2 Grand to Spend on a Laptop...What Should I Get?

[Jam]

...as the title states. I have around 2 grand to spend on a laptop for college and I'm wondering which one should I get. I would like something that has an awesome graphics card, about 4gigs of memory, has a webcam for having hot steamy e-sex w/ my girl Megan Foxx, just an overall great purchase. So far I'm considering a Macbook Pro 15" and an HP HDX 18t. HELP ME OUT!!!! as i'm looking to purchase one within the next week since my friend is around town w/ his GIJOE military ID to get me a discount. thanks in advance.


PS: if nastyellessone enters this thread admin please delete his comments immediately. hahaha. jk......sort of.

[LTb1ow]

Jam, what are you going to college for?

Most schools will recommend a certain laptop for degrees and in most cases can get you a deal on it.

[Jam]

Business Marketing @ Slutgers New Brunswick.

[fire95bird]

My sister works at apple at the gsp so if you have any questions i can talk to her about it

[NastyEllEssWon]

take my name out of your post. why even bring me up. i know nothing about computers and dont pretend to. tool.

[Whiplash Performance]

If you are doing marketing and need to do a lot of graphics in Photoshop then get a Mac.

[Jam]

My sister works at apple at the gsp so if you have any questions i can talk to her about it

ah bergen county .. I miss those days.... but yah ask her a few things for me. Does the macbook pro come w/ a printer and an ipod touch 8g for free. hows the macbook pro for gaming. and can she get me any discount whatsoever. PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. :lol:
take my name out of your post. why even bring me up. i know nothing about computers and dont pretend to. tool.
" ADMIN!!! ARREST THIS MAN FOR HIS TOMFOOLERY!!!"

[bobb1589]

i configured that HP HDX 18t to what i think would be perfect for you..

Components

* • Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
* • Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9900 (3.06 GHz, 6 MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
* • FREE Upgrade to 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) - For 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT graphics
* • 320GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* • 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - For DDR2 Memory
* • 18.4" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
* • Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
* • Webcam + Fingerprint Reader with HP Imprint Finish (Fluid)
* • Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth
* • No TV Tuner w/remote control
* • HP Color Matching Keyboard
* • HP Long Life Battery
* • No Productivity Software
* • 3-year HP Accidental Damage Protection with HP Pick Up and Return


this laptop will be MORE than you will need for marketing...hell i do programming and web development on my lesser laptop without a problem... it ends up being like $1992 mostly because of the warranty... but your friend should get you a military discount... i get the military discount and i think its like 6% off

[Jam]

yah i'm stuck on either a macbook pro or a HP HDX 18t. ..

[Knipps]

if you want gaming I don't know how well the apple will tolerate it

[FlyingDutchman]

although i see the mac book pro has 4gb DDR3, little bit faster

[S.J.SLEEPER]

***** MAN, spend $1000 on the laptop and the other $1000 on your car.
i have a toshiba satelite. love it, i don't use it for school but i use it for my business (accounting,invoicing,scheduling, graphics,email, etc...)
don't know if that helps but i figured i would put my 2 cents in.

[FlyingDutchman]

but then again, youll probably have this laptop for more than a year so i would pick something id be happy with not just something to get by wit n not like

[Jam]

trust me i would love to give my car a proper drop.. but i'd rather have a laptop that will stay tech savy for a few years. and gaming isn't my number 1 priority, as I understand laptops will never compare to desktops in that category, but a guess a sick graphics card and a fast processor will do.

[jhp69]

Trust me. What ever laptop you pick, based on this thread, it is too much for your needs. The main purpose of college is to do whatever your professors tell you to do. That means basic applications. Term paper, group projects and some creativity. The first two years is like stealing candy from a baby. It's so simple, learning introduction courses to any subject. Apply yourself at a minimum level and you will get an "A" (4.0).
Do what ever other college student does with a piece of freedom from their parents and you will wake up 2 years later with a head ache, and a GPA of .8 and now you have to declare a major and start the real **** in your courses. I'm all for partying. Just don't go crazy the first 2 years. Like I said, the first 2 years is intro courses. Two years of "A's" would solidify 2 more years of difficulty in upper level courses. How much more difficult would it be to produce "A's", when you declare a major and start the real **** in the last two years of your college life. The school probably has all the facilities you need, to write papers and get whatever projects done.

