I have a Dell desktop right now, and I hate it. I'm looking closely at Toshiba because Thrilla said so. Or maybe Vaio Or Asus.
The 410 is a low end system, looking at the parts that make it up. CPU slow, not enough RAM, slow and small hard drive. Doesn't look good for games, either. Looking at the laptop parts, they're not super high end, but they're good quality for the money. Every component of that laptop is better than in the 410, except the disk drive.
Well I actually customized it at the time (like 4-5 years ago) and it was pretty good for games. I'm not really sure if I want to take a chance with another Dell.
To me, the nice resolution screen for an extra $100 is a really big deal. Some reviews. http://laptops-reviewed.com/2010/01/05/dell-studio-15-laptop-review/ http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2321796,00.asp Dell Studio 15 REVIEW DATE:06.26.08 RATINGS 4.5/5 http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Dell-Studio-15-Notebook.10752.0.html VERY GOOD
To me, laptops are mostly about the size, the battery, and the "feel". If you can't stand the keyboard layout and the battery dies after 45 minutes on the road, chances are you'll be unhappy, regardless of the tech specs. On the flip side, many people use a comfortable laptop long after they'd have junked an equivalent desktop, just for the mobility factor. Just my $0.02, but for the price range you're looking at, I don't think you'll be able to find a better value than a Dell. It's true that they aren't top of the line, but neither is the price you're looking to pay. Go try out one of the laptops. If you don't like it, fine, but there's no sense in judging it based on a 5 year-old desktop! (And I'm mostly a Mac guy, so you know it's not bias talking.)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba...lack/9703393.p?id=1218153394199&skuId=9703393 That's mine, purchased back in February, except mine has a 250GB hard drive. I love the Intel i3 processor, I had to have 4GB of RAN, and I use mine for basically the same reasons you stated in the original post. Battery life is tremendous, probably double what anybody else has produced at that price range. A full charge gives me 5-8 hours of power, depending obviously on how many windows I have open, and so on. I compared it at the time to a similar Dell and HP, and there was no comparison, especially in battery life. So, I would definitely recommend the Toshiba's.
Stay away from HP. I have a laptop from them a couple of years old (DV6000 series). The heat pad went out on it once and was replaced when I sent in the laptop for wireless problems. Well, a few months ago I was in bed and had the laptop on my lap. I fell asleep and woke up with 2nd degree burns on my leg!!! Maybe that would happen with any laptop, but I find my HP chronically gets extremely hot...very very hot. I had poor success with my Dell in the past. If I was going to buy anything it'd be a Toshiba or maybe Asus. I haven't heard much about Asus laptops, but they make some of the best motherboards out there and have been a solid company from my interactions with them. Whomever said spend $300 more to get a MacBook is smoking crack, they usually cost quite a bit more for a comparable machine, but everyone who has one pretty much loves it. But if you're a regular user, go find a good deal on something under $400 and call it a day. Preferably from the brands I recommend. Take my advice, I used to be the computer guy for my fraternity (as well as a sorority), and briefly owned a computer repair business before taking a software consulting job. So I know what I'm talking about.
I work a shitload with computers/consulting and for a college student, macs are so much easier in general. the mail client is much better than outlook or thunderbird, iphoto is easy as hell to use and so is some imovie for light video editing. Less hassles to worry about in general IMO. And Gmail contacts/calendar syncs work fantastic with macs...not sure about PCs, I've always had problems duplicating shit with it. I just find the interfaces much more intuitive, personally. For me, its either spend bare minimum for a netbook or get a macbook. PCs tend to crap out for people who are not very tech-savy with them. Well, I am actually looking to get myself a $600-ish laptop to leave on my desk at home (I already have a sony Vaio and a Dell Desktop), so i have multiple screen setups. Its either that or I might get a Mac Mini. that toshiba does look nice.....but i just have an easier time in general with various mac tasks ever since i got one.
Besides, for a macbook, its $999. But you get a 5% educational discount I believe. plus right now you get a free ipod if your a college student, so you can sell that and make it back. I got mine (w/o educational discount) for $750. that was day after thanksgiving though.
http://store.apple.com/us-hed/browse/campaigns/back_to_school?mco=MTM3NDc5NTc $950 then free ipod touch. holla.
yeah. the aluminum cases are pretty nice. I have a macbook, I like the size of it personally. yeah, it is too white but its held up its aesthetics pretty well. I have a mac at work but I bring in my own laptop to work on too....it actually pretty great. I'm looking for a 3rd laptop though, mainly to stream netflix on my desk and watch movies and crap while I'm working (and having running news streams going). If I were to get one I would probably go with a media-friendly Toshiba. Lenovo is too business-y. And again, I've had bad luck with Sonys in the past, I've had to replace the motherboards on two laptops in the past. I was at the Sony Style store over the weekend, they did have some pretty slick looking ones, but not sure about their build quality.
Love my MacBook! In November I will have gad it for 2 years. Used everyday and traveled with me everywhere. No problems. Actually spilled a full cup of diet Coke on the keyboard on the plane, still perfect! I have always thought you get what you pay for.
