Buying a new laptop for college?

Thundaar · 08-02-2009, 11:14 PM

I'm looking into buying a new laptop for college. My current laptop's the Acer Aspire 5000.

The only feature I really want to carry over from this computer to the next is the CrystalBrite screen. I'm not sure if all laptops have this now, but it wasn't common when I got this one in 2006.

I haven't shopped for a laptop or computer in years. I'm totally out of date on what's good and what's trash. My ballpark range for buying is between $500-700.

I hope you guys can help me out in finding a decently powerful and reliable machine to keep me happy for the next 4-6 years.

Thundaar · 08-14-2009, 06:18 PM

*BUMP*

I thought you guys helped those in need....

Jelly Bean · 08-14-2009, 06:32 PM

Hello and welcome.

I have just been looking at Newegg for you.

I do like a Toshiba brand they have always been sturdy and reliable for me.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834114692

I also think ASUS are worth spending money on:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...4021&name=ASUS

I hope this helps?

JB.

**simpswr** · 08-14-2009, 06:44 PM

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/noteb...cs=19&ref=lthp

Also be sure to check with you school . . many have arrangements with the manufacturers to let students buy at a discount

Thundaar · 08-14-2009, 11:23 PM

I don't know what to think of ASUS. NewEgg's offering a laptop with a 17.3 inch display, which sounds great, but I've never heard of a laptop with such a big screen for $700.

Dell and Toshiba have both given me problems in the past.

Sony Vaio VGN-NW125J/T on CNet

I looked at that Sony VAIO laptop and it seemed to have most of what I wanted. I'm not crazy into games. Maybe some old games like Backyard Baseball, and N64 style graphics games, but that's about it. I don't know what to think about the Intel video card in the VAIO though.

Most/many computers I see come with at least some kind of NVidia card.

My school's in India so I'm flying half way across the world. I looked into fingerprint security, but it seems kind of flimsy ( proof here), and probably won't help keep my computer safe.

Toshiba E105-S1602 on CNet

Sony Vaio NW160J on CNet

Even though the first link is a Toshiba, it seems to have a lot of features. A big miss for me was that the screen's smaller than the $600 laptop I own now from 2006.

The second one is a bit on the expensive side, but it has more to it. Aside from CNet's claim about a lower end processor.

And thanks a bunch for your help Jelly Bean and simpswr.

Phædrus2401 · 08-15-2009, 12:51 AM

For the Asus you mentioned, were you talking about this unit?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834220570

If so it's a very good mid-range laptop with an average CPU and a dedicated graphics card (rather than an integrated chipset) which can handle HD video and can game on low settings. A family member owns an Asus G50VT mid-range gaming laptop and we both have a very good opinion of it, and I'm considering getting an Asus EeePC (netbook, or mini laptop) for college myself once I save up some money.

The Toshiba you linked to is a good unit, only downside is the integrated Intel Series 4 graphics chipset which will struggle with fullscreen HD video and is incapable of playing any games newer than about 2008.

The Sony is good as well, it has the same graphics card as the $700 Asus but a slightly weaker CPU than either the Toshiba or Asus and a smaller display.

**ahmorrow** · 08-15-2009, 02:11 PM

I break Sony's a lot and I work on these things for a living. HP/Compaq are so easy to take apart, Dells too. If you're looking for quality I'd go with Panasonic or IBM, if you're looking to game... I'd go with Toshiba or maybe Asus.

Thundaar · 08-15-2009, 09:44 PM

Newegg doesn't list either IBM or Panasonic laptops in the search results (including sub-categories). Google searches showed the results for "IBM Laptops" to point to Lenovo's website. Panasonic has something called a toughbook?

Also, Sony was the first brand of TV I ever saw when I was a kid and I loved that TV.

Although I appreciate your advice, I saw some pretty good deals on Costco.com and the only thing that throws me off is that I can't find any information about these models ANYWHERE else, but Costco's website... ???

Sony VGN-AW190JAB; 18.4" Notebook; $1,499

Sony VGN-AW19ONIH; 18.4" Notebook; $1,199

Sony VGN-NW120J/S; 15.5" Laptop; $749

The last one has the nicest price tag, but the features in the other two appeal to me. Also, sometimes when I go to Costco physically, I see things not listed on the site for (probably) better prices.

ASUS is a nice buy, but it's not a aesthetically appealing notebook. However, it seems to reach my wallet nicely. I don't really understand how it manages to be so cheap. I can't find any images of the laptop with the 17.3" screen on the internet, which bums me out. I'll definitely look more into ASUS (I saw some notebooks at BestBuy today) and will feel into more laptops personally at electronic shops.

So far, nothing has appealed to me entirely through my research within my price range *sigh*. I guess the only really good laptop is an expensive one.

I'll keep looking; if you guys have any more comments/suggestions, I would embrace them and definitely look at them.

Edited Addendum: The Toshiba's screen is too small. Since I'm using this as a personal computer (provided that the university gives me a different one for work/research) I wouldn't want to dwindle around with a laptop with cool features, yet smaller in screen size than my current 2006 Acer Aspire which cost $600 at that time.

Also, I forgot to address what simpswr said. I don't think this university in India would provide any kind of thing which gives me discounts since they give me a laptop to use exclusively to study with.

More: Sony VGN-AW310J/H; 18.4" Laptop; $1,299

I found a middle ground between the Costco laptops I listed earlier.

