laptop for computer science student

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merc141

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jul 24, 2007
Messages
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I need a laptop for computer science, mostly for programming and web development, and some graphics (no games). This will have to be able to last through the rest of college. I would prefer to dual boot with linux + vista... (is it easy to repartition the vista drive (without reinstalling vista) and then dual boot with linux? Don't know if it is a hassle with Dell, if they give you the retail discs or not) Anyways I am on a budget <$600 and was just hoping for a dual core processor and 2gb of ram.

How are the dell laptops? They seem to have the best stats as far as I can tell. How about something like this?

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DNDWPA2&s=dhs
 
Another website to check out is www.gotapex.com for Dell deals.

Dell laptops are fine. The only gripe I have with Dell laptops, and this is purely a personal choice kind of thing, is the keys on the keyboard. They feel weak and slippery to me. Though I've had others tell me otherwise.
 
If you can possibly squeeze it into your budget I'd highly recommend a decent resolution screen for computer science stuff. I find myself increasingly running out of desktop real estate as I begin using advanced IDE's and things.

May be a cramped 4 years at 1280 x 800 on a 14 or 15 inch screen. Just a thought related to personal experience. Try to get at least 1440 x 900 and you'll be glad you did I think.

My coworker just got a 1525 for work and he loves it, incidentally. Seems like a solid well constructed notebook. The Lenovo IdeaPad series might be something to check out as well and they've had some back to school specials.
 
Look at the Dell Vostro. My pops got one with a C2D and 2 gigs of ram for under 600 bills.

Also, why not check out your campus computer store for some decent dealios?
 
beacon said:
Look at the Dell Vostro. My pops got one with a C2D and 2 gigs of ram for under 600 bills.

Also, why not check out your campus computer store for some decent dealios?
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Good call...you should be able to save at least $100 through some kind of campus arrangement, probably even in addition to existing back to school sales in some cases. My school works with Dell and Apple specifically, but I was able to buy from the Lenovo Students and Alumni site with no issues.
 
shea851 said:
I would recommend watching a site like www.slickdeals.net until a good laptop deal shows up.
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This...

Just from looking for like 30 seconds:
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellst...EN&m_1=CT545HN&m_3=2G2D&dgc=CJ&cid=7420&lid=0

You can likely find something cheaper and/or more suited to what you need(I don't really know what you are looking for).

Comments on other post:
First, I'm not a computer programmer, but would agree with getting a higher res screen. Low resolutions drive me nuts.

Second, It doesn't hurt to check what deals you school has with certain companies. However, from what I've seen what you can find on slickdeals or fatwallet or whatever is usually a lot cheaper.
 
The Vostro 1500 I have is a nightmare, but my friends with Inspiron 1520's and 1525's love their computers.

Also, yes Dell does give you the the reinstall discs.

I know at OSU I get about 34% of Lenovo laptops, so in retrospect I'd get a R61 with my budget of also $600.

EDIT: Also check the Dell Outlet, you might get lucky!:D
 
And get the big Dell warranty, since it will suck to have spent your cash on a box that self-destructs 1 day after the warranty expires, and you still have years of school to go. (Or, you spill coffee on it during an all-nighter or something.)
 
Thank you for responding. I definitely will be watching slickdeals.net and didn't think about the dell warranty so thanks for reminding me. I built my main desktop back in february and have 0 disposable cash at the moment. It would be nice to have a laptop considering this semester I will be stuck on campus for over 12 hours at a time.

One question: Is there any new technology coming up for laptops that will drive the price of current laptops down? I am thinking maybe in the 6-8 month time frame. Anyways thanks for the comments.
 
I didn't want to start a new thread, so here is my question:

I was just wondering what sort of stats a laptop would need to last and run well for about 3+ years or so. I originally thought 2gb ram, 2 ghz intel core 2 processor... anyways probably the toughest thing I would use it for would be photoshop...
 
merc141 said:
I was just wondering what sort of stats a laptop would need to last and run well for about 3+ years or so.
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Hard question to answer. It all depends on the user actually. I've had my laptop for almost 3 years now and it works fine for me. So yes 2GB of RAM and a 2Ghz C2D will be enough for many people for 3 years.
 
nice to meet another CS student, myself? Im waiting for FAFSA to get here so I can get a new Macbook Pro
 
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