best laptop for medical school?

[NTF]

any ideas? The school I'm attending budgets in $2200 during M1 for the purchase of a personal computer.

I've never bought a computer that was more than $350. I have no idea what to do with $2200.

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[Law2Doc]

any ideas? The school I'm attending budgets in $2200 during M1 for the purchase of a personal computer.

I've never bought a computer that was more than $350. I have no idea what to do with $2200.

Be sure they don't require a specific system. A lot of schools have proprietary software that requires that your computer matches their specs. Some places even make you buy it through them, with everything installed. So I would confirm that they didn't put in that price because they want you to buy something specific.

 

[Svenska]

Congrats on your acceptance(s). Take a look at the Sony Vaio Z series of laptops. Lightweight, powerful, most beautiful screens of any laptop you will find. Runs just over $2k depending on how you customize it. Will last you years.

 

[andrewnwi]

Macbook Pro!

 

[Arpan5145]

any ideas? The school I'm attending budgets in $2200 during M1 for the purchase of a personal computer.

I've never bought a computer that was more than $350. I have no idea what to do with $2200.

get a laptop and a desktop, with pc's you could get both at a decent price. you'd have a portable option plus a more powerful desktop at home, bigger screen etc.

 

[newtonsfriend]

Wow, good job! Take advantage of this. I purchased a new custom laptop the summer going into college. Back then, I did a little research and customized it for me. Such as I got a really good processor speed (really important for running multiple programs around 2Ghz) and decent memory like 1Gb of RAM, and DID not get any fancy graphics card cause I am not a gamer, and I got a good detector for wireless. This can all be easily done on HP website (you select what you want). I still have the same laptop 4 years later and have not had a problem yet. very good investment. I suggest getting a computer that fits what YOU want. 2000 will easily cover it. Mine is a HP Pavilion and AMD turion 64 processor something....

 

[RevivedPreMed]

I recommend a Macbook. I used PCs all my life and have had so many issues. I got my mac three months ago and I will never go back to PC. I take it everywhere because it is very light and at home I bought myself a really nice 22" lcd monitor so that I can plug my laptop in and have a larger screen (much like a desktop but doesn't take up all that space). I also have a really large external hard drive to hold all my excess nonsense to keep my computer running smoothly.

 

[ButImLETired]

I actually would advise against both the Mac and the Sony.

- I have a macbook pro, love it, and if I could I would never ever use another computer again. On the other hand, most med schools I've been to strongly suggested students buy PC's because most medical software tends to be PC-only. Sure, you can run Boot Camp (I think that's what it's called) on your Mac and run Windows on it, but in my experience it really slows things down and if you're going to be using your Mac as a PC, you might as well get a PC.

- I had a Sony before this one and it was absolutely awful. The first thing you have to do when you get a Sony is remove almost all of the bloatware (random software they add in there) that comes with it. Nowadays you can pay EXTRA to have less software pre-installed (uhm, thanks Sony) which is just ridiculous. Within a year of owning it, the computer was painfully slow and my trackpad was no longer working (every time I touched it while the computer was doing 2 things at once, the cursor would go nuts and click everything on the screen). Yes, the screen is stunning, and the design is unparalleled, but I had a horrible experience with it.


When I was making this decision, it was strongly suggested to me that I buy a Lenovo Thinkpad. I bought an X301 and so far it seems to do great. It's tiny, super-light, and Thinkpads have the best reviews around. Apparently, they last forever. We'll see if that's true...

 

[suizyme09]

Save some money and spend less than the budget that still fits your specs. It depends on the school but my school budgets $1800 but you can buy your own and the specs they recommend can be covered for around $1000. You don't need all that much computing power as a med student and $2200 is a lot of money when you can get a great laptop for half that!!

 

[Svenska]

- I had a Sony before this one and it was absolutely awful. The first thing you have to do when you get a Sony is remove almost all of the bloatware (random software they add in there) that comes with it. Nowadays you can pay EXTRA to have less software pre-installed (uhm, thanks Sony) which is just ridiculous. Within a year of owning it, the computer was painfully slow and my trackpad was no longer working (every time I touched it while the computer was doing 2 things at once, the cursor would go nuts and click everything on the screen). Yes, the screen is stunning, and the design is unparalleled, but I had a horrible experience with it.