If you are computer savy, you should use whatever the institution has available and rock on. If not, then get the minimal because if you follow my advice, you will be rocking an "A" average and have cash to hook up with the honeys. It takes cash or credit to do what you want to do. Beware of the ladies that look for a good time and the banking institutions that want to give you a credit card so you can F*** up. Find someone thats phyiscal (she 's hot) and mental (she's a 4.0 student) and the cash will flow in the future for you to continue reading this site with $100 cigars and a soul mate that brings home the bacon.

Did I drag on? Sorry.

[sweetbmxrider]

trust me i would love to give my car a proper drop.. but i'd rather have a laptop that will stay tech savy for a few years. and gaming isn't my number 1 priority, as I understand laptops will never compare to desktops in that category, but a guess a sick graphics card and a fast processor will do.

you'd have more of a chance walking to london.

[jhp69]

Sorry, that's just my old school, brotherhood feeling.

[Jam]

jhp69 ...wow informing too say the least . lol thanks for the short passage.. but this being my second year of college and having a 3.7GPA sort of says I know what I'm doing.. but the whole part of not spending as much on a laptop is a little interesting and I will consider it.... thanks for the input.

[jhp69]

NO PROBLEMO. Just want to see you live a life of paradise based on you accomplishments.

[madness410]

i have a dell and its never really let me down..got it my freshman year of college..im going to be a senior now and its all ive ever needed

[Jam]

sooo maybe i'll just get a macbook not a pro.. like ..if you guys are going to tell me to go cheaper help me out by recommending models.

[Saitin]

if your not doing music editing or video you won't need a mac.
IMO wait till this fall and get a laptop with the new windows 7 OS instead of vista!!!

[Jam]

when is that coming out.

[Czop418]

Ok Jam i Myself am pretty good with computers and know a good bit. And from what your telling me you want a good computer your not seriously into gaming , you just like to check the web and do the occasional homework and what not. Im going to be Completely Honest with you , what you want is overkill for what you need. That big of a processor and that much ram just means how much you can multi-task. I mean you can check the web download movies watch porn and play WOW a never have a bit of lag. The speed between 2 gigs of ram and 4 is pretty much the same its just the multi-tasking that sperates it. Same with the proccessor. And i understand you want a great graphics card aswell who doesnt but if your not seriously into gaming you wont need anything ridiculous either. Im just saying before you go out and build a 2000 $ computer go to your local walmart and check out some of the hp's on the shelf. They'll have everything you'll ever need and more and it will only be 800 or 900$. And i know your prolly thinking is that i dont know what your situation is or what not. But Just 2 months ago i was in the same prediciment. My desktop took a shi* on me i wanted a laptop. I knew what i was looking at and figured hey i consider myself a gamer lets go out and buy the best of the best. I went out and Built Myslef a m-17 Pretty much wanted the same thing you wanted 4 gig's of ram dual core 2.8 ghz 6mb cach processor. The whole nine ran me a little bit over 2k. And unfortuanately i have to say it was somewhat a waste of money. I didnt need all the power i got with the computer i cant really push it to the limit. A simple old HP from staples would be just the same. But hey its your money do what you want its just my input.

[79CamaroDiva]

Macs aren't just for editing, they're great all around computers. Ppl who don't own or use one regularly should point out the pros of pc ownership instead of shouting uninformed "don't need a mac" comments. Just as I'll stay away from the pcs suck argument because I haven't owned one in 8 years.

