What kind of laptop should i get? Apple vs Dell

[Ornery]

Gawd! It's got to "look good" and it's got to "look cool", and WTF, mommy and daddy are paying for it anyway! You guys are wasting your breath. You're going from the perspective of getting the most for your money, because IT IS YOUR MONEY! Sparky will find a work around for any negatives you throw at him, so long as he ends up with a kewl MAC. (Oh, and as long as he doesn't have to cough up any of his own allowance for it, too.)

 

[Leland]

Go for a Dell 4150, Compaq 2800 or best of all, IBM T-22/23/30.

The T-Series is just the best - light, very portable, best keyboard and it's built like a rock.

Ibm ebay store: http://www.stores.ebay.com/id=23983696

You can pick one of these up for $1900 + s/h. Once I get the cash I'll do it.

Model 26475RU
Processor Type/Speed1 Mobile Intel® Pentium® III processor - M 1200MHz
Memory6 256MB
Hard Drive2 60GB
Display 14.1" TFT - active matrix 1400x1050
Operating System3 Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Professional
Fax/Modem Ethernet & Modem Included
Media Device DVD-CDRW Combo
Travel Weight4 4.93 lbs
Thinness5 1.3 inches
3.5 Floppy Drive Included
Limited Warranty period Three years parts and labor (system battery: one year)


I'll make it a treed decision for you:

-if you want a mac, get a 12" 700 mhz ibook - best bang for the buck (that's not saying much, btw)
-if you want a pc notebook, is your budget $1k or $2k?
-if it's $1k, pm Rossman about the 1500T
-if it's $2k, get the IBM above (that's a great deal, especially for an SXGA screen and 60gb HD) or see your student store for their best discount on a thinkpad

-or- go grab a 4150 from Dell, get the sxga screen

The 8200 is a decent machine, I have one at work and have had my fair share of warranty repairs on it. However, I hate picking it up to travel with it. You're going to want a machine that you can take to the library (assuming you plan to go) and then come on back without breaking your back.

 

[mpitts]

Get the PowerBook. Those are the nicest laptops I have ever seen. I can't wait to sell my Gateway and pick myself up a PowerBook.

Get the Mac!

 

[Go3iverson]

I'd get the Apple. Owning 3 apples and 1 pc, I can see differneces and such. I personally like the OS X system BIG TIME. I'd pick it over M$ any day. Never had any problems with my Apples. As for CS, believe it or not, but about 95% of all the CS work on my campus was done on the Apple platform. The only things I needed my PC for was VB and ML, but I'd suspect you could just use virtual pc for that.

I can tell you that I know people that own brand new IBM think pads that they spent near $2500 for that they're trying to Ebay for a G4 tower. I'd say I've had about 7 people "switch" around me to an Apple after using my systems.

 

[Keego]

Dell = Heavy

Unless you get the X200, which isn't as fast as you want.

 

[giguana]

You should configure a compaq and see what the price comes out to compared to the dell

compaq's site

I am a little bias though. I work for compaq.

Edit:

If it were me I'd buy a Compaq Presario 1500T (PM me for details on how to save around $550 if you're interested in this laptop

I like this model, but the 2800T is probably better for you as far as mobility. It's about 1 1/2 lbs. lighter than the 1500T and it also uses the mobile P4 processors where the 1500T uses the desktop P4's. You can also get the Mob. Rad. 9000 w/ 64MB in the 2800T if you're planning on gaming. Unfortunately the promos that were mentioned are no longer valid but there is a $150 e-coupon on the 2800T and a $100 e-coupon on the 1500T right now.

 

[sinunbeso]

Get a Dell Inspiron 4150 with top configuration. It's really light and thin. Don't go for Apple if you are going to be install a lot of programs. Virtual PC can be really slow no matter what kinda Apple you are running it on.