Wow, that's suprising. The first thing I (and most people) do with any laptop from any maker is to do a clean install of XP/Vista...which isn't hard to do at all. Yes we shouldn't have to do it, bloatwear sucks, but it's a minor annoyance at best.

The bottom line is if you take care of your laptop (proper file management, defrags, backup and reinstall as needed) the laptop will take care of you. The biggest factors you ought to consider are:

1. Ease of use (keyboard, screen, comfort, etc.)
2. Weight (no one wants to carry around >5 lbs with everything else you will carry as a med. student)
3. Performance (speed to boot, multitasking)
4. Required software use, compatibility (bye bye slick (slick?) Mac)
5. Style/Eye appeal

Also, checkout www.laptopreview.com for additional good info.

 

[andrewnwi]

I actually would advise against both the Mac and the Sony.

- I have a macbook pro, love it, and if I could I would never ever use another computer again. On the other hand, most med schools I've been to strongly suggested students buy PC's because most medical software tends to be PC-only. Sure, you can run Boot Camp (I think that's what it's called) on your Mac and run Windows on it, but in my experience it really slows things down and if you're going to be using your Mac as a PC, you might as well get a PC.

Actually, Bootcamp is amazing. I can run both Mac and PC at the same time. It is very useful, and doesn't really slow anything thing down. My Pro runs amazingly fast with it partitioned. I mean I got the Mac for the PC problems; however, you are right about the software. Though, you have the best of both worlds with a Mac, you can run the software and have a kick ass computer.

 

[JackInTheBox]

When I was making this decision, it was strongly suggested to me that I buy a Lenovo Thinkpad. I bought an X301 and so far it seems to do great. It's tiny, super-light, and Thinkpads have the best reviews around. Apparently, they last forever. We'll see if that's true...

Welcome to the ThinkPad club =)

The X301 is an amazing machine. Just make sure you turn off automatic defrags because SSDs don't need it.

 

[alwaysaangel]

=
- I have a macbook pro, love it, and if I could I would never ever use another computer again. On the other hand, most med schools I've been to strongly suggested students buy PC's because most medical software tends to be PC-only. Sure, you can run Boot Camp (I think that's what it's called) on your Mac and run Windows on it, but in my experience it really slows things down and if you're going to be using your Mac as a PC, you might as well get a PC.

You know, I heard this when I was on the interview trail too. But I got a mac anyway. And in 2 years of medical schools I've never had an issue.

Only 2 thing required windows and I used parallels. The programs were Netters Anatomy and histotime. I haven't run into another program that wouldn't run on a mac. You really don't use many computer programs in med school.

A study aid here and there like histotime, and then the qbanks before the board. But the VAST MAJORITY OF THEM run on a mac.

So you're covered for your 1st 2 years if you want a mac.

And as for 3rd/4th year - the most recommended PDA these days for medical students is the iphone. So no mac incompatibilities there. Even if you don't get an iphone for your pda most other pda/phones are compatible with mac.

Go for a mac. About half my class has them and its never been an issue for anyone.

 

[Sonnet43]

Thinkpads are awesome. I used to be a dedicated mac fan, but didn't want to lug around the weight. When it came time for me to switch, I bought a Lenovo x61. With the upgrades (in RAM and battery), I spent about 800 bucks. I now use this as my main computer and I get some 6 hours of battery life with this sucker. The downside is that there is no optical drive, but you can always get a USB for that.

Lenovo is having a preatty neat sale on slickdeals.net for the x61's ($649 base model) and x61 tablets ($799). You can always get the superportable and have money leftover for a desktop at the end of the day.

 

[NTF]

Hey guys, thanks for all the great advice!

I was thinking though, might it not be a good idea to get both a laptop and something like an iPod touch?

I've been looking at the Sony and Lenovo laptops and both seem to be great machines.

I love Macs but I'm just used to PCs and the camcorder I just got to film my baby girl only creates data files that are hard for Macs to work with.

Plus, another thing I've been looking into are tablet PCs. Are they any good?

