Back to school, need laptop!

JAS104 · 05-21-2012, 07:54

Hey guys,

So I'm finally going back to school in about two weeks. Its going to be entirely online though.
However, I'm not a super tech saavy guy, so looking for a few suggestions.
I doesn't need to game or anything, just handle steaming video, some music, and all the internet stuff I'll need for school. Thanks in advance, guys!

-J

Bushflyr · 05-21-2012, 11:04

If it's entirely online why not get a desktop? More screen real estate, cheaper, upgradable, faster.... The list goes on.

mcf · 05-21-2012, 17:52

Seconding the desktop idea... No matter what performance level you're looking to get, you can get it cheaper with a desktop.

Also, you can easily get a dual-screen setup (which makes researching & writing papers much easier) and you get the comfort of a full-size, normal keyboard and mouse. Sure, you can get those things with a laptop as well, but no matter how you slice it you're going to end up paying more for the same performance.

If you really need portability for some reason (a guy I knew tended bar at a lifeless establishment owned by some rich family; he claimed to get maybe 4-5 customers on a busy Friday or Saturday night. He would bring his laptop with him and do homework while he "worked") then there are a lot of options, and it would be helpful if you could tell us if you would rather have a Windows-based or Mac-based laptop.

JAS104 · 05-22-2012, 06:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcf

Seconding the desktop idea... No matter what performance level you're looking to get, you can get it cheaper with a desktop.

Also, you can easily get a dual-screen setup (which makes researching & writing papers much easier) and you get the comfort of a full-size, normal keyboard and mouse. Sure, you can get those things with a laptop as well, but no matter how you slice it you're going to end up paying more for the same performance.

If you really need portability for some reason (a guy I knew tended bar at a lifeless establishment owned by some rich family; he claimed to get maybe 4-5 customers on a busy Friday or Saturday night. He would bring his laptop with him and do homework while he "worked") then there are a lot of options, and it would be helpful if you could tell us if you would rather have a Windows-based or Mac-based laptop.

I was leaning towards a Windows based PC rather than a Mac. More because of price range than anything else. I think a desktop would be the best bet, but I'd be sacrificing mobility. Only places I would really be taking it would be maybe when I go up north to visit my parents, or maybe if I go on vacation.

Bushflyr · 05-22-2012, 10:58

You go on vacation to get away from the school work. Any more a laptop is too much extra weight to carry even my 12" Powermac G4 was given to a friend because it was too heavy to add to an already overweight rollaboard.

With the money you save by getting a desktop you can get a Google Nexus tablet for travel and have the best of both worlds.

JAS104 · 05-22-2012, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushflyr

You go on vacation to get away from the school work. Any more a laptop is too much extra weight to carry even my 12" Powermac G4 was given to a friend because it was too heavy to add to an already overweight rollaboard.

With the money you save by getting a desktop you can get a Google Nexus tablet for travel and have the best of both worlds.

Why haven't I thought of that? I'll get a desktop for sure, and maybee a tablet if I'm going on vacation or something. Any suggestions for a good desktop? I was thinking a Dell.

captainstormy · 05-22-2012, 12:34

Desktop + Tablet is IMO the best way to go these days unless your one of the very small number of people who really need a laptop. Mainly I'm talking about people who actually use a computer to work on and have to travel for a living.

You would have to pull the trigger fairly soon (possibly today) but Woot has a couple of nice desktops for sale right now.

http://sellout.woot.com/sale/hp-pavi...core-desktop-3

http://moofi.woot.com/moofi/juicedreport

These particular models are refurbished but I've always had good luck with them.

You can keep an eye on woot, they often have good computer deals. Some of them are new and some are refurbished. They have tablets also from time to time.

Bushflyr · 05-22-2012, 12:39

I'd say build your own, but you don't seem bent that way. And both of the ones above are pretty sweet deals.

JAS104 · 05-22-2012, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainstormy

Desktop + Tablet is IMO the best way to go these days unless your one of the very small number of people who really need a laptop. Mainly I'm talking about people who actually use a computer to work on and have to travel for a living.

You would have to pull the trigger fairly soon (possibly today) but Woot has a couple of nice desktops for sale right now.

http://sellout.woot.com/sale/hp-pavi...core-desktop-3

http://moofi.woot.com/moofi/juicedreport

These particular models are refurbished but I've always had good luck with them.

You can keep an eye on woot, they often have good computer deals. Some of them are new and some are refurbished. They have tablets also from time to time.

You're the best, thanks a lot.
Have you ever used Newegg.com? I'm seeing some stuff. I just can't imagine a desktop coming in the mail lol..

captainstormy · 05-22-2012, 13:14

Newegg is a great site and gets stupid amounts of my money.

