What type of laptop should I get?

[The Q]

I'm hoping to get a laptop for christmas this year, what kind of model should I get. I'm leaning towards a Macbook. 

[JackisNimble]

Toshiba and HP make pretty good laptops. Only get a Macbook if you want to overpay for something that any other laptop can do for cheaper.

[homstar]

Definitely get an HP. Macbooks are not fun.


Well, It could be the fact that I am not an Apple fan at all, and that I am very happy with my HP.

[Revan/anakinjmt]

If you can take care of them, HP's and Toshibas are good. If you're like me, who somehow manages to slow down their computer, then go for a Mac. I've tried Macs at school, and the truth is I actually prefer them. They don't have near the problems that Windows does (I say that because having used Windows my entire life and not being the most computer savvy, Macs will run much better). If you're like Jack, who knows computers inside and out, then Windows are the way to go. I'm guessing, because you're asking, that you don't feel comfortable enough with your own knowledge of computers to pick one out for yourself, so, yeah, I'd go with a Mac.

[Lyrical Wondermind]

There's a lot to consider on the way to picking and purchasing a laptop. In no particular order:

• Hard drive size (and speed!)
• DVD drive (you probably want one)
• Memory (assuming you're not getting a netbook, you need at least 2GB for Vista)
• Operating system (take your side in the undying Windows vs. Mac argument, or row, row, fight the power and use Linux)
• Processor (often messy to compare, especially with Intel's naming)
• Battery life
• Screen size
• Graphics (integrated if you don't really care, discrete if you do)
• Price (I feel bad asking for a $230-ish external hard drive for Christmas, but that's just me)
• Number of USB ports? I've run out of ideas.

One more thing! If you decide to go for a Windows laptop from a mainstream manufacturer, you'll want to remember to get rid of as much "crapware" as possible when you first boot up.

[JackisNimble]

What Lyrical said is correct. No matter what laptop you get, it's going to be loaded with a ton of programs you wont need. The easiest way to remedy this is to re-install Windows. It really isn't hard to do at all, usually takes about 4 button presses. Heck, installing Vista is made even easier because they made it just like installing a program. All you do is just keep hitting next.

[Revan/anakinjmt]

Here's twelve reasons to get a Mac.

[JackisNimble]

I am going to love tearing these arguments to shreds.

1. Issues are the last things a kid needs at college and Macs have fewer issues with viruses, malware, and icky stuff like that.

It has also been my experience that Macs have fewer issues with almost everything else, as well. This was my daughter's first year away at college and she required technical help from me only once.

While it's true that Macs might have less malware (only because there isn't enough people owning Macs for virus developers to bother with them), you really have to try to get a virus nowadays. Since I've had Vista, I have had no viruses or spyware, and on XP there was one instance that I had a virus.

2. Most Macs sold today have a built-in video camera and iChat software. So it's easy to communicate by video, audio, or even plain old text chat. Of course this assumes that you have a Mac of relatively recent vintage.

Most laptops sold nowadays also have a built in webcam and AIM is as easy to get as two clicks. Point null and void.

3. Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) includes easy-as-pie remote screen sharing that lets you see and control your student's Mac from anywhere in the world. So, if your kid calls you up, frantic because Microsoft Word has disappeared from the Dock, you can take over the screen and fix it in just a few seconds.

Windows has remote desktop built in, along with the fact that there are many remote control programs available for free on the internet.

4. Every Mac comes with fast 802.11n Wi-Fi built-in so your student can join most WiFi networks in the library, dorm, Starbucks or wherever — with just one click.

Yeah...try to find a laptop that doesn't have that nowadays. Another point null and void.

5. A Mac is the only computer that can run both Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows; a Dell, HP, Sony, Lenovo or other PC just can't do that.

Why would you waste the money to run both OS X and Windows, when Windows alone can do everything OS X can?

6. Every Mac sold today can run the latest version of Microsoft Office and run it quite nicely, I might add.

Err...so can Windows? How is this even a point? Heck, it was even developed for Windows and ported to OS X, meaning it should work better.

7. Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Home & Student Edition (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Entourage) is just $119.99 at www.Amazon.com.

Same for Windows. However, why pay for Office when you can download OpenOffice for free?