 

[Jolie South]

Hey guys, thanks for all the great advice!

I was thinking though, might it not be a good idea to get both a laptop and something like an iPod touch?

I've been looking at the Sony and Lenovo laptops and both seem to be great machines.

I love Macs but I'm just used to PCs and the camcorder I just got to film my baby girl only creates data files that are hard for Macs to work with.

Plus, another thing I've been looking into are tablet PCs. Are they any good?

If you're looking into the ipod touch as a PDA, I'd wait until you hit the clinics. You won't need it until then.

 

[NotAndrew]

First let me say you can get a laptop that will do everything you need for about $800. With $2200 you can get a very good Vaio or Thinkpad.

For the PDA Palm all the way.

 

[Red Leader]

Hey guys, thanks for all the great advice!

I was thinking though, might it not be a good idea to get both a laptop and something like an iPod touch?

I've been looking at the Sony and Lenovo laptops and both seem to be great machines.

I love Macs but I'm just used to PCs and the camcorder I just got to film my baby girl only creates data files that are hard for Macs to work with.

Plus, another thing I've been looking into are tablet PCs. Are they any good?

1. Sony is overpriced. High quality, but overpriced, even compared to Macs
2. Macs are the best for video, far superior to PCs. You need to reevaluate what you are doing with that camcorder, and since you got it recently, return it for something that doesn't use some obscure digital format that somehow can't run on a Mac.
3. Just because you're used to something doesn't mean you shouldn't change. As babies we're used to crawling, do we keep crawling?

 

[diosa428]

If your school isn't requiring you to get a certain laptop, all that $2200 likely means is that they're going to let you take out an extra $2200 in loan money for a computer. You don't have to spend it all on a computer, just buy something that is likely to last for 4 years. I'd personally agree with the thinkpad. Keep the rest, or don't take out as much in loans. Remember that, with interest, by the time you pay that back it's going to be more like $5000 instead of $2200.

 

[NotAndrew]

1. Sony is overpriced. High quality, but overpriced, even compared to Macs
2. Macs are the best for video, far superior to PCs. You need to reevaluate what you are doing with that camcorder, and since you got it recently, return it for something that doesn't use some obscure digital format that somehow can't run on a Mac.

Nothing is overpriced compaired to Macs, I do agree Mac is far better for video editing.

Epic name btw.

 

[NTF]

You need to reevaluate what you are doing with that camcorder, and since you got it recently, return it for something that doesn't use some obscure digital format that somehow can't run on a Mac.

I agree it's probably not the best camcorder, but being on a limited budget it works great for what I want to do, which is just to make cheesy home videos to embarass my daughter with when she's a teenager. It's great at shooting (great picture, awesome image stabilization, 40+X zoom). I admit I traded convenience on the editing side for quality at the shooting side. But I didn't have alot of wiggle room for a <$200 camcorder.

 

[NTF]

Keep the rest, or don't take out as much in loans.

Unfortunately can't keep the rest. The school requires you to submit receipts of your purchase and if it's less than $2200 they deduct the difference from your COA the following year.

But I do agree with picking something economical and taking out less in loans. Good idea.

 

[RevivedPreMed]

I actually would advise against both the Mac and the Sony.

- I have a macbook pro, love it, and if I could I would never ever use another computer again. On the other hand, most med schools I've been to strongly suggested students buy PC's because most medical software tends to be PC-only. Sure, you can run Boot Camp (I think that's what it's called) on your Mac and run Windows on it, but in my experience it really slows things down and if you're going to be using your Mac as a PC, you might as well get a PC.

- I had a Sony before this one and it was absolutely awful. The first thing you have to do when you get a Sony is remove almost all of the bloatware (random software they add in there) that comes with it. Nowadays you can pay EXTRA to have less software pre-installed (uhm, thanks Sony) which is just ridiculous. Within a year of owning it, the computer was painfully slow and my trackpad was no longer working (every time I touched it while the computer was doing 2 things at once, the cursor would go nuts and click everything on the screen). Yes, the screen is stunning, and the design is unparalleled, but I had a horrible experience with it.


