college laptop?

shannon

What is the best laptop out there for a college student?
Whats your reasoning?
How do you know?
Thanks.

Answer
Mac's are a lot better than P.C.'s but their super expensive. But for a laptop, check our consumer reports, they will allow you to view others opinions on just about the best companies. I prefer HP, because they're not too expensive, they give you what you need for College and most of the newer models have up-to-date software and Anti-virus Protection.

What is a college laptop for a college student?

AbrenicaRu

I'm heading off to college in a couple of weeks and I've been browsing for laptops that I can use when I'm in college. I'm mainly going to use it for social networking (facebook, twitter, etc.), doing schoolwork like typing up essays & doing research. And downloading songs too. What would be a good laptop for that? I'm leaning towards HP or Dell. And something affordable, between maybe $500-800.

Answer
I've got a Dell laptop, and I haven't had any problems with it. And my laptop is my lifeline to school since I moved in the middle of last semester (I'm finishing my degree through distance ed). I did my research before I bought it (well, okay, my husband who does computer stuff for the government did the research, and I just paid for it). Because of the research, I knew that there were issues with the webcam, so my husband was able to take care of that when he got my laptop going.I knew that I wasn't going to be doing any gaming on my computer, so I didn't have to worry about getting the best graphics thingy. I think I spent $700 on my computer. I got the best one I could afford in my price range. Check out review sites and consumer reports, and you should be able to get reviews on the computers you are looking at.

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What is the best laptop for a college student?

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.

Best laptop for college?

Ashoke

I'm starting college in the fall and I'm not sure what laptop to buy. I want a PC, I don't really care about graphics or anything superfluous or over the top. I just want a laptop that's going to last me a really long time, that's durable and worth the money. I'm going to be a bio major. My limit is $1000. I'm not tech-savvy at all, so any help at all would be appreciated!

Answer
Your are right, the laptop market is divided into 2 categories: Consumer & Business.
Consumer - High performance, Standard quality.
Business - High quality, Standard performance.

If you're carrying it around a lot, 15" is bit bulky, while long hours with a small 13" will leave you with tired eyes. That is why I recommend 14" size display.

For Business, 14" Toshiba Tecra http://www.tkqlhce.com/hg116xdmjdl04954545021818191?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toshibadirect.com%2Ftd%2Fb2c%2Fpdet.to%3Fpoid%3D473632%26src%3DMADD&cjsku=PTME0U-00N00T Although its with just i3-330M processor & 2GB memory, its built quality is remarkable. If you go to into stores, do touch & hold some cheap laptops, then hold this in your hands, you'll immediately feel the difference. Toshiba is confident & willing to back this assurance up by a 3-Yr Warranty (others you'll only give 1yr). It also has long battery life 5.15 hours.

Heavy gaming especially first person shooters, this machine would not be a good choice. While report writing, web browsing, youtube, watching movies, light gaming will not be any problem at all.

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What is a college laptop for a college student?

AbrenicaRu

I'm heading off to college in a couple of weeks and I've been browsing for laptops that I can use when I'm in college. I'm mainly going to use it for social networking (facebook, twitter, etc.), doing schoolwork like typing up essays & doing research. And downloading songs too. What would be a good laptop for that? I'm leaning towards HP or Dell. And something affordable, between maybe $500-800.

Answer
I've got a Dell laptop, and I haven't had any problems with it. And my laptop is my lifeline to school since I moved in the middle of last semester (I'm finishing my degree through distance ed). I did my research before I bought it (well, okay, my husband who does computer stuff for the government did the research, and I just paid for it). Because of the research, I knew that there were issues with the webcam, so my husband was able to take care of that when he got my laptop going.I knew that I wasn't going to be doing any gaming on my computer, so I didn't have to worry about getting the best graphics thingy. I think I spent $700 on my computer. I got the best one I could afford in my price range. Check out review sites and consumer reports, and you should be able to get reviews on the computers you are looking at.

HP Laptops?

axeps2

Does anyone know if HP laptops are reliable and good computers. If not, what would you say is the best laptop for a college student.

Answer
Consumer Reports' June issue has reviews of laptops. You could visit their website and see if there's any helpful info in the free portion of the site. (www.consumerreports.org.) You might consider subscribing to the online magazine... year-round there's lots of good informaton.