08-02-2009, 11:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Thundaar Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 123 OS: MCE	Buying a new laptop for college? I'm looking into buying a new laptop for college. My current laptop's the Acer Aspire 5000. The only feature I really want to carry over from this computer to the next is the CrystalBrite screen. I'm not sure if all laptops have this now, but it wasn't common when I got this one in 2006. I haven't shopped for a laptop or computer in years. I'm totally out of date on what's good and what's trash. My ballpark range for buying is between $500-700. I hope you guys can help me out in finding a decently powerful and reliable machine to keep me happy for the next 4-6 years.

08-14-2009, 06:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Thundaar Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 123 OS: MCE	Re: Buying a new laptop for college? BUMP I thought you guys helped those in need....

08-14-2009, 06:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jelly Bean Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Swansea Posts: 158 OS: Vista Ultimate 64 bit SP2. My System	Re: Buying a new laptop for college? Hello and welcome. I have just been looking at Newegg for you. I do like a Toshiba brand they have always been sturdy and reliable for me. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834114692 I also think ASUS are worth spending money on: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...4021&name=ASUS I hope this helps? JB.

08-14-2009, 06:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,323 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Buying a new laptop for college? http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/noteb...cs=19&ref=lthp Also be sure to check with you school . . many have arrangements with the manufacturers to let students buy at a discount __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

08-14-2009, 11:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
Thundaar Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 123 OS: MCE	Re: Buying a new laptop for college? I don't know what to think of ASUS. NewEgg's offering a laptop with a 17.3 inch display, which sounds great, but I've never heard of a laptop with such a big screen for $700. Dell and Toshiba have both given me problems in the past. Sony Vaio VGN-NW125J/T on CNet I looked at that Sony VAIO laptop and it seemed to have most of what I wanted. I'm not crazy into games. Maybe some old games like Backyard Baseball, and N64 style graphics games, but that's about it. I don't know what to think about the Intel video card in the VAIO though. Most/many computers I see come with at least some kind of NVidia card. My school's in India so I'm flying half way across the world. I looked into fingerprint security, but it seems kind of flimsy ( proof here), and probably won't help keep my computer safe. Toshiba E105-S1602 on CNet Sony Vaio NW160J on CNet Even though the first link is a Toshiba, it seems to have a lot of features. A big miss for me was that the screen's smaller than the $600 laptop I own now from 2006. The second one is a bit on the expensive side, but it has more to it. Aside from CNet's claim about a lower end processor. And thanks a bunch for your help Jelly Bean and simpswr.

08-15-2009, 12:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,892 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Buying a new laptop for college? For the Asus you mentioned, were you talking about this unit? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834220570 If so it's a very good mid-range laptop with an average CPU and a dedicated graphics card (rather than an integrated chipset) which can handle HD video and can game on low settings. A family member owns an Asus G50VT mid-range gaming laptop and we both have a very good opinion of it, and I'm considering getting an Asus EeePC (netbook, or mini laptop) for college myself once I save up some money. The Toshiba you linked to is a good unit, only downside is the integrated Intel Series 4 graphics chipset which will struggle with fullscreen HD video and is incapable of playing any games newer than about 2008. The Sony is good as well, it has the same graphics card as the $700 Asus but a slightly weaker CPU than either the Toshiba or Asus and a smaller display. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

08-15-2009, 02:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
ahmorrow God (TSF Enthusiast) Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jeffersonville, IN Posts: 905 OS: Ubuntu 9.10 [Karmic Koala] My System	Re: Buying a new laptop for college? I break Sony's a lot and I work on these things for a living. HP/Compaq are so easy to take apart, Dells too. If you're looking for quality I'd go with Panasonic or IBM, if you're looking to game... I'd go with Toshiba or maybe Asus.

08-15-2009, 09:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
Thundaar Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 123 OS: MCE	Re: Buying a new laptop for college? Newegg doesn't list either IBM or Panasonic laptops in the search results (including sub-categories). Google searches showed the results for "IBM Laptops" to point to Lenovo's website. Panasonic has something called a toughbook? Also, Sony was the first brand of TV I ever saw when I was a kid and I loved that TV. Although I appreciate your advice, I saw some pretty good deals on Costco.com and the only thing that throws me off is that I can't find any information about these models ANYWHERE else, but Costco's website... ??? Sony VGN-AW190JAB; 18.4" Notebook; $1,499 Sony VGN-AW19ONIH; 18.4" Notebook; $1,199 Sony VGN-NW120J/S; 15.5" Laptop; $749 The last one has the nicest price tag, but the features in the other two appeal to me. Also, sometimes when I go to Costco physically, I see things not listed on the site for (probably) better prices. ASUS is a nice buy, but it's not a aesthetically appealing notebook. However, it seems to reach my wallet nicely. I don't really understand how it manages to be so cheap. I can't find any images of the laptop with the 17.3" screen on the internet, which bums me out. I'll definitely look more into ASUS (I saw some notebooks at BestBuy today) and will feel into more laptops personally at electronic shops. So far, nothing has appealed to me entirely through my research within my price range *sigh. I guess the only really good laptop is an expensive one. I'll keep looking; if you guys have any more comments/suggestions, I would embrace them and definitely look at them. Edited Addendum:* The Toshiba's screen is too small. Since I'm using this as a personal computer (provided that the university gives me a different one for work/research) I wouldn't want to dwindle around with a laptop with cool features, yet smaller in screen size than my current 2006 Acer Aspire which cost $600 at that time. Also, I forgot to address what simpswr said. I don't think this university in India would provide any kind of thing which gives me discounts since they give me a laptop to use exclusively to study with. More: Sony VGN-AW310J/H; 18.4" Laptop; $1,299 I found a middle ground between the Costco laptops I listed earlier. Last edited by Thundaar; 08-15-2009 at 09:59 PM.