Posted: 5/9/2006 9:32:28 PM EDT
| I changed my mind and decided to buy my daughter a laptop instead of a desktop computer. I found a HP at bestbuy with a AMD Turion 64 mobile processor ML-32. Is this worth a crap?!? It has 512 memory and a 80GB hard drive. I was going to buy a Sony and the guy at bestbuy steered me to this one. Her primary use will be net surfing, college papers, and music downloads! |
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If you haven't pulled the trigger yet, seriously consider picking up something from NewEgg instead. The prices are better, the selection is MUCH better, the shipping is almost free (and fast!), and there's no sales tax. Also, NewEgg offers rebates on many models. If you'd like a specific brand recommendation, check out the IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad R51 or R52 series - Built like a brick, good warranty (3 years parts / 1 year labor), no crapware pre-loaded on the hard disk, plenty of accessories available on ebay, etc. They aren't the cheapest, but they're hard to beat in the durability department - an important consideration for a student. (Edited to add: Thinkpads also include XP Pro as standard equipment!) |
What model? If its for school you may need XP Pro instead of that Media Center edition. Also the PAvillions tend to be fairly weak. The keys pop off and so forth. ETA make sure you get accidental damage protection. |
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laptop . i would stay away from sony. sony laptops require specialized care and feeding. i would look at dell for a laptop. all kinds, tiny to huge. if it was a desktop, i would say build it. but laptops are best purchased complete.. dell gives you a good solid system at a decent price. i guess i would suggest buying the 3 year support too. i support (can rebuild) laptops so i don't. but for anyone else i suggest you do that. my company buys both dell and hp. hp is OK. but dells seem to hold up better. |
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(1) "the guy at bestbuy " Big mistake... go to Circuit City. (2) HP makes an excellent laptop. Also consider the Celeron M chipset. "M for mobility" The M chip sets draw less current. You can't directly compare processor speed of the M's and other Pentiums/Celerons. 512 is barely enough, bump it up to 1 gig of ram. Toshiba also has excellent laptops. Ask for the "educational" version of MS Office. It is about $130. And no, the other free office suites (Easy Office, Open Office) just don't work as well as Word and Excell. Tried them, went back to MS Office. (3) "don't get the laptop. for her uses she doesn't need one." With two kids in college, I beg to differ. For college they DO need a laptop, not a desktop. One factor is the amount of deskspace in dorm rooms. They will need to be able to carry the laptop to the library. Also, the computer will have to come home on breaks. Also, HP has some good "3 in 1" Printer/Scanner/Copier models. Those will do what she needs for college. |
+1. How do you take notes in class with a desktop computer? Ever lugged a desktop to a chem lab? Ever reviewed your notes for an exam over breakfast in the dorm cafeteria on a desktop? Ever tried to set up an unfamiliar desktop for a presentation project in front of a class? Also, a laptop is much easier to get repairs for - can be easily mailed or hand-carried to the service facility. Unless your kid plans to spend all his time in college playing video games, desktops are teh sux0r. 
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Honestly I'd go with either a Dell or an IBM/Lenovo. Lenovo's running a pretty good sale on them now and Dell occasionally will do a sale that I don't know how they can manage, favorite I've seen was $700 off any $1400 laptop, so pick the laptop of your choice and pad it out with warrenty and extras... like a dock or a spare battery. I'm using a Dell right now that I can run hard for 9 hours at school without having to charge up or really worry about putting it into sleep or hibernation thanks to the 3 batteries that fit in the CD/DVD drive bay. |
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Take it from someone who has spent the better part of a decade previously working for Dell and Sony, the notebook will offer not only a longer life-cycle, but allow her to be more productive and actually be worth something in 2-3 years when she wants to upgrade. My advice - purchase a 3 year accidental (dropsie) protection plan to go w/it. |
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My wife and I own two Sony laptops and they are great. I also own a Sony VAIO V2M 'desktop'. They are the best functioning machines we have owned. Before that I used Toshiba's and used them hard. I would, as I do know, operate my businesses and play games and everything else (as I post this as well) with a GOOD to better Sony or Toshiba lap top. |
Check out these Acer Laptops from Newegg - $748 $999 $1099 All these laptops have Pentium M CPUs, lots of memory and disk space, really nice screens, DVD burners, and XP Pro. Earlier this year I bought this Acer TravelMate 8100 from Newegg and am absolutely thrilled with it!! And trust me, I hate laptops!!! But this little jewel is fast becoming my favorite PC in the house. I like the Pentium M/Centrino because I get 3.5 hrs + on a battery and still have the horsepower to do anything I want. The only downside to the 15.4'"and 17" widescreens is they tend to be a tad big and heavy to lug around on a daily basis. If she's going to keep it in her dorm room most of the time and only take it to the library or a few classes, no problem. But if she's looking for something she's going to carry every day then get a 12" or 14". |