In general, a mac will run flawlessly and nearly maintenance free for a very long time. I bought my first mac in 2001 when I was starting my freshman year of college. That PowerBook was great to me for 3 years and was still reliable and fast when I sold it to a friend to purchase my next PowerBook in 2004. The one I purchased in 04 I was still using to do very heavy, memory intensive editing with up til about 2 months ago (every njfboa calendar was created on that poor laptop, folder size was a few gigs, to give you an idea what a 5 year old mac can throw around). It stayed top of the line for a long time, even with newer models, it took whatever I threw at it.

Also the argument against viruses; people can say that macs will get viruses some day, but in my 3 macs (bought a desktop in dec) I have never run a single virus program, nor have ever had any virus related problems. I was at two college campuses and travel for work, no problems. However I have read that if you run windows on your mac, you need to run virus software on the windows partition, or it will open it up to infection.

I also think, for your needs, a MacBook pro is probably overkill, but you'll enjoy it nonetheless.

[Jam]

nah man that was very intuitive of the situation I'm in. thanks for the input. I've checked out some cheaper models and it didn't do much for me though. I did only look at the ones in staples so that may be the source of the problem. can u refer me to any good laptops for under 1500 then.

[B4C]

HP all the way had mine 3 years and never have any problems:nod:.

[Jam]

79Camarodiva. i have yet to receive a virus on my DELL desktop (knock on wood) for the past 5 years that i've used it. so viruses don't scare me !!!! but I wouldn't mind to find a cheaper laptop that will be most efficient for my use. lol and I like how shownomercy/promise asked me for information and didn't bother offfering a model or any useful info. pffffff. but yah i wouldn't mind saving the money on a cheaper model whether a pc or mac.(although cheap and mac can't go in the same sentence) ...so i won't be in debt w/ the ws9 hood and paint and laptop and college and blahh.. I WANT MORE MONEY!!

[BigAls87Z28]

You will be in business, do not get a Mac.
Get a PC. Plain and simple.

[Czop418]

Ok Jam i looked up local prices for what you really want this laptop has everything you really need and the power you want. This is better on the pocket and will do everything you need plus more. Now im not saying you should run out and go buy this one but if your serious on the power and graphics that you want this is the laptop you should get and its only 900.


http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=11038077

And heres something I personally would reccomend. This is something and weighs prolly under 5lbs. This has less memory and a smaller processor , but still has everything you want to do plus more. If i was in your situation this would be what i would get.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=11038078

[Jam]

hmm that HP 17" Pavilion dv7 looks pretty nice. simple, functional, and affordable. windows 7 free update. graphics card eh... it does its job .. kind of lame finish on it.. but i'lll have that airbrushed anyways. looks good man. i'm going to have to check it out tomorrow. plus that'll leave me w/ money for a new ipod. since I broke my old ipod 30g (alcohol + ipod + microwave + cold winter night = FAIL)

[Czop418]

Yea I'm not saying go out and buy that one im just giving you a feel for laptops under a grand. But hey if your looking for something stylish check this one out its a HP Touchsmart TX2Z. I think you'll like it and its under 1000 dollars and it comes with a great performance.

http://www.shopping.hp.com/series/category/notebooks/tx2z_series/3/computer_store

[Knipps]

Acers are pretty good, I've had mine for 2 years and the only thing I've done was add some more ram (from 1gb to 2)

I bought it for 575 and it can still compete with laptops in the market today

[Stevoone]

I'd go with a Mac if your looking for a laptop. I bought my Macbook used from a friend about a year ago. Run's great and I haven't had a single problem with it. If your going to buy one the Apple store offers an education discount, looks like you just need to enter your college info.


If you go with a PC try and get one that offers the free Windows 7 upgrade. It runs a lot better than Vista.

[Jam]

well i looked up some reviews on the HP Pavillion one and it really does seem like a decent one that I can deal with. and like i said the only downside to it is that its visually not pleasing.. which can be changed by airbrushing. what do you guys think about buying refurbished macs ?

