MechWahoo

My tablet PC is dying and while it is under an extended warranty, I may have to ship it off or wait a few days for someone to show up. With finals coming up, I may need to get something quick.

Being an engineering major, I need something with lots of memory and fairly powerful, but cheap. Cavalier Computers wants too much for their computers and they don't provide loaners in case their computers fail, so I might as well buy elsewhere.

I don't really want a recommendation because such threads usually result in the Apple cult taking over. Besides, the computer needs to be cheap.

Instead, can anybody tell me what laptops to avoid? I have learned that heavy laptops are a pain and so are noisy laptops. I'd like to try another tablet, but cost and weight are definite factors.

shoebox10

My PM box is full and I don't feel like going through and deleting stuff...soo...i'm just gonna lay it out here
I have a Fijitsu T4210 Lifebook right now (tablet) and love it. It's two years old and hasn't really gotten slower/worse/etc. I ended up putting an extra gig of memory in, so it was another $60, but whatever, it's probably why it's still fast. So, if you want to get another tablet, look at Fijitsu. I recommend nothing else, unless HP finally got their heads out of theirs a$$es and put a CD-ROM drive in theirs. If they did, check out HPs tablets too, I've heard great raves about theirs. If it still lacks a CD-ROM, don't bother. And I went to buy one in May before my first years from CDW, and by the end of June, I still didn't have it, so that's why I ended up buying a Fijitsu, and I'm not remorseful at all.
If you don't want another Tablet or don't want to drop the three grand (my dad's pressuring me to get a new laptop, but he doesn't want to spend the money on another tablet, so that's why this one is sticking around), look into Toshiba and IBM's thinkpads. My dad just got the new IBM Thinkpad and it looks pretty sweet, not to mention they're great computers. Toshiba makes excellent, basic laptops as well. HP ranks up there with Toshiba and IBM, then Sony. Dell sucks, IMO for laptops. I would just search around Toshiba/IBM/HP and see if you find something you like that's in your price range. Read reviews (just google search the brand/model, then reviews after...works well for me a lot) and go from there.
I'm not sure what other advice I can give, computer models change way to often to keep up. You're smart not going through CavComp, and if you can hold out past finals, you could probably get a sweet deal over the summer with schools going back.

PS- Apple isn't a bad way to go. You can run Parallel on it to allow you to use any PC program you'd need. Frankly, I hate Vista and dunno if I could handle it. The day that Apple makes a tablet will be the day I say goodbye to Windows. I'm not some computer nerd that has an issue with the overall scope and crap of Windows, I just hate Windows every five minutes telling me I did something stupid or it can't get out of its own way, therefor some thing's closing. Maybe that's just the arrogant side of me...

vistany

You struck a nerve. I was going to pay the extra $$ for CavComp so I could get the service but when I called the story I got on the phone, in terms of service, was different than the story told on the website.

For example on the phone they said on site help in 5 days vs the website of nextday.


I want a great on site warranty. Any suggestions?

db123

I've actually been using Macs for a couple of years now and there are some downsides. One of them is not having a Apple tablet (but there is the pathetic MacBook Air). When Apple makes a tablet, there's no chance for Windows.

windows is so obese. that's why it runs into itself.

and sweet! reached 100 posts. but continuing on the original topic...

melli

Hmm, if the HP Pavilion 12 inch screen one that has the 180 degree swivel and ability to change into a tablet fits your purposes, I would get that. I've owned two HP Pavilions and they've all worked great, customer service is wonderful.

vistany

I've never had a tablet. what are the advantages?

shoebox10

Tablets are PCs (and hopefully one day, Macs) that you can write on the screen. Thus, you can use it like a regular laptop, or swivel it around so the screen lays flat and write on it like regular paper. In some of my classes I actually keep it notebook-style, but write on it at the same time (turns out messy sometimes, but I do this when I need the keyboard and pen).

Pros:
(this list isn't really a list, but more, revolves around what you can do with the pen/laptop functions)
-you can use it instead of notebook/pencil
-keeps computer stuff and notes together
-generally lightweight/small so it's easy to carry
-small screen can be replaced with monitor on desk
-as fast as regular laptops

cons:
-can be expensive (mine, two years ago, was ~$3G with everything/warranty)
-the small screen may not be appealing
-monitor/docking station is extra
-limited to PC (for now)
-the pen/tablet function can be a hassle when not in use (depending on brand)
-using it in class can lead to websurfing, chatting, etc

Overall, I like having a tablet. As long as I'm in school, I'd like to have one. However, I know some people who prefer pen/paper and would never get one. It depends person to person.

cavalier302

Just get a Lenovo or something cheap. Don't spend a ton of cash on some POS tablet PC made by HP. Either buy something well-made and moderately-priced, or buy something cheap that you can afford to replace every two years or so.

MechWahoo

My computer has great handwriting recognition, but it is overheating big time right now. The fan has always been very noisy, so it isn't suitable for class.

Tablets are great computers, but they have never reached their potential due to their cost. They are fairly common in healthcare (for medical records purposes) but because they have never been that popular, a lot of tablet software vendors have abandoned the business. Without the software, they probably aren't worth buying.

Though I can't stand Apple, it may take Turtleneck Boy to turn the tablet platform around.

BTW, Shoe, I bought my tablet (a Gateway) through VT when the school announced its tablet initiative. I figured I could get it cheaper there.

I'll look at the HPs, Fujitsu, and Lenovos later this summer.

Thanks.

shoebox10

There's your problem, jack@$$ haha Gateways suck. Period. Everyone who owned a gateway at VT had problems with theirs. My apt-mate had a gateway and it didn't even last a year. I've never, ever heard anything good about their laptops.
I suggest Fijitsu for a tablet. Mine gets a bit on the hot side, but the fan isn't noisy and it stays cool as long as you don't leave it on your bed.
Also, the HP isn't bad. It was my original choice, but stupid CDW took a month and a half of BSing, only to tell me that I might not gave gotten it till Sept.

archrival

I know VT has a requirement for laptops for engineering, but UVa doesn't for SEAS. So what is a good computer for a hopeful computer engineering major?
I want it to be mainly for engineering/academics, but ocassionally for intense gaming like flight simulator/train simulator or other intense games as well.

Thanks.

cavalier302

I think any quality laptop on the market these days would be fine. Seriously. Try to find a good deal on a well-made brand like Lenovo or Sony. Don't buy into the marketing and think you need some extremely spec'd out lappy to handle your schoolwork.

archrival

Thanks for replying.

I won't fall for that trap. But I want to know wat to get for school as well as intense gaming.

shoebox10

Well, gaming and school don't mix. Not in the sense "oh you need to study" haha but more, for gaming you want a big screen and really good video card/RAM/harddrive/etc, but for school, you can get by with the basics and a smaller size. So, if I were you, I'd get a smaller, but widescreen, laptop, and get a nice big 24" monitor.
Stay away from Macs, not enough capability. Go for reliable brands, get the best video card you can find, and get some decent RAM/hand drive space.
Or, get a crappy laptop and buy a desktop.

collegehopeful78

Apple already makes a tablet.

First Apple-Authorized Tablet Mac Shipped -- Apple -- InformationWeek