Question for all you computer people

[closertofine]

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Note that I said "people," not "nerds"! Mostly because I need your help! Just kidding, I'm quickly becoming one too...in trying to research which laptop (or desktop, maybe) would be best for me.

I know there have been many discussions of laptop vs. desktop. In my situation, I won't start med school for a year, so a desktop might be ok...and it would be cheaper, and I can put the keyboard on my lap (I'm so short it is a strain to type at the desk!). But I would probably be able to use the laptop for med school, and I know I will be moving in a year, so that would definitely make it easier.

So right now I have decided (tentatively) to choose between two laptops...if anyone here is familiar with either one, please help me decide! Here's the basics:

1) A new Dell Inspiron 1100, ordered from Dell.com, with 256 RAM, and possibly a Pentium 4 processor (though those are much more expensive...how bad would it be to go for a Intel Celeron instead?). The hard drive would be either 20 (I don't know the units...is this too little?) or upgraded to 30 or more. I also get a free Palm Zire with it (which I think is like a Palm Pilot), which I could either sell or keep for med school.

2) A Toshiba Tecra 8100, refurbished, which I hear is generally a much better and usually more expensive computer. But then again, things could go wrong because it is refurbished...I bought (or my dad bought!) my current computer already used...and it's been ok, but you never know...

So in terms of price (this is important for me, cause I'm spending my own money and don't have a lot of it!), the Dell would be about $750 (I can't find any of the great rebates I hear people talking about sometimes), maybe more or less depending on how I get it configured. The Toshiba would be somewhat less, I think close to $600 with shipping.

So what do you think? I could really use some advice, and a new computer! (still no internet on mine because it needs to be updated)...

 

[MoCookiess]

I really really recommed the Dell. Their tech support is fantastic, which I think could make a big difference since you're looking at the less expensive laptops. I recently got their 600m, and couldn't be happier. Good luck to you!

 

[jayzway]

As far as deciding between the two laptops listed, you didn't provide any specifications for the Toshiba laptop, so I can't really comment on it. I will say that laptops are much harder to repair than desktops, so purchasing a refurbished laptop is risky. The hard drive size on the Dell is fine. An easy way to compare is to look at what size the hard drive is on your current computer and how much free space you have. Unless you download tons of mp3s (music) or want to edit movies, you don't need a large hard drive. When deciding between a Celeron or a Pentium 4, consider what you will be using the computer for. If you will just be web surfing and word processing the cpu isn't that important. A Pentium 4 is better for graphically intensive applications, such as games and watching movies. Another thing to consider is how long you plan to have this laptop. You might want to get some more expensive options, such as the Pentium 4, in order to keep your computer useful for a longer period of time.

If you are going to buy a Dell, remember to check the differences between Dell Small Business and Dell Home. The sites have the same computers, but usually have different free upgrades and rebates. You don't need to own a small business to buy from the small business site, just use your name as the business name to get the rebates. Also, sign up for the newsletters at the Dell sites, because they often give coupons. Hope this helps.

 

[4 Ever]

go with the desktop.... ure going to spend at least 1500 for a decent laptop and for that amount of money you can get yourself the top of the line desktop (if you know some friends that can custom build you one) with a nice 18'' flat panel display.... also the desktop can be upgraded a lot easier than the laptop.

you mentioned that you can go without NEEDING a laptop for another year so if thats the case, go with the desktop, its a better investment in the long run (ps. find a friend that knows about computers to build you one, itll come out to the same price as a store bought one but with the advantage of numerous upgrades as time goes)

 

[hrq]

Remember to save some money for that Palm Pilot you'll need once you get to medical school also!

-hrq

 

[umass rower]

I agree on the desktop. Find somebody who can put together a computer for you, and just buy it in parts. You can keep a lot of your old components, like modems, ethernet, CD/DVD/floppy drives, etc. I recently put one together for myself- it cost a little over 400 bucks, and this is what I put in:

AMD Athlon 2200+ processor
GeForce4 MX video card
Abit motherboard- KD-7 model
256 MB RAM
new case w/ 400W power supply (not entirely necessary, but allows for future expansion)

I kept my old hard drive, CD-R, DVD, floppy, modem, sound card, and ethernet card. Initially I kept the same monitor, but this year I treated myself to an NEC Multisync 17" LCD. The model is the 1760NX, I'm very happy with it. $455 from NewEgg.com was the lowest price I found on it.

