Laptop Info Please

[Vaughn]

I've never owned one, nor even used one. (Well, maybe once while vacationing with friends at the beach.) But we're in the market for a laptop as a gift to our daughter who's soon to turn 18. Aside from performance, what are the questions I should be asking, and the features you recommend? Favorite brand names, ISP's, services, etc? Sources: should I stick to the retail trade, buy online, or from a clearinghouse wholesaler? Aside from initial cost, what will the monthly damage be to maintain service?

She's college-bound next fall, pre-med. Any advice appreciated.

Vaughn

[groovlstk]

Vaughn,

You're in luck because the market for budget laptops has expanded greatly in the last few years. You can get a very fast machine for under $1000. If your daughter won't be using it to play video games, you can find excellent $600 machines.

I buy all my hardware from this company, I recommend them wholeheartedly:

http://www.newegg.com/

Pretty much any laptop you buy these days will have everything she needs from a hardware standpoint. Ask her to check with her school to be sure the dorms are networked, as all new laptops ship with network cards rather than modems, these days.

I'm not a fan of buying expensive laptops because other than adding more RAM and some external peripherals, you can't upgrade it like you can upgrade a desktop.

If you see something you like feel free to PM me and I'd be happy to give you my opinion.

[jb]

I don't think there is anything wrong with a second-hand laptop computer as long as it wasn't a junker to begin with.  Very good deals can be found on e-bay.  I think such a computer would be perfect for a student.  If you go that route, look at the computer clearing houses which trade in the industrial market, they tend to handle the higher end laptops that companies issue to executive and technical employees and then upgrade in large batches every other year or so.  I recently acquired a near new Superduper Son-of-a-Gun on e-bay for under $200.00, it just takes a bit of shopping for the right deal.

[BillyB]

Aside from initial cost, what will the monthly damage be to maintain service?

There shouldn't be much cost maintaining a laptop, but you will experience the maintenence cost of a child going through college. You may need to buy programs such as microsoft word or something of the sort. Some professors want assignments typed up in certain ways with certain programs to be put on disks so they can insert it into their computer.

[Sohkay]

Vaughn,
I  believe that one of the most important parts of any computer is the screen. It's the primary interface between user and machine. The laptop I've been recommending these days is the Sony FS series with 15.4” widescreen display with Sony’s original XBRITE™ technology. This laptop has some other things going for it. It's form factor is not only aesthetically pleasing, it's light and thin. The keyboard is a real charm to type on...it has a good feel. The screen is wide, bright and gorgeous. It has numerous ports for connectivity and built-in wireless capability. I've been seeing the FS' for $1000 or so at Best Buy, depending on configuration.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start?CategoryName=cpu_VAIONotebookComputers_FS_Series&Dept=computers

Feel free to PM if you need any more input.

Sohkay

[Vaughn]

eBay crossed my mind - but until we select a target model, I'm really just shopping for good info as you've all given us. Thanks.
Son-of-a-Gun? Hell, I thought that was a blowdryer! So you can
see why I've asked - and I appreciate the feedback.

Screen - yeah, I'll keep that in mind.....

[Michelangelo]

Since she is a student, don't forget student pricing on software.  You can save about 75% on some popular applications.

And in terms of which type of computer you buy her, it is somewhat major dependent.  For creative fields, the Mac is supreme.  I was a PC pioneer, but jumped ship 3 years ago and I'll have to admit, Macs Rule.  And college students think they are "cool."

You can get a MacBook now for a little over 900 bucks, with the student discount.  And sometimes you even get a free ipod :-)

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=DB2D1CFE&nclm=MacBook

[Vaughn]

Hoo-boy, Michel - MAC vs PC? Should we start a poll?

[TexasBoar]

Mac, definitely.

I've used both since college (which, since I did it in my thirties, was mid-90's for me) and currently use an iMac at home and a Dell PC with Windows NT at work.

My home 'puter is the last of the old original iMacs, but runs the latest software.  It's even upgraded to the latest version of the OS.  Try that with a PC . . . that's roughly comparable to trying to run Windows 2000 on a 486 chip. 

