Another request for -- which laptop for college?

[Felecha]

Must be one of the reqular questions popping up here like a popup -- which laptop for college?

My daughter goes off to college in the fall. I'm looking for a 4-year purchase, so I expect to look for the power and speed and memory and storage that won't be too out of date by 2008. I'm also very concerned about service. My older daughter is at a college that has its own Computer Service. If you buy from the program (she got a high-end Dell, Dell is the only brand they offer through the program), it's free tech support and free service all 4 years - just take it in to their office and get instant service. I groaned at the initial price, but hey, I feel pretty secure, and I know she's careful and responsible.

Daughter #2 is not going to the same school, so I have to look around. My own laptop is a BestBuy HP, and I got the service plan and have actually used it, so I appreciate it. There's a BestBuy just 2 miles from her school, so that is a potential plus in my thinking.

I bought a Dell desktop for my Mom for Christmas, thinking they had a reputation for great service, I bought the in-home service plan, but when she had a problem, she ended up on the phone to India, and it turned into 3 days of Dell Hell. I really feel burned.

So the BestBuy walk-in idea appeals to me more than a service plan with an online vendor.

Also, I went to the local BestBuy and looked at the current selection. I was surprised to be told by the salesman that his first choice is the Emachines. What? I thought that brand was junk, but he said no, they've been a complete turnaround. Other posts in this forum have indicated that that is the case. Hmmmm...

Anyway, my biggest concern is really the service question. I see some online vendors mentioned here. Any general thoughts? Are customers really able to send laptops back for service and get satisfaction (meaning the problem gets fixed and it doesn't take 3 or 4 weeks) ?

 

[DarkAmeba]

http://www.apple.com/powerbook/

From what I hear, it dosen't get much better than apple's customer service. Newegg is the only site I can think of that stands behind their product more. My aunt is a graphic designer and she recently purchased one of the new G5 desktops. Apparently, there was a minor defect on the case (wouldn't stay latched shut or something) She called Apple tech support and they immediaty overnighted her a new desktop and sent fedex to pick up the broken one. You can't do better than that.

Funny thing is the only reason I know this is that I just bought a powerbook for myself for college, so i've done a lot of research. Haven't got it yet, but I went to the apple store and played with one before I bought it. Incredible design and ease of use. Check one out!
=)

 

[Felecha]

Interesting.

I have no Apple experience. Have shied away from taking the time to learn, although I know people who swear by them. Also interesting that you compared Apple to NewEgg. I just had a return to NewEgg that blew me away. 6 months of use of a digital camera memory card, and it developed a problem. No questions asked, sent me a new memory card right away.

Apple store online is the place to look?

 

[EvanAdams]

I would recomend a good set of speakers as she will want that in her room. Just get a good 2.1 setup, keep em small.

If you get a laptop keep an eye out for docking stations to hook up an external keyboard if the laptops keyboard is not great.

Accidental Damage Protection is great!

 

[DarkAmeba]

Yeah check out the apple online store. I also went into a local apple store to check out the powerbooks firsthand, and thats what really made up my mind. What a great machine. You'll definatly want to order online from the apple store though, they offer a 200 dollar educational discount. Educational discount login is here

You also might wanna check out the student developer subscription as well. Look here It's 100 dollars, and with the subscription you can buy a powerbook almost 400 bucks cheaper. Thats a 300 dollar savings, plus you get new versions of the OS free for a year. Definitly beats the already great 200 dollar edu discount.

Don't fear the new OS. I did, but as soon as I toyed with a powerbook at the apple store, I was sold. It really is far better designed than windows xp!

 

[Felecha]

She has a nice speaker set already, which of course will go with her.

And we have an Apple store nearby, so we'll check that out.

Thanks

 

[music]

I don't believe applecare covers accidental damage. You'd have to buy the laptop through someone like CompUSA and get their warranty that also includes accidental damage protection.

 

[EvanAdams]

I droped my dads titanium while in school in DC. It ruined the cd-r/dvd, dented the case, and cracked the case to the monitor.

They fixed it all with applecare

 

[alexruiz]

I am the proud owner of an emachines M6805, and let me tell you that the machine is awesome! Only downside is the size/weight (15.4", 7.8 lbs), which personally I find perfect, but for others anything over 4 lbs is heavy..... The machine has the horsepower to last trough 2008 with dignity.

Ask her what she wants: power to last, or portability. If power is the answer, grab it, and get the M6809 that even has DVD-burner


Alex

 

[alexruiz]

By the way, emachines phone tech support is very fast and accurate. They got a little overwhelmed in the beggining by all the very technical questions asked, as the machine is a favorite among power users (geeks). However, for the average user the tech support is perfect and absolutely capable of handling anything fast and accurate.


Alex

 

[manly]

Apple's tech support is free (after 90 days) only if you purchase AppleCare. It's pretty cheap at the student discount pricing.

Apple doesn't cover negligence or abuse.

 

[Felecha]

now she's leaning toward the apple g4. a friend of hers has one. I've been looking for the student discount area on the apple site and can't find much of anything.

I do see that their applecare covers walkins to certified service centers and there is one 20 miles away, so that's better I think than mailing it in.

And I looked at the emachines last night at BestBuy and want one for myself. Alas, the current 3-year old HP is performing just fine. But they said that HP has slipped and is one of the most-often brought in with complaints

 

[Mellman]

compal cl56, get her into gaming! love mine, go dothan!!

in the past i've had to deal with service centers like best buys (even worked in one for a while) If its something hardware, they have to ship it back to the factory anyways, and usually takes them forever, my friends HP has had constant problems, and they do anything to try to put the problem on him and avoid fixing it...its been a year of fighting and he's been without the laptop for about 3 months total, and they didnt fix it, just formatted his drive and sent it back.

 

[manly]

Originally posted by: Felecha
now she's leaning toward the apple g4. a friend of hers has one. I've been looking for the student discount area on the apple site and can't find much of anything.

I do see that their applecare covers walkins to certified service centers and there is one 20 miles away, so that's better I think than mailing it in.

And I looked at the emachines last night at BestBuy and want one for myself. Alas, the current 3-year old HP is performing just fine. But they said that HP has slipped and is one of the most-often brought in with complaints

AppleCare is really well-regarded. For laptops, coverage extends internationally.

It's a bit pricey unless you get the student discount.

 

[DarkAmeba]

The links in my prior post should get you to the educational logon section as well as the student developer discount info

 

[Roadraider]

I am suprised noone has mentioned IBM. They have some of the best support people around and you don't get transferred to India to some guy reading the screen. Their service is extremely fast and they also have regional repair centers where you can just walk in and get your laptop repaired; some repairs theyh even do same day!!

And in my book, IBM laptops' quality is top notch. They also offer 3 years standard for their warranties which CAN be extended for up to 4 more years!!! And they offer an accidental damage warranty although you would have to purchase the laptop through them to get it.

 

[EvanAdams]

ibm's price premium is a little absurd for a freshman