Starting school, which Laptop?

[Canuck99]

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i am up in the air over which type of laptop to get. Alienware-Area 51, DELL-Inspirion, or HP? your opinion is appreciated.

 

[RD330]

i am up in the air over which type of laptop to get. Alienware-Area 51, DELL-Inspirion, or HP? your opinion is appreciated.

I'm pretty sure that the HP or DELL would be your best bet. Alienware is more for gamers.

 

[FutureDocDO]

i am up in the air over which type of laptop to get. Alienware-Area 51, DELL-Inspirion, or HP? your opinion is appreciated.

I've thought about getting the Inspiron E1505 but have heard that it's not made to be carried around everyday. It couldn't stand up to the constant bumps. That is why I've decided about getting the latitude D620 but just waiting to see if they'll offer a dedicated graphic card. Also, hopefully there will be coupons or a price reduction in the next couple of months.

BTW, Dell has pretty good warranties and next day on-site service. I don't want to have to deal with any computer problems, especially laptops, when I will be dealing with other school related stresses for the next four years.

 

[newbie04]

Powerbook 👍

 

[kaikai128]

If you are going to NSU...make getting a laptop with MAXIMUM battery life your top priority. Trust me...I will be your best friend.

 

[DOctorJay]

dell 710m, LOVE mine, but get the extended battery (as mentioned by your new best friend above).

-J

 

[UltimateDO]

If you are going to NSU...make getting a laptop with MAXIMUM battery life your top priority. Trust me...I will be your best friend.

If that is the case then any apple product is not an option. I have a Dell Insp 700M that I have been very happy with both from a durability and battery life standpoint. Hold off until May/June since Dell will run end of the fiscal year deals to boost their sales numbers. Intel is about to start dumping cheap chips on the market too so prices should go down. Look for the $750 off $1750 coupon that should make it's appearance soon.

 

[hmasters5]

try finding more about tablet pc's some work at laptops and you can flip the screen to write on it as if it was paper.

 

[theresa83]

try finding more about tablet pc's some work at laptops and you can flip the screen to write on it as if it was paper.

yeh, these seem really cool. i would have gotten one if i had known of such a thing.

 

[OnMyWayThere]

IBM T42 or T43... but get whatever with a lot of memory (save lots of audio, powerpoints) and reliable because you don't want something crashing on you. I had some classmates go to Costco and buy some noname stuff that crashed midsemester. And I recommend a 14 in screen and up and lightweight .

 

[GregsAnatomy]

If that is the case then any apple product is not an option.

??? I got rid of my Dell because the battery life was HORRID! I used my Apple iBook G4 every day in class this past year and always got a good 6 hours of battery life.

 

[FS-Pro]

try finding more about tablet pc's some work at laptops and you can flip the screen to write on it as if it was paper.

Gateway makes one of these called a "covertible" laptop. Lucky for me, my school will be supplying one of these for us this August

 

[Nate]

How can you put alienware in the same sentence with that other crap, but if you are not going to game then get an IBM.

 

[Medic_9]

try finding more about tablet pc's some work at laptops and you can flip the screen to write on it as if it was paper.

I am currently in university (pre-med for you Americans) and I sold my old, heavy, short-battery-life laptop and bought myself a tablet PC.

I purchased the HP 4200 convertible tablet. It is exactly like a notebook - small, light, long battery life - but when needed the screen rotates and locks down over the keyboard and with the stylet you are able to write directly on the screen. It's amazing, especially for classes like chemisty or calculus where typing is next to impossible with the sub-script or fancy symbols. I highly highly recommend one.

If anyone has any questions I will gladly answer.

 

[Twitch]

Gateway makes one of these called a "covertible" laptop. Lucky for me, my school will be supplying one of these for us this August

TCOM is also doing this. Does anyone know what other schools are supplying incoming students w/tablet pc?

BTW, I'm on my 3rd tablet. 1st two were convertible. Third is a slate. I do miss not having a keyboard since I can type faster than I write.

 

[Wackie]

I got a Dell XPS M140 with a large battery and an extended warranty w/ accident coverage. They were running a really good special on it. If I customized the lower end models to what I needed, they turned out to have the same things as this one, but for more money.

