Lap Top Advice

[.muffy.]

So I'm heading back to school this september and I've been looking into which lap top will be the best buy, and seeing as I know virtually nothing about this sort of thing I figured I'd do my homework and ask around.
The only one I've really been told anything about are Mac Books which for obvious reasons seems like the best option but again, I dont know much about this sort of thing..

HELP

[rawb]

if you like macos, a macbook is a great computer (get applecare, their warranty program)
if you want to run windows, i would grab an ibm thinkpad or a toshiba

biggest things to worry about is the warranty, you want a company that with a good one, since this laptop will travel with you a lot and get bumped around

[anewlife]

I'd buy something small and sexy...

HP 2133 Mini-Note Review

[.muffy.]

Seeing as I dont have a PC, I'm looking for a good all around computer. Something that I can take to school with me aswell as use for watching the occassional movie in bed, bounce around the net, aswell as use for presentations and the such...

[NinjaBoy]

Go with a Macbook, I used one all through school and it was great to use for presentations and taking notes.

What's your price range?

[anewlife]

Oh, well then my suggestion wouldn't be a very good choice...

[TrixX]

good thread, im in same boat.

i was told to stay away from laptops cause i could get "a way better desktop"? what are your thoughts??

oh, i also HATE macs. i know windows, ive used it for years and macs frustrate me!

[ash1ee]

mac mac mac.

for for the love of god whatever you buy.... steer clear of best buy and futureshop.

[Drazkers]

start mac vs pc fight round 50......
now!

[TrixX]

Originally Posted by ash1ee

mac mac mac.

for for the love of god whatever you buy.... steer clear of best buy and futureshop.

ok but for someone that doesnt feel like re-learning an entire freaking computer system macs SUCK!

where am i supposed to buy a computer then??? lol :P

*totally clueless computer buyer*

[.muffy.]

looking to spend no more than $1400 *fingers crossed* as my parents said they'd foot half.
if this isn't reasonable then I can look to spend more but I was hoping to keep it below $1500

[ash1ee]

i felt the same way when i bought mine 5 or so years ago.

but now i'm in the office working with windows banging my head on the desk.

i think its time for a new work lapdancetop.

[rawb]

Originally Posted by TrixX

i was told to stay away from laptops cause i could get "a way better desktop"? what are your thoughts??

I BET THIS WAS MARTY WAS THIS MARTY

BUT YEAH, THERE IS NO POINT OF GETTING A DESKTOP UNLESS YOU'RE PLAYING HEAVY 3D VIDEO GAMES IMHO

[TrixX]

Originally Posted by rawb

I BET THIS WAS MARTY WAS THIS MARTY

BUT YEAH, THERE IS NO POINT OF GETTING A DESKTOP UNLESS YOU'RE PLAYING HEAVY 3D VIDEO GAMES IMHO

hahahaha.

thank you. i was trying to argue the point of sitting in my bed or travelling or hotel rooms or whatever that a laptop would be the best.

where do you suggest purchasing a toshiba(i want one cause they are reasonably priced)

[.muffy.]

Originally Posted by ash1ee

mac mac mac.

for for the love of god whatever you buy.... steer clear of best buy and futureshop.

where would you recomend looking?
those were the places I was going to check :/

[rawb]

i would buy direct from manufacturer over the web. this will allow you to customize a lot of your options and make sure you get the features you want, while not spending insane money on the features you dont need.

if you walk into a futureshop or best buy as a girl and say 'HEY IM LOOKING FOR A NOTEBOOK FOR SCHOOL' they will tear you apart, sell you the laptop they have a quota for/get the best margin on, sell you a bunch of accessories (HEY YOU NEED SOME PINK ETHERNET CABLE?) and send you on your way before you know what happened. students looking for new notebooks are their bread and butter.

[Drazkers]

Originally Posted by TrixX

ok but for someone that doesnt feel like re-learning an entire freaking computer system macs SUCK!

where am i supposed to buy a computer then??? lol :P

*totally clueless computer buyer*

You can run windows on a mac, you can actually do both operating systems. No need to re learn.

[NinjaBoy]

Originally Posted by TrixX

ok but for someone that doesnt feel like re-learning an entire freaking computer system macs SUCK!

where am i supposed to buy a computer then??? lol :P

*totally clueless computer buyer*

ATIC- ATIC.ca

Generic Computers - Generic Technology

Vastech Computers - Vastech Computer Ltd.

These shops are great for parts, but also sell some great pre-assembled computers if you don't know how to assemble yours.

You'll end up with a computer more powerful then what you would get at Futureshop for half the price.

As for Laptop VS Desktop.

Yes you can get a powerful desktop for cheaper. But look at what you are going to be using it for. If you don't plan on taking it to school/work a laptop is a terrible choice.

But at the same time unless you are using your computer for some pretty heavy applications you don't need extra power to surf the net and watch movies.

If you aren't going to be using your computer outside of the house 30% of the time don't bother with a laptop.

[NinjaBoy]

Originally Posted by .muffy.

where would you recomend looking?
those were the places I was going to check :/

Buy a Mac online, it's got a deal where you get a free ipod touch as well. And the prices is the same.

Also, as Rawb said, you get to customize the features more.

PS - Macs are a bit easier to use if you are computer illiterate since it is almost impossible to fuck one up by installing programs.

[mojo]

you can't facebook from bed with a PC though.
just saying

[Kraig]

I'm with Rawb...

MacBook all the way for both you ladies. The peeps at MacStation are pretty knowledgeable - Mac Station - Retail Stores. There is also Simply Computing on Broadway although I've not purchased anything except a hard drive from them.

Muffy - based on what I'm hearing you need it for and your budget, the 13" MacBook-White will do you fine - Apple Store (Canada) - MacBook

Rough cost is $1149. You'll have to add the cost of the Applecare ($299) + MS Office Mac 2008 Educational version (I think it's $150) + tax. Pre-tax you're looking at $1598 + tax for everything you'll need.

[rawb]

to offer a counterargument, i haven't bought a desktop in years. i have 3 laptops, 2 don't really leave the house. i find them very useful because i can do work/play games sitting on the couch, lying in bed, making dinner, getting all-up-ins etc etc etc.

also sometimes if LIFE MAKES ME SO UGH ANGRY i can take it to a starbucks or bike to the woods for a couple of battery-hours and work on stuff there

anywhere i want to be is a workstation.

but this may not suit some people so who knows!

[ash1ee]

i just had to deal with the future shop warranty program for 5 months and it was a nightmare.

i was also going to say apple online. my brother just purchased a macbook for dirt cheap at London Drugs. (which is where I bought mine from as well)

you could even check costco for a pc. (where all our work computers come from) i'm not sure if they carry apple computers...or only ipods.

[.muffy.]

for the record (just to appease my mother more than anything)
what's up with buying re-furbished? are they really just as good?? to me this is kinda like shopping at Value Village *insert gag noises here* but some people say you can get really good deals and still get the warranty

[Kraig]

On a side note you you peeps that need to run Windows apps.... FUCK BOOTCAMP. What a pain in the ass having to reboot to run a Windows app or two.

I'm using this software and it's flawless... fast as hell too. I can also share documents between my OSX and Windows sessions.

If you don't have it, get it and thank me later - VMware Fusion Overview, Run Windows on Mac, Virtual PC on Mac - VMware