computer advise

[Aqualung]

I'm not very good with computers, so can everybody give me pros and cons? I have to buy a computer for school, because mine is so out of date it wouldn't be able to do any of the necessary things, like hook up to the server or the internet. Should I buy a laptop or a regular computer? I'll mostly be using it for school, but I'll probably want to play games and burn stuff too. What's the advantage of each and your personal biases?

 

[Jaymes]

If you want a computer for school, I'd recommend getting a laptop. They're very convenient and easy to cart around. My laptop burns CDs, and if I want to play games on it I can hook a laser mouse into one of the USB ports Laptops do cost a bit more, though. And make sure you have a decent amount of RAM to play games on.

 

[Aqualung]

How much do you think a decent laptop costs?

Also, I don't know how old you are, but have you been to college? Is it worth the money to be able to carry it around? Is it realistic to beleive that one actuaally would carry it around, and not just leave it on thier desk like a regular computer? (I only ask because my parents are definitely too old to answer tha!)

 

[ch'ang]

If you get one from acer around 900 big ones

 

[Jaymes]

Mine cost almost 2K, but if you don't want a lot of memory, CD/DVD reader/burner, etc, you can definately get decent ones for a fair amount cheaper. To be honest, I don't know precisely how much a good laptop costs. Above all, you should shop around and talk to as many geeks as you can get your hands on.

I'm going to college this spring, and I definately plan on carting my laptop around with me. I type FAR faster than I write, which will be invaluable in note-taking. If you get a small case for your laptop, you can take it just about anywhere (having a fully charged battery helps when you do this, though ).

 

[Aqualung]

Mine cost almost 2K, but if you don't want a lot of memory, CD/DVD reader/burner, etc, you can definately get decent ones for a fair amount cheaper. To be honest, I don't know precisely how much a good laptop costs. Above all, you should shop around and talk to as many geeks as you can get your hands on.

I'm going to college this spring, and I definately plan on carting my laptop around with me. I type FAR faster than I write, which will be invaluable in note-taking. If you get a small case for your laptop, you can take it just about anywhere (having a fully charged battery helps when you do this, though ).

2K?! Holy makeral! Even 900 is steep, but I could afford that. I definitely don't have 2,000. I write a lot faster than I type, and I have found that things I write instead of type stick a lot better in my brain. Does that change oppinions aobut what I should buy, or is it still definitely a lap top?

 

[Jaymes]

If you write faster than you type, then I'd say you should probably get a regular computer. Once you get them hooked up they stay hooked up, and are generally easier to work with in my experience (hunching over a laptop, while convenient when you're nowhere near other computers, can be irritating). And thus we leave the realm of Jenna's mild experience with computers I have no clue on what good prices are for desktops now, since I last helped with buying one more than four years ago.

 

[The Black Whirlwind]

a good computer for gaming would be an Alienware (go to alienware.com) PC or laptop. the laptops are generally pretty expensive (a good alienware would be 2-3 grand), but i dont know about the PC's. a good hard drive lets yous tore a lot of stuff, a lot of memory makes your computer go faster, a good processor runs comp's more effieiently, and a good graphics card is ideal for gaming. A good operating system is windows XP, but they're saying Mac OS X Tiger is better, though i have no experience. make sure, if you get windows, to get the Microsoft Office 2003 Basic, which has word, excel, and outlook. Don't get a Dell computer, they suck. HP (ewlett packard)computers are pretty good, so you might want to think abotu getting one.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

In your situation, I would definitly get a laptop. Get a wireless router (about 70 or 80 dollars for a good one), and an external hard drive (50 through 80 dollars), and you should be good to go. And, if you have big hands, I don't recommend the "laptop" size mouses. Go with a normal sized one.
I agree with TheJedi, Alienwares are the best for gaming, and are high powered, good for anything, and very expensive. I disagree with what he said about Dell and HP. I had a HP before I got my alienware, and I had nothing but problems from it. Everyone I know who has a Dell has a good computer. My choice of OS is Linux, but thats because I like to program and customize everything. Microsoft Works is definitly something you should look into, especially since Word and Notepad dont have spell check.
A good laptop will run about 1000, more or less depending on where you buy from.