If your budget is 3500, which I never got from my parents, go for an IBM T30 or Toshiba Tecra 9100, or Satellite Pro. Get built in 802.11b. I am sure you'll appreciate it later. A big issue for laptop users in college is mobility. I just ordered a Dell Inspiron 4150 because my current laptop is way to heavy. It's around 8.5 pounds including the AC adapter. It may not seem to be a lot but trust me you are gonna get hacked by this weight.

I just checked out an apple the other day in a store. It's amazingly beautiful. But for the price of a lowest trim iBook, you can get a monster PC laptop. Choice is yours. I'd go for PC for sure.

 

[LongCoolMother]

dell dell dell

 

[ed21x]

another vote for a sony vaio. My tiny p2-300 still get's ooh's and ahh's even though i bought it used for $200.

 

[stev0]

apple is teh suck... shame on you for even thinking aobut buying one.

go with a pc... not a dell but get a windows based laptop. i suggest a sager, cheap and they are unbelievable. check out pchertz.com or go direct to sager at http://www.sagernotebook.com

 

[i3rYs0n]

lol, sagers are nice and cheap but they are heavy the lightest one is 7 pounds

Bryson

 

[dannybin1742]

you should not even be asking yourself this question, of course get a dell!!!!

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: JuMpR629
I'd get a dell - the point of a laptop is mobility, and you'll be a lot more mobile if you can use all the programs that your profs require of you. Are you going into compsci? Then definitely get a PC - it'll be much easier to program on.

Hmm, you've probably never tried programming on a mac, have you? I've got Apple's (free) IDE open here, working on some java code at the moment. Every Mac ships with a CD full of developer tools, and OS X comes with gcc 3, perl, and java (maybe more, I haven't needed them, though). Which is three more compliers/interpreters than windows ships with.

There's really no problem finding software for school for a mac. You need to write reports? MS Office is available. You need to program? We already covered that. You an art/film major? well, then you probably wouldn't even be considering the PC by this point.

There are less games for the mac. That really doesn't affect your schoolwork.


BTW, I really like my iBook.

Hahahaha! 'Mac user!' Hahahahaha!

*points and laughs*

 

[ed21x]

ok, just came back from seeing my friend's titanium g4 laptop. from a superficial standpoint, that laptop has some major sex appeal- and Warcraft 3 works on it I dunno how much he paid for that thing, but whatever it is, i'm sure it costed more than any dell out there. but still...

 

[Palek]

People need to remember that there is a world of difference between OS X and pre OS X MacOS-es. OS X is basically FreeBSD with a pretty and highly user-friendly graphical interface. FreeBSD is THE most stable and secure operating system for the x86 architecture (that is what a lot of *nix buffs say anyway), and no doubt for the PPC as well.

Now that they have OS X under their belt, I would not dismiss Apple so ignorantly. In fact I would love to get my hands on a copy of OS X and take it for a spin (the G4 Cube on my desk is collecting dust right now...).

 

[LethalWolfe]

W/yer budget I'd get a top of the line PowerBook. A PowerBook is the only laptop I'd consider buying. Of course I'm probably a bit biased 'cause if I bought a laptop it would have to be something I could edit on...


Lethal

 

[Mutilator]

stev0 I'm going to help you out some.
PowerNotebooks.com

#1 at www.resellerratings.com
If you want bang for your buck that's the place to go:
Sager NP8886 Supra
15.7" SXGA w/ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 64MB DDR
2.8GHz Pentium 4
40GB Ultra ATA/100 5400RPM
1GB PC2100 DDR
Combo 8x DVD/16x10x24 CDRW
Built in TV Tuner w/Remote
Detachable MP3 Player w/32MB SD Memory
Built-in 3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Disk Drive
Built-in 56k V.90 Data/Fax Modem
Built-in 10/100BaseT Ethernet w/RJ-45 Jack
Built-in IEEE 1394 (Firewire)
Standard Carrying Case
Productivity Software Bundle
Smart Li-ion Battery

$2,480.00

Now that I know about that place I'm probably not going to replace my Dell Inspiron 7500 with another Dell... it'll be a Sager.
I don't care about battery life since my laptop stays plugged in 95% of the time... but they do tell you some info about desktop processors vs laptop ones. The difference isn't as big as it use to be.

