Need advice on a laptop for school!

audiobliss

Ok, so it's definitely time to replace my old HP, AMD Athlon 4, 900MHz laptop. I need something small, light, portable, but capable to take to school and take notes on in class.

Now, I'm not going for extreme portability or extreme performance. I'll be taking my desktop, too, so I probably won't do anything intensive on my laptop. However, I want it to be really stout so I can hold on to it for quite a while without it being too obsolete.

Just to give you an idea of what I'm looking at, I really like Dell's XPS M1330. It's small and lightweight, not outrageously expensive, and can be optioned very well.

When I 'build' it on their website, I choose either 3 or 4Gb of RAM, the C2D @ 2.4GHz, the upgraded video card (128MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8400M GS), 160GB 7200RPM HD (won't need tons of storage on my laptop, and I don't want to wait for a 5400rpm HD), and a TV tuner (very likely won't get that on the laptop...would rather buy one for the desktop), and it comes out to right at $2,000.

Yeah, that's a lot of money, but it's for a (imo, afaik) nice laptop that meets all my needs and will definitely be capable (NOT a gamer or all out performance...I said CAPABLE) laptop for some time. That's what I'm looking for, really. But if there's something just as capable for a cheaper price, hey, I'm all for that, as well!

Any opinions on that particular laptop? Anything else I should look at? Any advice on equipment/specs?

And to open a whole 'nother can of worms, what about XP Pro vs Vista? I'm definitely an XP Pro fan and have sworn off Vista, but I actually might could be convinced to go with it. Another point is I've read that if you get Vista Ultimate from Dell, it'll come with XP Pro preloaded.

So, I'm definitely open to any advice and recommendations!!

Thanks!!!

Pablo

Take a trip to the apple store. I just bought an iMac today (see my thread I just posted on), and they are offering some kind of deal for college students (not sure what it was since my oldest is still in high school). All you need is a college id. I've been a PC man all my life, but so far so good with this mac (although I have only been playing for about 5 hours). I've just gotten so sick of fixing crap on all the PCs around here that I decided to apple a try (plus it takes less than 30 seconds to boot).

bigaudiofanatic

Mine and many of my friends top picks are apple, HP, ans Sony. I own a Power Book G4 that is 4 years old been dropped a couple of times but works like I just bought it they NEVER slow down. My father just got his first HP and he loves it. That is what I would go with. A couple of my other friends have sonys that they tune there cars with so they are pretty rugged.

John in MA

I'm usually a Mac guy, but see about getting a recon ThinkPad T series if you're set on Windows. Durability is more important than performance in a laptop.

Gadabout

If you looking for about the same thing at a discount....

Try http://www.discountlaptops.com/

The last laptop I bought about a year ago, I got from these guys. I bought a Sager. (Closest model to the one I got is the NP9262).

No issues with the computer hardware. They guys from Sager, surprised me. They gave me a call about 2 weeks after I had the computer, just to see how things were going.

madmax

I'd go with something closer to $700 and get a repair agreement on it. Nothing worse than carrying around something you are worried about.
madmax

Serendipity

I like the Dell XPS M1330 and Sony Vaio SZ series for portable but capable laptops. So those would be my recommendations.

Audiobliss - which school are you going to?

exalted512

I was in your same shoes a few years ago. I went with a Dell XPS M140. It has a 1.86 pentium processor and a gig of ram. It cost me around $1300 3 years ago.

The only thing I used it for was note taking, paper writing, and internet surfing...and it has a number of programs on it, for school and personal use. It does have XP, you used to be able to get XP if you go under the small business portion of dell's site, not sure if thats still true now.

Also, our school has a contract with Microsoft and we get software dirt cheap. As in $20 for vista upgrade and $20 for office 07. Might want to check and see if your school has that.

I think you could get away with spending over $500 less than you are at right now...you are getting A LOT of computer. It would be a lot more than I need, but I'm not sure what all you plan to do on it.

-Cody

Edit: I wish now I wouldve got blue tooth for it...It'd be really nice for blue tooth cameras, phones, and a slew of other devices.

MKZ

ThinkPad T Series

paymontna

I bought Systemax Build To Order through tiger direct. Most of the components are Sony and Samsung. It was very affordable even with a 2 year warranty. Another note, Systemax's support is wonderful. I also have a desktop from Systemax. I fried a MOBO (another story). I called their support. They had a tech and the part out in less than three days. And, everyone I spoke with in support...English was their FIRST language.
Highly recommended.


http://www.tigerdirect.com/sectors/systemax/index.asp?srkey=BTO

tcrossma

I've always been pretty happy with Dell. These days I just get cheap, as they are all fast enough for what I use them for. You might want to look in Dell's "small business" section as there can sometimes be better deals and better configuration options, without some of the extra unnecessary junk.

