Computer for College

[Ryan]

Well, college is getting here faster then I could imagine and I think it's about time I start looking at computers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My main concern is laptop vs. desktop. The general consensus around here is that you need a laptop and everyone just buys one without a second thought. I had a deal with my parents based on SAT scores where they would buy me a computer like they did for my sister, mine was a little bit unreasonable and I didn't get the score.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll most likely be buying the computer all myself, again, and I don't want to screw up and get a piece of [cabbage] like this one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyway, sorry for the ranting cause that's all further down the road. What I need now is opinions from people on whether to get a desktop or a laptop. I've kind of compiled a comparison, but it's still in the works.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Laptops are much more expensive and get stole a lot.

 

 

 

2. Some of the schools I'm looking at require a laptop which really sucks.

 

 

 

3. Majority of the schools offer wifi everywhere so a laptop would work good.

 

 

 

4. Desktops are so much of a better deal and I would be able to upgrade myself later on down the road.

 

 

 

5. You can't move desktops so I'll be stuck handwriting notes in class.

 

 

 

6. I type much faster than I write though.

 

 

 

7. Since the budget is my money, it will be very limited.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Input appreciated, thanks.

[weezcake]

I just started college in the beginning of October. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I always thought everyone bought laptops for college, but that's not necessarily true. There's a high percentage of people who bring their desktops. They're faster, but not portable. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My suggestion: I have a Dell Inspiron 700m-- it's Dell's smallest and lightest laptop. It has a 12 inch widescreen ("Whoa. That's a nice monitor" - my friend, Matt) and weighs 4 pounds. 1.8ghz, 512 RAM, 64mb intel gfx. Cost me about... $900. (My uncle got it off slickdeals)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dell Inspiron 700m at the Dell website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love it. It's small and lightweight, making it great to carry around. Since it's so light, I tend to take it around campus, to the library and the coffee house when I need to study. If it were heavier, then I probably wouldn't bring it with me so much.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pros:

 

 

 

1. Small and lightweight

 

 

 

2. Crisp graphics, nice screen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cons:

 

 

 

1. Keyboard is smaller than usual (but you'll get used to it)

 

 

 

2. Reflective screen (you'll notice your reflection when you're in a bright area)

 

 

 

3. Short battery life-- 2.5 hours (though you can upgrade it to 5 with a new battery, making it a bit heavier)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think laptops are better for college life. I bring my laptop to the library when I want to study (and my roommate does not :wink:) and to class, where I can take notes. I'd get a laptop.

[Ryan]

Awesome, thanks for the reply :).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a bit of a grudge with dell atm cause of my current computer, but maybe I could just forget about it :P

[2pac]

I am still in highschool, but our highschool gives out laptops to everyone (Dell Inspiron 4100 or Dell Latitude c450)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've got the inspiron, it's a little heavy, but the 6:30 hrs of battery life make up for that :) It is 100X better to have a laptop in class. Much easier to take notes, you can research stuff online...no comparison.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go for the laptop :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2pac