Plus MS Word for Mac and Wordperfect for Mac both run 100% better than their Windows versions. And don't even get me started on Adobe!

Oh, and before I went DSL at home, my iMac on dialup surfed the net faster than my work computer . . . on a T3/satellite uplink district server.

~Boar

[Sohkay]

MUCH bigger screen on the Sony! For less money!
She doesn't want some puny little 13" screen when she can have a 15.4".

That is, unless you want your daughter to have a hippy Apple computer!

  to Michelangelo and Boar

[ConnerVT]

First, check with her college for recommended systems, system requirements, and discounts.

Being pre-med, a Windows based system is probably a better bet, as she will likely be surrounded by other Windows (ab)users.  Not being a Communications or Engineering major, a powerful machine most likely isn't necessary, as most of her (educational) needs will be word processing and accessing data files.  Most schools these days have dedicated intranet networks on campus, with gateways out to the Internet.  So looking for an ISP is premature at this stage.

My first thought is -- Dude, buy her a Dell.  They are reliable, affordable, and durable.  I priced out Dell Inspiron 310 lightly configured at $735.  Upgraded the processor and screen size, and added two important additional items (where it makes the cost jump) -- Warranty and insurance.

Laptops will suffer two major problems when left in the hand of college students -- theft and damage.  Theft you need to handle on your end (check with your homeowners insurance carrier, it probably can be covered).  Damage, especially if taken around campus will happen.

With Dell, you can add both Warranty Service and Accidental Damage Service.  The first covers normal things that goes wrong, the later covers things she breaks (spilled soda, dropped on floor, etc.)  I would also upgrade the warranty service to add At-Home service, as it speeds up the turn around time of the repair.  Important when the paper she's written is trapped on the non-functioning computer's hard drive.

Inspiron B130
$818
From $818
Now from
$735

Intel® Pentium® M Processor 735 (1.70GHz/2MB Cache/400MHz FSB) 
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition 
15.4in WXGA Display   15WXGA 
512MB DDR2 SDRAM 1 Dimm 
60GB 5400rpm Hard Drive   60GB
24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive   24COMBO   
Integrated Intel® Media Accelerator 900 Graphics   
Internal 56K Modem and Integrated Network Card   56MPC   
4-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery (29 WHr)   4BAT     
Dell 1370 Internal Wireless (802.11b/g, 54Mbps)   
2Yr Ltd Warranty and At-Home Service   S2OS 
Add CompleteCare Accidental Damage Service to 2Yr Lim Warranty   CCADP2 

[BC]

Add a good usb external hdd to the shopping list.  Great for backups and trading files with friends.  Get one that does not require an external power adapter.

[prince_alfie]

I prefer the MacBook. It's tough and ready to survive all hits.

Plus it can run both windoze and mac os x as well. She will appreciate this gift very very much.

[jb]

Add a good usb external hdd to the shopping list.  Great for backups and trading files with friends.  Get one that does not require an external power adapter.

This is good advice.  I also have a couple of good sized USB Flash Memory sticks that can be used like an overgrown floppy disk for files you want to make portable.

[ConnerVT]

This is good advice.  I also have a couple of good sized USB Flash Memory sticks that can be used like an overgrown floppy disk for files you want to make portable.

Sorry, me thinks the external HD is overkill.  But the USB flash memory (keychain sized) is a very good idea.

Small electronic items and college residential living don't mix well.  It stands a good chance of disappearing one day.  The loss of data and dollars is small to the loss of feelings of personal safety (normal when things get stolen from you).

What purpose will the extra drive serve?  Almost all laptops come standard with a DVD reader/CD writer combo.  Blank media is cheap, and is more than enough space to save and backup college work, photographs, mp3 files, etc.

You need to choose the tool to fit the tasks.  A laptop is not a desktop machine.  It's not going to be a file server or P2P powerhouse (otherwise, the college IT department will shut her network connection down).  It will be a DVD and music player, not a movie authoring/DVD ripping machine.  It will be a word processor and network browser.  60-80GB of storage, 512MB of RAM, and a low end Intel mobile processor fits the bill nicely.

