|
slobmonster
Apr 7, 2005, 9:07 PM
Post #1 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 28, 2003
Posts: 1586
|
Hardly a dilemna, but I need to purchase a laptop. I most often use my girlfriend's Dell machine, but when she needs it (it is hers, after all) I am forced onto my old iBook clamshell with an almost-dead screen and less memory than me on a Saturday morning.
Basically, I need enough to get on the damned internet, a wireless card, and enough memory to hold a respectable (but not huge) number of photos and software.
Choices:
*iBook, 14 inch, $1299, less an academic discount (10%, I think)
*PC. It seems that I can buy a Dell, Compaq, or something else that will perform much like the above Mac, for about $750... Same discount.
My fluency in this is limited, and I have some significant budgetary constraints...
Tips from the peanut gallery? Cheaper (reliable) options?
|
|
|
|
|
scuclimber
Apr 7, 2005, 10:09 PM
Post #2 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 30, 2003
Posts: 1007
|
I have a Toshiba right now and it's a POS. All of the best, and longest lasting, laptops I've had experience with here at school have been Apples, either iBooks or Powerbooks. My girlfriend just got a new 12" Powerbook... ridiculously sexy (both the computer and her). :wink:
Colin
|
|
|
|
|
tgreene
Apr 7, 2005, 10:21 PM
Post #3 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 22, 2003
Posts: 7267
|
I've had several Compaq Presario's, and wouldn't hesitate to buy another one!!!
|
|
|
|
|
shortfatoldguy
Apr 7, 2005, 10:39 PM
Post #4 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 4, 2002
Posts: 1694
|
Made the switch to Mac last year, not looking back. Got the small ibook. Unlike every Windows machine I've ever owned, it does what it's supposed to do all the time. OS X rules. I still have to spend time every month trouble-shooting my family's PC, not because of the machine, because of the virus...I mean, operating system...
|
|
|
|
|
jono
Apr 8, 2005, 1:49 AM
Post #5 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 6, 2002
Posts: 2067
|
does it have to be a laptop?
|
|
|
|
|
bear829
Apr 8, 2005, 2:02 AM
Post #6 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 10, 2004
Posts: 1407
|
I have one that you can have. It needs work though. My late cat knocked over a glass of apple juice on it. I am not sure what you would have to do to get it working again. Its a presario. I have a power cord for it and that's about it. It worked really well when I had it. Just don't look at all the old porn on it. :lol: Just kidding.
|
|
|
|
|
karlbaba
Apr 8, 2005, 2:07 AM
Post #7 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 10, 2002
Posts: 1159
|
Check out http://www.dealmac.com
You can find Ibooks (some refurb or discontinued) cheaper than you quote.
Macs are happy environments to work in. Worth the extra bucks
Peace
karl
|
|
|
|
|
bear829
Apr 8, 2005, 2:15 AM
Post #9 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 10, 2004
Posts: 1407
|
No. The cat had to be put down. He was 18 and could barely walk, hear or see. Poor thing. I miss him. Well, I have the scars to remember him by though. I guess I will make do.
|
|
|
|
|
climbinginchico
Apr 8, 2005, 2:22 AM
Post #10 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 24, 2004
Posts: 3032
|
Get the mac. I have a Toshiba laptop and drool over my buddy's 12" Powerbook G4.
|
|
|
|
|
camhead
Apr 8, 2005, 2:42 AM
Post #11 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 10, 2001
Posts: 20939
|
mac4lyfe!!!!!11
I got an ibook g4 (smallest size) for $1000 minus student discount last fall. rules.
|
|
|
|
|
josephine
Apr 8, 2005, 7:09 AM
Post #12 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 8, 2002
Posts: 5794
|
In reply to: mac4lyfe!!!!!11 I got an ibook g4 (smallest size) for $1000 minus student discount last fall. rules.
i want it!!!Give it to me please!
|
|
|
|
|
sauron
Apr 8, 2005, 1:13 PM
Post #13 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 15, 2001
Posts: 1859
|
I'm waiting for my 17" powerbook to deliver on monday...
