Which type of computer should I get?

Question

The school I'm going to requires students to have laptops, so I have to get one before school starts. Our school provides maintanence and stuff for three computers : -

Acer TravelMate 2484WXMi
Fujitsu Amilo Pro V3505
Fujitsu Lifebook T4215

I am also considering an Apple Macbook, and I want your opinions and / or advice on which one to choose. I am a PC user btw.

We can order from school (but I won't be doing that), and the school-ordered computers come with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint Access and Publisher from Microsoft Office 2003, so if I'm getting Mac, I'll have to get them too, and I heard it's much more expensive so the MacBook will need lots of considering.

I would also like to know if you guys have any good recommendations as well. It would be the best if the computers are from Acer / Fujitsu because the IT department would most probably know how to fix the brand of computers, in general.

Your advice is very much appreciated. :)

Thanks for the help.

Answer 1

Going for a model the school provides service for seems like a good idea for a student.

If money's no object I'd get the Fujitsu Lifebook T4215. Otherwise guess I'd go for that Fujitsu Amilo Pro V3505.

Answer 2

DO NOT get a mac. they are more expensive than PCs and reli hard to use if you are used to windows. if you are after pure power, go for the lifebook. it has by far the best processor and 1GB of ram. this will be the fastest system. However, don't expect 3D power from any of these laptops- they all have terrible integrated graphics. if you want to play games or use programs like Google Sketchup, which you might for D&T, go for the latest Dell Inspiron 1520, as it is better than all the systems here. The Acer here is by far the worst machine of the three. The Amilo might be ok, depending on your use of it (ie not for really demanding things). You might pay a price premium for the Lifebook, as it is a tablet pc, (it has a touchscreen). this would be useful if you are planning to work with it outside, but im guessing that isnt much interest to you, as you are buying this for school. My answer, then is this: if you just want a machine for really basic stuff, get the Amilo. if you want more power, go for the Lifebook. And if you need to do things in 3D, like games or Sketchup, get the Dell Inspiron 1520 as it probably wont break anyway so there is no need for the techies at your school to know about it

Answer 3

Does your school provide support for a MacBook? Doesn't seem to be on the list of three provided by them. Also, I am wondering if your projects, will they be Mac compatible? I hope you don't have to use some program that can't run on Macs but only for windows, then you're really in trouble. Also sometimes you need to exchange files with your friends and if your Mac can't read them, then there's a problem too. The Fujitsu Life book seems a good choice but you'll have to check the specifications of the laptop on the net to work out the features available for the two versus the Acer. The other way around is to check with your school if any of the students have a MacBook, bring mum/dad over to see if students there do use a Mac. I think Macs are great to use since I own a Macintosh before but have since switched over to PCs because of file compatibility in my work and software I would like to run on the computer.

Answer 4

The above mention notebooks are quality notebooks. Choosing any of them is a great choice. Let me share this, hope this will help: Laptops are mobile, desktops aren't. But there's more to it than that. Here are some issues to consider:
Mobility - Well, sure, it's the big one. If you need to work remotely, a laptop is the way to go. Remember that a 3G card from your cell phone provider can give you high-speed internet access in most urban areas.
Storage - One of the major places where laptops and desktops differ is in how much hard drive space they offer. Laptops use physically smaller drives, which can only offer so much storage space. Though larger drives are available, 100GB is still common on a laptop, while 500GB desktop drives are seen all the time (again, bigger drives can be had). This is a huge difference and it seems to be expanding, not contracting. If you have very large storage needs, desktop is your best bet.
Graphics and Gaming - You said you run a business so I don't expect this is a big deal for you, but with Vista it's important to consider graphics now, no matter what kind of user you are. Laptop graphics have come a long way, but I'd still say only 50 percent have really sufficient graphics processors. On the other hand, you can outfit any PC with perfectly good graphics for $100... and you can upgrade it later.
Upgrades - Speaking of upgrades, it's more difficult to upgrade a laptop. In some cases, it's impossible: Sure, you can pop in a new hard drive later, but adding a second hard drive means plugging in an external disk that will be cumbersome to tote around with you. Many laptop optical drives can't really be upgraded at all, nor can motherboards or CPUs. Laptop repairs are far more expensive and difficult than desktop PC repairs.
Peripherals - Remember that when you're in the office, you can always plug in an external mouse, keyboard, and monitor to your laptop.
Price - Expect to pay $300 to $500 more for a comparably equipped laptop (though this varies widely).
Other considerations are about the same, to be honest. CPU and RAM are about equal on laptops and desktops now, unless you're considering an ultra-high-end PC.
I obviously can't make the buying decision for you, but I'll reiterate my computer plan in case you haven't seen it before. I use both: a moderately-priced laptop is with me on a daily basis, syncing up with an inexpensive desktop that works as a print and file server. The desktop works as a machine for my daily backups, has plenty of storage for stuff I don't need to take with me on the road (or to other rooms of the house), has two printers hooked up to it, accepts incoming faxes, and otherwise stands as a backup in case something fails on my laptop. My laptop, however, is where I do most of my work. Sure I could get by with just a notebook PC, but having both makes things so much easier.

Answer 5

Hi,

Bertz gave you some excellent advice.

As far as the MacBook goes, it comes with up to date core-duo intel processors. Be careful that when you compare with PC laptops you don't compare to one with a single processor (manufacturers are dumping them at low prices because they are now obsolete).

Apple offers education discounts. The basic MacPro is less than $1,000 US. To sweeten the deal Apple has a free printer offer and a free iPod offer with purchase (printer & ipod must be ordered at the same time as the laptop and be on the same invoice to get the rebate).

I would recommend upgrading the RAM to 2 GIG.

Microsoft Office is available at a substantial discount to students. You can get it at the Apple site for $149, and you can get a $25 rebate if you order before Sept 3, 2007

-Jim

Answer 6

Better check with the school; many do not allow outside purchases of computers to be connected to their networks.

The reason for this is their network security and stability.

If your computer is not setup correctly it may not connect to the school network and/or it could cause network problems.

If you have a computer problem, the school IT techs will attend to it as long as it was purchased through the school.

In the long run, it may prove cheaper to purchase the computer through the school.


Good Luck

Answer 7

since you don't provide the specs for the pc, i'm not gonna go looking..

have a look at http://www.ebuyer.com the laptops bit

if they are loaded with vista basic, or have 512 mb.. forget em, go for at least 1gb + vista premium

as for ms office, it might only be loaded with the 60 day trial, some companies do that. same with the antivirus/firewall..

i'd not be too fussed about that either.. you can use

http://www.openoffice.org anyway..

as for antivirus/firewall. you can get them free elsewhere

and if you wanted to use MS office you can get a student version also..

as for schools demanding students have a laptop i do find that odd.

Answer 8

go with the Acrer. never buy a Mac they suck big time. The Acer will help you with performance, media, ect. and will be easy to fix if a problem occurs.
Fujitsu is an imported laptop kinda like Voodoo. and will cost more to fix when a problem occurs.

Answer 9

If someone told me i would take

Acer TravelMate

So i hope you do the same , , , ,

Answer 10

Sony & Apple is best.