CNET.com is also a good place to check for editor's reviews and picks.

We're a family of Dells and IBMs (now Lenevo) and have been reasonably happy with both.

Consumer Reports' "QUICK PICKS" for PCs indicated the following "BEST VALUES" --

Best values:
Toshiba Satellite A135-S4427 $900
Acer Aspire AS5610-4537 $850

Both are very good overall, among the lightest Windows laptops, with very good ergonomics and average battery life. Toshibaâs reliability and tech support are undistinguished; we donât have enough data to rate Acerâs.

IN THE FULL ratings, the two HPs they rated were on the bottom end of the scale, but not ranked so significantly behind the others that you wouldn't consider them. Here's a comment they made about the HPs and why they scored a bit lower...

The HPs that scored Good had a few drawbacks. Their glossy touchpads werenât centered with the keyboard and fingers didnât glide smoothly across. Also, their cases required two hands to open and batteries were inconvenient to remove. They also ran warmer than average.

GOOD LUCK!

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What is the best laptop for a college student?

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.

Best laptop for college?

I'm starting college in the fall and I'm not sure what laptop to buy. I want a PC, I don't really care about graphics or anything superfluous or over the top. I just want a laptop that's going to last me a really long time, that's durable and worth the money. I'm going to be a bio major. My limit is $1000. I'm not tech-savvy at all, so any help at all would be appreciated!

Answer
Your are right, the laptop market is divided into 2 categories: Consumer & Business.
Consumer - High performance, Standard quality.
Business - High quality, Standard performance.

If you're carrying it around a lot, 15" is bit bulky, while long hours with a small 13" will leave you with tired eyes. That is why I recommend 14" size display.

For Business, 14" Toshiba Tecra http://www.tkqlhce.com/hg116xdmjdl04954545021818191?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toshibadirect.com%2Ftd%2Fb2c%2Fpdet.to%3Fpoid%3D473632%26src%3DMADD&cjsku=PTME0U-00N00T Although its with just i3-330M processor & 2GB memory, its built quality is remarkable. If you go to into stores, do touch & hold some cheap laptops, then hold this in your hands, you'll immediately feel the difference. Toshiba is confident & willing to back this assurance up by a 3-Yr Warranty (others you'll only give 1yr). It also has long battery life 5.15 hours.

Heavy gaming especially first person shooters, this machine would not be a good choice. While report writing, web browsing, youtube, watching movies, light gaming will not be any problem at all.

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Please help me pick what laptop i should get for college, a MacBook or a Dell?

best laptops for college consumer reports image

Zachary H

My parents said they would buy whatever laptop i wanted and i cant decide. Im attending UConn and have an undecided major so no specific laptop is required. i want one thats easy to handle, and one with a lot of space and is fast.

I've never had a Mac before, will it take a long time to get used to?

Answer
Get the MacBook,

The " ... to get a Mac that would equal an $800 Dell laptop in performance, you would have to go well into the $1300-1800 range ... " argument is bogus. For equivalent platforms, Dell is actually a touch more expensive. See:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20080612161846AAOEI1U

Compare the $129 price of the best version of Leopard, Apple's latest version of OS X to the price of the latest "best" version of Windows.

Mac "Security through Obscurity" is a myth. It's been known to be a myth since OS X was released, and it's been well publicized for almost five years.

DAVID POGUE - The New York Times - September 18, 2003:

"I also wrote that Mac OS X and Linux are virus-free because they offer virus writers a much smaller âaudienceâ than Windows -- a notion thatâs been much repeated in the press, most recently last weekâs BusinessWeek cover story. That, as it turns out, is a myth, no matter who repeats it. Thereâs a much bigger reason virus writers donât like Mac OS X and Linux.

'Unix [which underlies Mac OS X] and Linux ARE more secure,' wrote one reader. 'They have been developed, open-source style, by people who know exactly what they are doing. Unix and Linux have had at least 10 years of battling hackers to better themselves. This leads to an extremely secure environment.'â

Full article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/18/technology/circuits/18POGUE-EMAIL.html?ex=1214280000&en=1efe03e6ab949440&ei=5070

Try searching the Net for:

"OS X" Security Obscurity Myth

And, though it's not absolutely needed, it is a good idea, the best anti-virus software for OS X is free for the download at:

http://www.clamxav.com/

How much are you going to spend per year properly protecting a Wintel?

