Laptop for college?

[roguerower]

MSI Wind and a desktop. SERIOUSLY.

If you're not a technical major and don't need the laptop with you running CAD or anything of that nature it would be better in the long run to get something like the Wind and then use the rest of the money to build a desktop.

I bought a Dell Workstation laptop when I started school b/c I was going to be using CAD and other Architecture/Construction programs (lot of 4D stuff) and it has put up w/ 3 years of good hard use but I just bought components for a new desktop b/c the laptop is starting to show its age. They aren't upgradeable and just remember that the larger it is the heavier it's gonna be. Even a 6lb notebook gets heavy after a day of classes.

 

[Atty]

I'm a CS Major. I also do work in Maya/3DS and do various other design programs in my free time.

Why would I need a better desktop right now? I've got an E66, 2GB, 1TB HD Space, and an 8800GTS. Its not top of the line anymore, I know that, but its still a damn fine machine and I can't justify upgrading it again. I'm not spending my own money, its a gift from my family, if I wanted to upgrade my computer I'd pay for it out of pocket and can afford to do so now, with or without a laptop. If I get an MSI Wind then thats all I'm getting as my graduation present, I don't mean to sound slefish, but I'd like to get the best thing I can right now, and in my eyes, that's a MBP. Maybe not in raw performance but in durability and construction.

 

[TheStu]

Between the MBP and the MB, if you don't care about the screen size or the graphics card, I would get the MacBook. In my opinion, it is more durable than the MBP since it is using a high impact plastic shell, it shrugs off most abuse that would leave your beautiful MBP looking disfigured and dented in no time.

Really, it all boils down to how well you take care of your electronics. Are you very, very careful with them? Perhaps not to the point of not using them, but darn close? Then get the MBP, it will look great, perform better, and last for years. If you are even the least bit wary about being able to keep it in great condition, then get the MacBook, the fully loaded white one, unless you really dig the black one (and it is snazzy, but I couldn't justify the price increase to the midlevel white when I got mine, let alone the black), in which case ask for that.

The keyboard is top notch, the trackpad is one of the best I have ever used (topped perhaps only by the MacBook Air, just because it is bigger, the MulitTouch isn't quite pervasive enough to make me want it), it feels incredibly solid in my hands, and is tough as nails.

 

[roguerower]

Ah...didn't see the fact that you have a desktop in your sig...go for broke then.

 

[Wuzup101]

I used a Powerbook G4 through 4 years of college (just graduated). It was rock solid, and I would definitely recommend a mac to anyone. That being said, my other top choices would be either a T60 or a Dell 1330/1530 (depending on how big you want to go). I would not exceed a 15" screen for college use (buy an external monitor if you need something bigger - I ran a 24" off of my powerbook).

As far as price vs performance goes, I actually like the XPS series above (and I'm no dell fan). The T60 is a rock solid machine, but the LCD blows big hairy goats. The LCD on my 4 year old PB is better... The XPS machines have nice LCDs, and feel pretty solid (I was impressed with the 1330 keyboard that I typed on yesterday at sams club... felt very solid). Having an external HDMI port is another big plus for me personally (I can't use lappys that don't have DVI or HDMI port - like the T60 without a dock). Furthermore, from what I hear, the 1330/1530 have very solid battery life... and you can build one off of a 2.5ghz c2d for a damn good price!

I can't believe I'm recommending a dell.. but yeah they (1330/1530) seem very solid!

 

[coldmeat]

Originally posted by: iAtticus
I think the Thinkpad's are hideous to be quite honest.

I'm with you on this.

 

[UnknownAngst]

Originally posted by: coldmeat

Originally posted by: iAtticus
I think the Thinkpad's are hideous to be quite honest.

I'm with you on this.

thirded





Punchkin. Go away. You will never last here so just give up.



esquared
Anandtech Senior Moderator

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: UnknownAngst

Originally posted by: coldmeat

Originally posted by: iAtticus
I think the Thinkpad's are hideous to be quite honest.

I'm with you on this.

thirded

blasphemers. i like the thinkpads. macbooks looks better (though, honestly, im not a fan of the white) ill admit, but i like the thinkpads.

/hugs his t40. i expect to have it for a while, yet :-/

 

[Logica]

i am looking for a laptop also, but i am in the market for an ultraportable. noticed that lenovo are releasing the new x-series based on the centrino 2 platform towards the end of the summer. if you don't need to buy right now, i would wait and see what appears. the lenovo X200 looks awefully tempting.

 

[SkipBaldwin]

Looks are not the most important thing about a laptop... rather power portability battery life usability

 

[foghorn67]

Why would an ugly laptop throw off your mojo? I can't believe some people are this insecure. If I could afford a nice Thinkpad, I would own one. Instead I am making do with a Dell Crapspiron. (But it's working out quite nice.)

 

[kevinf2090]

since you are a college student i would stay away from asus notebooks because of their short battery life. i was considering an asus f8sn but then the batter life kept me away

 

[Logica]

Originally posted by: SkipBaldwin
Looks are not the most important thing about a laptop... rather power portability battery life usability

if have actually actually read the potential specs of the X200 you wouldn't say what you just have.

Based on Centrino 2 + VPro technology platform
45-nanometer Core 2 Duo CPU, the highest clock up to 2.4 GHz
DDR2 (667MHz) or DDR3 (1067MHz) Memory
12-inch WXGA LED screen
Intel X4500 graphics
64GB SSD or the maximum capacity of 7200 to 200 GB hard drive or transferred to a maximum capacity of 5,400 to 320 GB hard drive
T-series size keyboard
Optional 1.3-megapixel camera built-in
USB X 3, Express Card X 1,3 in 1 card reader
Magnesium alloy roof/chassis
9-cell battery, with the largest life time up to 9.6 hours
To support the latest communication features, such as WiMax, GPS
Starting from 1.32 kg weight

so yeah, according to you, it looks rubbish. lol

 

[skywhr]

You should check with the college
some colleges actually dictate which manufacturer you go with