$2000 is a lot of money -- things change too quick, my recommendation would be to spend $600-900 now and then buy again in 2-3 year (if necessary). And 4 gigs is overkill... you wanted this for schoolwork, right?

audiobliss

madmax wrote: »

I'd go with something closer to $700 and get a repair agreement on it. Nothing worse than carrying around something you are worried about.
madmax

That's not a bad idea. However, I could never be satisfied with a $700 laptop. Guess it would make things easier if I could be.

appadv wrote: »

I like the Dell XPS M1330 and Sony Vaio SZ series for portable but capable laptops. So those would be my recommendations.

Audiobliss - which school are you going to?

I haven't looked at any of Sony's laptops in quite a while. Maybe I shoudl give them a look. And, I decided on Harding University, in Arkansas.

exalted512 wrote: »

I was in your same shoes a few years ago. I went with a Dell XPS M140. It has a 1.86 pentium processor and a gig of ram. It cost me around $1300 3 years ago.

Also, our school has a contract with Microsoft and we get software dirt cheap. As in $20 for vista upgrade and $20 for office 07. Might want to check and see if your school has that.

I think you could get away with spending over $500 less than you are at right now...you are getting A LOT of computer. It would be a lot more than I need, but I'm not sure what all you plan to do on it.

-Cody

Edit: I wish now I wouldve got blue tooth for it...It'd be really nice for blue tooth cameras, phones, and a slew of other devices.

Yes, I'm definitely getting bluetooth on it. And you're right, it really is a lot of computer. I should be settling for less than that. Hopefully I'll be able to better draw this line between want and need.

And it'd be AWESOME if my school had that deal with Microsoft. I'm pretty sure they don't, but that'd be so awesome. I got a few copies of XP Pro and Office from a friend through his school...amazing deals.

tcrossma wrote: »

I've always been pretty happy with Dell. These days I just get cheap, as they are all fast enough for what I use them for. You might want to look in Dell's "small business" section as there can sometimes be better deals and better configuration options, without some of the extra unnecessary junk.

$2000 is a lot of money -- things change too quick, my recommendation would be to spend $600-900 now and then buy again in 2-3 year (if necessary). And 4 gigs is overkill... you wanted this for schoolwork, right?

Yeah, I was just looking at some of Dell's Vostro and Latitude laptops. I can get them comparably equipped for less, and aren't they supposed to be more rugged? Man, a magnesium alloy frame would be awesome. I want it to be durable.

And you're right, 4GB is a lot. However, if I end up playing around with Vista, I don't want to be suffocating it. I hate playing around on a slow, glitchy computer.

bigaudiofanatic

Just a little info if you are thinking of uninstalling vista and installing XP it aint going to work. The motherboards on any computer out now will only allow vista to be used. We talk about this subject a few months back look it up.

PhantomOG

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

The motherboards on any computer out now will only allow vista to be used.

I find this hard to believe. ALL motherboards? OEM motherboards? ALL OEM's? I'm calling BS.

petrym

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

The motherboards on any computer out now will only allow vista to be used.

Ummmmm, no.

Shizelbs

PhantomOG wrote: »

I find this hard to believe. ALL motherboards? OEM motherboards? ALL OEM's? I'm calling BS.

...+1

Shizelbs

tcrossma wrote: »

$2000 is a lot of money -- things change too quick, my recommendation would be to spend $600-900 now and then buy again in 2-3 year (if necessary). And 4 gigs is overkill... you wanted this for schoolwork, right?

Thats what I am thinking too. If you don't game, I see no reason why you would need to drop that much on a laptop. Save the money for a docking station, monitor and keyboard for at home.

bigaudiofanatic

LMAO okay if they come preinstalled that how they want it ran. I am getting link as we speak.

bigaudiofanatic

http://www.asklaptopfreak.com/laptop-notebook-help/2007/11/13/laptop-works-with-windows-vista-freezes-with-xp/
thats one link i have plenty more.

Shizelbs

Perhaps it has to do with hardware not built to run on XP/doesn't have proper XP drivers.

bigaudiofanatic

Well thats one problem but on one of the post on that link explains it its in the BIOS.
HERE is another one
http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-4-windows-vista-to-xp-downgrading-reformat

tcrossma

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

http://www.asklaptopfreak.com/laptop-notebook-help/2007/11/13/laptop-works-with-windows-vista-freezes-with-xp/
thats one link i have plenty more.

I wouldn't exactly call that link conclusive that some new motherboards are preventing XP from being installed. I don't know why that guy has lockups after 5 minutes to an hour, but I don't think it's because the mboard doesn't support it. I've never heard of it and I just don't see it being the case.

PhantomOG

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

http://www.asklaptopfreak.com/laptop-notebook-help/2007/11/13/laptop-works-with-windows-vista-freezes-with-xp/
thats one link i have plenty more.

Googling for forum posts of people who are having issues is hardly definitive proof that ALL motherboard manufacturer's are somehow producing motherboards that will only run Windows Vista.

There are probably lots of OEMs that are selling systems with devices that have no compatible drivers in XP. But that's a HUGE difference.

audiobliss

Ok, so upon further investigation, it seems as though I've narrowed it down to two models. I've chosen these two particular laptops because they both seem to be fairly reliable as far as reputation goes, they should both have a good build quality, and they're both pretty stout computers.

