL life, then look online for the best deal.  If move swiftly, you'll have a laptop you love, and a great deal -- I am very confident that you will succeed. =)
873701
well, before buying a laptop, ask ur self a small questions:\n1- What is purpose of using a laptop?? ( portability - graphics - games - document writing ...etc)\n2- what is ur budget?\n3- the size of the laptop ( 12" - 14" - 15" - 17" )\n\nIMO the best laptops that can meet anyone use is Dell, they have all the types that can be used by anyone in the world, and also the website is well organized & categorized.\nwww.dell.com
534590
There is not a single person that can choose you your laptop unless you specify what do you use the laptop for, and what is your budget.\n\nFor a laptop that is to be used with a CAD software or image editing software, you definitely need one with a good graphic card. if you need it for a relatively heavy computing task, you need a good CPU. If you use only for basic need, such as using Word, etc you won't need to get a high end computer and can cut the price there.\n\nIf you have excess fund, you can get it all.
333203
A notebook is better because you can take it around. A desktop you can't take around. But the desktop will be much cheaper and it will be faster. A desktop can do more stuff. If your in college or going to college or do work where you move around a  lot then it's worth getting a laptop. But whatever you get make are you have a lot of RAM-memory. The more RAM you have the faster your computer will perform.