When I was making this decision, it was strongly suggested to me that I buy a Lenovo Thinkpad. I bought an X301 and so far it seems to do great. It's tiny, super-light, and Thinkpads have the best reviews around. Apparently, they last forever. We'll see if that's true...

A lenovo thinkpad was the pc that drove me to Mac. I had about 5 or 6 major problems before it completely crashed and wouldn't even let me restore it...this was all in the first year. It's pretty crappy for the most part but I've heard it's great for businesses which tend to use less demanding things on it. The amount of stress that computer problems gave me last year definitely aged me though ahha.

Edit: it wasn't a piece of crap either. We upgraded it like crazy (came out to almost $2000) to make sure it wouldn't be crappy and crash but alas...it was such a waste of money in the long run.

 

[SirGecko]

Plus, another thing I've been looking into are tablet PCs. Are they any good?

Personally I purchased a TX2500 from HP this summer and love it. Tablet PC's are good for a few reasons. They are usually quite small which makes them great for bringing them around to take notes. I used to have a much larger laptop (17 inches) and I never brought it anywhere because it was a pain. My tablet is even large for a tablet at 12.5 inches and I still find it easy to bring it with me all the time. Another main benefit is the obvious ability to take all of your notes on the computer. (drawings and all) OneNote is a great program and I have found the ability to keep all my notes organized through it to be really nice.

 

[RasenShuriken]

Hooboy, w/ $2.2k, you can customize one sweeeet piece of hardware from Dell. The inspirons are crap, but the dell XPS laptops are high quality machines. With Dell you really max out the hardware per dollar spent, because they let you pick and choose what you want in your laptop. I'd suggest getting the Dell Studio XPS 16. *sorry, but I'm a huge computer geek

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellst...&cs=19&kc=productdetails~laptop-studio-xps-16

This is what I configured for $2k.

SYSTEM COLORObsidian Black with Leather AccenteditPROCESSORIntel® Core™ 2 Duo T9550 (6MB cache/2.66GHz/1066Mhz FSB)editOPERATING SYSTEMGenuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-biteditPRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARENo Microsoft OfficeeditWARRANTY AND SERVICE2Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote DiagnosiseditHD DISPLAYEdge-to-Edge FullHD Widescreen 16.0 inch RGBLED LCD (1920x1080) W/2.0 MPeditMEMORY4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1067MHz (2 Dimms)editHARD DRIVE320GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard DriveeditINTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE8X DVD+/- RW(DVD/CD read/write) Slot Load DriveeditVIDEO CARDATI Mobility RADEON® HD 3670 - 512MBeditWIRELESS CARDSIntel® 5100 WLAN Wireless-N (1x2) Half Mini CardeditBATTERYAdditional 9-Cell BatteryeditSOUND OPTIONSHigh Definition Audio 2.0editANTIVIRUS SOFTWAREMcAfee SecurityCenter 15-monthsedit

My ServiceACCIDENT AND THEFT PROTECTION1Yr LoJack for Laptops Theft ProtectioneditREMOTE ACCESSDell Remote Access, free basic serviceeditDATASAFE ONLINE BACKUPDell Online Backup 2GB for 1 yearedit

ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEMBATTERY OPTIONS6-cell BatteryAdobe SoftwareAdobe® Acrobat® Reader 9, Multiple LanguagesLCD and CameraEdge-to-Edge FullHD Widescreen 16.0 inch RGBLED LCD (1920x1080) W/2.0 MPLabelsWindows Vista™ PremiumProcessor BrandingIntel® Centrino™ 2DIAL-UP INTERNET ACCESSNo ISP requested

 

[Red Leader]

I agree it's probably not the best camcorder, but being on a limited budget it works great for what I want to do, which is just to make cheesy home videos to embarass my daughter with when she's a teenager. It's great at shooting (great picture, awesome image stabilization, 40+X zoom). I admit I traded convenience on the editing side for quality at the shooting side. But I didn't have alot of wiggle room for a <$200 camcorder.

Very understandable. Clearly you've thought this through, so since you mentioned them taking away money you don't use, I'd splurge and go with a Sony VAIO or something high end of that sort. It will last you quite a long time. For any left over cash, I'd recommend maybe some travel accessories like a bag/case and maybe an extra battery if you plan on flying or end up going with a tablet.