Here's another good link you might want to read:
"Let's talk about the concept of 'Name Brand' as it applies to laptop computers."

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Originally posted by: Mutilator
stev0 I'm going to help you out some.
PowerNotebooks.com

#1 at www.resellerratings.com
If you want bang for your buck that's the place to go:
Sager NP8886 Supra
15.7" SXGA w/ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 64MB DDR
2.8GHz Pentium 4
40GB Ultra ATA/100 5400RPM
1GB PC2100 DDR
Combo 8x DVD/16x10x24 CDRW
Built in TV Tuner w/Remote
Detachable MP3 Player w/32MB SD Memory
Built-in 3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Disk Drive
Built-in 56k V.90 Data/Fax Modem
Built-in 10/100BaseT Ethernet w/RJ-45 Jack
Built-in IEEE 1394 (Firewire)
Standard Carrying Case
Productivity Software Bundle
Smart Li-ion Battery

$2,480.00

Now that I know about that place I'm probably not going to replace my Dell Inspiron 7500 with another Dell... it'll be a Sager.
I don't care about battery life since my laptop stays plugged in 95% of the time... but they do tell you some info about desktop processors vs laptop ones. The difference isn't as big as it use to be.

Here's another good link you might want to read:
"Let's talk about the concept of 'Name Brand' as it applies to laptop computers."

And the battery lasts how long? 5 seconds? 6?

 

[Mani]

Originally posted by: Mutilator
stev0 I'm going to help you out some.
PowerNotebooks.com

#1 at www.resellerratings.com
If you want bang for your buck that's the place to go:
Sager NP8886 Supra
15.7" SXGA w/ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 64MB DDR
2.8GHz Pentium 4
40GB Ultra ATA/100 5400RPM
1GB PC2100 DDR
Combo 8x DVD/16x10x24 CDRW
Built in TV Tuner w/Remote
Detachable MP3 Player w/32MB SD Memory
Built-in 3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Disk Drive
Built-in 56k V.90 Data/Fax Modem
Built-in 10/100BaseT Ethernet w/RJ-45 Jack
Built-in IEEE 1394 (Firewire)
Standard Carrying Case
Productivity Software Bundle
Smart Li-ion Battery

$2,480.00

Now that I know about that place I'm probably not going to replace my Dell Inspiron 7500 with another Dell... it'll be a Sager.
I don't care about battery life since my laptop stays plugged in 95% of the time... but they do tell you some info about desktop processors vs laptop ones. The difference isn't as big as it use to be.

Here's another good link you might want to read:
"Let's talk about the concept of 'Name Brand' as it applies to laptop computers."

Don't these things use desktop components? I've heard some ugly stories about the heat and battery life on these things.

 

[Mutilator]

The Truth about the "Northwood" Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor vs the Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor-M

 

[Mani]

That article didn't address the lower heat of the P4-Ms. And besides that, I wouldn't trust a site that sells exclusively Sager laptops to be an unbiased source on these things - reviews either in magazines or on the web are a better source.

 

[Mutilator]

Well obviously 1/2 a volt will mean more heat. But you also have to look at the pictures to realize that there are 2 fans under the CPU and one to the side of it. I'm pretty sure that 2.8GHz system will not only last longer on battery life but run cooler than my P2 400 Inspiron.
Basically I'm just saying if he wants the fastest system for the cheapest price he can't go wrong with a Sager. If he will be near a power outlet then there's even more of a reason. Most people don't use their laptops while they're not plugged in. They get somewhere where they have access to a power outlet so they don't have to worry about battery life. I know I do.

 

[Lady In Red]

I got the Dell Inspiron 8200 about two weeks ago. So far the only gripe I have is - it's sorta heavy.

Pentium 4 1.8GHZ
15" UltraSharp UXGA
64MB DDR ATI Radeon 9000
40GB Hard Drive 5400RPM
No Floppy
24X CDRW
WINXP

If you have muscles then this should do you good!