What laptop are you getting??

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BCLumas said:
Ok, everyone. I will try to help everyone out here the best I can. I am a semi-computer geek (i.e., I built my own), but I will try and help with the laptop conundrum we have here.

Tablet PC
What is a this "Tablet PC" everyone is talking about? Very simple. Wikipedia states that a "Tablet PC is a notebook or slate-shaped mobile computer popularized by Microsoft. Its touchscreen or graphics tablet/screen hybrid technology allows the user to operate the computer with a stylus or digital pen, or a fingertip, instead of a keyboard or a mouse. The form factor offers a more mobile way to interact with a computer. Tablet PCs are often used where normal notebooks are impractical or unwieldy, or do not provide the needed functionality." In other words, it is a very large Palm Pilot. The use of a Tablet PC (TPC) offers a great deal of functionality in the way of note taking. Students using this program can scribble down notes in a sort of free-hand fashion. The benefit to this as opposed to typing is simple: no <DELETE> key. Generally, while handwriting, people do not misspell or have the time to correct their errors. While typing, however, it is commonplace to correct grammar/spelling errors on the spot, especially when there is the red/green squiggles beneath them. The downside: their design. Although novel, many TPCs are small in order to be practical. They generally have acceptable specs in terms of processor speed, disc space, and memory, but higher end models can cost upwards of $3000, or more. If you are looking to purchase a TPC, I suggest looking at sites such as www.tigerdirect.com or www.newegg.com. They generally have great prices for many top of the line computer parts and accessories. For example, I found this nice TPC at NewEgg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220243.


Laptop (Non-Mac)
Admittedly, this is where the vast majority of computer owners end up. The problem arises when they try to purchase the wrong type of laptop (and yes, there is a wrong type). Laptops can be broken down into several categories which I will attempt to make up on the spot: media, gaming, word-processing, leisure, and business. I am sure you could add/subtract/divide (multiply?) this list more, but we'll just go with that.

If you are looking for anything under the classification of "Media" I would go with a Macintosh laptop. Although I loathe for reasons which I will state later, they have amazing sets of software that provide some of the best video/photo editing mechanisms on the market. You would have to fork out several thousands of dollars in order to beat the Mac, and that is not really necessary.

Gaming laptops, in my opinion, are what many people SHOULD use, but do not use. Gaming laptops are designed with high-processing power, high memory, and great resolution. They are designed to play some of the newest, most spec-demanding games on the market. Why should you invest in this? A gaming machine will allow for faster load times and better resolution when viewing pictures (especially those ones put up in lecture for Anatomy or OMM). BE CAREFUL! If you do not know what you are doing or what specs to look for in a gaming laptop, I do not advise purchasing one. Price does not always reflect the quality of the machine for YOUR specific needs. If you try this route, remember to dumb down the quality of your video and sound cards (if your model has that ability) so that you are not stuck with something like a NVidia Mobility 8600 GT that you will NEVER need.

A word-processing laptop can be anything and everything you will ever need in medical school. It will provide you with all of the necessary programs (PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, etc...) and not hurt your pocketbook much at all. In fact, I would guess that you could get it for approximately $199 if you shop around. You could even invest an additional $80 for an external hard drive to store all of your files you get from lecture, thus never cluttering your main hard drive and always having free space.

The leisure laptop is the one most people have in their possession now. This laptop can do all of the functions of all of the other laptops, just not that well. Like the saying goes: a jack of all trades, but a master of none. It will out-preform many of the other laptops in select areas, and will not generally hurt your pocket-book at all. Make sure when you are customizing this (if you go to a site like www.dell.com) that you only put in components that you need. Upgrading the video card may be unnecessary, but adding a wireless adapter may be required.

The business laptop, for all intents and purposes, is just another leisure laptop that is more geared towards processing. This can process a lot faster, store more information, but lacks (sometimes drastically) in the graphics department. It does cost more, and usually runs Vista Business, which does NOT have any games on it (that's right.. no Minesweeper). Just make sure you look at all of its components and gauge it against the leisure machine to ensure the best fit for you.