By the way, when do you have to make the purchase? I would go with Windows 7 which is an OS that can run your camcorder stuff, but it has many new features that make it more and more like a mac OS in my opinion, but again its compatible with your device. Only thing is that it's in beta right now.

 

[majahops]

HP has offered the best bang for your buck in laptops for several years now. As a network administrator who has purchased several models of essentially every brand of laptop, I've found myself almost exclusively buying HP laptops these days.

Why?

Great screens.
Lots of AMD choices (which is the way to go, unless you want to WASTE $100+ for an Intel for some reason).
Great prices.

People will disagree, and that's good... but in terms of value (for high quality machines), its not so much "whether or not HP is the best choice," but whether there is even a close second.

Now, if you're a rich kid for whom money is absolutely no object, then blow your cash on a pretty Sony Vaio or, better yet, buy the best MacBook Pro and install Windows XP on it.

 

[majahops]

Svenska, you'd think most people would do this, but surprisingly, most people don't.

Wow, that's suprising. The first thing I (and most people) do with any laptop from any maker is to do a clean install of XP/Vista...

 

[MedMan25]

I've never bought a computer that was more than $350. I have no idea what to do with $2200.

Save it. I've been using a laptop that is nearly 5 years old and it works fine. Probably worth $250 tops. You don't need to spend anywhere near $2200 on a laptop for med school.

 

[ajank]

First let me say you can get a laptop that will do everything you need for about $800. With $2200 you can get a very good Vaio or Thinkpad.

For the PDA Palm all the way.

Yeah...
Take a look at the new Palm Pre
http://www.palm.com/us/products/phones/pre/

 

[majahops]

Also, to the OP: If you insist on spending the entire $2200 on a laptop (which is a ludicrous amount of money to spend on a laptop in my opinion), then what you should concentrate on is getting a high quality graphics card.

The importance of a high quality graphics card cannot be overstated. Having a powerful, dedicated graphics card frees up your system's resources when running graphic intensive programs (used for rendering and such) or games. ANY "deal/steal" you see in a computer ad will be for a machine with a crappy graphics card. This is because even though computer manufacturers/sellers know how valuable graphics cards are to the overall performance of the machine, they ALSO know that the typical consumer doesn't realize this (and that they concentrate on processor speed, ram, etc). So they go and sell a machine with sup'ed up specs in every area except for the graphics card. You don't realize you got jipped until you need that gpu sometime down the line.

Still, even with a sweet graphics card, if you leave spending more than $1600, you didn't make your mama proud.

 

[JackInTheBox]

Lots of AMD choices (which is the way to go, unless you want to WASTE $100+ for an Intel for some reason).

Uhh, AMD hasn't been price or performance competitive with Intel in a while now. Turion based laptops generally trail Penryn (and even the older Merom) based laptops in both performance and battery life.

I'm not an Intel-exclusive user, but the only scenario right now where AMD is even worth looking into is if you have an older AM2+ based motherboard in a desktop and you want a quick, cheap CPU upgrade. If you're going to bother DDR3, you might as well go with Core i7 instead of an AM3 motherboard.

 

[majahops]

They haven't been price competitive? I don't want to argue about this because it's an age old [pointless] argument. Even when AMDs were extremely unarguably a better buy than Intel, there were still plenty of you guys showing up with your silliness, saying that Intel was the way to go.

Uhh, AMD hasn't been price or performance competitive with Intel in a while now. Turion based laptops generally trail Penryn based laptops in both performance and battery life.

 

[JackInTheBox]

They haven't been price competitive? I don't want to argue about this because it's an age old [pointless] argument. Even when AMDs were extremely unarguably a better buy than Intel, there were still plenty of you guys showing up with your silliness, saying that Intel was the way to go.

Why is that a pointless argument? You're throwing out insults like I work for Intel or like I'm an Intel fanboy when you don't even know anything about my computing habits. The truth is that I've used and will use either AMD or Intel when one is demonstrably better than the other.

It's true that you used to be able to get better performance for less money with AMD (back in the Thunderbird and then the early Athlon 64 chips), but today, you can simply get better performance for the same amount of money with an Intel based system.

