yo its jos
I don't want a Mac, I was thinking about getting a Dell but I dont know what they are like?
I am gonna be using it for research, document processing, chatting and internet surfing.
I will also be using Photoshop a lot on it.
Answer
There's no best laptop. Certain brands have less instances of repairs than others (Sony, Dell, Apple being among the top, as rated by Consumer Reports), but otherwise it's the same basic hardware. It might have even come from the same factory in China. In my experience Dell is very quick to help you out, but that's only because they send you refurbished parts and not brand new ones. Make sure you get enough memory (probably 2GB, maybe 3 since you're doing a bunch of photoshop), and a large harddrive to store your photos. Try to get an nvidia or ATI graphics instead of intel, since that will be incredibly better for use, but it's not really required.
As far as security devices like a fingerprint scanner go; don't bother. Most fingerprint scanners even come with a disclaimer that it's for convenience rather than security. The reason being is that most of them can be tricked by just dusting for prints and lifting it off with tape. A person who stole your laptop would simply dust for a few finger prints, lift them off with tape, and then put white paper on the back. The fingerprint scanner would probably accept it then. The only way you'd get around this is if you wore gloves 24/7 for typing and handling your notebook.
I'd suggest lojack for laptops or something similar if you're concerned about security, along with a good lock. A lock won't do much to deter a true thief (they can just smack the laptop against something to break off the plastic holding the lock on the computer), but it is a visual deterrent. Lojack can help trace your computer if it gets stolen and then connected to the internet, and it's reasonably priced considering. It's like $50/year or $100 for 3 years, which may or may not be a good deal for you.
Basically just get a cheap laptop with those specs. On sale you can probably find something like that for $600-650. Try OfficeDepot/Staples/Bestbuy/etc, besides checking Dell's online prices.
There's no best laptop. Certain brands have less instances of repairs than others (Sony, Dell, Apple being among the top, as rated by Consumer Reports), but otherwise it's the same basic hardware. It might have even come from the same factory in China. In my experience Dell is very quick to help you out, but that's only because they send you refurbished parts and not brand new ones. Make sure you get enough memory (probably 2GB, maybe 3 since you're doing a bunch of photoshop), and a large harddrive to store your photos. Try to get an nvidia or ATI graphics instead of intel, since that will be incredibly better for use, but it's not really required.
As far as security devices like a fingerprint scanner go; don't bother. Most fingerprint scanners even come with a disclaimer that it's for convenience rather than security. The reason being is that most of them can be tricked by just dusting for prints and lifting it off with tape. A person who stole your laptop would simply dust for a few finger prints, lift them off with tape, and then put white paper on the back. The fingerprint scanner would probably accept it then. The only way you'd get around this is if you wore gloves 24/7 for typing and handling your notebook.
I'd suggest lojack for laptops or something similar if you're concerned about security, along with a good lock. A lock won't do much to deter a true thief (they can just smack the laptop against something to break off the plastic holding the lock on the computer), but it is a visual deterrent. Lojack can help trace your computer if it gets stolen and then connected to the internet, and it's reasonably priced considering. It's like $50/year or $100 for 3 years, which may or may not be a good deal for you.
Basically just get a cheap laptop with those specs. On sale you can probably find something like that for $600-650. Try OfficeDepot/Staples/Bestbuy/etc, besides checking Dell's online prices.
What size laptop should a college student buy? (PLEASE read details!)?
Ayoub
I am 5'10'' and 145 Ibs male
I will be using this laptop for:
1.school work
and
2. movies and gaming (free time)
Also, i will be carrying it around sometimes.
what size should i buy? 13' or 15' or 17' ? maybe something else? weight?
PLEASE help?? im buying it today :\
Answer
i suggest to buy a 10 or 13 inch and another 19 inch screen. so make sure the laptop can drive two screens (most do)
Always work out what your needs are and buy a laptop to suit.
Choosing a laptop
=============
Laptops are excellent for running a second screen.
So please consider this
Two screens are a lot of fun. Assignment on one, internet, research on the other. Game on one, messenger on other.
I suggest to buy the laptop to suit your travelling needs, and have a second 19 inch screen at main base to plug into.
If you moving the laptop every day, so that you plugging into the main base every day, I suggest to set up a docking station complete with usb mouse and usb keyboard, and of course the second screen.
The docking station sets the laptop at a 45 degree angle so its keyboard is 45 degrees and you hinge open the lid so its vertical.
If you have 19 inch on its own stand, then the top of the laptop is the same height as the top of the 19 inch..
Now you can buy the second screen and docking station later on, and the docking station is not really necessary for home use, but for office use its best practice, so ensure you get a brand that has this available, if you think you need it..
If you walking a lot eg college, then gives you the opportunity to buy a light weight small screen type that's easy to carry
You have to decide on weight and battery criteria.
1. Weight - If you are going to carry it to and fro to school/office then consider getting a lightweight model. An external CD drive may be an option as if you not into burning disks or watching DVD then you hardly use the CD drive. Something about less than 2 kg is a lightweight. Anything over 2 kg is very heavy to carry.
