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A Couple College Laptop Questions

post #1 of 6
5/2/08 at 8:53pm
Thread Starter 
Hi, I have a question about buying a laptop...which I know you're probably all sick of hearing, but I would like some advice on specific parts, and their importance in general, if you wouldn't mind, or are bored and looking for somewhere to practice typing or something

I am a junior in high school, and will be going to college not this fall, but next...meaning 2009. I am wondering if I should buy a laptop at the end of the summer, after saving up money, or if I should wait until the last possible time because of prices, and because once the laptop is bought, the technology may not last as long.

<i>If I do</i> get a laptop at the end of this summer, 2008, I am debating between a Dell, and a Gateway. Here are the Dell stats I picked out:
Jet Black

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7250 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)

Genuine Windows Vista ® Home Premium Edition

High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch display (1440x900)

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100

4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz

Size: 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)

CD / DVD Writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)

Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini-Card

Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate)

Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam

56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)

ExpressCard Sound Blaster X-Fi® Xtreme Audio Sound Card

It's a pretty smoking looking machine to me, and the total price after everything (meaning Office Suite, Tax, etc. ) is $1,344.07

That is a ton of money for me, but I'm pretty sure I can work hard and get that much saved up...convincing my parents I should spend 1400 dollars on a laptop, however might be a different issue...and I haven't quite convinced myself either.

The Gateway I am looking at is here:http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529667913.php

The only reason I'm really considering this Gateway is because it comes with a dedicated 256 video card. And this brings me to my question-is it worth it to pay more for a video card, and if so should I save up and get an Nvidia? Dell also offers Nvidia graphics, but it would probably be one to two hundred dollars more, and it is a 17 inch screen instead of a 15.4 in.

I'm a semi-techie guy, and have tried out Linux a little bit, but for the most part, I would probably use this laptop for school kinds of things. (Word documents, maybe some computer classes, Possible photo editing, if I do some photography etc.), and am thinking that practically any machine would get me by. I don't want to be a preppy, look at me, I spent so much money on my laptop, spoiled kid, but I want to have a good machine, and all these parts add up quickly!

My other question is about processors. Is it worth is to spend $100 more to get a 2.0GHz/800Mhz or save my money and get a 1.83GHz/667Mhz or even less. I'm leaning towards getting the 1.83 because I don't think I need the absolute greatest or anything like that. I just want a good laptop that will last me for a long time as technology changes and everything. Also, is the Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini-Card good? I've heard somewhere that Linux users may need a different card or something. I'm not too worried about it, but if anyone knows offhand that would be great. Anyways, thank you for all your help, and for bearing with me on this long post...I know its not the most interesting, but I'm a little shady about how much I need to spend. I mean, I could probably take that same laptop and get it somewhere closer to $1000, which might be better. In the long run though, I'm thinking its better to get at least the core things, like processor and maybe RAM etc. in decent shape for the years to come. Anyways, thanks again for all the help!
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post #2 of 6
5/3/08 at 9:06pm
Well to answer your first question...Don't buy it until you really need it because technology advances so fast and loses value even faster.
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post #3 of 6
5/3/08 at 11:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Artek View Post
Well to answer your first question...Don't buy it until you really need it because technology advances so fast and loses value even faster.
agreed. By June 2009 or so, there will be entirely new architectures being used by both major CPU companies (code-named Nehalem for Intel and Fusion for AMD) that should make pretty much everything before them instantly obsolete. So keep an eye on the market and wait until then.
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post #4 of 6
5/4/08 at 1:49am
I agree with the above, wait until you need it to buy, for the exact reason that Djembe stated.

Also, as a rule of thumb for me, in regards to buying a laptop, is to max out the things that aren't easily (or can't be) changed (CPU, videocard, Bluetooth if you want it, LCD screen if desired, and hard drive depending on if you want to keep the *cringe* stock install of Windows) and skimp out on things that you can easily change out, and usually for cheaper (memory is the big one, hard drive if you didn't choose to max it out initially, and wireless).

The things I mentioned above will definitely save you money, as most OEMs tend to overcharge for some parts (Dell, at one point, offered 8GB of RAM for the Precision M6300 17" laptop for $9,999 and I wish I was exaggerating) and that can vary, between virtually nothing, to hundreds of dollars. You would save yourself money, and end up with a much better machine because of it.

But, again, like the others have said, wait until you need it to get it.
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post #5 of 6
5/5/08 at 2:50pm
Waiting may be the hardest part, but it's the smartest.

If this laptop is just going to be used for school work drop the ram to 2GB, get rid of the X-Fi Express card. You don't need either for school work and the X-Fi isn't going to make music sound much better than it is. You'll also want to try and get a 9 cell battery instead of the 6 cell.

If you're looking at doing some gaming on the laptop, you're going to have to reconsider that intel video card on the Dell. Otherwise you're fine.

The Gateway looks like an ok machine for school work, but you can't customize the hardware in those Gateway in the box laptops (other than adding things like an additional 9 cell battery and software). Be warned!

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post #6 of 6
5/5/08 at 11:33pm
Wait until you need it. Also, check out your campus's computer store - they usually get steep academic discounts (we're selling a MacBook Pro for $1500 right now).

My suggestion is to buy a cheap (but well-built) and light laptop to bring to class (I love my Eee but some people need a bigger screen) and spend the rest of the money on a desktop. Since laptops are outdated so quickly, unless you want to spend a couple thousand every couple years, it's better to meet your mobile needs with a cheap and light computer (it's only used for notes and web anyways) and have your desktop be the power computer (it's got a bigger screen, it's cheaper for the performance, and easier to upgrade).
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