 

[newtonsfriend]

I agree AMDs are by far superior, their are fact sheets along with computerized experiments that relate the pertinent computer software and every thing else is inferior to AMD.....it is just fact. Proof is out there...

 

[JackInTheBox]

I agree AMDs are by far superior, their are fact sheets along with computerized experiments that relate the pertinent computer software and every thing else is inferior to AMD.....it is just fact. Proof is out there...

Wow...just wow...I'd like to see some documentation because in just about every real world test, AMD's latest and greatest desktop chips barely compete with with year old Core 2 chips, and they get absolutely smoked by any Core i7 chip.

Here's something quick that I found comparing some common laptops with both AMD and Intel chips. Notice the Turion based systems are always at the bottom in terms of performance AND battery life, worse than the Acer laptop that's cheaper than the HP that's being reviewed.

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/hp-g60-125nr/4505-3121_7-33360964-2.html?tag=txt;page

 

[newtonsfriend]

WOW everyone we have one source jack-in-the box...all of his knowledge is from one source thus it MUST be true. I bet you are so pcstat.com nerd that blogs daily....if you would ever CHECK the International Computer Science Institute then maybe you would understand the engineering in computer science instead of just reading WEBSITES that are designed for marketing. This institute does not care 2 cents about advertising they publish pure facts because they dont care what consumers by they are there to find the best computers in the world for NASA, Air Force, CIA w/e..... So just go back to playing WOW or w.e.

 

[majahops]

Okay. I didn't mean to throw out insults. I apologize.

Let's assume for a second that Intel has over taken AMD in performance in absolute terms (which I am no longer enough of a computer nerd to fairly and completely investigate for the purposes of providing citations for my argument in a forum). It still hasn't over taken AMD when you consider processing power per dollar spent. That was the more important point. AMD continues to be the better value.

 

[NTF]

Also, to the OP: If you insist on spending the entire $2200 on a laptop

If you read my original post, I believe I express a sense of incredulity at spending $2200 on a laptop. So no, it was never really my intention to go on a $2200 spending spree, but just to get something that will carry me through medical school.

 

[majahops]

In your defense, there always have been, and always will be, a good number of people who agree with you and will claim that Intel is a better processor. I just disagree.

However, I'd hope that once you considered that AMD charges less for their comparable processor, you'd concede that, at the very least, it is a better value.

Wow...just wow...I'd like to see some documentation because in just about every real world test, AMD's latest and greatest desktop chips barely compete with with year old Core 2 chips, and they get absolutely smoked by any Core i7 chip.

Here's something quick that I found comparing some common laptops with both AMD and Intel chips. Notice the Turion based systems are always at the bottom in terms of performance AND battery life, worse than the Acer laptop that's cheaper than the HP that's being reviewed.

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/hp-g60-125nr/4505-3121_7-33360964-2.html?tag=txt;page

 

[JackInTheBox]

WOW everyone we have one source jack-in-the box...all of his knowledge is from one source thus it MUST be true. I bet you are so pcstat.com nerd that blogs daily....if you would ever CHECK the International Computer Science Institute then maybe you would understand the engineering in computer science instead of just reading WEBSITES that are designed for marketing. This institute does not care 2 cents about advertising they publish pure facts because they dont care what consumers by they are there to find the best computers in the world for NASA, Air Force, CIA w/e..... So just go back to playing WOW or w.e.

Wow man, don't get your panties in a bunch.

I'd like to see some of these "facts" that you have that can empirically prove your point that AMD's chips are better than Intel's.

NASA, the Air Force, and the CIA may very well find AMD based computers better for their needs, but I will bet dollars to doughnuts that your average med student is not using his or her laptop in the same way government agencies are using their computers. For almost every possible common scenario your typical user will face, Intel chips are faster. Saying that Intel's chips are faster at this point in time is not making any value judgment about either company, just the products they have on the market at this point in time.

http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTYyMSw1LCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

That's two sources. n may only equal 2, but 2>0.

