College PC

[imacbad]

At first me and my friend were gonna build me a nice desktop PC for around 600 dollars or so. But lately I've been thinking a laptop might be better. Building a lap top is pretty much out of the question so I'm probably gonna have to buy one. The reason I wanted to build a desktop was to avoid the crap that comes pre-installed on Gateways and Dells and such. Anyway, whats a fast laptop with a decent sized hard drive and a price tag around 1000? Or would I be better off getting a lower end model and buying some parts for it? Oh yeah CD burner is a must also.

 

[Ilmater]

Personally, if I were buying a laptop, I wouldn't even consider trying to upgrade it. I'd look for something in your price range that will fit your needs for some time. There's little upgradability in a laptop. But I hate laptops because of that (and their annoying keyboards), so you might want to hear from someone else.

 

[imacbad]

Yeah thats what I was saying but I also hate pre-built pcs. Building your own gets you soooo much more for the money and I was trying to bring that philosophy over to my laptop but I guess thats the price I'll have to pay for the extremely easy mobility.

 

[0roo0roo]

laptops ok if u buy low end. if it breaks.. oh well. if u get a desktop replacement laptop, its gonna be heavy. it won't ever be as fast as a desktop, will become obsolete fast as uu can't upgrade, games will suck on it, u'll end upw ith a very expensive word processor.

laptops are ok suppliments for school if bought cheap. maintenence if something breaks is not fun.

 

[0roo0roo]

ok .. 600 dollars? ack, lthats really low for laptop.


might as well just build the pc. u never really use a laptop away from your room as much as you think you will

 

[Anubis]

for about 600$ you can get all from newegg

Athlon XP2600+ or a 2500+ barton
epox 8RDA+ mobo
2x 256 DDr 2700
Case with PS
80 GIG 8meg maxtor HD
floppy

and most peopel have old CD drive lyin around. and new one can be gotten in FS/FT or HD for less then 50$. if your upgradeing from an existing comp. keep the monitor and you now have a second HD

 

[Sid59]

1000 bucks gets you a low end laptop or a very nice desktop.

give me a choice and i take the desktop. Better and upgradable parts.

 

[astroview]

When are you starting school? If it's august come back in July.
If its soon, get a cheap Dell and reformat it.

home building is fun, but also a hassle...

 

[optimistic]

I heard Powermacs are lightests, coolest running, and last the longest on it's supplied battery.

I would have gotten a laptop for my first year of college, but I was afraid of it getting stolen.

 

[human2k]

$600 is too little for labtop. Get this:

XP2100 Tred-b $93
Epox 8rda+ $99 (soundstorm 5.1/LAN/firewire)
512mb Samsung -2 sticks of 256mb x 2, $75
SK7+80mm Fan - $25
Radeon 8500LE 64mb - $70
Seagate 40GB HD-$75
Antec Beige Chassis w/300W smartpower-$49

total-$486

great starter pc, plus it should overclock decently!

 

[astroview]

Oh btw I got a laptop for grad school. Now I see it really wasn't worth it, only good if you want to take notes at school. Its annoying to carry to school regularly I see now.

Although... I do like the combo of wireless LAN and couch.

 

[0roo0roo]

spill a drink into your laptop keyboard and ur done! not so for desktop.

 

[Lore]

Have you given much thought to those Shuttle PCs? A few friends of mine have them in their dorm room and it works beautifully. Saves space, quiet, and does everything they need it to. Looks cool too. =)