Laptop (Mac)
I despise the Apple company. I do not like iPods or the Mac and I never will. Most of it has to do with its "upgrade-ability" and overall usage. While I mentioned that it does have fantastic video and photo editing capabilities, it can hardly do any of the other necessary functions compared to regular PC-oriented machines. Their performance is EXTREMELY lacking per dollar. In other words, in order to get a Mac that can process normal functions and programs at the same or better speed than its PC-based counterpart, you would have to shell out a lot more money. Not only that, but Macs are hardly upgradeable, if at all. With a laptop, there will almost always be a few key upgrades that you can make as your laptop ages of the four years of school in order to keep it up to speed before you sell it for a newer model, but the Mac will always be the same. If there is an upgrade, I have generally found it to be either impossible to install alone or cost all of your fingers and half of your toes. It is all up to you, however. If you feel that that Mac is best for you, then by all means, use it.


Processor Type
A quick note about processors. When purchasing a laptop, do NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT (and this is not a form of repeating double-negatives, instead a major emphasis) get a Celeron processor from Intel. While Intel is definitely starting to out-perform AMD, especially on the Mobile-level, the Celeron can be equated to Celery: stringy and tasteless. If it costs you an additional $100, $200, or even $1000, make sure that you do NOT get a Celeron. I do not know if they are being made anymore, I would just tell you to not get it. It is a terrible PoS processor that you will regret getting instantly.



I hope that I helped out, even just a little. I wasted about 37 minutes typing this lengthy note, so I am going to go rest my fingers and play some Super Mario Galaxy (yes, I own a Wii, wanna fight about it?). If you have any other questions, please feel free to let me know. Also, remember that this is YOUR laptop, not mine, nor anyone else's. Ultimately, you should purchase the machine that you feel most comfortable with and most compatible with. Make sure that you spend a couple of weeks (and I mean 1 or 2 solid weeks) understanding how your particular laptop works, especially if it is a model you've never used before. Make sure you know how to connect to the internet, both hard-wired and wireless.

Have a great day!
<3
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spoken like a true windows man here......
 
Hahahaha! No... I personally like the user-interface of Linux/Unix, but I am too lazy to pirate the software, too busy to ninja it, and to poor to buy a legit copy. Vista is just a silly rehash of Os 10 (Mac) with the Microsoft label slathered on it. The upside to windows is that it plays the limit as x approaches 0 of (1/x) of games made today. It is also mostly user-friendly, although that is more common with XP than Vista. Vista, in a nut shell, sucks. I wish I were better with program manipulation than with computer manipulation because I would just run XP 64-bit and get some hax that allow me to use DX-10.. which might not even be possible (yet?).

As of right now I am trying to get into the whole... software.. business. I am currently trying to get a mod-chip installed in my Wii. That way I will be able to play many of the.. imports.. that I would not be otherwise able to play.

Innuendos and subtleties need not be stated ^.^

<3


PS.. Ninjas > Pirates.. let's just all agree..
 
sexyman said:
Is your Lenovo widescreen? If not does that bother you?
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I have a thinkpad... 15.4' widescreen, built for gaming. No problems with it at all. My dad works for IBM tho but all the comp. science geeks say thinkpad is the way to go 👍
 
Jpc.. I would use that if I had the patience to never hit <Delete>... ^.^

Bump for someone asking about laptops in another thread!
 
As a former Dell owner and current Mac owner, I have to recommend that you do not get a PC. Windows is problematic, and you will spend lots of money on repairs to both hardware and software. Mac's are worry-free and much easier to use.

It is irrelevant which you get for med school compatability, as you can get Microsoft Office for Mac.
 
I agree, but a Dell laptop is not the same as a PC-based Laptop. I personally do not like the way that Dell builds their systems.. blah blah blah. Anywho. Macs are not bad, per se, just a lot more pricey than their PC-based counterparts. ^.^
 
Are tablet pc's more laggy than laptops (on average) or are they equally as fast.
 
All the students at DCOM get tablet PCs as part of their first year tuition and fees, and they absolutely love them, from what I can tell. I havent heard anyone complain about them yet at least. I've got an iBook with OSX 10.x on it, and am doing my best to get a new macbook before school starts next semester. I know I'll be getting the tablet, but I just really love the macs and the ease of use that they come with. Especially for graphic stuff like movies and pictures. Its just so much easier to plug and play with mac than with anything I've ever used PC based. Plus they just look cool and I can get Microsoft Office as well as Parallels which will allow the user to actually boot up in windows and run windows on the mac if need be. It only works with the new Intel brained macs though.
 
