Aesthetic laptop, high capacity, good value..?

[ellarella]

Hello,

I am going to University in September and was looking for some advice on a good laptop to buy...

I initially wanted the black macbook, however have been told that it is better to buy the white one and then manually fit it with the bigger hard drive/capacity..(I can't remember, but pretty much give it the same spec as the black).

Various friends have tried to put me off this choice saying that it is a money waster's laptop (in so many words) but as I constantly use my flatmate's and my boyfriend's mac books I like feeling safe in the knowledge that there is enough memory for all my music and movies and coursework, I have an iPod, lots of photos ... I like the compatability of the macbook with the aforementioned...

ANOTHER shameful factor is that the black macbook is pleasing on the eyes... The white aren't to my taste...

�900 is a lot of money though, and when I have tried to shop around for others I have not known where to start! I don't understand computers, but I do know that I want something light, attractive etc. (previously mentioned)
That isn't going to cost a proverbial arm and a leg to buy & then to fix...

Do you have any recommendations re: my specifications OR if you disagree, just some advice would be helpful...?

Thank you!

Ellarella

[Ethel]

Firstly you've got to decide if you want a Mac, a pc or a linux based machine.

It is impossible to recommend otherwise - most people are usually firmly in the Mac camp or the PC camp and both groups argue theirs is best.

[ellarella]

I am not in either, this will be my first laptop...!

What is linux?!

:)

[Ethel]

It is a free operating system (an operating system is what makes the machine work - think Windows XP or Vista) that is sold with a limited number of machines - Dell sell some Linux laptops, as do Asus.

Because it is free it keeps the costs down.

[ellarella]

And are linux systems reliable?

It's between the chic macs or the WIndows.. I think

[Ethel]

You need to make a list of your requirements:

Screen size - do you want a big machine that is easy to look at but could be awkward to carry around; or a little screen so you can carry it around very easily

Speed and performance - what are you going to do with it? Do you intend playing high performance top end games or just surf the web, play music and dvds and use a word processor?

Applications - must you run certain applications such as iTunes or software to manage your gadgets?

Hard drive size is a factor but hard drives are getting cheaper by the week, and a portable external hard drive is quite inexpensive now.

Looks - my groovy friends claim the Sony Vaio is a looker, but as I am an old bag, I know nothing of fashion.

[Ethel]

Are you familiar with the Windows environment - XP or Vista?

If so, you have used both. Which one do you prefer to use?

[ChuckFickens]

Ellarella

Can you afford the mac book comfortably? if you can and that is what you are used to using and you are happy with it and everything you can do with it then go for the macbook.

Just be aware many companies (such as interner service providers) will either not offer any support for macs or offer very limited support for macs as they simply won't have any staff that understand them to give support. Depending on which course you are doing there may be a chance you will be expected to use software that might only be available for windows. and you also won't be able to, errr, how shall we say... borrow! software from other people so readily.

But that said the are nice computers to look at and for photo editing, movie editing and the such they do have the edge over windows PC's

P.S. nice name you have.

[ellarella]

WOW!

Screen size - medium sized (within the portable bracket)

Speed - Surf web/Music/Photos/Word Processing etc... NOT games.

Applications - yes to itunes and others for gadgets

sony vaio is quite a looker - I agree!

I think it may come down to whether the mac software is actually any good, I understand that they cannot get hacked/viruses, but they seem pretty newly established in comparison to windows..!

Thanks Ethel

[ellarella]

Thanks ChuckFickens... as do you? haha.

Very helpful. I am doing an Eng w/ American Lit course and so have no need for things like quark or qbase etc... nothing fuddy duddy really.

I can afford it as am working full time, but it means that things are tight...!

[ellarella]

I think that I prefer Vista, although that is a relatively uninformed answer, since I have used both minimally.

[Ethel]

Then PC is the way to go. It will be more standard with your coursework and your student colleagues.

Now, the rest of it to decide. :)

We're getting somewhere at last

[ellarella]

Excellent! :)

[ACtheTROLL]

ell

the biggest factors you should think about are
what (if any) software is used by your course tutors?

as in another thread ... the majority of content is produced for windows by windows - if you're asked to submit work on disc --- you'll be stuffed! - and the same could be the case if you are given electronic info - or want to swap stuff with classmates.

mac is mainly used (seriously) by creatives ... because it always has been ... so the graphic design, photography etc etc will probably (although even they are moving to PC) use mac.

If it's not specified ... assume windows.
if you are certain that all you'll need to submit will be printed ... it doesn't matter.

but if you think ... the machine will be one of your main tools ... not a fashion accessory.

also you need to think about the desirability of the kit you'll be carrying ... and keeping in your room (assuming going away means going away! - in which case your flatmate won't be any longer and ..... well uni should change you or it's a waste of time going).

halls are bad enough ... but when you get out into bedsit land ... everyone knows that student accommodation is bursting with all the latest goodies - you won't be able to move for scallies and their shopping trolleys.

I'd say get something cheap ... insured ... and keep it out of sight

[ellarella]

Brilliant! Any recommendations?

Thanks

[Ethel]

I love my Acer but another friend hates hers.

Lots of people I know love their Sony Vaios, but spend the first day getting rid of the unnecessary and unwanted software Sony insist on putting on the hard drive - a lot of it 'trial versions'.

What size screen do you want?

[ACtheTROLL]

I'd lurk tesco or asda's magazine racks ... and see what the PC mags say - they generally cover a fair spanof prices ... and at least it's a starting point.

have you checked to see if the uni has any "tame" suppliers ... they often do good deals -as do the student union

also remember you'll be eligible for student versions of office ... and a few other packages ....

[ChuckFickens]

The sony that I'm using at the moment is a pretty good laptop, they have a lot more solid feel about them when compared to a lot of laptops I've encountered (including acer, sorry Ethel:)) and the screen quality is fantastic. my only criticism about it would be the built in speakers aren't that great.

I can't comment on the unnecessary software that sony install as I got given mine second hand and windows was unnecessary software as far as I was concerned so the whole lot came straight off. but it's not uncommon on a lot of brands of laptop for them to come preinstalled with loads of rubbish.

[Ethel]

If you're a 'girly' girl you might like this:

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.203-6362.aspx

[ACtheTROLL]

if you are a mumzy girl ... you'll be more interested in the points!! ;-)

[Ethel]

That's made me laugh.