Can't wait. :)
- d.
|
|
|
|
|
jammer
Apr 8, 2005, 1:22 PM
Post #14 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 25, 2002
Posts: 3472
|
What are you going to be using it for? Graphics are best on a MAC and business is handeled better on a PC. What is your flavor?
|
|
|
|
|
arrettinator
Apr 8, 2005, 2:08 PM
Post #15 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 30, 2002
Posts: 8522
|
I just got a new Dell desktop.
I was thinking of getting a laptop, but after reviewing them I really couldn't think of why I would really need one.
I would never use it anywhere but at the desk.
Plus, I got a faster, better desktop for less the price of a slower laptop.
Also, maintenance and upgrading on laptops is much harder and more expensive. My father in-law has gone through 4 laptops since '98.
I've gone through 1 desktop in that time, and it still works and is a second computer for me.
We don't even work on laptops at our office.
Or Macs. It's a PC world.
But that's just my opinion.
If you do get a laptop, I'm partial to Dell.
|
|
|
|
|
timstich
Apr 8, 2005, 2:23 PM
Post #16 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Feb 3, 2003
Posts: 6267
|
We have a Dell Insprion laptop. The screen went out in two years. Backlight is dead, maybe. The keyboard keys broke the first week we had it, so we sent it back in. I can't recommend Dull.
|
|
|
|
|
yanqui
Apr 8, 2005, 2:31 PM
Post #17 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Feb 24, 2004
Posts: 1559
|
Laptops are nice if you travel alot. We used to have one, but it was stolen and never felt much need to replace it. You just can't leave these things laying around unattended for one second in South America.
My nephew, the REAL computer nerd, is a big Mac/Apple fan. Only Apple for him. Has the latest in both laptops and PCs. Me, I bought a PC that was good enough and cheap. Which means local brands.
But I did wanna mention that I heard THIS place does GREAT service:
http://www.dribbleglass.com/...s/strange/laptop.jpg
|
|
|
|
|
nostalgia
Apr 8, 2005, 4:00 PM
Post #18 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 18, 2004
Posts: 793
|
Since I work for Intel, I'm pretty much obligated to recommend the Mac :)
Seriously, it's going to be personal preference. For what you said you'll use it for, you probably will want something less expensive. Although once you have it, you'll probably find that you wish it had more.
Mac/PC probably won't matter much. It's really going to be whatever OS feels more warm and fuzzy to you.
My wife has a Dell laptop. Their support is fairly good and the laptop itself hasn't given us any problems.
-Joe
|
|
|
|
|
slobmonster
Apr 8, 2005, 4:35 PM
Post #19 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 28, 2003
Posts: 1586
|
Any particular, specific suggestions form the savvy shoppers out there? I may indeed try and figure out a PC, there's an Inspiron model that I have found for around $650, but I've never heard of the processor (Athelon?). Or, the ibook for around a grand.
This is one of those fairly classic too-much-information situations...
|
|
|
|
|
karlbaba
Apr 8, 2005, 6:50 PM
Post #22 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 10, 2002
Posts: 1159
|
The Apple store online has refurbed Ibooks for cheaper. They still give you the 1 year warranty. I recommend the extended warranty for laptops and no other electronic stuff. Laptops are vulnerable. Still about $800. Still cheaper at other places.
http://store.apple.com/....0.0.0.3.1.1.0?82,51
But among laptops, the Ibook is very tough. The dang thing is made of the same stuff as Nalgene bottles.
PEace
karl
|
|
|
|
|
bad_lil_kitty
Apr 8, 2005, 6:53 PM
Post #23 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 1, 2004
Posts: 2341
|
^^^^^ yup yup ^^^^^ unfortunately but fortunately, it's true.. i've dropped Herbie a number of times - in fact, he even fell down a few stairs onto the ground... he's still workn' well... and re: extended warranty - yes, worth it!
plus now that you know some macheads....let the free swapping begin ;)
|
|
|
|
|
jono
Apr 9, 2005, 12:04 AM
Post #24 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 6, 2002
Posts: 2067
|
pc=games 8^)
|
|
|
|
|
12volt_man
Apr 9, 2005, 1:31 PM
Post #25 of 29
(1234 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Feb 20, 2005
Posts: 406
|
I'm a total noob when it comes to computers so, can anyone here help me buy a Lap Dance? :roll:
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