I'm happy so far. The keyboard is excellent. It took no time at all to adjust from a full size keyboard to this one (it's my first lap top). If you go Dell, get the extended warranty. The only problem I've heard about them is if they're going to go bad, they'll do it one day after your warranty expires.

 

[HunterGatherer]

just purchased a Dell XPS M140. 6 hours of battery life easily and nice performance. Was under $900.

1.73 Ghz Pentium M w/ Centrino Technology
8X DVD+/- burner(also writes double layer 8.5GB DVDs)/CD-RW
Internal 56K Modem and Integrated Network Card
802.11 b/g Wireless,54Mbs
14.1 inch WXGA LCD Panel with TrueLife
bluetooth
1024MB ram
5400 rpm 60GB HD
5-in-1 card reader
Internal 56K Modem and Integrated Network Card
👍
everything listed above was included in the XPS M140 base model except:
-added 512MB ram
-upgrade to 80GB from 60GB
-truelife upgrade(makes for a nicer screen or something. maybe a scam?)

Also got a Swiss Army Maxxum backpack so I don't have to wheel everything around in a portable suitcase.

 

[PlasticMan]

Hunter, how did you pay $900 for it? I'm seeing it online for $649 http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=iXM140S1&s=dhs


**edit nevermind you got upgrades**

 

[PlasticMan]

As for everyone wondering what to do for laptops for school - Alienware laptops SUCK. They claim to have great support, yet have seen my friend get completely screwed by them after spending several thousand on a new laptop that they shipped defective. Your best bet is a dell. Wait until end of quarter when the big coupons come out. Just last week they were offering the 17 inch XPS for as low as $1300 which is unheard of! Yesterday there was a 40% off inspirons over $999 coupon out! Right now they have the XPS M140 for a good price, if you don't mind the 14 inch screen. Compaq, Sony and Toshiba also make quality stuff. I'm iffy about gateways as I've seen alot of them break over the years. If you want a laptop that you can do gaming on, there is nothing better than the dell XPS; also Sager is pretty good. Don't get douped into paying full price; we have until august or so to find one, wait it out for the big coupon 😉 Good luck everyone.

 

[PlasticMan]

If anyone else wants the XPS M140, here is a code for 10% off

1PX1$9WG3CBPF?

**edit** code expired 🙁

 

[Smackey]

Get a tablet. You will not regret the few extra dollars it costs. Here is what it does if you are unfamiliar. I got mine off of ebay for 1000$ with 3 years of warranty last august.

http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/features/article.asp?ID=21

OSU-COM might actually be requiring these for next year, they haven't decided yet.

 

[Jamers]

Gateway makes one of these called a "covertible" laptop. Lucky for me, my school will be supplying one of these for us this August

Do you know what the specs are for the laptop they are giving us? The current specs have it listed with only 256 mb of ram. Not that as a computer geek I don't have 16 computers laying around and ram in every other drawer its just I hope they realize 256 is useless. But, if you find the specs that would be awsome.

 

[PlasticMan]

Do you know what the specs are for the laptop they are giving us? The current specs have it listed with only 256 mb of ram. Not that as a computer geek I don't have 16 computers laying around and ram in every other drawer its just I hope they realize 256 is useless. But, if you find the specs that would be awsome.

You can always upgrade the memory later on. This is one of the few things that can be easily upgraded in a laptop. Yes, you are right, it would be wise to have more than 256 mb, as windows vista will require 512 mb just to install!

 

[xTinaBna]

hi!

i currently have a dell inspiron 8600 which i purchased about a year and a half ago ...its' a pretty big/heavy laptop which i use as my primary computer. would anyone recommend getting a smaller more portable laptop in addition to the one i have before going to med school? Thanks! 🙂

 

[PlasticMan]

hi!

i currently have a dell inspiron 8600 which i purchased about a year and a half ago ...its' a pretty big/heavy laptop which i use as my primary computer. would anyone recommend getting a smaller more portable laptop in addition to the one i have before going to med school? Thanks! 🙂

If you have extra money lying around and want a lighter, smaller one to carry around; however, I'm sure your current one would be able to handle all the school related stuff you'd need to do with it. I myself, wanna get a large 17 inch desktop replacement and lug that around everywhere; I don't really care if it's heavy or not.

