Laptop for college

[Bibin]

You think a Unix-based is dumbed down? This is an entirely POSIX-compliant operating system you're talking about here. Using one for a few hours that doesn't belong to you hardly constitutes trying it. Just hop on ebay and buy some cheap used G4-class one for a decent experience in trying the Leopard OS. If you want to get into the nitty-gritty of the operating system, jump into the highly comprehensive and fast Terminal that is easily reachable. Did you even know it has a Terminal available? If not, this is a clear indication you've not used it enough to really judge it. Name one thing you can do on another system that you literally can not do in Leopard.

Why would you degrade yourself to an AMD? What, you want it to generate extra heat without giving much more performance? (Heat:Output ratio is disgusting with the AMD's)

For your info, I did buy a black macbook with the sole intention of dual-booting Windows XP and Mac OS X, and windows ran quite well. I built my Windows desktop and it's quite excellent, but I don't feel like building a laptop. It's not a fun process, and the selection of hardware is so limited in doing so.

[SpongeBuell]

CS student here with a 15" MacBook Pro. Interestingly enough, I was in a Geography lab, when the TA asked how I can be a CS student with a Mac (apparently, her roommate was a CS student that hated them). I basically said that everyone in the CS department either loves or hates the Mac. Personally, I love mine. The vast majority of the time, I stick with OS X, and it does the job just fine. On the VERY rare occasion that I need Windows, I have that on its own partition, too, that I can boot to to run natively, or run on a virtual machine for relative convenience.

Really, the only times I ever need Windows is for synchronizing with my Windows Mobile phone (which, I hear Snow Leopard will have ActiveSync capabilities so I wouldn't need it then), Microsoft Visio (only needed that a handful of times), and I almost needed it for testing a webpage in IE (notice a pattern?). Oh, and I also use it for the one copy of Photoshop I legally own, Elements 2. Laugh all you want, but I don't need to do much with it. It is actually Mac compatible, too, but not in 10.5, for some reason. Earlier versions are fine.

For those that are saying that a Mac is just an overglorified PC, you're absolutely right. Once you get the aluminum case, amazing battery, webcam (I know that's increasingly common in laptops these days, but it hasn't always been), the MagSafe adapter (very underrated), backlit keyboard, and everything else, you'd be looking at a pretty comparable price in the PC world, too. You get what you pay for. I got a Mac because I'm a CS student that would use his computer a lot. It's like a traveling salesman buying a Cadillac, since he'd be using it all the time, so you'd be wise to make the investment in something you enjoy using.

Just remember: Apple offers a ~10% discount if you have a college student ID.

[gamecube6]

Well assuming my laptop doesn't die in a few years, I'll probably be keeping my old dell with ubuntu on it. If you're going into a computer course, ignore me, Ubuntu runs nothing commercial.

[lifeisbetterwithketchup]

Lifebook B2630 (or the 10 or 20 even) FOR THE WIN. its not a powerhouse but its light (2.5lbs or so) and adequate for most general uses
P3 900mhz (850 and 800 respectivly for the 2620 and 2610)
256mb ram
10.1" touchscreen LCD
6 cell battery
etc

QFT. Cheap and light and runs nLite'd XP like a dream.

[Rekarp]

You think a Unix-based is dumbed down? This is an entirely POSIX-compliant operating system you're talking about here. Using one for a few hours that doesn't belong to you hardly constitutes trying it. Just hop on ebay and buy some cheap used G4-class one for a decent experience in trying the Leopard OS. If you want to get into the nitty-gritty of the operating system, jump into the highly comprehensive and fast Terminal that is easily reachable. Did you even know it has a Terminal available? If not, this is a clear indication you've not used it enough to really judge it. Name one thing you can do on another system that you literally can not do in Leopard.

I think using a Mac for 3 years in Highschool Newspaper (G5s) and having to use one in the physics department here at UT (minis?) for 2 years is hardly a couple times. OSx is a dumbed down OS. Plus its command line is fairly limited compared to Linux and XP (less then linux but not as limiting as OSx atleast when I last used it). I don't know if they fixed this since a couple years ago but half the time we could not even print to the networked printer because the print spooler on the Mac would mess up. Linux and Windows machines had no problem printing.

The only reason people are buying apple products is that it appeals to the young and impressionable people because of its shiny, slick interfaces (much like Windows Vista and 7 to and extent). Take touchscreens for example. I HATE touchscreens. Makes navigating menus a nightmare. the iPhone and BB Storm are such a gimmick of a phone its nott even funny. Reminds me of the Wii's motion control. Why does the Wii sell? It appeals to the stupid, impressionable, masses that make up the market. Apple figured this out with the iPod. There are plenty of better mp3 players out there but the iPod is shinny and buying it makes you feel like you are different yet you belong to select of group of people. Much like Emos. They will also raise the pitchforks against anyone that bashes there products. Much like a New Yorker Cab driver.

You can see that Microsoft has finally figured this game out. They stubbed there toes with Vista but all I hear about Windows 7 is that its awesome. Truth is that it is basically Vista in sheeps clothing. Built to appeal to the masses. But unlike Apple they arn't trying to convey a sense of "Its cool to be a PC!" and are just saying "Everyone uses PC!". PC users are laid back but only because they are used to the abuse linux and Mac users give them. Plus all the problems with Vista, viruses, and spyware doesn't help much. This makes PC users much like stoners.

