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Other => Reviews and recommendations => Topic started by: stefun999 on August 26, 2009, 06:25:16 PM

Title: Which should I get?
Post by: stefun999 on August 26, 2009, 06:25:16 PM
I am a freshman in high school and I am planning to get a netbook or laptop. I do not know which I should get. I plan on using it for classes. I need it to be under $500.
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: smeezekitty on August 26, 2009, 06:28:25 PM
you get can a dual core 2ghz with 2gb ram like this one for 400$
p.s. avoid netbooks
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: computeruler on August 26, 2009, 07:18:11 PM
why avoid netbooks?  They are cheap, and have excellent battery life.  And because it has a ssd, if you drop it, it will still be fine., unless the exterior is somehow damaged.  But dont drop it on purpose of course.  If your using it for your classes, which I assume would mean just word processing and that kind of stuff, and not anything requiring more processing power, then go ahead, get a netbook
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: smeezekitty on August 26, 2009, 08:13:34 PM
they have no cdrom drive
that can be very important
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: geek hoodlum on August 27, 2009, 01:57:59 AM
If it is for minimal computing only such as word processing, internet browsing, etc, netbook is fine. But please make sure of its features and usability.

As a freshy in HS, laptop is totally a good investment.

Depends on you! Hehe.  :)
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on August 27, 2009, 02:58:26 AM
they have no cdrom drive
that can be very important
If you would kindly stop posting please. Many schools around the world are becoming Laptop schools where a Laptop is a required part of the student's stationary.



Stefun999, as laptop recommendations, any modern laptop will most likely fit your requirments.

What classes are you taking? Any film, media, video manipulation, or any other class that requires intensive software such as Photoshop?
Do you plan to be playing games on your laptop?
Do you need a DVD/CD drive? (Note that you can purchase an external USB DVD/CD drive for about ~$50.)
How big do you want the screen and/or keyboard to be?
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: stefun999 on August 28, 2009, 04:32:40 PM
I don't have any computer classes but i might later in which case I would just use a school computer anyway. I do not plan on playing games with it and I plan on mainly using it for internet and word processing which would be simpler than writing papers. Thank you for your suggestions and have found two possible candidates.
http://www.frys.com/product/5720742?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
and http://www.frys.com/product/5947014?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
I'm trying to decide whether I want the small SSD or large HDD.
They're the cheapest netbooks I could find besides one that ran on linux *shudder*
Many of my classes will be easier with one. (No, newegg didn't have a cheaper netbook.)
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on August 28, 2009, 09:36:36 PM
Those are two very good options for small, portable laptops.

To be honest, I would go for a HDD instead of an SDD. It's true SSDs are less prone to damage, but heck I've seen my friend drop his laptop dozens of times. Nothing wrong but dented corners.
Think of it this way; More money for less storage space, or less money for more storage space.
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: stefun999 on August 29, 2009, 11:21:45 AM
Well, heh, the cheaper one is the one with 8 GB SSD and 512 MHz processor with 512 MB RAM. The more expensive one by about $40 is the one with a 120 GB HDD 1 GHz processor and 1 GB RAM. This is where my question comes in... Is the $40 worth it?
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: patio on August 29, 2009, 11:27:00 AM
8G will dissapear pretty rapidly...go for the 160G.
Actually it's barely enough to run a modern OS and a few important apps these days...

HINT: While shopping inquire about FREE upgrades to Win7 as it is right around the corner...many manuf. are offering this.
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: stefun999 on August 29, 2009, 01:37:26 PM
windows 7 free on a netbook?
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: smeezekitty on August 29, 2009, 01:39:14 PM
do you like snails?
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: stefun999 on August 29, 2009, 01:46:25 PM
do you like snails?

Does this have any relevance to the topic being currently discussed?
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: smeezekitty on August 29, 2009, 01:55:25 PM
with windows 7 on a netbook
pages load as fast as a snail crawling across the room
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: computeruler on August 29, 2009, 02:06:23 PM
smeezekitty, please go away
Anyways, you wont get any free upgrades because it has win xp.  Usually the upgrades are with vista
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: stefun999 on August 29, 2009, 09:30:20 PM
I noticed that on frys.com I also found a video on youtube.com where windows 7 ultimate was ran on an Eee pc that worked great. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp2EiFYu8Vc
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on August 29, 2009, 09:34:10 PM
Indeed. Please ignore Smeezekitty.
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: geek hoodlum on August 29, 2009, 11:46:10 PM
I need it to be under $500.

Hi stefun999,

I found education solutions in Acer website. They have netbooks worth under $500. Unfortunately, notebooks are greater than $500. Check this out: Acer Education Solutions (https://usspringpromo.acer.com/Campaign/EUSeed/catalog/index.htm)

Check these out also:
Dell Inspiron 13 Laptop (http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/notebooks/laptop-inspiron-13/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-inspiron-13&s=dhs&cs=19)
TOSHIBA Satellite Pro L300-EZ1521 (http://laptops.toshiba.com/laptops/satellite-pro/L300/L300-EZ1521)
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: smeezekitty on August 30, 2009, 12:07:34 AM
i got this acer notebook for 399.99$
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on August 30, 2009, 01:46:11 AM
I got my HP Mini 2140 for $499 USD. Well worth it, IMO.
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: patio on August 30, 2009, 06:22:21 AM
with windows 7 on a netbook
pages load as fast as a snail crawling across the room


You once again have proven that you have no idea what you're talking about on certain subjects...
Are you running Win7 right now ? ?
Have you installed it on a Netbook that you own ? ?
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: BatchFileBasics on August 30, 2009, 10:37:44 AM
nope, but he heard it does  ;)
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: stefun999 on August 30, 2009, 03:09:43 PM
It actually runs reasonably fast because it uses the GPU as a second processor.
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: smeezekitty on August 30, 2009, 03:10:58 PM
It actually runs reasonably fastbecause it uses the GPU as a second processor.
it does?
then its not really a gpu
its more of 2 cpu's
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: stefun999 on August 30, 2009, 08:57:36 PM
Are you really reading this or do you just like to know what you're talking about? It still uses it as a graphics processor if it need to but when it is not being used as such it is used for other calculations that a CPU would normally perform.
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: computeruler on August 31, 2009, 06:33:39 PM
Were did you hear this anyways?
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: geek hoodlum on August 31, 2009, 08:20:07 PM
@stefun999

Have you bought already a new one for your schooling? Update us and post the specifications here.
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: stefun999 on August 31, 2009, 10:01:57 PM
It was posted on a review of someone who installed windows 7 on a netbook.
I will update you on the status of my netbook ownership (probably not until the end of the first semester)
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: patio on September 01, 2009, 07:13:21 AM
Click Here (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0312715)

How about a full size in the same price range ? ?
Title: Re: Which should I get?
Post by: geek hoodlum on September 01, 2009, 07:43:54 PM
Click Here (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0312715)

How about a full size in the same price range ? ?

Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile 2.10GHz
2GB DDR2-800 RAM (Expandable to 4GB)
250GB SATA HDD 5400rpm
ATI Radeon 3100 Video Chipset
15.4" Widescreen
5.49 lbs weight
For only $399.99

This is good!