College options

Toucan Sam · 08-15-2008, 03:49 PM

I have a year and a half to go before I buy any laptop but I wanted to get some early opinions on what to do when the time comes. I can't decide what I want to do for this.

Option 1: Get a great laptop. Not more than $1200, but good enough to play at least those current games.
Pros: All files in one place, one computer to take care of, plays games.
Cons: Soon to not run many games.

Option 2: Get a 9" laptop to take notes on in class and build my own desktop, and a good flash drive to transfer files.
Pros: More longevity with the technology in the desktop, cool lightweight laptop, I would love to build a computer (would be first time)
Cons: Files in TWO places, two computers to worry about, the build could go terribly wrong even though my dad is decent at computers.

Option 3: Get an OK laptop. $600 range.
Pros: Cheap. Could get a new one once I'm out of college and have more money to buy it with.
Cons: No games, feels like I have an outdated product, may look bad.

Other notes: I can't really go above $1100 total for the hardware (taxes and software excluded). Anyone know where to get good small laptops for cheap other than ebay? The ones I saw new were $500 range for an 8.9", and I'm fine with a refurbished one. A small $500 laptop would limit my desktop budget significantly (hopefully around 800-900 for the desktop)
Has anyone been in either option 2 or 3 that could give me some feedback as to how it worked out?
Thanks!
-Sam

Toucan Sam · 08-16-2008, 03:07 PM

or does anyone know someone that has done/ is doing one of the last 2 options?

fishbowl · 08-17-2008, 04:58 PM

I have a couple of engineering friends who built their own desktop computers. They use laptops for classwork.

However, most people use laptops in college... only the hardcore gamers have desktops. (Even then, they also have laptops.)

I'm not entirely sure what the con of Option 1 is, but I would suggest going with that one. Cheap laptops aren't always a great idea, because they're more likely to crash. Losing your work really sucks, especially during finals week. (Happened to me.)

Toucan Sam · 08-17-2008, 07:20 PM

Hah that blows about your compy =\
My con for #1 is that its much more money to get a computer that will play games for 1-2 years.
The best laptop graphics cards are only on par with the 8800gt in a desktop right now (roughly)
That is a very good point about how cheap computers crash though.
I was thinking of another con for the desktop option, is that i won't have much space in a dorm =p laptop + desktop + papers + books all on about a 3ftx2ft desk =O
Thanks for the input!

08-15-2008, 03:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Toucan Sam Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: charlotte, nc Posts: 153 OS: vista 64-bit SP1 My System	College options I have a year and a half to go before I buy any laptop but I wanted to get some early opinions on what to do when the time comes. I can't decide what I want to do for this. Option 1: Get a great laptop. Not more than $1200, but good enough to play at least those current games. Pros: All files in one place, one computer to take care of, plays games. Cons: Soon to not run many games. Option 2: Get a 9" laptop to take notes on in class and build my own desktop, and a good flash drive to transfer files. Pros: More longevity with the technology in the desktop, cool lightweight laptop, I would love to build a computer (would be first time) Cons: Files in TWO places, two computers to worry about, the build could go terribly wrong even though my dad is decent at computers. Option 3: Get an OK laptop. $600 range. Pros: Cheap. Could get a new one once I'm out of college and have more money to buy it with. Cons: No games, feels like I have an outdated product, may look bad. Other notes: I can't really go above $1100 total for the hardware (taxes and software excluded). Anyone know where to get good small laptops for cheap other than ebay? The ones I saw new were $500 range for an 8.9", and I'm fine with a refurbished one. A small $500 laptop would limit my desktop budget significantly (hopefully around 800-900 for the desktop) Has anyone been in either option 2 or 3 that could give me some feedback as to how it worked out? Thanks! -Sam

08-16-2008, 03:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
Toucan Sam Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: charlotte, nc Posts: 153 OS: vista 64-bit SP1 My System	Re: College options or does anyone know someone that has done/ is doing one of the last 2 options?

08-17-2008, 04:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
fishbowl Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA Posts: 9 OS: Vista SP1	Re: College options I have a couple of engineering friends who built their own desktop computers. They use laptops for classwork. However, most people use laptops in college... only the hardcore gamers have desktops. (Even then, they also have laptops.) I'm not entirely sure what the con of Option 1 is, but I would suggest going with that one. Cheap laptops aren't always a great idea, because they're more likely to crash. Losing your work really sucks, especially during finals week. (Happened to me.)

08-17-2008, 07:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Toucan Sam Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: charlotte, nc Posts: 153 OS: vista 64-bit SP1 My System	Re: College options Hah that blows about your compy =\ My con for #1 is that its much more money to get a computer that will play games for 1-2 years. The best laptop graphics cards are only on par with the 8800gt in a desktop right now (roughly) That is a very good point about how cheap computers crash though. I was thinking of another con for the desktop option, is that i won't have much space in a dorm =p laptop + desktop + papers + books all on about a 3ftx2ft desk =O Thanks for the input!