Linux is weird. Its users are much like the OSX users in that they like to belong to a cult but they don't like all the containment that Macs bring. They like to be free from the chains of the computing world but not pay for it or have to leave there mother's basement and well stocked minifridge of Mountain Dew. But just because they never leave the basement doesn't mean they are lazy. They like doing stuff the hard way and take nothing for granted except the internet and electricity. The cult is almost like a religion. They scoff at all things not penguin and routinely type M$ and OSux. I can't come up with a witty analogy for what they are except that they truly act like the religious cult from Indian Jones, The Temple of DOOM!.

[Jongamer]

Why would you degrade yourself to an AMD? What, you want it to generate extra heat without giving much more performance? (Heat:Output ratio is disgusting with the AMD's)

Words of a True Intel Fanboy.

Yes, Intel Processors are more powerful than AMD processors.

But AMD's (Price/Performance Ratio) pi**es all over Intel's.

Heat, who cares? Only overclockers care, and usually they have aftermarket cooler, so it really doesn't friggin' matter.

[vskid]

Back to the original topic....

I'm planning on computer/electrical engineering (good guessing btw )
I've found three Vista machines on Newegg:
Acer Aspire AS6930-6560
MSI GX630-028US
SAMSUNG R610-64G
I like the amount of ports that the Acer has, but I've heard some not so great things about them. I've heard good things about MSI's though. And the Samsung looks pretty good too.
And what is the difference between the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT and the GS?

I appears the GT is better than the GS, one of the reviews says "Cons: -9600M GS instead of GT". The only one you posted that has the GT is the MSI.
It looks like you're fine with a big laptop, and want lots of power. If you want something smaller that still packs a punch, there's the Dell XPS m1210. Isn't quite as fast as the ones you posted, but much better if you want mobility. I'm considering one for my graduation present.

[Triton]

Truth is that it is basically Vista in sheeps clothing

only windows 7 is far and away more efficient in its use of the hardware and cut down significantly on ram usage and bloat in general, its what vista SHOULD HAVE BEEN

Why would you degrade yourself to an AMD? What, you want it to generate extra heat without giving much more performance? (Heat:Output ratio is disgusting with the AMD's)

Words of a True Intel Fanboy.

Yes, Intel Processors are more powerful than AMD processors.

But AMD's (Price/Performance Ratio) pi**es all over Intel's.

Heat, who cares? Only overclockers care, and usually they have aftermarket cooler, so it really doesn't friggin' matter.

the Phenom II is MUCH better about overclocking and heat generation than the previous generation phenom processor because of the switch to 45nm. ive heard people overclocking the 3ghz 940 to 3.6ghz on air cooling (not stock cooler tho) and still running at appx 55C at full load. also consider that the 3.0ghz phenom II 940 cost SIXTY PERCENT LESS than the 2.94ghz i7 940

AMD Phenom II 940 3.0ghz deneb core = $229.00
Intel i7 2.94ghz nehalem core = $564.99

[Jongamer]

After I get 4GBs of RAM for both my Laptop and 2 more GBs for my Desktop, I am gonna start saving up for a AM3 Phenom II.

Though I won't be able to take advantage of the DDR3 memory, I can still use the Processor till I can replace my board for one that does support DDR3.

[Triton]

socket AM3 and AM2+ arent 100% compatible iirc. i think am3 processors will go on AM2+ boards but not vice versa. im going to be building a socket AM2+ phenom II system this summer, or AM3 if the price isnt a whole lot higher

[limpport]

Back to the original topic....

Thanks


So the Acer is out. I really don't want to be lugging around a laptop that is a "durable 7.49lbs"

The Samsung is looking like the best option at this point. I'm not exactly thrilled with the half-keys on the MSI. What do people think?
MSI
Samsung

[bicostp]

They're both kinda big. 15-16"? That's about what my Pavilion is and it was not fun to carry around between classes.

Look at 13" laptops. Preferably ones with non-glossy normal screens because glossy wide screens suck.

Go down to the electronics store tomorrow and check out some of their floor models. You'll get a good idea of the different sizes.

This one doesn't look bad, as long as you don't plan on gaming with it. (Still it would probably do better than my Pavilion. )

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834114627

[Black Six]

Get a Win/Linux machine (hell buy a mac if you are so inclined and wipe OSx off haha). Much more compatible Hardware and Software wise.

I do own a Windows/Linux machine, several, in fact. And I find them much less stable and more of a pain to use than my Macs, so they collect dust.

The only reason people are buying apple products is that it appeals to the young and impressionable people because of its shiny, slick interfaces (much like Windows Vista and 7 to and extent).

As I've stated many times, I buy Macs because I've used them all my life and compared to the Windows machines I've used (which are many) they're more stable, reliable, and last longer (in that they don't become obsolete as quickly). Yeah sure there are people buying them because it's the hip thing to do, and I agree that's dumb. But that doesn't mean that they're not useful, reliable, and well-built computers, because they are.

[Rekarp]

How are PCs less reliable? The only time I have had my x64 XP machine go down was because I wrote some code that locked up the computer. Seriously I never have any of these so called reliability issues with XP. Now I wish I could move to linux but I don't want to sit all day and get all my hardware and software to work (and no I won't change the programs I use). I used to own a G3 with OS9 on it. I just used it to scan 35mm negatives after developing them. Had no issues with that machine but all I used it for was scanning. To bad the scanner broke and I gave the system away. I need to take up photography again >_>...need a scanner tho

[Triton]

they're more stable, reliable, and last longer

ive had windows 7 bluescreen a grand total of ONCE. and that was because i overclocked my 2.53ghz northwood P4 to 2.95ghz and it didnt like that, ive been running it at 2.85ghz since then. it did crash once after running at 100% CPU load (@ 2.85ghz) for over an entire day but other than that not a single stability problem