Its time to buy a laptop for college..

makanudo · #1 07-12-2010, 01:37 AM

And i was hoping you guys could give some advice or suggestions. Right now im looking at a Toshiba Satellite L505D-GS6000. I've read that it's got bad battery life but its a really good computer for the price (500 bucks on best buy).

Anyway im not going to do crazy stuff with it, just college stuff, music editing, surfing and some gaming, Anny suggestions?

tom once dead · #2 07-12-2010, 02:13 AM

get a mac :P

makanudo · #3 07-12-2010, 02:20 AM

Honestly, i have NEVER used a Mac and i am in no way familiarized with the system, i've always used windows and never really gotten into the whole apple thing.. besides they are way too expensive

jp58 · #4 07-12-2010, 02:34 AM

I have a Toshiba-sat, and the battery does die often. BUT, I have never done a project that either:

1. The computer didn't have enough power to complete
2. There was a plug near-by

Honestly MACs aren't worth the hassle you get from them in college. Most professors want things via email, and get frustrated when they get things in MAC format.

Some advice, check any game or software you want to run, and make sure you have between 1.5 and 2x the RAM needed for those. I know that sounds like a lot, but you need the growing room. Also don't even fool with Vista, just spring for 8, it will save you headaches later.

And some "extra" advice, always save your work and email it to yourself often and keep the backup cd close. In the event of a nuclear meltdown, those things will have saved your ***.

makanudo · #5 07-12-2010, 02:46 AM

The sat im talking about has 4gb expandable to 8gb, i am not sure about the graphics card because the website says ati radeon 4200, and i've seen it as Ati radeon HD 4200 and its supposedly a good card, but i have also read things about it not beeing suiable for gaming..

And yeah, i haven't head nothing but good things about toshibas =)

3506string · #6 07-12-2010, 02:50 AM

If you not totally sold on a laptop. I would consider a small desktop. You can usually get a better system for less price. After 5 years college there was never an instance while I was living on campus that having a laptop was all that needed. When I moved off campus it came in a little more handy but, still there were computer labs in nearly all of our buildings. The main thing in college is usually just having a personal computer so you don't have to depend on the labs when you've got to get work done. There are pros and cons for both desks and laps but, in my experience a desktop would have worked just as well, been cheaper, and probably had a more powerful system.

makanudo · #7 07-12-2010, 02:52 AM

The thing is im going away for college and i can't bring my desktop computer, or fit a new one in the room ill be living in, so thats why i need a laptop mostly.

goodscoolwf · #8 07-12-2010, 03:06 AM

It is really useful when you living on campus, but after that a desktop is more usefu. I think you should consider more about it.

makanudo · #9 07-12-2010, 03:12 AM

And if im living 1 block away from campus?

MIJ-VI · #10 07-12-2010, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by makanudo

Honestly, i have NEVER used a Mac and i am in no way familiarized with the system, i've always used windows and never really gotten into the whole apple thing.. besides they are way too expensive

Since you're a Windows-only user who's heading off to college then staying with the platform you know would be prudent. Homework>than fiddling with computers.

However, one of the more rewarding social investments one could make at school would be to strike up a few friendships amongst members of the college's Linux Users Group (there'll likely be one).

Ease your way into a user-friendly Linux distribution like Ubuntu (it's no harder to learn than Windows or the Mac), and you won't have to buy software for the rest of your life.

The table of equivalents / replacements / analogs of Windows software in Linux.
Last update: 16.07.2003, 31.01.2005, 27.05.2005, 04.12.2006, 07.07.2007, 25.11.2007 (in progress)
http://www.linuxrsp.ru/win-lin-soft/table-eng.html

More Linux links:

HOW TO INSTALL UBUNTU STUDIO 9.10 WITHOUT HAVING THE INSTALL #%$&%# FAIL!:

MIJ-VI · #11 07-12-2010, 03:55 AM

BTW. A long range USB-based wi-fi adaptor is bound to come in handy for on-the-go computing at college.

This is one (which supports Windows & Macintosh, and is literally plug 'n' play under Ubuntu) is a keeper:

http://www.hfield.com/the-wi-fire/

The one I've used for the past ~9 months works well.

MadMan118 · #12 07-12-2010, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

Since you're a Windows-only user who's heading off to college then staying with the platform you know would be prudent. Homework>than fiddling with computers.

However, one of the more rewarding social investments one could make at school would be to strike up a few friendships amongst members of the college's Linux Users Group (there'll likely be one).

Ease your way into a user-friendly Linux distribution like Ubuntu (it's no harder to learn than Windows or the Mac), and you won't have to buy software for the rest of your life.

