Tips for buying a new laptop?

Question

I don't know computers well enough to know what is vital (programs, speed, brand etc.) when buying a new laptop now. I want to get a really good computer for graduate school - I am 22 and going for my communications masters and need a computer that is equiped and will last me (had this last Dell for about 5 years). I just don't know what to really look for - I would like specifics if at all possible- Thanks so much!

Answer 1

From your descriptions as to what you want, you might want to wait about two month's until the Windows Vista come out. They are supposed to be released Jan-2007.
If you get one before then make sure it's windows vista compatible.

Answer 2

Right here is what to look for:

Good Internet WIFI access-y'know, surfing the web
Reliable-Don't want it to freeze up or shut down, do we?
Virus free-Don't want them infecting the computer
Fast-able to run word prosessing and other apps easy
A media center-After all that work, why not watch a movie or listen to some tunes?
Large screen-helps keep things organized

I would recommend a mac. They are very fast because of the intel chips. They are very reliable, they don't freeze up or crash suddenly or even blow up. They have a better airport reciever for surfing the web. They are most certainly not virus infested. (Windows gets attacked by 14,0000+ viruses) Many of the new macbook pros have nice, large screens. Macs can run both windows and OS X that means double the games. And the Macs have a large selection of media center, iTunes, DVD player, iLife, garageand.

I hope this helps, Hey I dont say you must have a mac, it just seems like a better machine because of all these features.

Answer 3

My suggestion is NOT to get computers looking at your needs 5 years ahead. Instead, my suggestion is to buy something that is sufficient for your current needs and anticipated needs for about 2 years. The reason is this:

At the current speed of enhancement to the technology and the speed, and at the current speed of which software keeps getting larger and more complex (hense slower), if you attempt to buy one that will be satisfactory in 5 years, you will be buying ones that are near top of the line. Even if you do buy top of the line unit, it will likely barely sufficient in 5 years. Besides, how do you know what you'll be running that far in time?

Instead, buy something in affordable range that will be good for 2 years. It will work fine for 2 years and be perhaps usable for another 6 months to a year while you look for a new one. Then buy another.

This way, you can have a sufficiently fast computers for 5 years that are in warranty and pay less than what it would cost super fast one now and barely enough in 5 years, and for half of its life out of warranty.

I cannot suggest to you, what model you should buy because I really don't know what you'll use it for. My personal likes are Dell and Toshiba, but BUSINESS MODELS. I think they are built better with less junk pre-loaded. Often, warranties are longer, too.

For today's needs, don't go so much for raw processor speeds. It won't make that much difference. Instead, get enough memory. Consider 512MB minimum, and preferably, get 1GB of memory. If you don't load your computer with games, 80GB of disk will probably be sufficient.

Answer 4

The report codecs between the Mac and domicile windows variations of Microsoft workplace are equivalent. Microsoft factors a decision of fonts with Microsoft place of organization in basic terms so compatibility bypass-platformed would additionally be maintained in case you carry on with those fonts. The function set of many variations of Microsoft administrative center selection. many times, domicile and student and place of living and organization suites have the equivalent helpful factors on the Mac and the notebook, in spite of the incontrovertible fact that each and each has in basic terms some factors now no longer discovered interior the different. So at an analogous time as that's genuine the function set isn't precisely the equivalent, rather the helpful factors used maximum specifically via making use of 95% of consumers are equivalent.

Answer 5

1 gig of ram, a GOODlooking screen better than regular xga, like a clearview uxga ... a nice clear bright screen is important ... get at least a 60gig harddrive at at least 5400rpm and preferrably 7200 rpm .... don tworry about the processor specifics but i recommend a core-duo ... the entry level ones are fine and dont let anyone tell you otherwise ... 99% of people dont need a super-duper top-of-the-line processor ... a fast harddrive makes much more difference in the speeds you experience on a day to day basis ... get one with an all-format dvd burner ... dont get a widescreen theyre gay ... theyre big and heavy and obnoxious in close quarters like a plane get a regular size 14-15" screen .... check out the keyboard layout if you type alot ... some have unintuitive keyboards ... find one you like ...although wireles is pretty standard , make sure it has it coz some budget laptops omit it ... and finally, if you plan on gaming get a dedicated graphics card with its own memory .. not shared memory ...if you dont game then dont worry about it coz itl jack the price way up ...

Answer 6

get a computer with intel core 2 duo processor with at least 2.13 or more speed or a centrino duo core processor. Get a computer with more than 30GB hard drive, and if possible, windows media center, and 1 gb or more memory of ram

Answer 7

Try to get a laptop with a good processor speed (around 1.8-2.0) and try to get alot of RAM around 512-1024Mb's of it would be good for multitasking ...

Answer 8

Apple MacBooks...They are user-friendly, great entertainment machine, can't get viruses. Go to www.apple.com for more details.