I just picked up a Macbook myself and will be using it next year. I wanted to get away from Windows and so far I've been pretty happy with it. I have Microsoft Office on here so I figured that I'll be all set.
 
rose351 said:
All the students at DCOM get tablet PCs as part of their first year tuition and fees, and they absolutely love them, from what I can tell. I havent heard anyone complain about them yet at least. I've got an iBook with OSX 10.x on it, and am doing my best to get a new macbook before school starts next semester. I know I'll be getting the tablet, but I just really love the macs and the ease of use that they come with. Especially for graphic stuff like movies and pictures. Its just so much easier to plug and play with mac than with anything I've ever used PC based. Plus they just look cool and I can get Microsoft Office as well as Parallels which will allow the user to actually boot up in windows and run windows on the mac if need be. It only works with the new Intel brained macs though.
Click to expand...

That's funny Rose, I have a new MacBook (my baby) and I was afraid I would have to give it up for a PC because some schools have weird requirements about computers. I didn't know that DCOM gives you a tablet! That's awesome! Go to the apple store ASAP and get a new Mac . . . the new OSX (leopard) will rock your world! 😉
 
I am waiting a few months for the macbook- I heard they are coming out with a titanium one.
 
sexyman said:
I am waiting a few months for the macbook- I heard they are coming out with a titanium one.
Click to expand...

yep, its true. new gun-metal looking macbooks on january 8th. Hopefully th long-rumored tablet mac will arrive as well!
 
Jwalker9 said:
yep, its true. new gun-metal looking macbooks on january 8th. Hopefully th long-rumored tablet mac will arrive as well!
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I thought that the mac tablet was actually not a mac, but a modbook. Made by a third party company to run mac operating systems.
 
mastamark said:
I thought that the mac tablet was actually not a mac, but a modbook. Made by a third party company to run mac operating systems.
Click to expand...

yeah, the modbook has been out for a while now and is just a modified macbook made into a tablet. It is a third party product. But the rumors are that a real apple tablet is gonna hit at macworld in january. Who knows for certain, but im a mac junky and all the sites i read feel really confident about a touchscreen tablet coming out.
 
Tablet from DCOM... if I choose to go there...

if not... hmmm, oh the choices (not a mac though!)
 
prionsRbad said:
That's funny Rose, I have a new MacBook (my baby) and I was afraid I would have to give it up for a PC because some schools have weird requirements about computers. I didn't know that DCOM gives you a tablet! That's awesome! Go to the apple store ASAP and get a new Mac . . . the new OSX (leopard) will rock your world! 😉
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Oh trust me, I would if I had the dollars. In a heart beat. I've been trying to determine if my budget would work with the payment plan. I want one soooo bad. A black one. But if this tablet/touch screen macbook comes out I wont be able to not get one. Thats just too cool 🙂
 
So I was just hanging out at the dell tablet site that mastamark posted earlier....I am a complete mac person but I might get this one for med school/work -- since most hospital's i've seen use no Mac's and then keep my mac's for home and personal use. Now I just need to save up for that one next summer!!!!!

HD
 
HrvatskiDoktor said:
So I was just hanging out at the dell tablet site that mastamark posted earlier....I am a complete mac person but I might get this one for med school/work -- since most hospital's i've seen use no Mac's and then keep my mac's for home and personal use. Now I just need to save up for that one next summer!!!!!

HD
Click to expand...

After posting that link I have heard a couple of possible issues around that dell model. Apparently you can touch the screen without the pen/stylus. I guess that is a bad thing because you couldn't rest your hand on it and could mess up and lose work. I think an ideal tablet is supposed to have something called active digitzer or something like that. You only want the pen to work I guess.

I did get excited about Dell though. Been a satisfied customer for the past 10 or so years. The quality of tech support(on the phone) has declined over time though.
 
mastamark said:
After posting that link I have heard a couple of possible issues around that dell model. Apparently you can touch the screen without the pen/stylus. I guess that is a bad thing because you couldn't rest your hand on it and could mess up and lose work. I think an ideal tablet is supposed to have something called active digitzer or something like that. You only want the pen to work I guess.