 

[Neo-Logic]

Tower Computers -

Pros -

• Much cheaper when you build it yourself. For around $500, you can get a very well put together computer, excluding the monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse, and other external accessories, of course.
• Easier to configure, upgrade, and repair. In short, far more customizable.
• Less prone to damage
• Can accomidate for the faster and better performing, top of the line hardwares.

Cons -

• Encumbersome
• Immobile
• Takes up a lot more space
• Bigger

Tower computers are more economical and stand the test of times. These computers enables you to take out defective hardwares and replace them as well as letting you add on more hardware (such as RAM) for upgrading and enhancements. Modification possibilites with the tower computers are almost endless.


Laptops -

Pros -

• Compact
• Lightweight (Laptop's weight can range anywhere from 5 lbs. all the way up to 11 or 12 lbs.)
• Easily transportable and mobile when compared to the tower computer.
• Versatile in its uses (portable dvd-player, portable music player, portable gaming system, presentations, meetings, business trips, etc.)
• Wireless and bluetooth capabilities. WAN + LAN

Cons -

• More prone to damage (damage from liquid, being dropped, weather)
• Batteries!!! Depending on which battery your laptop comes with, it can last from 3 hours to 6 hours, depending on the types of programs you are running. Also, the battery's ability to retain that optium operation time will eventually decline as you use your laptop more and more. Like all batteries, it will go from 3 - 6 hours maximum to 1 - 3 hours maximum in a matter of a couple of years. Depending on your usage, it may even be in less than a year. Replacement batteries are very costly.
• Can be much more expensive (ranging anywhere from $600 all the way up to $5,000 for the extremely high end models)
• Difficult to upgrade. One cannot take out obsolete hardwares (this happens so much when it comes to computer and parts) to upgrade to a better and faster version. (You can repair laptops, but they cost so much to get it done by a professional.)
• Difficult to repair. One cannot take out certain defective or damaged parts to replace. (You can repair laptops, but they cost so much to get it done by a professional.)

Laptops are useful for those constantly on the move who need the amenities that the computer can offer. With mobility comes the drawbacks and limitations of battery power, costly repairs, costly upgrades, and the laptop's suspectibility to damage and being stolen.

Because of the fact that laptops are in their nature, compact, all the hardwares inside (harddrive, ram, motherboard, graphics card, sound card, cd/dvd drives are all intergrated into one another), making it very difficult to repair as well as upgrade.

Laptops can be very expensive and in a matter of months, become a lesser and obsolete model. While there are cheaper laptops ranging around $500 - $600, I don't recommend you get these because all it is is really the mobility of a laptop with the performance of a $300 tower computer. It is bound to be very slow and these models that range around $500 are just to-be-extinct-sell-them-cheap-before-they-become-totally-useless models.

---------------------

If you are thinking of buying a computer, laptop or tower, you should really plan your move. Think of exactly what you will be needing as well as what you would like for your computer to do outside your neccessities.

If you would like, I could help you shop or put one together to your needs and liking. Just post exactly what your needs are as well as the possible usages outside those needs.

Happy hunting.

 

[Crystallas]

People allways make this mistake, and buy a computer FOR school, when they dont have one. Your going to have access to systems everywhere. Between facilities, including the librarys , labs, and also your roomates, you're going to have a way to get your stuff done.
What you need to do is Scout YOUR situation. If you find that you need a laptop, then you'll know. If you find that you dont,then save some money and buy a desktop(your going to need it.) I'd say 4 times out of 5 people want laptops for school. Seems as though the people who dont want to mix work and life are the ones who buy a desktop. But thats just a generalization, everyones diffrent. So dont make the mistake of buying something before you know what will suite you the best. Asking someone else to tell you what will suite you is like asking someone what an orange tastes like.

Sometimes you luck out, and rich kids sell their stuff cheap, so its nice to not go in and buy a machine BEFORE, but dont put it off to long, then your just going to set yourself up for failure once things start fast pacing.