The more high end, the more bells-and-whistles, the more attention it will bring to those whom wish to have it for their own.  A useful, pedestrian model blends well with it's surroundings.

Accessories to include would be a good, nylon carry case (leather is way too heavy!), and a cheap powered set of speakers (good for listening to music or watching DVDs).  jb's advice for the USB flash storage keychain is also good, as she can easily carry files to use on another computer (perhaps one with a good printer).

Remember, jb, you were the one who called me a techno-geek.  Designed the stuff, sold the stuff, fixed the stuff, used the stuff, and now I fix the machines that make the stuff...      

[jb]

The college where my wife teaches has a "Computer Lab", stocked with a dozen or so desktops hooked up to some network printers.  All the kids bring their flash drives containing the files they need hard copies of down there and produce their paperwork in the lab.  Keychain flash memories are getting cheap enough now so it's affordable.

[jb]

This is what I'd be shopping for if it was my kid going to school..
http://cgi.ebay.com/WIRELESS-TOSHIBA-P3-PIII-LAPTOP-NOTEBOOK-XP_W0QQitemZ160052433919QQihZ006QQcategoryZ140085QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item160052433919

I note that it sold for $277.00, I'd guess that's about average for a decent machine.

[ConnerVT]

This is what I'd be shopping for if it was my kid going to school..
http://cgi.ebay.com/WIRELESS-TOSHIBA-P3-PIII-LAPTOP-NOTEBOOK-XP_W0QQitemZ160052433919QQihZ006QQcategoryZ140085QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item160052433919

I note that it sold for $277.00, I'd guess that's about average for a decent machine.

-- Small screen.  Terrible, cheap feeling keyboard.
-- Intel P3 w/256MB running WinXP Pro is very underpowered.  (I have a similar configured laptop.  Only for emergencies do I use  it.  Very frustrating).
-- 12GB HD is small (not HUGE as advertised).  Once WinXP, Office, anti virus, is installed, not much room for much else.
-- No network card.  Hopefully the seller was wrong, and it has CARDBUS slots, not PCMCIA, as their are few vendors still making the older PCMCIA cards.
-- CD read only.  DVD readable drives are a must these days.

The Toshiba is also less reliable and more expensive to repair.

[BC]

I've been quite happy with our ZD 7000 HP laptops.. have 2 of them.  The successor ZD 8000 should be quite ok I would think.

As desktop replacements they are great.. save space and can be lugged around when needed but not really portable as a studen would require.  I'd say one of the widescreen lighter laptops, maybe 15 inch would be quite ok and could be used to watch dvd's and even TV.  Add a couple of good loudspeakers and all's set for the dorm room.

[jb]

What I was thinking was that if it was too fancy it might grow legs and wander off while the kid was not watching. 

The other item which can grow legs at the campus where my wife teaches is upscale digital cameras, for some reason the low-end Kodaks don't seem to have that problem.

[ConnerVT]

I agree with you (about security).  But there also needs to be a balance between making a choice between low end for security and higher end for usefulness.  You want to be thinking about your studies, not fighting with an uncooperative computer.

An entry level Dell won't be attracting too much attention in the "WOW" department.  It will keep up with her needs though her time at college.  A new machine (with the added service contracts) will reduce stress when issues arrise that need to be resolved.

[BillyB]

Conner,

If you need something in the "WOW" department for computers and at a reasonable price, puchase this computer. It's supposed to be a 2004 model but it's packing a lot of features.

http://www.hexagon.com/jkt/predictions/

[ConnerVT]

Always consult Snopes.com

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/hoaxes/computer.asp

[BillyB]

Hey now, you're not suppose to spoil the fun here.

[jb]

ennnnnnough to worry about what the kid is gonna study.  An 18 y.o. just beginning prolly just needs a decent word processor, the ability to browse, store rather limited sized files for the semister, and send and receive e-mails.  Just about any 1 or 2 year old laptop will serve most of these needs.  A more powerful computer might encourage playing computer games rather than devoting time to studies.  A 3rd or 4th year engineering major is gonna need some more powerful graphics capability and a ton more memory and speed to wade through some assignments. 

As long as Daddy is paying for it, let the begging begin.