[Savage_Messiah]

HP all the way had mine 3 years and never have any problems:nod:.

Funny... I've had my HP laptop for a little under 5 years and while it still works, its been thru 3 hard drives and burned out 4 memory sticks, the wireless card gets signal when it wants to, and i have to have something with weight against the headphone jack otherwise my speakers will only play out of 1 channel or not at all (the jacks internally messed up). It also overheats (i have it raised off the desk with a window fan blowing over it for cooling) due the the fan/heatsink assembly being messed up... and the fact that you can only get a replacement thru HP (and ebay lol) and I haven't really felt like paying the money for it. That may be more of a 1st gen athlon mobile issue though.

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

We've had an 17" HP laptop since my freshman year of high school, still works perfect. I'm now a junior in college....

[sweetbmxrider]

i have had my dell inspiron 600m since 04 and only needed to put a hard drive in it after about 4 years of good service. it runs alot, never really gets hot. does work. i have another monitor i have been using lately though, just because :D

[Jam]

i had a dell inspiron 6000m and dear god that pos was a waste of money. i thought it was an amazing bang for the buck but then crashed multiple times , hard drive burnt up. blahh..good thing it was my sisters =]

[cdacda13]

You will not need a 2k laptop for college. While it would be nice, it will be overkill.
Last year, I got by with a 7 year old desktop computer. For school, I've used my computer for a few main things, looking at classes' website on sakai, downloading worksheets, checking school email, and writing papers.
Browsing the internet, and typing is all a computer needs to do to get you through college. This year I plan on getting by with a $200 laptop.
The first two years is like stealing candy from a baby. It's so simple, learning introduction courses to any subject. Apply yourself at a minimum level and you will get an "A" (4.0).

What college did you go to that allows you to take intro courses the first two years? I'm going to be a sophomore and am taking two 400 level classes already.

If you are computer savy, you should use whatever the institution has available and rock on. If not, then get the minimal because if you follow my advice, you will be rocking an "A" average and have cash to hook up with the honeys. It takes cash or credit to do what you want to do. Beware of the ladies that look for a good time and the banking institutions that want to give you a credit card so you can F*** up. Find someone thats phyiscal (she 's hot) and mental (she's a 4.0 student) and the cash will flow in the future for you to continue reading this site with $100 cigars and a soul mate that brings home the bacon.

Did I drag on? Sorry.
Hmmm, what now?

[B4C]

Funny... I've had my HP laptop for a little under 5 years and while it still works, its been thru 3 hard drives and burned out 4 memory sticks, the wireless card gets signal when it wants to, and i have to have something with weight against the headphone jack otherwise my speakers will only play out of 1 channel or not at all (the jacks internally messed up). It also overheats (i have it raised off the desk with a window fan blowing over it for cooling) due the the fan/heatsink assembly being messed up... and the fact that you can only get a replacement thru HP (and ebay lol) and I haven't really felt like paying the money for it. That may be more of a 1st gen athlon mobile issue though.

Now that you mention it the wireless does do what ever it wants but I kinda just got used to it. I usually have it on carpet and it still dosent overheat. Never had any problems other than that tho, unlike our dell we have. Biggest POS ever crahsed like 5 times in the first year we had it.

[jhp69]

Damn good advice going on here. I'm not tech savy but it all sounds good. Basically, are you a "LAG" (Latest and Greatest). Need everything up to the moment in technology or are you willing to wait 2-3 year to acquire the same product at that time and save 1/2 or more on the technology your friend owns. All that saving make them look silly and your car look that much hotter.

[jhp69]

CDACDA13!!
Look, I can't justify why you are ahead of the game. But I congradulate (mispelled) your peformance. There are many options that a college student need to address. The better informed you are. The better equiped you are to not look so stupid among your peers.
It's a game but a game of knowledge.