Dell Latitude D630
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T8300 (2.40GHz) 3M L2 Cache, 800Mhz Dual Core
Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate Bonus-Windows® XP Professional loaded
3 Year Limited Warranty and 3 Year Mail-in Service
14.1 inch Wide Screen WXGA+ LCD Panel
2.0GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 1 DIMM
160GB Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 7200RPM (Free Fall Sensor)
8X DVD+/-RW w/Roxio and Cyberlink Power DVD™
128MB NVIDIA® Quadro NVS 135M™
Dell Wireless™ 1395 802.11g Mini Card
Dell Wireless® 360 Bluetooth Module for Windows XP
Touchpad with UPEK® Fingerprint Reader
Resource CD and DVD contains Diagnostics and Drivers for XP and Vista
9 Cell Primary Battery
90W A/C Adapter
3 Year CompleteCare Accidental Damage Protection

PRICE: $1618


Lenovo ThinkPad T61
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T8300 (2.4GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)
Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate
Genuine Windows XP Professional Downgrade DVD US English
nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M
3 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
PC Card Slot & Media Card Slot
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro)
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
9 cell Li-Ion Battery
1 Year ThinkPad Protection
ThinkPad 90W AC Adapter (US/Can/LA)

PRICE: $1510.52



So, what are your thoughts on those laptops? They're spec'd very similarly, and they should both do a lot of things well and last a few years since I won't be asking them to do anything too intensive. They should also be pretty stout structurally, and, as you can see, they're priced very similarly.

Any first hand experience with either one? Any advice or recommendations?

As you can see with the Dell, I selected the XP Pro 'downgrade' (of COURSE it's an upgrade). I also selected the XP Pro downgrade DVD for the ThinkPad. Any idea how that works? Would I have to reformat it with that DVD?

I'm personally biased towards the ThinkPad because I just LOVE the way they look, how they look so professional and substantial, I always have. But I want to choose a good laptop that will serve me well, here.

Thanks!!

MKZ

Apply coupon code "USPSAVEMORENOW"

madmax

audiobliss wrote: »

That's not a bad idea. However, I could never be satisfied with a $700 laptop. Guess it would make things easier if I could be.

Not knocking your reasoning but what do you do that requires so much computing power? Just curious. Lets say someone here mailed you a check for $1300 if you would settle for owning a $700 laptop, would you do it?
madmax

audiobliss

madmax wrote: »

Not knocking your reasoning but what do you do that requires so much computing power? Just curious. Lets say someone here mailed you a check for $1300 if you would settle for owning a $700 laptop, would you do it?
madmax

Most definitely. Being young, arrogant, spoiled, and having a love for the finer things and technology is basically the only reason I don't want a $700 laptop, really.

But, to give my reasoning SOMEthing of substance, I'm really leaning towards the ThinkPad. $1500 is not a lot of money for a well-equipped ThinkPad, those things are tough, and I would certainly expect it to get me through my bachelors and then med school or PA school or pharmacy school after that, whichever I choose, after that. If the latter two, it would still serve me well for a while after I finished those, I would suspect.

madmax

Its really none of my business, its just that all the students I've worked with don't seem to keep a laptop more than 1.5 years before they start having problems with it or just want a change. Same with salespeople who carry them around. Besides, when firecatwireII deluxe high speed integrator V8.73 extender support comes out next year thats what you are going to really want. I think I would go dell in whichever price range you choose but thats just me. My company switched to all dell maybe 10 years ago and I don't know of a singe one that hit the garbage heap.

exalted512

Id say go with the Dell. It has 3x the warranty the thinkpad has, besides the fact that mine took a NASTY spill, broke the LCD screen (it was bad), but I was able to repair it myself for $146 and some change for a new screen, and everything else still works flawlessly.
-Cody

Serendipity

madmax wrote: »

all the students I've worked with don't seem to keep a laptop more than 1.5 years before they start having problems with it or just want a change.

I've had this current laptop for 3 years and I'm sure it will last me through college and grad school. (It's still got warranty for 2 more years, BTW...)

While many students keep their laptops for only 1.5 years, I'd rather save that money up for school or for audio gear. So I think 5 years is definitely possible, IMO.

My Pentium II from 1998 was working until recently when it started having HD problems. If it weren't for that, I'd still be using that computer at home and a P4 at school.

madmax

appadv wrote: »

I've had this current laptop for 3 years and I'm sure it will last me through college and grad school. (It's still got warranty for 2 more years, BTW...)

While many students keep their laptops for only 1.5 years, I'd rather save that money up for school or for audio gear. So I think 5 years is definitely possible, IMO.

My Pentium II from 1998 was working until recently when it started having HD problems. If it weren't for that, I'd still be using that computer at home and a P4 at school.

Good info, looks like you could keep for about 5 years. At 2K that would be about 400 per year. I still wonder if I wouldn't rather have the newest update every 2 years or so. I guess the way to think about this is that last years 2K model would problably sell for maybe $500 this year. Maybe that is an option too. You could buy last years model for $500 and keep for 4 years. That would only be $125 a year.