Laptop computer......which one??

[msdznyduck]

DS will be starting college next fall. We have decided that since he will be needing a laptop anyway for next year, and the one at home is "community property", and he and DD are always scrabbling over 'whose turn' it is to use it, (DH's is OFF LIMITS) let alone me when I want to DIS , we want to get him one now as a combination Christmas, birthday gift. I really have no ideas about computers, and DH has asked some of the ebusiness guys at work, but we get such a wide range, that is is difficult to figure out what he will need/want. Prices are over $1,000 for what we think we need, but if anyone has any ideas, it will be greatly appreciated. Will look at the flyers from todays newspapers to get some ideas.

 

[monarchsfan16]

I'm a college freshman. This wont be what you want to hear but, I would really recommend waiting until he absolutely knows where he is going to school. The schools all have specific spec requirements, and you can get a discount through some schools on computers once you are enrolled. Other schools have a laptop as part of the tuition so there is no need to buy one separately.
That being said, I'd recommend HP. Hands down. I LOVE mine. My dad loves his. My roommates all have Dells. THey've had computer problems already. Thus far (knock on wood) I have not. I live in the honors building so there are a fair number of computer nerds on my floor. They walk into my room and instantly go on and on about what a great choice my computer is. My dad gave it to me as my graduation present.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

If you go with the HP check out www.walmart.com . WM is the biggest US retailer of HP computers and you can usually get a good price and selection.

 

[Shutterbug]

I also want to recomend waiting if you can. Technology is constantly updating. I know when I bought mine 2 yrs ago, 6 months later there was a computer that had more(faster processor, DVD burner, firewire and more) for the same price I had paid for mine.

 

[Lynn CC]

I ordered a laptop from www.pctorque.com for DS who is in his first year of college this year. HE LOVES IT! You can build them with the specifications that you wish so prices vary greatly. I went with the Sager 5720, it has plenty of memory to get him through his college years. (I can send you the specs I chose if you would like them). He loves the 17" screen too. It also has the number keypad, which is lacking in most laptops.
Their service was great! It came a week later after I ordered it online.
Good Luck choosing, there are so many laptops for sale, I spent about 2 months doing research on them before I decided to go with the Sager.

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm a college freshman. This wont be what you want to hear but, I would really recommend waiting until he absolutely knows where he is going to school. The schools all have specific spec requirements, and you can get a discount through some schools on computers once you are enrolled. Other schools have a laptop as part of the tuition so there is no need to buy one separately.

Some programs do provide a computer and almost all have discounts available. I actually got a used ibook from ebay once that had been part of a college program where the students were issued ibooks, but turned them in at the end of the program.

If you go to the website of the colleges he is planning on/thinking of going to, they should have their specs listed. They may also have specific recommendations depending on what he is studying. For example, my oldest DD is an artist. Some of her friends came to college with Windows computers, but the majority of artists use Mac computers. One of her friends stayed with Windows, but now that she is a working graphic artist, all the jobs she's trying for require Mac experience.

 

[msdznyduck]

I'm a college freshman. This wont be what you want to hear but, I would really recommend waiting until he absolutely knows where he is going to school. The schools all have specific spec requirements, and you can get a discount through some schools on computers once you are enrolled. Other schools have a laptop as part of the tuition so there is no need to buy one separately.
That being said, I'd recommend HP. Hands down. I LOVE mine. My dad loves his. My roommates all have Dells. THey've had computer problems already. Thus far (knock on wood) I have not. I live in the honors building so there are a fair number of computer nerds on my floor. They walk into my room and instantly go on and on about what a great choice my computer is. My dad gave it to me as my graduation present.

THanks..........that was something we hadn't thought of. Will wait a few weeks, since he hasn't heard from his early decision 1st choice school yet. Funny, he heard from 2nd choice, regular decision.

 

[monarchsfan16]

THanks..........that was something we hadn't thought of. Will wait a few weeks, since he hasn't heard from his early decision 1st choice school yet. Funny, he heard from 2nd choice, regular decision.

ED decisions usually go out the 15th I believe, so he should hear within a few days of that
Good luck to him!

 

[Marseeya]

Everyone gave you good advice about waiting, but I have to say that I absolutely love the HP Pavilions! I had one before that worked wonderfully, then I had a Dell for a short amount of time -- hated it.

I ended up with another HP Pavilion 6000 series. It was $850 after rebate and I am so happy with it.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Before my DD went to college we looked at what the schools were recommending and it was very basic.

We ended up getting her an Apple since it's supposed to have fewer problems than PCs. She loves it! It's a little more expensive than the Dell we almost got her (which is what I have), but it's perfect for her. Since she was already enrolled in college classes (during her senior year in high school) we were able to get that discount. Once a child has decided what college they are going to (and sent the first check) they *may* be considered enrolled and you could get that discount. Not positive about that, but I seem to remember that.

 

[PrincessPatty]

I DO NOT recommend any Compaq. I had nothing but problems the last 2 years, I bought it at Best Buy and stupidly didnt get their warranty. I had some problems and called Compaq, the woman I spoke with barely spoke english and the whole conversation I needed her to repeat what she had said, during this call she asked if I opened the laptop, I said yes, meaning I opened the laptop to do things on it, not the back of it and I completely voided the warranty by saying that. In the past 2 years I paid for the laptop almost twice in what I paid for repairs. This last time, they told me it wasnt even worth fixing. I bought a Toshiba, so far so good. They also recommended the Sony, but the price was a little too high for my pocketbook. I bought the Toshiba at Best Buy and I also bought their warranties, they were 300.00, but if absolutley anything happens, anything at all, they will replace it. Even if I never use the warranty in 3 years, before that time is up I will get a new battery, which runs about 300.00 so I will get my money back that way. Hope this helps! Oh, and good luck with school!

 

[SueM in MN]

We ended up getting her an Apple since it's supposed to have fewer problems than PCs. She loves it! It's a little more expensive than the Dell we almost got her (which is what I have), but it's perfect for her.

We have 5 Apple computers in our house (3 are really old and 3 are pretty new) and 1 Windows computer that my youngest DD uses for talking (she is disabled). The 5 Apple computers together have not given us anywhere near the trouble of the one Windows computer. None of them have ever been repaired and between all of them, I have had to re-load the OP about twice (and the oldest computer is almost 10 years old).
The Windows computer almost needs it's own keeper. I've had that thing in 3 times for major Windows mess-ups from conflicts between programs - and it never goes on the internet, hardly ever has anything loaded on it. You just have to look at it crooked and it crashes.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

my son started college this past Sept. The college had a special program through Dell, they gave the kids a good deal, and what is good about these is that tech support is right on campus, so if something goes wrong. It included upgrades for the four years they are in college. Most colleges offer this too incoming students.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

You just have to look at it crooked and it crashes.

That's what I think about our 2 PC desktops--all the kids have to do is to look at them cross-eyed and they crash. For college it's good to have a computer that doesn't need it's own babysitter.

 

[minnie56]

Wait as well...

Firstly, see what kinds are recommended for his courses as well as many Universities offer leases and discounts when bought from their IT depts. Both of my DD's have Toshibas...love them...and we leased at a MUCH better price than I could have bought anywhere else!