Going to university, laptop help.

[OmegaShadow]

What should I look for in a laptop that I'm going to use mostly for university stuff and work? Like office words excel etc.

I might also do some light gaming like counter strie and counter strike source. Nothing more demanding then those games.

 

[Brainonska511]

What's your budget?

Don't worry about buying office upfront. You can probably get it at a huge discount from your school.

On the 15.4" front:
Asus M51TA: $999. HD3650 and AMD Puma platform (can switch to integrated graphics when on battery to conserve power).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16834220349

14":
Asus F8Sp-X1: $999. HD3650 and Intel Core 2 Duo T5750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16834220303

13"
Asus F6A-A1: $999: Intel X4500HD graphics on the newest Intel platform. If you don't mind integrated graphics (much better than the old GMA 950), this one might be a good choice for balancing battery life and be able to play those older games fine.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16834220360

I'm not really up on other brands, but you might want to check out stuff from Lenovo (particularly the Thinkpads) if you want something built to last. Dell also released a new series of Latitudes that might fill your needs (but might also lack in consumer grade graphics).

 

[996GT2]

I'd recommend a Lenovo Thinkpad T series if you plan to keep it for a few years and lug it around a lot. Thinkpads have legendary reliability and build quality, plus features like spill proof keyboards and full magnesium alloy internal rollcages that you won't find in many other laptops today.

The T61s are heavily discounted right now because the newer T400s just came out, but the two models are similar performance-wise. The T400 adds hybrid graphics (integrated AND discrete graphics that you can switch on the go depending on what you are doing) and an LED backlit screen, among other cool features. The processor, GPU, and other performance are similar to the older T61 though.

I've taken my T61 to LAN parties and it plays Counter Strike Source and TF2 well, especially with the GPU a bit overclocked in Rivatuner. The NVS 140M is a crazy overclocker in mine, and with it stably OC'd to 8600GS levels I can play CS:S at 1440x900 with AA on and high details. Even at stock it's capable of playing CS at 1280x800 without a problem.

 

[ed21x]

for lugging around, try looking at the netbooks- mainly Asusu 1000h and MSI Wind. You can get either for about $400 after the live ebay discount. With the money you save, you can buy an LCD in case you need one. Having a small, light laptop with a 6 hour battery life will be a godsend when all your classmate's laptops start running out of batters halfway through their second lecture.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: ed21x
for lugging around, try looking at the netbooks- mainly Asusu 1000h and MSI Wind. You can get either for about $400 after the live ebay discount. With the money you save, you can buy an LCD in case you need one. Having a small, light laptop with a 6 hour battery life will be a godsend when all your classmate's laptops start running out of batters halfway through their second lecture.

But he won't be able to play games on it. Thus, being forced to make a desktop and spending about the same amount as getting a laptop. Additionally, dorm rooms aren't the biggest things in the world, so saving space on the computer can help.

And who takes notes on their laptop? In all my lecture and discussion classes, I've seen maybe one or two people using their laptops, and it certainly wasn't to take notes. The only exception was a an intro to biochem class which used powerpoint slides. Some people would open up the powerpoint on their laptop and copy stuff down into a notebook as the professor was speaking.

 

[ed21x]

well, the game he wants to play can definitely be handled by the eeePC. In the end, he just saves a decent amount. My post was meant more to illustrate the advantages of having a netbook over a laptop if you're only doing light gaming and value portability/battery life more.