The "compatibility" argument is bogus. iWorks is a lot less money than "Office", and does Office compatible files. As for other software, the argument reduces to this, "There are 15,000 pieces of software a knowledgeable Windows user wouldn't put on a PC, there are only 1,500 a knowledgeable Mac user wouldn't put on a Mac, but for "needed" software, what's available to Windows users is available to Mac users. And, if you're a "Gamer", using Boot Camp and what you save over buying a Dell & Office, you can be running Windows on what Consumer Reports names as the "Best Windows Computer of 2008", the Mac.

The "Customer Service" argument is bogus. Mac & OS X continually outrates the best of Wintel & Windows in "Customer Satisfaction" by 8 to 10 %age points.

The " ... how much an hour will you be paying when the Mac breaks ... " argument is bogus. AppleCare for three years is $249, and it covers everything. Try getting that with a Wintel machine. Macs "break" far less often than Wintels, and you have an Apple Store nearby, the Genius Bar is free.

Even the "right click" argument is bogus. The "Mighty Mouse" which comes with all Macs but the Mini and MacBooks does "right click", and even single button Mac mice have been doing right clicks for teens of years, by holding down the "Control" key while clicking, or simply holding down the mouse button for about a second.

With the Mac, you can save money, get the best Windows computer there is, and get the Mac side for free with it's attendant Security, Quality, Ease of Use, stellar Customer Service, Customer Satisfaction, and yes, coolness factor ...

"Drink upstream of the herd."

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook?mco=MTE3MjA

Hope this helps.

â¢

Which Toshiba Satellite laptop should I get?

Sarah

All I really need it for is internet and writing papers (I'm going into college), and for watching some episodes of House. A Consumer Report I read has led me to narrow it down to the T135-S1305 (but I hear the mouse and touchpad aren't so great) and the A505-S6005. Budget around $700. Any thoughts?

Answer
In this range you can get better laptop
You can cconsider buying
1)Toshiba Satellite L555D-S7005 TruBrite 17.3-Inch Laptop (Black)
*2.3GHz AMD Turion II Dual-Core Mobile M520 Processor
*4GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM Memory
*320GB Serial ATA Hard Disk Drive (5400RPM); DVD SuperMulti Drive with Labelflash
*17.3" LED (16:9) 1600x900 Display; ATI Radeon HD 4200 Graphics
*Window 7 Home Premium 64-bit
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Satellite-L555D-S7005-TruBrite-17-3-Inch/dp/B003155Z3S/?tag=best-laptops01-20

2)ASUS K52F-A1 15.6-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop (Dark Brown)
*2.26GHz Intel Core i3-350M Processor
*4GB of DDR3 1066MHz DRAM, 2 slots, 8GB Max
*320GB Hard Drive (5400 RPM); Super Multi Optical Disk Drive; Wi-Fi 802.11 bgn
*15.6-Inch HD LED LCD Widescreen Display; Intel GMA HD; 0.3MP Webcam; HDMI Port
*Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit) Operating System
http://www.amazon.com/K52F-A1-15-6-Inch-Versatile-Entertainment-Laptop/dp/B00342VJ74/?tag=best-laptops01-20
Hey you can visit below link you can find more options here :
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_kk_2?rh=i:aps,k:laptop+i3&keywords=laptop+i3&ie=UTF8&qid=1281084160&tag=best-laptops01-20
or
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574865779&toolid=10001&campid=5336686710&customid=laptop+best+deal&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%2Fi.html%3F_nkw%3Dmini%2520netbook%26_fln%3D1%26_ssov%3D1%26_trksid%3Dp3286.c0.m282%26_mPrRngCbx%3D1%26_udlo%3D600%26_udhi%3D700

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My laptop fell off the bed and the screen cracked?

best laptops for college consumer reports image

keepthatre

It's about two years old, the power jack is worn out and the battery can't hold a charge. I'm assuming it's cheaper to buy a new one, correct?