2. Battery Life, - if you never going to use it on batteries then you can go bigger processor and larger screen. You can consider not buying the battery if appropriate. You can have two power supplies; one at home and one in the office is good for large heavy laptops.
If you want to use the laptop on batteries then you may have to choose a smaller processor and a smaller screen so you can get the hours required out of the battery.
3. Software, iI suggest to get the same software as you College or Buisness uses (XP or Vista, Office 2003 or 2007). When they update, you update.
4. Minimum specifications â
Games will require more specifications â more ram and âmore video card specs â more processor power.
A 1.6ghz processor is not good enough for big games, a 2,4Ghz is more suitable.
Generally though:
-a decent video card (for projection of power point presentations)
-Wireless networking
-Ethernet
-Consider a high speed hard drive
- Consider 120GB Hard drive or larger
- Consider an external DVD drive or an Internal Burner -depending on your needs
-Consider 1 Gig RAM for XP or 2 Gig RAM for Vista, double that for Games or autocad type software
-Software able to update from their websites
-Internet security and
-Antispyware (free from net) is a must for internet use.
-Easy accessible USB ports
- built in webcam /mic
- A Mouse - wireless mouse are a pain, get a small usb mouse.
- a keystone lock
-A carry bag. Sometimes the manufacturerâs bag is the best buy
Consider getting the hard drive partitioned to C: and D: The C drive can be 30 gig for a laptop D drive is extended across the remaining.
Good buying: I suggest to buy from a discount store that can offer extended warranty, which you may pay for. If you do this make sure all the ram is in so it is covered by the warranty. Extended warranty will cover it for 3 years, and a lot of laptops do go wrong. The store should do the following
1. add the ram
2. install the software
3 partition the hdd
4 Ensure the hdd is NTFS file system
i suggest to buy a 10 or 13 inch and another 19 inch screen. so make sure the laptop can drive two screens (most do)
Always work out what your needs are and buy a laptop to suit.
Choosing a laptop
=============
Laptops are excellent for running a second screen.
So please consider this
Two screens are a lot of fun. Assignment on one, internet, research on the other. Game on one, messenger on other.
I suggest to buy the laptop to suit your travelling needs, and have a second 19 inch screen at main base to plug into.
If you moving the laptop every day, so that you plugging into the main base every day, I suggest to set up a docking station complete with usb mouse and usb keyboard, and of course the second screen.
The docking station sets the laptop at a 45 degree angle so its keyboard is 45 degrees and you hinge open the lid so its vertical.
If you have 19 inch on its own stand, then the top of the laptop is the same height as the top of the 19 inch..
Now you can buy the second screen and docking station later on, and the docking station is not really necessary for home use, but for office use its best practice, so ensure you get a brand that has this available, if you think you need it..
If you walking a lot eg college, then gives you the opportunity to buy a light weight small screen type that's easy to carry
You have to decide on weight and battery criteria.
1. Weight - If you are going to carry it to and fro to school/office then consider getting a lightweight model. An external CD drive may be an option as if you not into burning disks or watching DVD then you hardly use the CD drive. Something about less than 2 kg is a lightweight. Anything over 2 kg is very heavy to carry.
2. Battery Life, - if you never going to use it on batteries then you can go bigger processor and larger screen. You can consider not buying the battery if appropriate. You can have two power supplies; one at home and one in the office is good for large heavy laptops.
If you want to use the laptop on batteries then you may have to choose a smaller processor and a smaller screen so you can get the hours required out of the battery.
3. Software, iI suggest to get the same software as you College or Buisness uses (XP or Vista, Office 2003 or 2007). When they update, you update.
4. Minimum specifications â
Games will require more specifications â more ram and âmore video card specs â more processor power.
A 1.6ghz processor is not good enough for big games, a 2,4Ghz is more suitable.
Generally though:
-a decent video card (for projection of power point presentations)
-Wireless networking
-Ethernet
-Consider a high speed hard drive
- Consider 120GB Hard drive or larger
- Consider an external DVD drive or an Internal Burner -depending on your needs
-Consider 1 Gig RAM for XP or 2 Gig RAM for Vista, double that for Games or autocad type software
-Software able to update from their websites
-Internet security and
-Antispyware (free from net) is a must for internet use.
-Easy accessible USB ports
- built in webcam /mic
- A Mouse - wireless mouse are a pain, get a small usb mouse.
- a keystone lock
-A carry bag. Sometimes the manufacturerâs bag is the best buy
Consider getting the hard drive partitioned to C: and D: The C drive can be 30 gig for a laptop D drive is extended across the remaining.
Good buying: I suggest to buy from a discount store that can offer extended warranty, which you may pay for. If you do this make sure all the ram is in so it is covered by the warranty. Extended warranty will cover it for 3 years, and a lot of laptops do go wrong. The store should do the following
1. add the ram
2. install the software
3 partition the hdd
4 Ensure the hdd is NTFS file system
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