The table of equivalents / replacements / analogs of Windows software in Linux.
Last update: 16.07.2003, 31.01.2005, 27.05.2005, 04.12.2006, 07.07.2007, 25.11.2007 (in progress)
http://www.linuxrsp.ru/win-lin-soft/table-eng.html

More Linux links:

HOW TO INSTALL UBUNTU STUDIO 9.10 WITHOUT HAVING THE INSTALL #%$&%# FAIL!:

Yeah Ubuntu isn't much different than Windows IMO its much easier to use and update. I suggest dual booting(installing 2 OS's) Linux with Windows. Linux is very productive for work but it's entertainment value is nil. My computer is a Debian 5.0/Windows 7 mix that I use for work and media respectively.
Also I have a satellite is well the battery life is okay, and it tends to run a bit hot otherwise its a great computer i also have a Toshiba NB205 netbook that is an absolute tank/workhorse.

Skeletomania · #13 07-12-2010, 05:38 AM

I'm currently using a Toshiba, and I hate it. The battery is a big issue for me. Mine died after 2 years, and now I have to stay close to an outlet in order to use my laptop. Recently, I've spent a 120 dollars to fix the motherboard, and it would be a lot more expensive if my relative wasn't in the business.

Thunderscreech · #14 07-12-2010, 06:01 AM

HP makes good laptop stuff. Ditto with ASUS.

CultofJay · #15 07-12-2010, 06:19 AM

The OP asks for suggestions on a computer and everyone just talks about what operating system he should use?

Yeesh.

What's your intended major? When I was taking fine arts and film production classes at IU I wish I had a Mac laptop. They're easier to work with if you use things like Adobe Suites or Pro Tools. Less crashing = less headaches and fewer hours of lost work. You need to ask yourself what you're going to use the computer for and then go from there. If you're just looking for an inexpensive laptop that will get the job done (job, meaning writing papers, research, and internet) then you should check out the PC laptops on Tiger Direct. They have some of the best prices over retail stores. You also may want to check with your school to see if they offer discounts on certain computers for students.

As far as specs go, get at least 2GB of RAM, an Intel Core2 Duo processor, and a hard drive of at least 250GB. Those would be the minimum specs for a cheap computer. The downside to getting minimum specs is that it's already grossly outdated

I would suggest a laptop with Intel's new i3, i5, or i7 processors. That's something that will last you the next 4 years. Acer and MSI make good PC laptops and then you're not paying to have the word "Sony" or "HP" on the front

Hope that helps.

rarisgod · #16 07-12-2010, 08:40 AM

I've heard a lot of negative things about HP (things like overheating and such) and I know a few people who have had problems with Dell laptops (small problems, but some problems nonetheless). I almost went for a Toshiba laptop but then I saw an LG laptop that I liked more.

I bought an 14" LG R480 and I love it. It's performed nearly flawlessly (the only problem it ever had was Vista

) and the specs on it are pretty decent.

That being said, I currently want to buy a Macbook lol but it's not because I'm dissatisfied with this laptop, I was just looking for a change.

DigMe · #17 07-12-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rarisgod

I've heard a lot of negative things about HP (things like overheating and such)

You've heard those things because they have the poorest reliability:
http://gizmodo.com/5406415/laptop-re...ome-out-on-top

bc

MJ5150 · #18 07-12-2010, 12:27 PM

Stick with the Toshiba. I use them as well for my personal use, and suggest them to my friends looking to buy laptops. There is better and more powerful out there, but at this price point, they are hard to beat.

-Mike

drteeth · #19 07-12-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

BTW. A long range USB-based wi-fi adaptor is bound to come in handy for on-the-go computing at college.

This is one (which supports Windows & Macintosh, and is literally plug 'n' play under Ubuntu) is a keeper:

http://www.hfield.com/the-wi-fire/

The one I've used for the past ~9 months works well.

I must have this.

::::BASSIST:::: · #20 07-12-2010, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

Since you're a Windows-only user who's heading off to college then staying with the platform you know would be prudent. Homework>than fiddling with computers.

However, one of the more rewarding social investments one could make at school would be to strike up a few friendships amongst members of the college's Linux Users Group (there'll likely be one).

Ease your way into a user-friendly Linux distribution like Ubuntu (it's no harder to learn than Windows or the Mac), and you won't have to buy software for the rest of your life.

The table of equivalents / replacements / analogs of Windows software in Linux.
Last update: 16.07.2003, 31.01.2005, 27.05.2005, 04.12.2006, 07.07.2007, 25.11.2007 (in progress)
http://www.linuxrsp.ru/win-lin-soft/table-eng.html

More Linux links:

HOW TO INSTALL UBUNTU STUDIO 9.10 WITHOUT HAVING THE INSTALL #%$&%# FAIL!:

Does Audacity work with Ubantu?

Thats one program I cannot live without.