 

[Neo-Logic]

You're right, crystallas. Computers for college is not a neccessity, but in fact a luxury. It is nonetheless, a luxury that is very useful. One can take notes in class using the computer or even tape or record the lecture directly into the computer. One can also do homework outside if one needs to get some fresh air without compromising the time needed to finish the homework. One can take the laptop (if the person has a laptop instead of a tower computer) to a friend's dorm or even back home for either educational or recreational purposes.

Also, it's not always a guarantee that you will have a spot availble in the school library and whatnot. Having the reliability of a personal computer, especially in college, is very comforting.

 

[The Black Whirlwind]

well, i dont know about dell laptops per se, but the desktop i have is about 1 and a half, completeley virus free, and my 7 year old HP desktop, which has a virus, works better than the dell. Then again, the dell is bottom of the line (i think ti is their cheapest model), so i'm probabaly wrong.

 

[michel]

Tower Computers -

Pros -

• Much cheaper when you build it yourself. For around $500, you can get a very well put together computer, excluding the monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse, and other external accessories, of course.
• Easier to configure, upgrade, and repair. In short, far more customizable.
• Less prone to damage
• Can accomidate for the faster and better performing, top of the line hardwares.

Cons -

• Encumbersome
• Immobile
• Takes up a lot more space
• Bigger

Tower computers are more economical and stand the test of times. These computers enables you to take out defective hardwares and replace them as well as letting you add on more hardware (such as RAM) for upgrading and enhancements. Modification possibilites with the tower computers are almost endless.


Laptops -

Pros -

• Compact
• Lightweight (Laptop's weight can range anywhere from 5 lbs. all the way up to 11 or 12 lbs.)
• Easily transportable and mobile when compared to the tower computer.
• Versatile in its uses (portable dvd-player, portable music player, portable gaming system, presentations, meetings, business trips, etc.)
• Wireless and bluetooth capabilities. WAN + LAN

Cons -

• More prone to damage (damage from liquid, being dropped, weather)
• Batteries!!! Depending on which battery your laptop comes with, it can last from 3 hours to 6 hours, depending on the types of programs you are running. Also, the battery's ability to retain that optium operation time will eventually decline as you use your laptop more and more. Like all batteries, it will go from 3 - 6 hours maximum to 1 - 3 hours maximum in a matter of a couple of years. Depending on your usage, it may even be in less than a year. Replacement batteries are very costly.
• Can be much more expensive (ranging anywhere from $600 all the way up to $5,000 for the extremely high end models)
• Difficult to upgrade. One cannot take out obsolete hardwares (this happens so much when it comes to computer and parts) to upgrade to a better and faster version. (You can repair laptops, but they cost so much to get it done by a professional.)
• Difficult to repair. One cannot take out certain defective or damaged parts to replace. (You can repair laptops, but they cost so much to get it done by a professional.)

Laptops are useful for those constantly on the move who need the amenities that the computer can offer. With mobility comes the drawbacks and limitations of battery power, costly repairs, costly upgrades, and the laptop's suspectibility to damage and being stolen.

Because of the fact that laptops are in their nature, compact, all the hardwares inside (harddrive, ram, motherboard, graphics card, sound card, cd/dvd drives are all intergrated into one another), making it very difficult to repair as well as upgrade.

Laptops can be very expensive and in a matter of months, become a lesser and obsolete model. While there are cheaper laptops ranging around $500 - $600, I don't recommend you get these because all it is is really the mobility of a laptop with the performance of a $300 tower computer. It is bound to be very slow and these models that range around $500 are just to-be-extinct-sell-them-cheap-before-they-become-totally-useless models.

---------------------

If you are thinking of buying a computer, laptop or tower, you should really plan your move. Think of exactly what you will be needing as well as what you would like for your computer to do outside your neccessities.

If you would like, I could help you shop or put one together to your needs and liking. Just post exactly what your needs are as well as the possible usages outside those needs.

Happy hunting.

Nice summing up! - How much do you guys pay for "Dell" ? - I like them, because they seem to have 'invaded' England - the benefit (IMO) is that when you buy the machine itself you can opt to 'tailor make' it - and buy additional batteries more cheaply than you would otherwise - and the comfort of a next business 3 year service optin (included in the final price) is very appealing.

