If I'm buying a new laptop what is the best kind to get?

Question

I currently have a dell and I am just going to be using it for school and music. I've heard apples are really good but I'm really a computer person so I'm unsure of what to buy.

Answer 1

First off, if you are debating Mac versus a PC, you will get more bang for your buck with a PC. You should only get a Mac if that is what you are really into and cost is not an issue. For the cost of a regular Mac, you could get a really suped-up PC.

Decide what you want to do with your computer. Do you want to make videos, or get into home recording with music? Then you should definitely have a firewire port. If you are the average user, then these things are not so important. Are you a big gamer? Then you would probably want a PC with a good graphics card in it. Is speed a consideration for your PC? Then you want one with a fast processor and a lot of RAM. Likewise if you want to do that music production and/or video production, you'll need lots of RAM, a fast processor and a large hard drive.

You can save money by getting a more watered down PC that isn't so fast, doesn't have so much memory, and has a smaller hard drive. Since you said you wanted it for music, I am assuming it is for mp3's, you could buy the cheaper laptop with the smaller hard drive and then buy a USB hard drive that is big so that you have enough space for your mp3's.

Do you want to watch DVD's? Get one with a DVD-ROM/CD burner. If you want to burn DVD's also, then get one that has a DVD burner.

If you are looking for cheap, you may want to consider buying online a used one off of Ebay, but do your research first on the model that is being advertised.

Answer 2

I have three Dell laptops, one for my wife, one for myself and one for work. My work computer has been dropped, used in dirty hot areas and hasn't let me down. Dell support for the most part is very good. I recommend going to the Dell site, and looking at the laptops, deciding what applications you will need and put together a package you can afford and yet expand on in the future. In my mind, the only drawback right now is that all Dells are being sold with Windows Vista, no option. I'm not crazy about Vista, but maybe once I get used to it...

Answer 3

Dells are good computers, you can also try IBM's for good quality or HPs..

I would recommend these 3 the most.. And since you are using it for school and music, try getting the Media Center Operating System instead of XP or Vista..

Good luck,

Answer 4

Stay away from Macs. They have a lot of problems, and they're hard to use. Go for a Toshiba notebook. I have a Toshiba Satellite M65-S9092 with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002 SP2, 1GB of memory, Intel Centrino, and wireless internet.

Answer 5

Laptops typically have a life of abt 3-4 years. Hence please identify your requirements for next 3-4 and decide. If it is more related to entertainment then a general laptop will do with 30 GB HDD, 512 RAM etc. Sony VAIO is good. you may want to consider the max amount you want to spend. You may have a External HDD with higher capacity to store music etc

Answer 6

Why don't you get a laptop with Windows Vista Home Basic and get Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.Go to Best Buy.They will help you find a computer for you.

Answer 7

I was in the same situation as you about a year ago. I went to this site www.tigerdirect.com and it gave me a really great deal. I ended up buying a Gateway and I love it. Really underrated laptops. Good Luck.

Answer 8

do not get an apple computer! dell notebook is the best! a mac can no way compare to our notebook and flat-screen computers

Answer 9

I have bought 2 Dell laptops. One for my daughter and one for my son and they have both worked very well. My sons was with him for 16 mos. in Iraq and it still wotks fine. I would get media center for your music.

Answer 10

You should get a Toshiba, it should have Windows Vista your gonna have to get used to it soon or later, and you should get plenty of RAM and HDD try this place for good prices.