Thread: More laptop questions . . . (Search didn't show what I wante

I've read over the suggested list of hardware, and read other posts, etc, but . . .

1) What feature/accessory did you wish you really had once you got to school or were glad you had because everyone else wanted? and

2) With respect to weight, battery runtime, features/accessories, cost, and processor speed as factors to consider, how has your opinion changed concerning those factors from the time you bought the computer until now (or after a few weeks of use at campus)?

Thanks.

[quote="f1drvr"]

Originally Posted by CptPlanet

Hey all,

I dont know exactly the compatiblility issues, but I know that a significant number of people use Apples here. As long as you are familiar with it, I dont see a problem. Most of what you will need here is available through the internet.

I appreciate the response!!

CptPlanet

Ok, I brought an older computer here because it was reliable and here are my suggestions:

#1- If you don't like a heavy backpack then get a lighter machine. Mine is heavy and a pain to carry. I really wish I had a lighter laptop!
#2- Get a large hard drive. At least 40 GIG. When you get here you will be enundated with "Mac Daddies", HistoQuicktime, etc..etc... They are LARGE programs and data sets. My harddrive isn't large enough. Expect to use about 10 GIG of HD just for storage of this stuff and then think about how much music, large files, games, etc. you want on your laptop.
#3- BATTERY LIFE is very nice. The difference between 3-4 hours of battery life and 4-6 is going to be a big deal if you use your laptop in class (as many students do) and then want to study in the library after class before you have a chance to recharge it (you may not always be able to get a plug in in the 24-Hour study wing...big library wing, but everyone studies all the time..)
MOST IMPORTANT: Get the best you can for the budget you have because it is very difficult to mail a laptop down. I brought an older computer with intentions of buying a new one once I had a better idea of what I really needed. Good intentions bad outcome. I bought a very nice new ultraportable apple powerbook and it is sitting at my parents house in the States because USPS will only insure computers shipped to Grenada for $350 and UPS is $200 for shipping (and remember those nice duties you get charged...10% on shipped computers (computer price+shipping+cost of insurance), unless you can sweet talk them into the customary 5%. Oh, if your thinking FedEx...$400+..ouch.
You also want a DVD-CDRW drive. We (a couple friends and myself) have movie night on Fridays...my friends have the DVD drive and it is very nice.

My suggestion is a highly portable laptop if you will be using your computer just for school. If you watch movies or game and such then you might want a bigger screen and larger one. Also, don't discount carrying an extra 3 or 4 pounds up the hill to class (you'll probably be in superdorms #2 and have to walk up the hill a lot). If you have anymore questions feel free to pm me. I've had to deal with a LOT of computing issues since I got here because of bringing an older computer.

Nich

Hey,

thought I'd throw in my .02.

Bring a USB key, the bigger the better. Also consider using a compactflash card with a usb adabter/reader if you can get it cheaper (they're bigger than a usb key, but you can still stow them in a backpack or pocket fairly easily).

as for the laptop.....

if you don't have a specific need for something that's heavier (7-10 lbs) then don't get something like that. I have a dell that's 7 lbs, and I like it alot, but i also wanted a bigger screen and more video memory.

Remember that you will be carrying this thing around with you alot (esp. if you're living at Grand Anse). Portability is a big deal for some people, not for others.

consider getting a backpack designed to carry a laptop in addition to all of your other stuff. I have one of these, and it helps alot; I only have to carry one bag instead of two.

consider getting a high res screen; you could end up staring at the thing alot.

Cheers,

Silenthunder

Forgot to mention this:

I own a dell laptop. I've got no complaints. My father and brother have no complaints about their dell laptops.

I've heard bad things about their support, but I (and my brother and father) have never had a problem with support. HOWEVER, I am canadian, and apparently our support is run through dell canada.

of the people I know at St. George's who have dell laptops, none of them have had problems so far.

Of course, most of us haven't had our laptops for more then 6 months.

consider getting the damage protection warranty, and a few years extended warranty. It may seem costly now, but the cost of repairing a laptop is usually enough to warrant just purchasing a new one.

Cheers,

Silenthunder

You might want to consider buying Tablet PC. That way, you can draw diagrams and type notes or write in free hand. OCR software works very well. You can catalog all your notes and documents by data, subject etc. It also affords you compatibility with other standard software packages. You have the familiar windows interface to deal with, so no learning curve is involved.