Does it REALLY matter which laptop I get i.e. Mac/Thinkpad/Dell/Waio??? - Page 3

SYNCHROTRON · 06-01-2009, 08:17 AM

FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR BUDDY,

Please don't fight about a MBP vs. PC. They are good in their own realm. The Mac vs. PC advertisement ads say it all.

I started this thread to get some advice from people who know better than me in terms of laptop specs. not to have fights over which one is better than other.

CHEERS,

SYNCHROTRON

MiqueMaus · 06-01-2009, 11:06 PM

No.

I got my XPS for $980 last March. Peryn Core, 4 GB (DDR3 isn't even a factor since laptop cores don't run high enough clock rates for the difference to matter), 9600m GT, 1680x1050 (Upgrading to 1920 would've cost $50 more), and a battery that lasts 7 or so hours.

What you're ignoring is the fact that unlike Apple, PC retailers like HP and Dell frequently have sales. In fact, the vast majority of laptops sold by them aren't sold at the sticker price. The "Instant Savings" and such are just gimmicks when you consider that you can easily go on ebay and find hundreds of 25%-30% off coupons that occasionally stack with each other. What you're doing is comparing a sticker price for the MBP that doesn't vary (since they have such firm control of their retailers) and a sticker price for the Dell that is rarely ever applicable since they are constantly on sale.

If you read this thread yourself, you'll see that practically everyone has suggested the OP check slickdeals and such for deals on PCs, which just drives the point home. Even with your student discount, the Mac is priced higher than the hardware provided and software included would suggest.

Final Cut Pro costs twice what Premiere Pro CS4 does. So if you're a professional filmmaker and your company is willing to comp you for it, by all means, go for it. But the pieces of software overlap on the vast majority of processes used. For practically everyone who uses it, Premiere Pro CS4 is overkill. Just keep in mind that for the price of FCP, you can have the CS4 Production Suite, which will let you do far more than just film.

At the end of the day, you use what you use. I have a laptop that I paid far less for that runs just as fast. If Apple were to release a computer that costs the same and runs faster, I'd be on it in a heartbeat. But as it stands now, PCs are better values than Macs. No one is saying that Macs aren't capable laptops, I'm just saying that you could get more for the same money with a PC, which you fully admit yourself. If that's something you can't accept, by all means, keep bickering. But that's the point I'm trying to make. Not that PCs are inherently better than Macs, just that they're better values.

sikanlee · 06-02-2009, 03:01 PM

I agree with this post.

SYNCHROTRON · 06-13-2009, 04:37 AM

Thank you for all the replies above.

I am stuck again (sorry), I need to choose between Thinkpads and dell vostro. Slickdeals is serving me very nicely. However, I need your help to choose between the too.

Please share your opinions abt both laptops, if you think both laptops are equal then I have to flip a coin and decide although I have a hatred for dell for some unknown reason.

Thanks,
SYNCHROTRON

ChristianWu · 06-13-2009, 05:08 AM

T500 all the way. Very cutomizeable as well as reliable and more bang for your buck!

I never like dells, too expensive at some point for some below average laptops and comes with stuff you don't need.

T500 all the way, it's what I bought (going to buy once I get my money from parents lol)

leaftye · 06-14-2009, 01:02 PM

May I recommend an alternative? Take a look at tabletpc's. They allow you to write on the screen. You want to get the kind with a fancy pen because they write so much better and have a built-in eraser. I love mine because I can (and do) use it as a notepad. The notepad thing is great, especially in classes where it's pretty much impossible to take notes with a laptop. I've also used mine to draw organisms in bio lab.

I scan all my textbooks in so I never ever have to lug them around, but this allows me to write and highlight my books too, and I sell my books for pretty much what I paid since they're perfect.

Mine is a convertible tablet, which means I can flip the screen up and use my computer like a normal laptop so I can quickly types notes in classes like history and econ. There are some tablets without keyboards if you want less weight and bulk.

They are a little more expensive, but mine has already paid for itself by allowing me to lose less money on books. Even if it didn't pay for itself, I'd still want one so I wouldn't have to carry around textbooks.