I did get excited about Dell though. Been a satisfied customer for the past 10 or so years. The quality of tech support(on the phone) has declined over time though.
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It sounds like a good model would have both, but you can turn off the "no stylus" function when you want.
 
That Dell tablet has a $2500 base model price? HA! no way. Thats even rich for my Apple-loving blood.
 
For those that already have a tablet pc, how do you study? Do you look at the screen and study or do you print out your notes? I am very interested in getting one but do not know if I could or would want to constantly look and stare at the screen...
 
I was thinking of getting one until I was in class the other day. The girl next to me had a macbook pro and was absolutely smoking me while I was struggling to write everything the prof said with my paper and pen.

She was even IMing in addition to catching all the notes and I was still behind. I dont know, doesnt seem like I would be any better with a tablet. Also I hate my handwriting and need to re-type everything anyway. So I might as well type it to begin with.
 
rose351 said:
You know its not free, right? It comes out of your first year fees. Oh, wait... was I supposed to say that?... Oops...
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Ya know, I realized that after talking to some students after my interview! They totally made it seem like it was a gift! Anyhoo, I definitely won't be attending DMU (didn't get in), so now I'm all about the "free" tablet that you get at LMU! :laugh:
 
sexyman - the tablets have a keyboard just like a normal laptop the benefit would be if you needed to draw structures or other kinds of notes you could right along with typing notes.
 
ShyRem said:
I have a Palm and an iPaq. I don't use them for notes, but I DO use them a LOT for studying ppts on the go (I have a family so this is an easy way for me to squeeze in time when we're shopping, waiting for kids to get done in the bathroom, out for dinner, standing in line, etc.). So the file transfer to the pda is really key. And according to the pda and MS sites, there is no word on when the bridge software will be complete.

Bummer. Looks like OneNote 2007 is worth a good look... but I just can't face sacrificing either the study time or the family time.
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Does it have to do with the file format? I know by default the latest Office 2007 saves in .docx/.pptx format, but you can also change the default formats to .doc/.ppt which are compatible for Office 97-2003. This way you can enjoy the convenient ribbon layout of the new Office 2007 as well as have the latest OneNote. =)
 
updating thread....

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prionsRbad said:
Ya know, I realized that after talking to some students after my interview! They totally made it seem like it was a gift! Anyhoo, I definitely won't be attending DMU (didn't get in), so now I'm all about the "free" tablet that you get at LMU! :laugh:
Click to expand...
Hahaha, woo hoo for DCOM!! Dont worry about DMU, we're better anyways.... 😉
 
mnagali said:
Does it have to do with the file format? I know by default the latest Office 2007 saves in .docx/.pptx format, but you can also change the default formats to .doc/.ppt which are compatible for Office 97-2003. This way you can enjoy the convenient ribbon layout of the new Office 2007 as well as have the latest OneNote. =)
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Would you lose the features that are unique to office 2007? I know in the past that "save as prior version" wouldn't take advantage of the stuff the new version had to offer....
 
ShyRem said:
Would you lose the features that are unique to office 2007? I know in the past that "save as prior version" wouldn't take advantage of the stuff the new version had to offer....
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I'm honestly not entirely sure either what unique Office 2007 features were except for the new layout... it crossed my mind, but as I understood it, that didn't matter because you were interested in the latest version of OneNote, while having a compatible version of office for your PDA to study powerpoints n stuff.
 
ShyRem said:
Would you lose the features that are unique to office 2007? I know in the past that "save as prior version" wouldn't take advantage of the stuff the new version had to offer....
Click to expand...

what i love about word 2007 is that you can add in references. all you do is enter in authors name and so forth and it will type out the actual works cited for you. You can choose from different formats such as APA, etc.

it will automatically stick in citations for you and formulate a bibliography page at the end of the document!!! where was this when i was in undergrad? 🙂
 
"As a former Dell owner and current Mac owner, I have to recommend that you do not get a PC. Windows is problematic, and you will spend lots of money on repairs to both hardware and software. Mac's are worry-free and much easier to use.

It is irrelevant which you get for med school compatability, as you can get Microsoft Office for Mac."


