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Need laptop recommendation for college student

dud

dud

Diamond Member
My wife of many years has finally decided to go back to college and I am on the hook to make sure she is fully equipped to succeed. She currently has a DOG of a laptop (HP Pavilion, 512 MB and 60 GB HD) that takes about 3 hours to boot. This is because Windows has less than 512 MB to load (because of the shared video memory).

I have a friend at work who wants to buy the Pavilion and am going to use those funds against the new unit. I have been almost totally focused on the Latitude D630, especially because of the three (3) year warranty for about $840. I can pick up one considerably less on Ebay. I've also looked at the Vostro but am not as impressed.

My wife needs something relative light (the d630 is about 5 lbs), fast (2 GHz, 2 GB RAM). She needs only basic video (she's studying Interior Design ... no engineering).

Anyone have any recommendations other than Dell or do you think I am spot-on with my choice?

thanks ...
 
Thinkpad T61 is a good choice, and is VERY cheap right now with coupons. If you want one at a low price, get it now before the new T400 comes out and prices go back up (The T400 doesn't offer a whole lot of new things, just Centrino 2, LED screen, and updated GPU). If I was in your situation, I'd get the 14.1" T61 because:

1)It's very light (even with a 9 cell extended battery it's only about 5 lbs)
2)Very well equipped (you can get a 2.4 GHz T8300 as an upgrade for only around $37.50 on Lenovo's site, and 2 GB RAM costs only $30)
3)Bulletproof build quality (Full magnesium rollcage inside, spillproof keyboard with drain holes on the bottom...and come on, it's a Thinkpad)
4)A very good deal (with coupons, you can get a top of the line model with 2.4 GHz Penryn CPU, 2 GB RAM, big HDD, etc etc for less than $1000).

That's my 2 cents.
 
Or even cheaper, but not as light or thin... the R61 🙂

I've owned a T61 for a year. Man, it was awesome. I miss that thing. I sold it, thinking that the T400 would come out in June, but it got delayed. I'm stuck on a Dell XPS M1330 (borrowing it). But hey, this XPS M1330 isn't bad either and can be had for a cheap price.

If it's not too expensive, go with a Thinkpad. The T61 or R61 should do just fine! Plus, in the event that you need tech support, Lenovo's support is domestic; they're in Atlanta, GA.
 
Originally posted by: Rottie
What Notebook Should I Buy?
Click to expand...


Thanks for the link Rottie, I've been a member over at NBF for a while and had never known that section existed. I'll check it out. Thanks to all who replied to this thread ... but I am close to pulling the trigger on a Latitude d630. The thing is a lot of bang-for-the-buck and the three (3) year warranty is just what I was looking for.
 
Well, if you buy ANY laptop with a Visa or Mastercard, you get an automatic 2 year warranty... So maybe a 2 year warranty on a thinkpad? Just keep that in mind 🙂

But yes, Dell has a lot of bang for your buck. I've owned both Dell Latitudes and Thinkpads... Truth is, you get what you pay for. Either way, they're good computers 🙂
 
I thought Latitude was dead I used to own Latitude long time ago it was good. If Latitude is not dead then go for it if it is what you really want then go and buy it now
 
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