Anyway, if you have any interest, just pm or email me. I don't sell them or make any money off of them, but I'm such a big advocate of them that I'll be more than happy to spend some time helping you find the perfect tablet at a great price.

saraahhh · 06-20-2009, 06:57 PM

hmm...does anyone have an opinion on the acer laptops? i know that they're considerably cheaper than the other brands and i have a friend who owns one who says they work fine. and the amazon ratings seem to be pretty good.

WowCan'tWait · 06-29-2009, 02:09 AM

which one will work better for me? I want a laptop that lasts through 4 years of college. It will be used for mostly school work and light gaming. I am undecided for my major and have no idea what i'll do.. but i know that i will not be an engineer if that helps.

Costco HP Product

or Thinkpad t400 with these specifications

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2) 25W1
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium12
14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/ CCFL Backlight
ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 with 256MB
3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)8
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
250 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm4
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)5
No Bluetooth
ThinkPad WiFi (BGN)10
Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable
6 cell Li-Ion Battery60
2764: 1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller7

Thinkpad costs $956

xlemonpie · 06-29-2009, 05:36 AM

does anybody have a dell xps16? i'm thinking of getting one and was wondering if it's a good laptop to get for college. i'd use it for watching dramas, schoolwork, and listening to music

also, is a 16inch too big?

ucsd_ucla_dad · 06-29-2009, 03:58 PM

I have a Thinkpad and my D has a Vostro. They're both fine. Keep in mind that most of these laptops are fairly generic and have the same components in them since the laptop companies generally don't actually make any of the components themselves (that includes Apple laptops). You can usually spec nearly identical laptops from different manufacturers for comparison. However, try to avoid comparing a higher end one from one manufacturer to a lower end one from another (or even within a manufacturer's line) to pick the 'better' laptop since you'll end up comparing apples with oranges (whoops - how about oranges with grapefruit).

If you plan to carry the laptop a lot consider getting a 13-14" model. If not you might want something more in the 14-15.4" range. A 17" model is too big and heavy for a laptop IMO.

Buy from a major manufacturer (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.), look for good deals, consider the features and aesthetics you care about (size, weight, battery life, ruggedness, 'style') and consider the warranty. If the laptop is for college, I recommend getting some kind of accidental coverage in case it's dropped or liquid is spilled on it. Dell offers good coverage for this and their response with replacement parts is excellent in our experience.

AhoyArielle · 06-29-2009, 04:21 PM

I plan on getting a Lenovo IdeaPad Y550. They have a sweet sale right now, so I can get it for $630. It has a 15" monitor, is super light weight, looks good (almost Mac-esque...), has 4 GB of memory, a 320 GB harddrive, and even a subwoofer at the bottom (awesome, right?!). I originally really wanted a Mac, but after seeing that I can get a faster computer for a lot cheaper, it just doesn't make any sense.

It also should be noted that the UCSD book store only fixes Macs, Lenovos, and HPs. So you should probably go with one of those.

WowCan'tWait · 06-30-2009, 01:00 AM

so anyone have thoughts to the dv4t vs thinkpad 400? i put the specification on above post.

xlemonpie · 06-30-2009, 02:59 AM

@ahoyarielle: where ru buying the ideapad from? online? if so , what website? or a store?

@wowcan'twait: mm i think the thinkpad might be better since it has ddr3, and processor p8600
but, it only has 250gb while the hp has 320gb..but hp has ddr2 and a slower processor as well. thinkpad is 2.4ghz while the hp is only 2.13ghz. i think the thinkpad might be better for u, but i'm not quite sure how well thinkpads handle gaming :/

AhoyArielle · 07-01-2009, 03:33 AM

@lemonpie: There is a sale on the Lenovo website. First you get 20 bucks off, and then there is also an ecoupon that can save you a hundred bucks or so more- depending on the computer.

SYNCHROTRON · 07-30-2009, 03:27 AM

So, I go my Thinkpad T500 today, so happy with it:so sturdy and love the trackpoint and fingerprint scanner.

Thank you all for your wonderful informational advices. Slickdeals is now my best buddy but I used the lenovo contractor site to get the laptop. Drastic discount on the laptop (costed me $683.52 for the thinkpad T500 with free shipping).

and Christian, Hi five for thinkpad T500.
*SLAP*

Cheers,
SYNCHROTRON