 

[BluesClues32]

When the good deals on laptops (especially the tablets) are advertised, can someone post his/her findings on SDN so that we know it's a great deal? I haven't been keeping my eye out (plus I don't know what is considered an awesome deal) and I'm sure other students would truly appreciate it as well. Thank you for your time and consideration!

 

[HunterGatherer]

Hunter, how did you pay $900 for it? I'm seeing it online for $649 http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=iXM140S1&s=dhs


**edit nevermind you got upgrades**

That's a pretty sweet deal for $650. If you are just using your notebook for just school and internet then this base model XPS looks rather nice. I would switch the 60GB 7200tpm drive to a 60GB 5400rpm drive to save battery powery and use you HD instead of drive if that is an option. The batttery upgrade is $129 and if you are around outlets all the time it is not much of an issue.


I put in all my upgrades in the link above and it came out to $912. Like PlasticMan says look out for specials as I got my notebook during one of their sales a few weeks ago. usually they will customize the XPS a little and lower the price. You can customize it further as well. My system came out to $906 with shipping and taxes.

I like to have performance so added those items on.

 

[PlasticMan]

When the good deals on laptops (especially the tablets) are advertised, can someone post his/her findings on SDN so that we know it's a great deal? I haven't been keeping my eye out (plus I don't know what is considered an awesome deal) and I'm sure other students would truly appreciate it as well. Thank you for your time and consideration!

Will do.

 

[OSUdoc08]

i am up in the air over which type of laptop to get. Alienware-Area 51, DELL-Inspirion, or HP? your opinion is appreciated.

Dell with Gold Tech Support would be the best bet.

I have a Dell Latitude D600, which is a mirror of the Dell Inspiron m600, and I would highly recommend it.

 

[EastCoaster78]

get youself a tablet. Many hospitals and offices are using them already, and they will probably replace the pocket pc/ palm. by the time you get to clinicals or residency. Might as well get used to using them now.

 

[DORoe]

toshiba m400 tablet pc

 

[PlasticMan]

Are tablets really that great to use for med school? Why not just carry a notebook around and write hand drawn notes in that? I'm curious as to the great advantage here... or if I'm just missing it? 😱

 

[DD214_DOC]

Are tablets really that great to use for med school? Why not just carry a notebook around and write hand drawn notes in that? I'm curious as to the great advantage here... or if I'm just missing it? 😱

You can't view powerpoints or slides, or run software on a notebook. Tablet PCs are going to be huge in medicine. Plus you can make hand-written annotations and stuff on a tablet.

Whoever said it, you might as well go ahead and get one.

 

[Packamylase]

When the good deals on laptops (especially the tablets) are advertised, can someone post his/her findings on SDN so that we know it's a great deal? I haven't been keeping my eye out (plus I don't know what is considered an awesome deal) and I'm sure other students would truly appreciate it as well. Thank you for your time and consideration!

Consider www.slickdeals.net for all your Notebook and Desktop Bargains!

 

[DD214_DOC]

Also checkout some of the non-manufacturer websites such as newegg.com or tigerdirect.com. Sometimes you can find good systems for a decent price.

I wouldn't get an Alienware laptop unless you want to be playing games during lecture. I'm making a conscious decision to get a system that won't handle games. 😀

 

[Medic_9]

You can't view powerpoints or slides, or run software on a notebook. Tablet PCs are going to be huge in medicine. Plus you can make hand-written annotations and stuff on a tablet.

Whoever said it, you might as well go ahead and get one.

You also can make (your own) notes directly onto the slideshow as well. You can digitize your textbooks and have them saved on your tablet = 1 thing to carry intead of 10. There are many wonderful uses for a tablet.

I would recomment checking out user and expert ratings on the different tablets carefully before deciding. Here is one site that you can use to research them. It also has price points and links to retailers. I personally researched my choice like crazy, and picked out exactly what I wanted, then ended up buying mine off of ebay for $200 (CAN) less than any other retailer (including HP) and with more features that I was going to get. My tablet was brand new (not refurbished) and I believe it was just open box. When I recieved it it was in perfect condition and completely sealed. So check out your options.

 

[DD214_DOC]

How do you, "digitize" a textbook?

 

[Medic_9]

How do you, "digitize" a textbook?