I like desktops mostly because I can replace one piece at a time if I need to, rather than either paying a lot of money for a specialist or needing to buy a new computer. They're a little more bulky, but I find that most people with laptops either rarely make use of their mobility or only use it when it's unnecessary, like working in the library.

Basically, have a friend help you out, and pay attention to where they look for things and what features they look for. That way, when you want to upgrade something, you can find it on your own more easily.

 

[SunnyS81]

A few things:

1) I would suggest a laptop over desktop. I've only been in medical school for 3 weeks, but I think it would be easier to take notes on one. One of my classmates bought a tablet PC even. That is the only reason I would suggest a laptop. New laptops are pretty affordable now, so it is worth considering. In previous years laptops cost 3x a desktop price, but since it is less than 2x the price, it is worth thinking about.

2) Laptops tend to have a shorter life span. Expect that within four years, you'll have problems with the hard drive, monitor, and keyboard. My dell laptop that i bought about 5 years ago, has had problems for the last two years. The hard drive failed, the monitor cable had a problem, the keyboard had to be replaced, and now after the warrenty is out the LCD panel fails to work.

3) For the above reasons, don't but a refurbished laptop. Go for a new one.

4) Go for the cheapest chip. My desktop is a celeron 566 from when I started undergrad in 1999, and I have no problems with typical stuff (streaming audio/video, mp3s, ms office, windows xp, etc). The hype about the difference between a pentium 4 and a celeron is crap. Basically, celeron is designed for home users, and pentium 4's are for hard core people (gamers and engineers). As always, consider your needs when buying a computer.

Peace.

 

[Yogi Bear]

don't even bother getting a p4 unless u do a lot of multimedia stuff that involves a lot of cpu processing (i.e. photoshop, games, video/audio compression/editing, etc.). At the same mhz, a P4 is about 15% faster than a celeron. Both chips have the same architecture, the same design, etc. the only difference is that a P4 usually has 512kb of secondary cache while a celeron has 128 kb of secondary cache. Secondary cache memory is where info is temporarily stored between the cpu/ram and is very fast. As an analogy, imagine a computer like a grocery store. The checkout stands is the cpu, the ram is like items on the shelf, and the hard disk is items in the stockroom. Getting stuff from the grocery ailes (RAM) will take less time that it would getting from the stockroom (Hard disk). With this in mind, the secondary cache is kind of like your shopping cart....items are stored in it before being delivered to the checkout (CPU). The P4 has a larger size shopping cart so it could carry more stuff to the checkout, while a celeron's cart size is smaller. However, if the both a P4 and a celeron cashier can only process 10 items per minute, the one w/ a larger cart (P4) will process more info than the one w/ a smaller cart (celeron) since the P4 has to take less trips in order to get the same number of items. This difference in time equals about 15%.

So a 2 ghz P4 =~ 2.3 ghz celeron.

that said, for the average user, use the extra money you would have spent on a P4 and get a celeron but w/ more RAM instead.

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?CS=19&kc=18439&oc=d80809d here's a inspiron 1100 for $700 after rebate...no tax in most states and free shipping.

2.0 ghz celeron, 256 mb ram, 30 gb hd, 14.1" screen, 24x dvd/cdrw combo.

 

[Yogi Bear]

btw, i have an inspiron 1100 w/ similar specs and i'll say it works fine for my needs. boots up in about 30s, batteries last about 3-4 hours when i'm just tying stuff. only thing is it's kinda bulky at 7-8lb.s also, it doesn't have a ps/2 port, parrallel port, or serial port. that means that if u have older hardware that uses those stuff (i.e. older prints, mice, etc), u're outta luck!

 

[sc1g33k]

For a Laptop I recomend Dell. I have had an Inspiron 8200 for about a year and love it. Some tips:

- Get something light weight if you are going to be lugging it from class to class.

- Get slower processer and use the money on:

-- RAM: 512 Minimum. Its not that expensive and can make a huge difference.

-- Extended Warranty. Dell offers a 4 year Onsite & Complete Care warranty. You drop it, it breaks, they come to you and fix it.

-- Batteries. If you can, get at least one extra.

-- Extra power supply (one for your bag, one for your desk)

Keep in mind that a laptop battery will only last you about 1.5-2 years with heavy use (Li Ion batteries die a little with each charge/discharge cycle.) Dell also has the cheapest batteries (*about 100 bucks.) Many are $200+!!

 

[AvgApplcnt]

I'm gonna leave the techincal stuff to others, but DELL is the best way to go. I have an IBM laptop which sucks A$$. I also know have a DELL and have no complaints. service is great and if anything breaks they give you free stuff for some reason.