[bobb1589]

jhp69 ...wow informing too say the least . lol thanks for the short passage.. but this being my second year of college and having a 3.7GPA sort of says I know what I'm doing.. but the whole part of not spending as much on a laptop is a little interesting and I will consider it.... thanks for the input.

honestly... just go here

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat185300050003&type=category

get the hp dv4... its more than you will ever need and very friendly on your budget

[sweetbmxrider]

i had a dell inspiron 6000m and dear god that pos was a waste of money. i thought it was an amazing bang for the buck but then crashed multiple times , hard drive burnt up. blahh..good thing it was my sisters =]

hmmm, guess i got the cream of the crop :D

[Jam]

or heres another question: those who have dormed and went to college you think I should just buy a desktop? or go w/ portability and purchase a laptop.

[Stevoone]

Just saw this on newegg, $599 if you enter EMCLVNR29 as the promo code. And it has free shipping also.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115539&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL072409&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL072409-_-Notebooks-_-L0-_-34115539

[cdacda13]

or heres another question: those who have dormed and went to college you think I should just buy a desktop? or go w/ portability and purchase a laptop.

I did the desktop thing last year. It wasn't bad. But I had no place to sit down and do homework. The desktop took up the whole desk. With a desktop, you don't have to worry about it 'walking off' as much as you do with the laptop.
With the laptop, you can bring it to but I find that the kids who do that spend the whole class on facebook. Now with the apartment, space is limited so I picked up a cheap laptop for this year.

A little Rutgers experience: College Ave dorms have wireless internet. Livingston dorms do not. Bush, I think, have wireless. While Cook/Douglass depends on where you live.

[Savage_Messiah]

I am glad I did laptop for college, desktop woulda taken too much room like he said

[Jersey Mike]

Oh great, another black LS1 TA on campus... I thought I was the only one :|

What are you going to really use this for?
-Writing Papers
-Putting together the occasional presentation
-downloading music
-watching movies
-browsing the web
-storage space
-maybe video-chatting

That's pretty much it. The computer labs & library computer labs all have Macs & PCs as well as any/all applications you may need for any class--ask your professors, they'll confirm that.


*Windows, Windows, Windows! DC++ is the ****, Shakespeare sucks a fat one.
*A 500GB External HardDrive
*Laptop > Desktop. The portability is awesome. I was able to take my laptop to office hours, work while hanging out in bed, use it in the study lounge if need be.
*Get something with a strong wireless antenna (Although, if you're on Livingston, you're going to be plugged into a ethernet the majority of time. But, all classrooms have wireless signal)
*Stay away from Dell
*GET AN EXTENDED WARRANTY.


I bought a Toshiba Satellite right before I started school ($900). It's been great & been awesome. I purchased the 3-year extended warranty for 300 bucks or something and it has paid for itself (The laptop was in a backpack & fell out of the car when the liftgate was opened last year, so the wireless signal wasn't as strong anymore. I sent it to GeekSquad, they're looking at it and may be sending me a new one, free of charge. w00t). My roommate & my ex-GF both have Dells, they've been through 5 laptops (in 2 years) combined. My brother has a Toshiba Satellite that he got for $400 just as a "Around the house" laptop. I'm on it right now and I think even this would be fine for school. (Needs an external hard-drive and webcam, but just fine for college needs otherwise).

[Jam]

lol thanks for the info. and no i will not be taking my car to rutgers.

[bobb1589]

lol thanks for the info. and no i will not be taking my car to rutgers.

i would say stick to a laptop... there will be one of those times when you wish you could bring it along and won't be able to if you get a desktop...

like i said... just check out best buy's website / store... they are featuring some of the nicer pre-built laptops which are a great deal for something thats more than you will ever need

its called best buy next class

[LTb1ow]

Silly RU kids...

[Jersey Mike]

^^ Silly 14 second clubbers :p

*edit*
holy postcount batman!