I've never ordered a whole desktop from them as I just build my own but I've gotten some pretty big orders in the past and haven't had problems.

If you have any tech savy friends building your own desktop is always the best bet. You will get a better quality desktop tailor built to your needs cheaper. If not, it isn't that hard to do really.

You might find some local mom and pop PC shops that will custom build you a PC as well, I know of a few in Columbus that get prices to be not much more than I could buy the parts for myself. Its another good option for less tech savy people.

For pre builds, I've always had better experiences with HPs and IBMs than Dells or gateways (not that I've seen a gateway in a while). I don't have much experience with other brands.

Taphius · 05-23-2012, 06:33

techbargians.com. Dell vostros laptop/destop combo would work well for under 1k if you wont be doing any gaming. http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/299442 and http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/299452 (vostros laptop seems to not be on sale atm)

JAS104 · 05-23-2012, 06:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainstormy

Newegg is a great site and gets stupid amounts of my money.

I've never ordered a whole desktop from them as I just build my own but I've gotten some pretty big orders in the past and haven't had problems.

If you have any tech savy friends building your own desktop is always the best bet. You will get a better quality desktop tailor built to your needs cheaper. If not, it isn't that hard to do really.

You might find some local mom and pop PC shops that will custom build you a PC as well, I know of a few in Columbus that get prices to be not much more than I could buy the parts for myself. Its another good option for less tech savy people.

For pre builds, I've always had better experiences with HPs and IBMs than Dells or gateways (not that I've seen a gateway in a while). I don't have much experience with other brands.

I live near the University of Penn, so unfortunately any computer shops around me are like, INSANE expensive lol, So i might need to stick to online. I've been reading up on how to build one... doesn't seem too too hard. But then it's not something I've ever done before. But looks like I need a...
Motherboard
CPU + fan
RAM
A case with a power supply
Hard Drive
Monitor
Speakers
Then an operating system.
I mean, doesn't look too too bad. But then there was some crazy instructions like, don't do this on a carpet, and connect this with that but not before this or BOOM its fried.
If computers were like guns, I'd be Bill freakin Gates lol.

Taphius · 05-23-2012, 07:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAS104

I live near the University of Penn, so unfortunately any computer shops around me are like, INSANE expensive lol, So i might need to stick to online. I've been reading up on how to build one... doesn't seem too too hard. But then it's not something I've ever done before. But looks like I need a...
Motherboard
CPU + fan
RAM
A case with a power supply
Hard Drive
Monitor
Speakers
Then an operating system.
I mean, doesn't look too too bad. But then there was some crazy instructions like, don't do this on a carpet, and connect this with that but not before this or BOOM its fried.
If computers were like guns, I'd be Bill freakin Gates lol.

Building for a budget level rig usually is not worth it, since the os is going to be 20% or so of the cost (unless you happen to get a student discount). You wont be saving any money or getting a much better computer by doing so. Building a rig to save money and pick components is usually for higher end rigs.

JAS104 · 05-23-2012, 12:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taphius

Building for a budget level rig usually is not worth it, since the os is going to be 20% or so of the cost (unless you happen to get a student discount). You wont be saving any money or getting a much better computer by doing so. Building a rig to save money and pick components is usually for higher end rigs.

Think i should just grab a dell, then?
Theyve got a thing goin on now for students, purchase any dell for $599 or more and get a $200 dell gift card, just need to verify your student email address

captainstormy · 05-23-2012, 12:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taphius

Building for a budget level rig usually is not worth it, since the os is going to be 20% or so of the cost (unless you happen to get a student discount). You wont be saving any money or getting a much better computer by doing so. Building a rig to save money and pick components is usually for higher end rigs.

That's probably true. I usually don't built budget rigs. Most college students can get their OS for free or atleast very cheap, through their school.

Taphius · 05-23-2012, 13:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAS104

Think i should just grab a dell, then?
Theyve got a thing goin on now for students, purchase any dell for $599 or more and get a $200 dell gift card, just need to verify your student email address

For your use, yeah I would just buy a pre-built. One from any of the major manufacturers would be good for any warranty issues. Any level Intel computer they have will meet your needs easily, or an Amd A6 or above processor The dell vostros 3350 for 539 (with 100$ giftcard) would make an excellent laptop. http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/299449 Then use the $100 gc toward a desktop when it arrives if they allow it. Or just get the vostros 260 with monitor for $499 that I posted earlier

Detectorist · 05-23-2012, 23:52

Whatever you get, make sure you obtain the nicest monitor you can afford. It will help prevent eyestrain.