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

SYNCHROTRON · 05-21-2009, 02:29 AM

Hi people,

I know I have asked this question before but please help me cuz I am uber confused on what laptop I should get. I am looking for a laptop that will last longer i.e. for 4 years, looks do not matter for me, budget will be a huge consideration. I am asking among Dell, Lenovo Thinkpad, Macbook (not the macbook pro), HP laptops, and Sony Waio.

Please reply guys especially the people who are sophomores or above at UCSD right now. I would really appreciate your help.

Cheers,
SYNCHROTRON

fiona_ · 05-21-2009, 02:39 AM

Can I be completely mean and say it's Vaio not Waio :X

SdotK · 05-21-2009, 02:56 AM

macbooks are definitely the way to go

strongbadfan · 05-21-2009, 02:58 AM

I brought a macbook to college thinking it'd be great, there'd be no problems.

=( After taking poli30 and cogs8 I realized that having a windows os laptop would have been much wiser. There are many programs that do not run on a Mac OS and because they are mostly written for the Windows OS crowd and creators are lazy and forget to write one for a Mac OS.

If you're gonna be taking cogsci or compsci classes, any laptop with a windows OS would be best. Or else you're might be awkwardly using your roommate's laptop like me.

So first quarter I was here I encountered many problems with having a mac and mac OS instead of windows OS. You would never realize how many programs are written ONLY for windows OS until you take some computer using classes.

Also my macbook is a little heavy to lug around all day. Getting one of those tiny laptops for note taking might be nice. However I don't know how capable they are at doing other things. They are affordable though. I've seen quite a lot of people with this mini laptops. They must be a joy to carry around.

Brand I dont think matters. Operating system you should consider though. And weight as well.

collegeguy889 · 05-21-2009, 03:52 AM

I have a mac and I really don't like it. Yes, they are well-built computers (and I don't anticipate any major crashes/virus problems/hardware problems in the near future). But i really, honestly, prefer windows (I'm more used to the os, and it really is more flexible in terms of programs available). And i don't see how you can justify paying a premium for a mac when you can get the same stuff (same memory/chip/screen etc.) for less by buying a pc. My friend owns an HP Pavilion laptop and loves it. He's had it for three years, and has only had one problem (which was related to a recalled part, and HP fixed it for free).

themediocre · 05-21-2009, 09:52 AM

^I agree, get a windows laptop. Macs are just not practical, especially if you plan on having the computer for a long time.

Slorg · 05-21-2009, 02:03 PM

It doesn't really matter. If you're concerned about cost, get a desktop or a netbook.

jrmorse · 05-21-2009, 02:20 PM

Are all/most professors okay with bringing laptops to class?

MiqueMaus · 05-21-2009, 02:42 PM

Get a Dell when its on sale. Slickdeals usually has a deal on the XPS/Studio/Vostro that's really amazing over the summer. Generally speaking, the XPS will outlast the Studio which will outlast the Vostro. However, getting the laptop to survive 4 years and not become unbearable will mean that you'll have to do annual (at least) reformatting so you can start the school year with a "fresh" computer.

Yes, everyone who is going for hip and cool will have a Macbook, but buying a Dell XPS/Studio when its on sale will get you a computer just as fast as a MBP but for half the price. If budget, is one of your considerations, its pretty much a no brainer. I don't see you buying an extra copy of XP/Vista to BootCamp with the Macbook so yeah.

Yes, most professors let you bring laptops to class. Just don't be an idiot and watch YouTube videos or check Facebook when your TA is sitting behind you. I've seen more than a few people get chastised for that.

i_lose · 05-21-2009, 03:50 PM

^ Yeah, maybe in writing classes. I've never had a problem with doing un-class-related stuff in class on my laptop.

Do not get a Mac. Sure it's pretty and the hip thing, but as everyone mentioned above, the programs suck and you're always going to have to buy new software. It's also harder to find bootleg versions of software, hehe.

Vaios are very expensive and not worth it. I'd strongly recommend against getting this. Lenovos are also on the more expensive side but are worth it, and very durable. I've heard stories of throwing Lenovos on the ground and they still function.

Netbooks, while very cheap, are very hard to work with other than taking it to class, taking notes, and surfing the net. Gaming is difficult and there is no CD drive unless you get one. I'm actually on a netbook right now...the keys are smaller, the screen is smaller--don't kill your eyes for 4 years over a couple hundred.

I have a bigger laptop too and it's useful for other programs I need. Definitely get a Windows computer.

Avib0y · 05-21-2009, 08:33 PM

I recommend at Toshiba Notebook.

It has the Windows OS, and they are the most reliable laptop company and they last a really long time. My dad has had one for his business for almost 7 years now and it still works just like new

ChristianWu · 05-21-2009, 09:11 PM

If you are looking for a good quality and very efficient notebook, then check out lenovo or dell. Both of them offer great quality notebooks that are better than that disgusting mac and the overpriced sonys.

They are in the range of 600-1500 with great customization and warranties

.

It's where i'll be getting my laptop, a lenovo T500

. Awesome system with enough juice to power games and multi-task photoshop, microsoft, web-browsing, music, movies, etc.

ucsd_ucla_dad · 05-21-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

a laptop that will last longer i.e. for 4 years, looks do not matter for me, budget will be a huge consideration

Then get a 'PC' type of laptop - Dell, HP, Lenovo, Toshiba, etc. They're pretty inexpensive nowadays. Get one with a DVD player if you want to be able to watch movies.

Some of the manufacturers, like Dell for example, offer a 4 year damage warranty so if you drop it, spill liquid on it, etc. they'll fix it. This is worth considering for a college dorm environment.

Biopsychosocial · 05-21-2009, 10:24 PM

for those mac users complaining about lack of compatibility, why not just buy (pirate) boot camp or parallels.

strongbadfan · 05-21-2009, 11:42 PM

I bought Crossover, which is like parallels (but cheaper but also less capable) and my mac still didnt work with this one program. Parellels is just too expensive to buy and I ain't risking my macbook with downloading illegal versions of either. sorry man, not everyone has extra money to spend on these things.

For the OP that would be a hassle and expensive to get a mac and have to buy a windows os for bootcamp (because all macs have that.. all that is missing is a copy of windows os) or parallels which may or may not work with some programs.