And also, what brand would you suggest? This laptop will be mainly used for school work, (ie writing papers and doing research) and I'm majoring in graphic design.

The laptop I just broke was a Dell, which is not a brand I am happy with or would buy again.
FYI - I don't sleep with my computer, lol. I set it on the bed and it fell off.

Answer
Yep, time to replace. FYI, the battery will last longer if you keep a full charge on it. If you're near an outlet and you're using your computer ALWAYS plug it in. Also, try to never let the battery die all the way.

The laptop I got (and love) and the one Consumer Reports calls a "best buy" is a Toshiba Satellite. I got mine at Best Buy (I don't trust the one wal-mart is selling) and it's just great!

However, if you're majoring in graphic design, you might be smart to get a Mac. I hate 'em but I know all my creative friends swear by them and apparently that's what you'll probably come across in your career in graphic design.

I'd suggest talking to a teacher in your department, find out what computer will best handle the software you'll use through college (by the time you need one for your career they'll have changed so much you'll need a new one, but if you're going to be likely to be using Macs in your future then it's a good thing to learn and get comfortable with them now)

Should I buy a Macbook Pro or Sony Vaio?

forzamilan

I am going into college. I'm looking for a really good laptop. Something good for schoolwork and music and also one that can burn dvds well. I was thinking either one of the new macbook pros or a sony vaio z series. Any suggestions?

Answer
Well, I can't offer you my personal two cents re: the Sony Vaio. I have never used this computer. But, I can tell you about Macs.

Macs are one of the most popular laptops for college students. They are extremely reliable, easy to use and the vast majority of programs you'll ever use ARE available for Macs.

The recently upgraded MacBook Pros are amazing. The 13" model is especially popular with college students because it's more affordable than the higher end models. You can get a very good one for $1,100 to $1,400. These new models include an upgraded battery (7 hours?), upgraded speed, upgraded screen, SD card reader added, backlit keyboard on both models now, etc. And, the Mac software is far superior to Windows re: stability, reliability, easy of use, speed and being virtually virus-free. The hardware available is very adequate for a college student. It's not a high-performance gamer laptop. But, I don't think you're looking for that.

NOTE: Because you're a college student you likely qualify for their educational discount. This means you're saving on the price of a Mac, you get a free iPod Touch (summer promo) and you get a free printer. There are other discounts also. So, although you're paying a little more for a Mac than a Windows laptop, you're getting a more stable and reliable machine with lots of great extras.

Mac software is great for burning DVDs, making movies, music, word processing, internet, etc.

The Mac operating system (Leopard) will be upgraded in September. For just $29 we'll all be able to upgrade to this new operating system. I'm sure that Microsoft will charge a lot more than $29 for their users to upgrade to their "Windows 7" software. And, most people know that Windows software is very vulnerable to viruses, crashes constantly, etc.

Finally, don't listen to people complaining about Macs UNLESS they have owned one. Most people that are anti-Mac make the same arguments year after year... and yet they've never had the opportunity to own a Mac. Read Consumer Reports, Amazon reviews, etc. Those who buy and own Macs tend to enjoy and love them more than any other laptop/PC owner. Just research this and you'll see that the customer satisfaction by Mac owners is very high.

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How to make a presentation more interesting?

best laptops for college consumer reports image

sapyhappyg

So I'm giving a presentation to high school students about my experiences so far as a freshman in college, what I'm majoring in, and why I chose the college I'm going to.

I have to talk for thirty minutes, but I'm really struggling to figure out how to make this talk more interesting!

One thing I hate is attending a presentation where the speaker is really boring, and I'm trying to stray away from doing that, but I'm having trouble of thinking of ways to make what I'm talking about more interesting for the students!

Help?

Answer
Do researcher. Go to the colllege website. Round up as much printed material as possible. Find out something about the college's standing scholastically and in athletics. Noted for???? Famous alumni. Famous professors. History of college, but only if interesting. Land-grant? ROTC? Graduate schools? Size of campus. Endowments (only inbrief statements, though.)