One of my textbooks came with a CD with a link to an electronic textbook on it. I just converted it to PDF and saved it on my tablet. If they don't come with a CD (which in my opinion, they better cuz it's the way of the future) you would have to scan it in (Automatic page feeding scanner is the best I hear).

 

[Twitch]

toshiba m400 tablet pc

How do you like it? I had the m200 several years back.

 

[Jamers]

Also checkout some of the non-manufacturer websites such as newegg.com or tigerdirect.com. Sometimes you can find good systems for a decent price.

I wouldn't get an Alienware laptop unless you want to be playing games during lecture. I'm making a conscious decision to get a system that won't handle games. 😀

I highly rec. newegg. I got a lot of my supplies for the last box I built from them.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

IBM T42 or T43... but get whatever with a lot of memory (save lots of audio, powerpoints) and reliable because you don't want something crashing on you. I had some classmates go to Costco and buy some noname stuff that crashed midsemester. And I recommend a 14 in screen and up and lightweight .

I have a T43 and its the baddest ass machine ever.


Except its not IBM anymore, its Lenovo.

 

[UltimateDO]

??? I got rid of my Dell because the battery life was HORRID! I used my Apple iBook G4 every day in class this past year and always got a good 6 hours of battery life.

You have to compare apples to apples (no pun intended). Yes, pre-pentium M processors were power hogs (assuming that's what you had) The apple G4 and G5s were significantly slower than any comperable Intel processor (that's why apple now uses Intel) so of course they are going to use less power. I could get a laptop with a Via processor that gives me 12 hours of batt life but I would be limited as to what I could do with it. What I said originally has been quantitatively measured by independant evaluators.

 

[Richie Truxillo]

Just my thoughts on everything. I am a die-hard PC gamer. I built myself a nice laptop with a 2.8Ghz P4, Radeon 9700 Mobility graphics, 2GB of RAM, 80GB HD....

Well lemme tell ya, even with two 12-cell batteries installed it gets a whopping 2 hours of battery life. Oh and it weighs almost 14 lbs too.
If you are going to use the laptop just to study, get a dell or something from newegg with some nice battery life.

DO NOT go out and snag an Alienware laptop. They are way overpriced (I built mine to spec for $1500 less). If you have to game, just set aside some more money for a nice desktop system with one of those shiny new Radeon X1900 cards. 🙂 But wait, you all shouldn't be playing games!!!! You should be studying for boards!!! Geez, I'm such a bad influence But I reckon a little bit of World of Warcraft, or GTA, or Oblivion never hurt anyone.

All that said, I don't miss working in IT at all. Being in medical school is the shiznit compared to working in a cubicle. Everyday was like Office Space 😉

Happy Gaming and Much love.
-Richie

P.S. I cannot stop looking at Kaikai's avatar pic. It's like...mezmorizing.... 😱

 

[Jamers]

Just my thoughts on everything. I am a die-hard PC gamer. I built myself a nice laptop with a 2.8Ghz P4, Radeon 9700 Mobility graphics, 2GB of RAM, 80GB HD....

Well lemme tell ya, even with two 12-cell batteries installed it gets a whopping 2 hours of battery life. Oh and it weighs almost 14 lbs too.
If you are going to use the laptop just to study, get a dell or something from newegg with some nice battery life.

DO NOT go out and snag an Alienware laptop. They are way overpriced (I built mine to spec for $1500 less). If you have to game, just set aside some more money for a nice desktop system with one of those shiny new Radeon X1900 cards. 🙂 But wait, you all shouldn't be playing games!!!! You should be studying for boards!!! Geez, I'm such a bad influence But I reckon a little bit of World of Warcraft, or GTA, or Oblivion never hurt anyone.

All that said, I don't miss working in IT at all. Being in medical school is the shiznit compared to working in a cubicle. Everyday was like Office Space 😉

Happy Gaming and Much love.
-Richie

P.S. I cannot stop looking at Kaikai's avatar pic. It's like...mezmorizing.... 😱

I would def. go for a tower over a laptop for gaming needs. You can do so much more for a lot less money! I designed my parents computer (120 GB WD 7200 RPM (8MB cache) HDD, 3.7Ghz P4, 8x DVD burner, 52X CD-RW, 1 GB of ram) for around a grand. Of course the monitor, graphics card and a few other things came from my stockpile but, I still would take it over my laptop any day for gaming.