I would add, that in the choice of a laptop, seeing as it is so power hungry - one of the main considerations is the processor itself; (IMO) celeron and Pentium run way too hot, next better is Athlon - but the best is centrino (A 1.6GHz (therefore cool) behaves like a 3.3 GHz Pentiu=m, which would burn your lap!.

 

[The Black Whirlwind]

I would add, that in the choice of a laptop, seeing as it is so power hungry - one of the main considerations is the processor itself; (IMO) celeron and Pentium run way too hot, next better is Athlon - but the best is centrino (A 1.6GHz (therefore cool) behaves like a 3.3 GHz Pentiu=m, which would burn your lap!.

i'm getting a new laptop pretty soon, that bit of info really helped.:clap

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Tower computers are more economical and stand the test of times. These computers enables you to take out defective hardwares and replace them as well as letting you add on more hardware (such as RAM) for upgrading and enhancements. Modification possibilites with the tower computers are almost endless.

You can upgrade a laptop with new hard-ware, its just more complicated than a tower, and the parts are harder to find.

One tip, NEVER get bold enough to upgrade the bios. You may feel that nothing can go wrong, but if you lose power during the several hour span it takes to upgrade, you have just lost the bios, and theres nothing you can do about it. Some people do it, but I personally would rather not risk it.

 

[Neo-Logic]

Well, Michel, I think Dell may have popularized the customization of the laptop, but they certainly aren't the only ones doing it. Mobile centrino does make a difference, but not a huge one. I'm just waiting for them to come out with a super battery of some kind for the laptops. I wouldn't be suprised if such super batteries came out in the next couple of years.

Dell does have moderately priced products for the mediocre performences, but they aren't the best options unless you're paying for their most expensive models. Best bet with laptops are to look in your local computer stores and browse through in your electronic wholesale stores nearby. Often, the pre-made models from various companies can be better priced for what they offer in terms of performance and speed simply because they mass manufacture these instead of customizing these for individual needs.

Customizations are a big fad, but you don't really need those. Most laptops sold today comes with all the different features that a regular user would need - bluetooth or wireless, USB ports, parallel, memory card slots, and dvd-drives.

 

[Crystallas]

Getting viruses and having a specific name means nothing. Its the user that controls that aspect.

Turions are the best mobile chips, but hard to find since AMD doesnt have the capacity to produce as many, seeing that Intel overall puts out 9CU when AMD only puts out 1.5CU. So they may be harder to to find, and they will have less popularity since they are rarer, but much better. Better costerformanceower consumption ratios than Centrinos and Pentium Ms.
I put together all types of laptops for clients, and they are by far the best(which shocks me since I didnt think AMD would be doing this well in the mobile game aswell.) The Athlon 64 Branded notebooks are all DTR(desktop replacement) just like the non "M" Pentiums. Seeing that the regular Athlon64 esspecially the E revision have continuously gotten energy star awards, performance improvements, and lower power consumption and better thermal rates, the DTRs arent that bad, but I would still buy a Turion.
I dont like any Dell chassis if you plan on building your own laptops. VIA, and Gateway are the best bang for the buck, and if you want a really good chassis, asus makes the best overall independant chassis that I have used. Not easy to find parts for laptop builds, but sure enough you can find it. I havent bought a prebuilt computer anything in over 20 years, including a laptop.

 

[michel]

Wow ! I am impressed - I put together towers, but I wouldn't touch a laptop!:clap

 

[Crystallas]

Laptops arent forgiving on a build like a desktop would be. But if your patient, its really no diffrent, just takes a bit more time to get familair with. I kinda wish there was a bigger market for mobile custom computers. It gaining popularity since so many factories/warehouses/stores/automobile computing/timeshare computing... all are dealing with heavily customized mobile computers. Yes, many of them are using Micro-ITX because its very easy, but a lot of them are using custom L-Boards. Its going to change, and I bet in like 5 years, everyone who is building desktops now will be building their laptops.