Instead of using PowerPoint (boring!), use Prezi. It is free. Just go to Prezi.com.
It's sure to shake up your audience.
some other ideas:
1. Write your notes on 3 x 5 cards. Just key words or major ideas. Use words and ideas that will jog your memory and help you remember the best stories. Whatever you do: do not write the entire speech out and read it. That is sure death!
2. Practice. You really have to rehearse. First try it in front of a mirror. Then try it in front of friends who you trust to give good criticism, not wisecracks. Finally, try it in front of a webcam.-- here's where you'll see the weak points which you can then fixc
3. Move around, but don't move for the sake of moving. Just don't stand still and recite your presentation like a 4th-grader delivering a book report.

As for content:
1. Stories. Make them up if necessary, but use stories. A good story will engage any audience in a mystery or a discovery or a conflict.
2. Humor. If you're funny, then be funny. If you aren't funny, don't force it.
3. Avoid indigestion. Don't overload your audience with too much information. You may have done your homework, but your audience isn't ready to hear it. Limit your facts...even though you know much, much more.,
4. Write out your presentation as though it were a TV commercial: Problem. Story. Solution. "It seems that I was always getting these broken fingernails. Then my friend told me about this terrific new cream. I tried it. Now my fingernails stay unbroken!"
5. It's okay to use repetition. For instance, in the beginning of your presentation, tell them what you're going to talk about. Then at the end, summarize, by repeating what you talked about.

To be specific:

1. Tell them about your last days in high school., when you didn't know about college at all, and then how you decided to go to college.
2. Tell them about collecting stuff about lots of colleges (make this funny) -- the brochures and phone calls that didn't stop coming.
3. Be frank, but not too frank about money (They know it's going to cost big bucks, but daddy's going to pay most of it, isn't he? So talk about scholarships and jobs, but not in detail.)
4. Why did you pick your major. Tell them about choosing a major, but again, not in detail.
5. Why this college over all others?
6. What your freshman year is like so far. Describe a "typical" day (it really doesn't have to; be typical: you could telescope several days, or cherry-pick events from your friends' experiences.
7. Talk personalities: people you've met. Weirdos. Nice people. professors.
8. Describe a typical class --again, not detailed, but just the main points -- keeping notes, where you sit, using a laptop, using a clicker, homework, quizzes, grades. Use your best or favorite subject. Your enthusiasm will come across.
9. Talk about the social scene, but in generalities.
10. Talk about dormitories, fraternities, weekends.-- but not too specific.
11. Be "frank" about one shortcoming. This lends credibility to your presentation, that you're not a cheerleader for the college, but a kind of Consumer Reports delivering an accurate and objective report.. The shortcoming could be really minor, like bad parking, or high lab fees, or a lousy football team -- nothing major, nothing that can come back and bit you on the ankle. It could even be whimsical -- ":the campus is so large you need a GPS to find your way between classes" or "they really can use a good pizza chef".
...for more information...
1. Ask for questions at end.
2. Have handouts ready -- brochures.
3. Flash a slide with the college's website address.

DON'T END WITH A LIMP "WELL, THAT'S IT...ANY QUESTIONS?"
INSTEAD, END WITH SOMETHING LIKE : "THAT'S MY COLLEGE LIFE SO FAR. NEXT YEAR, I'LL BE A SOPHOMORE. IF YOU DO GO TO OLD STATE, LOOK ME UP, AND MAYBE WE'LL PUT TOGETHER A PRESENTATION FOR THE NEXT BUNCH OF JESSE JAMES HIGH SCHOOL .GRADUATES....... HEY, THIS CAN BECOME A REGULAR REALITY SHOW IF WE DON'T WATCH OUT."

What are important things to know when buying a laptop for a high school senior & soon to be college student?

An Bee

I am a senior in high school and am trying to make it easier on my parents by searching for and contributing some money toward a new laptop. I'm planning on using it for a while, through college, etc. Is a used laptop a better choice at this point?

Answer
If you know what college you are going to, you should check what they recommend. Other than that, get a MacBook. You can get an entry level MacBook for $999 at the Apple education store. If you tell them it's for college, they'll give you a free iPod Nano. The Mac advantage, top rated at Consumers Reports for tech support and battery life. The other advantage, no viruses, adware,or malware. You can use your MacBook and not worry about it. The Macs now come with iLife 08 and most software you need. If you plan on playing games at college, then you will be limited in your choice of games. If you plan on working toward a degree, the Mac is fine.

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