8. College students (and faculty and staff members) receive free iPod touches or iPod nanos if they purchase new Macs before Sept. 15. How could you not love a free iPod?

Okay, this is nice. Not going to lie. However, if you were to buy a laptop and an iPod separate, you would more than likely still have money left over compared to buy a Macbook.

9. College students (and faculty and staff members) can save on any Mac, selected software and accessories via the Apple Education Discount available at Apple-authorized campus stores and the Apple Online Store for Education.

Most desktop/laptop manufacturers offer discounts. Nothing new.

10. Excellent free software for producing masterful movies (iMovie), dazzling DVDs (iDVD), awesome audio (GarageBand), and wonderful Web sites (iWeb), and for managing digital audio, video (iTunes) and photos (iPhoto).

Once again, programs that do the exact same thing, if not better, are available for Windows.

11. Free personal shopping assistance is available at all Apple Stores. I've shopped in a lot of computer stores over the years and Apple Stores definitely have the most honest and knowledgeable staffs.

Complete opinion. And judging by the points the guy brought up in the website, anyone who knows how to install a game is "knowledgeable" to him.

And last but not least:

12. Because Macs are cool. You wouldn't want other students making fun of your kid, would you?

Since when are Macs "cool" and when have you ever heard of someone being made fun of for not having one?


Anyway, as much as you'd like to think it from my posts, I don't really hate Macs. They are nice laptops, HOWEVER, they are not worth the price, plain and simple. Now, if Apple were to do a price drop and knock them down to the price of other laptops on the market, I'd say go for it, but as of right now it's not worth it and just get a normal laptop instead.

[Nicolas Sarkozy]

And last but not least:

12. Because Macs are cool. You wouldn't want other students making fun of your kid, would you?

Since when are Macs "cool" and when have you ever heard of someone being made fun of for not having one?

College, man.

[HomeStarRunnerTron]

College, man.

*cracks up so hard* Best. Response. In the WORLD. *GOOD PRIZE!*

Well, I'm a big Mac fan... but it's your preference, Garratt! Whatever your preference is, just go with it, and you'll prob-ob-ably be happier.

[tape-leg]

That was the worst list of reasons to get a Mac I've ever seen but all it really boils down to is which OS you like better.

[Homestar Gunner]

That was the worst list of reasons to get a Mac I've ever seen but all it really boils down to is which OS you like better.

I dunno, Macs are pretty cool.


And nobody wants to be insulted for owning an expensive computer that doesn't have a picture of fruit on it.

[Revan/anakinjmt]

I think it was more of an "This is why you should get a Mac" and not "This is why you should get a Mac over a PC", if you will. Things like having Microsoft Office are incentives to go with Macs. People might think "Yeah, Macs are cool and better, but what about having Office?" Having the same features as PCs (like Office and Windows OS) lets people know they can get Macs and still have operate Windows and Windows apps. I think that's a big part of the reasons behind that list.

Macs are cool though. At school, pretty much everybody has a laptop, but if you have a Mac, you're looked at as way cool.

[JackisNimble]

I think it was more of an "This is why you should get a Mac" and not "This is why you should get a Mac over a PC", if you will. Things like having Microsoft Office are incentives to go with Macs. People might think "Yeah, Macs are cool and better, but what about having Office?" Having the same features as PCs (like Office and Windows OS) lets people know they can get Macs and still have operate Windows and Windows apps. I think that's a big part of the reasons behind that list.

Macs are cool though. At school, pretty much everybody has a laptop, but if you have a Mac, you're looked at as way cool.

Yeah, but you're missing my point. Way pay MORE for something that does less than most other laptop?

[Revan/anakinjmt]

Yeah, but you're missing my point. Way pay MORE for something that does less than most other laptop?

I think it does more than most other laptops. I've tried using Windows programs for video editing, and let me tell you, what Apple has blows WMM out of the park. Macs are more expensive, but I think you get more bang for your buck, especially with the hassle that PC's can be if you're not a computer whiz (which I think is safe to say most are not). For you Jack, who clearly gets computers, it may seem like Macs do less than PCs, but for me, Macs do more than PCs. And you can't deny that the video editing software for Macs is better than Macs, and as someone who is trying to do more video editing, having a Mac would be a huge deal. Plus, if you go to school as an art major, you pretty much need a Mac.