buying a new laptop

[Kass]

Most people are going to have varying opinions on major brands like Dell. That being said, I think that dell does make some good laptops, but they generally aren't the ones most people buy. The insperion series (in my experience) is crap. The latitude series, however, I've had great experience with. You can only buy the latitudes through the business portals, but dell doesn't care who you are.

All that being said, I've become a mac guy and would recommend a macbook.

I did have an inspirion.

[597]

I personally perfer Sony Viao or a Mac when it comes to laptops. I actually have both, and they are great. The only think is they tend to be on the pricey side near the $2,000 range. My experiance is if you really only use a computer for the internet and occasional other applications go with a PC. If you use a lot of applications go with a Mac, (in my experiance Macs tend to be a little slower on the internet and have some browser compatibility problems). You may want to consider a desktop since it will be cheaper. I realize laptops are great due to their portability but I never used that function when I was in college (although I do now). So if you really are going to use it in class and tote it around campus go for a laptop. Anyway thats my 2 cents.

[cls515]

Wait until classes begin. Your school may have wireless access and place certain requirements for accessibility. Also, your school should have a campus computer store that sells major brands to students at discounted prices. I know that it is very possible to get a Macbook at the lower end of $1000, which is what I'd buy if I was in the I'm going to buy a new laptop.

Sony is ok. I don't have one but some of my classmates have one. I personally don't see why you have to pay 1.5X prices for the name. I also think because Sony is involved with so many electronics quality decreases.

Apple is all about computing, and they do it very, very well, no matter what anyone says.

A lot of my classmates have Dell because they're cheap. Some love them, some hate them. Never heard anyone say they hate they're Mac, IF they have one.

IBM/Lenovo should also be in consideration. The quality will run with the best, but the price...you pay for what you get.

Macbook>Lenovo>Sony in my opinion.