 

[majahops]

I say SUP-UP one of the middle-ranged HPs and you'll be good to go. If you want it to get you all the way through med school, you'll want to make SURE you have a machine that can run HD comfortably and might even want a Blu-Ray drive (if available). I say that not because they are particularly useful right now, but we can't predict how common/necessary they will be in 4 years.

If you read my original post, I believe I express a sense of incredulity at spending $2200 on a laptop. So no, it was never really my intention to go on a $2200 spending spree, but just to get something that will carry me through medical school.

 

[newtonsfriend]

ya cause that was the discussion was all about....um NO! But w/e majashops just listen to Jackie he knows best...but in reality i wouldnt care what we both say get what you want and fits your needs whatever those may be...

 

[JackInTheBox]

Okay. I didn't mean to throw out insults. I apologize.

Let's assume for a second that Intel has over taken AMD in performance in absolute terms (which I am no longer enough of a computer nerd to fairly and completely investigate for the purposes providing citations for my argument in a forum). It still hasn't over taken AMD when you consider processing power per dollar spent. That was the more important point. AMD continues to be the better value.

However, I'd hope that once you considered that AMD charges less for their comparable processor, you'd concede that, at the very least, it is a better value.

No hurt feelings here. I apologize to you for the tone of my earlier posts. Newtonsfriend on the other hand...

Anyway, Intel has overtaken AMD in terms of performance, and their ridiculous economies of scale have made them cost competitive too. From that CNET review:

Turning to AMD's 2.0GHz Turion X2 Dual-Core RM-70 CPU might be an option if you're looking to keep costs down and have only basic computing needs. Unfortunately, the HP G60 is $729, and you can find a 15.6-inch 16:9 laptop that offers better performance for less. The Acer Aspire 5735-4624 costs only $499 and uses a 2.0GHz Intel Pentium Dual Core T3200; it completed our multitasking benchmark test in one-third the time the HP G60 did. The HP G60 wasn't the last-place performer in our mainstream midprice holiday retail laptop roundup. That dubious distinction goes to the Toshiba Satellite L355D-S7825, also an AMD-powered system.

We were also disappointed in the G60's battery life. In our video playback test, the system ran for only 1 hour and 58 minutes, well under the 3 hours we'd ideally like to see in mainstream laptops. The Acer didn't hit this mark either, but came closer, at 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Of course, that article was from a couple months ago, and we both know how fast things change in tech.

 

[newtonsfriend]

haha that was meant for nontrad not maja

 

[majahops]

Hehehe.

The funny part is that this same argument goes on among people who know WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY more about computer engineering and technology than any of us here do and they are absolutely insistent that their processor (AMD or Intel) is the best.

... so yeah, we probably shouldn't have entered into it.

Still, I do stand by HP. Man they came up like 7 years ago in the laptop world and really never looked back.

haha that was meant for nontrad not maja

 

[rama kandra]

http://www.voodoopc.com/

 

[newtonsfriend]

agree. im not computer engineer and i if i were buying a computer i would get what i want haha

 

[andrewnwi]

So, wow!

http://www.axiotron.com/index.php?id=modbook

Apple gave them permission to make that.

Cool thing is Snow Leopard, the new Mac OS is coming out and word is Apple will also be releasing THEIR tablet in the Fall. Sweeet

 

[SirGecko]

So, wow!

http://www.axiotron.com/index.php?id=modbook

Apple gave them permission to make that.

Cool thing is Snow Leopard, the new Mac OS is coming out and word is Apple will also be releasing THEIR tablet in the Fall. Sweeet

I'd steer clear of the modbook unless you are an artist and just want to be able to draw on it. (it is decidedly lacking in most other tablet functionality, the OS in particular doesn't work well with the tablet so you'd just find yourself using boot camp for everything and then you just have a severly overpriced slate tablet)

On the subject of Apple releasing a tablet: I'd be interested to see what they produce but wary about getting their first generation venture into the market. While the people at Apply generally produce decent enough computers they haven't made a tablet before. Windows took till Vista to really make a good tablet OS and I wouldn't expect Apple to be any faster. (not saying they won't be, just saying I'd hold off and wait to read some reviews from people with tablet experience) It could be amazing or a POS. Hopefully they will take some ques form Microsoft as they seem to know what they are doing when it comes to tablets.