which laptop should I buy?

Question

I'm going college freshman.
The school told me to get a laptop.
I'm architecture major.
I have 1500$ after spending all in books and fee and equipments.
which laptop would be good?
It has to be able to run AutoCAD, and all the other major architectural programs.
Also it need wireless conection

Answer 1

Dell has good price and good technical support. Huge brands usually fail in technicall support.

Answer 2

Just to throw out a different option, I have a Sony Vaio laptop and love it. Before this, I had a Sony desktop that worked like a dream for over three years (still works, just needed the portability). For less than your $1500 you'd be able to get a good enough machine to do what you'd need to.

Of all the computers I've owned or known others to own, Sony is the only brand I trust (although Lenovo is second). However, I would specifically avoid Dell. You get what you pay for, so unless you're going to the complete upper-end of their products (and needlessly overpay just to get lousy tech support), you'll get junk. Trust me.

Answer 3

Get a Macbook, it can run virtually an OS, meaning compatibility. It's software quality is much higher overall than Windows, like the "old" saying quality over quantity, Windows has more apps, but lower quality.

iWorks which is Apple's office Suite can open and save Word, PowerPoint, and Excel documents. It also runs faster, uses less RAM, and is much more feature full and open than Office.

You can also use the built-in camera to record lectures with, instead of writing down notes(which I've seen people do lately).

As for AutoCad, Autodesk only sells Alias' programs for the mac. I suggest getting Maya, it is a $7000 program that you can get for a $400 student discount. It's used for high tech design(like architecture) and multimedia(Used in most hollywood films).

Answer 4

I bought a Toshiba Satellite and have no regrets.

It's almost a year old and is still the envy of my friends..... a few of them have spent more on their new ones (I paid 900) and didn't get nearly as well balanced specs. HP's are better suited for gaming because of their video chipsets.

I would suggest that you take a good look at what Toshiba has to offer.

Answer 5

get lenovo or hp core duo t5700 and above...upgrade the ram to 2 gb and hard disk should be 100 gb or greater to run autocad.as for autocad u can get the 2008 version for less than $100

Answer 6

keep away from the box mover systems,, and off windows Vista this is the best advice you will ever get.

now do your own research into computer companies after sales service, start by getting hold of their support phone numbers, and call them if you have problems getting through, then you'll know your going to have problems with them should you need their support,

don't get a mac system. it will cost you dear, you will need to buy windows software besides all the other software you will need,

what choice are there,
think of the companies that have been building laptops for years,,,,with good reputations Toshiba, IBM.. Sony...
Notice I have left off the most popular ones, their after sales service needs checking out

Answer 7

A good choice would be the Dell 1520. It has most of the top options availible including a NV8600 and three screen choices for under your budget. Dell always has coupon deals and student discounts.

Dell Inspiron $325 Off $1299+ Coupon Code (Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/160GB/4GB))
Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/160GB/4GB) Use code 641C0DMGDKFLLQ to save $325 off this product (must configure price above $1,299.00 to get discount).Dell has a $325 off coupon code for certain Inspiron notebooks configured $1299+ Coupon code expires 8/23/2007.

[added 8/8/2007 | expires 8/15/2007 11:59:59 PM

Answer 8

Here's what you need to look for. 2GB of ram (Nothing less for AutoCad!) Get a Dual Core Processor and I'd recommend at least a 160GB hard drive. This is very doable for your price range. You can get it for about $1000 or you can spring for a better one since you have $1500. Get one on sale. I'd recommend Sony or HP. Whatever you do don't get a Dell (OVERPRICED) or a MAC (OVERPRICED AND INCOMPATIBLE WITH TONS OF PROGRAMS)

Answer 9

Dell Inspiron 1501 or 1520. Great all round laptop at a decent price. I've used them for years with no problems.

Answer 10

all laptops now hav ebuilt in WiFi...


id suggest a HP notebook...
AVOID DELL AT ALL COSTS!!!!

go with an AMD processor as well...
look for 2 Gb of RAM, and 160GB of memory..
3 USB ports helps to, but 2 is jsut fine..
Most HP notebooks, from what I saw when gettig mine had nVidia Graphics and if my budget extended $400 more I would have gotten the BEST they had to offer..

Supreme Graphic capabillities, and that meant no lag during programs ( im using mine for video/ film stuff) but the floor manager I was talkign to said that everything would run smoother and there would be no lag.. so I assume you AutoCAD would run nicely on this..
YOur budget fits it too...