This is not always the case. My family and most of my friends only use PCs, and the only problems anybody has really encountered have been their own fault, and not that of the PC (e.g. spilling liquids on the computer, downloading stuff from crappy P2P programs, etc.).
 
doinmybest5840 said:
"As a former Dell owner and current Mac owner, I have to recommend that you do not get a PC. Windows is problematic, and you will spend lots of money on repairs to both hardware and software. Mac's are worry-free and much easier to use.

It is irrelevant which you get for med school compatability, as you can get Microsoft Office for Mac."


This is not always the case. My family and most of my friends only use PCs, and the only problems anybody has really encountered have been their own fault, and not that of the PC (e.g. spilling liquids on the computer, downloading stuff from crappy P2P programs, etc.).
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Agreed!

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JixbzFjv_cU[/YOUTUBE]
 
gasapple said:
Me, too - Lenovo T61 or some variant.
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Yep..I currently have the t61 and it is a dream...I would go for the x61 this time around because it is much smaller and more portable

doinmybest5840 said:
"As a former Dell owner and current Mac owner, I have to recommend that you do not get a PC. Windows is problematic, and you will spend lots of money on repairs to both hardware and software. Mac's are worry-free and much easier to use.



It is irrelevant which you get for med school compatability, as you can get Microsoft Office for Mac."





This is not always the case. My family and most of my friends only use PCs, and the only problems anybody has really encountered have been their own fault, and not that of the PC (e.g. spilling liquids on the computer, downloading stuff from crappy P2P programs, etc.).
Click to expand...



I also agree...i also believe macs are way overpriced for the performance they can offer



PC's have been fine. it is the user who is having the problems
 
TV09 said:
For those that already have a tablet pc, how do you study? Do you look at the screen and study or do you print out your notes? I am very interested in getting one but do not know if I could or would want to constantly look and stare at the screen...
Click to expand...

I personally do study off my tablet, b/c that's where I write/type all my notes (directly onto the OneNote files). Everyday in study group, we all just go over our notes, so yes I do just scroll down the pages as we talk them over. Other people in my study group do this with their paper handouts that they wrote on.

I love my tablet and honestly even if I just used the tablet part for Anatomy I would spend the money on it again. Just being able to have a huge diagram with different colors made a world of difference compared to people next to me with 4 slides on a page scribbling with their pens on a teeny tiny diagram, so by the end you couldn't even read anything anymore! I have an Asus tablet and I really love it 😍
 
LisaMD said:
I have an Asus tablet and I really love it 😍
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I guarantee you that you would love your tablet more if it was a Thinkpad x61! 😛
 

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Jwalker9 said:
That Dell tablet has a $2500 base model price? HA! no way. Thats even rich for my Apple-loving blood.
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I wish I had money to burn...
def. best tablet I've seen so far

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsxyhc_VnPA[/YOUTUBE]
 
To those of you going to NYCOM (not sure about other schools): If you are thinking about getting a Mac, it HAS to have XP on it, or you cannot stream. The streaming software does not work on Macs (windows media player). I know some people who have just put XP on it and switch between operating systems (not sure how this works, but it's doable). I know some people that just pay really good attention in class and don't stream at all. Either way, it's really worth it to be able to stream videos, so just make sure that you have this capability.
 
KateGia said:
To those of you going to NYCOM (not sure about other schools): If you are thinking about getting a Mac, it HAS to have XP on it, or you cannot stream. The streaming software does not work on Macs (windows media player). I know some people who have just put XP on it and switch between operating systems (not sure how this works, but it's doable). I know some people that just pay really good attention in class and don't stream at all. Either way, it's really worth it to be able to stream videos, so just make sure that you have this capability.
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You can get windows media player for mac. There is no need to "switch operating systems."
 
yeah just download flip4mac and you can play .wmv files on a mac
 
Jwalker9 said:
yeah just download flip4mac and you can play .wmv files on a mac
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these are streaming files, which is different from .wmv files. Mediasite is known to have issues with mac users
 
Jae said:
I wish I had money to burn...
def. best tablet I've seen so far

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsxyhc_VnPA[/YOUTUBE]
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That Dell is cool. I might consider getting that one over the Lenovo.
 
mastamark said:
That Dell is cool. I might consider getting that one over the Lenovo.
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the lenovo is slimmer and lighter, plus they are the most sturdy notebooks around, other than panasonic toughbooks of course
 
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