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What Laptop?!

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dreadyboy
Posts: 2306 - Karma: 34
I'm going to university this year (first year engineering) and don't know what computer to get.
I have a pretty high budget ($1000-3000) but I'm really cheap, so it has to be really worth it to me if i'm spending over $1500.

So far I've beem looking at these comps:
13" macbook pro
15" macbook pro with 2.2ghz anti-glare and ssd
Asus g73sw http://www.asus.com/Notebooks/Gaming_Powerhouse/G73SW/
Asus u43sd http://www.asus.com/Notebooks/Superior_Mobility/U43SD/
lenovo x220 http://shop.lenovo.com/us/products/professional-grade/thinkpad/x-series/x220/index.html

Really have no clue, each has their own advantages.
And i was thinking of maybe getting a tablet with the 17" g73 for portable entertainment/notes and leaving laptop in dorm?

And please don't say get a mac, you'll love it. I had one of the new 13" macbook pros for a month, then I sold it to make $200. I don't give a shit about osx, nothing special, i just like the metal case, but I mean I don't really know if it's worth it.
May 10 2011 7:41PM
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skiblandford
Posts: 1503 - Karma: 2
first i would start off and see if your program at your university requires or advises you on what laptop to buy for your specific major. If not then i would go with the cheapest that is least likely to break on you. BTW if you go for the macbook get the 13 inch from what i heard the 15 inch isnt that much better and is more expensive and more annoying to carry around.
May 10 2011 7:45PM
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dreadyboy
Posts: 2306 - Karma: 34
I've checked the uni's website and they have no specific advice, I don't necessarily need it for school as there are labs, I just need a computer and may as well get a nice one that'll last for a while and I'm not paying for it.

And the 15" is a way better computer, quad core sandy bridge (new), 1gb of ddr5 graphics memory and like i said I'd get the anti-glare screen and ssd. The bulkiness is the thing I'm not sure of though.
May 10 2011 7:53PM
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corona
Posts: 12803 - Karma: 32,817
don't get a mac

Click for larger image
May 10 2011 7:56PM
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1337
Posts: 31059 - Karma: 29,314
get the mac with the SSD, or you can buy my macbook (black, 2.2ghz, 110gb hdd, 3gb ram) for $600)
May 10 2011 8:02PM
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[evan]
Posts: 5628 - Karma: 117
alienware if you want power, i know my brother has to use a lot of advanced software and the lenovo his school gave him always causes him problems
May 10 2011 8:04PM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
I love my Dell Latitude E6500. I upgraded a lot of shit on for a total cost of just under 2 grand (including an upgraded battery that seems to last forever). Its MUUCCHH faster and better than the 15" Mac book pro. I have two free antiwalware/virus programs running in the background and have never had ANY problems in the 3 years I had it. Not one service call, or anything.

IMO, I love my latitude. My whole family has them and RARELY have any problems. I'm not a huge Mac fan, as I hate how apple overprices their products even though they are overrated.
May 10 2011 8:09PM
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ShredTheGnarnia
Posts: 2544 - Karma: 79
dont get an SSD. you pay so much more for it and it's not noticeably faster and you give up a ton of storage space
May 10 2011 8:20PM
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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
i love my lenovo. its 2 years old and i just upgraded the memory and the RAM for under 1k. and its really fast for everything.
May 10 2011 8:27PM
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Emma_Watson
Posts: 4491 - Karma: 6,797
Ehh, i love my mac. If you don't game, it's very nice. I get twice the amount of work done than my brother does (he haz pc). It's very fast with music, documents, browsing the internet, pron etc. And if you do game, it's relatively adequate with graphics and speed and whatnot.. BUT STILL, i heart my mac.
May 10 2011 8:29PM
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dreadyboy
Posts: 2306 - Karma: 34
Well it's only another $100 on the 15" and i have an external hard drive, and I've heard it shortens your load times quite a bit
May 10 2011 8:32PM
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n_b
Posts: 580 - Karma: 68
MAC!
May 10 2011 9:03PM
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NickSki.
Posts: 2009 - Karma: 61
lol
May 10 2011 9:07PM
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ShredTheGnarnia
Posts: 2544 - Karma: 79
the only way it'll really make a significant difference is if the boot files are on the ssd. for program and document files, the difference is negligible, so i've heard. what i'm saying is, since macs boot up really quickly anyway, i don't really see the point.
May 11 2011 1:51AM
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pimpcat
Posts: 858 - Karma: 321
I agree with all of this 100%. My dad has a bunch of these laptops for work and as a result I get them when he's done with them. For school I just let him customize an E6400 for me and I can honestly say, best computer experience I have ever had!. plus they have sexy aesthetics for all you mac lovers.
May 11 2011 1:56AM
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smooticus
Posts: 1798 - Karma: 27
Keep in mind if you get a mac you WILL have to put windows on it. Which really isnt that big of a deal, which im sure all the apple fanboys have informed you. I dont think macs are worth the price, but i really like how compact they are, they just feel better built sa far as the exterior. If you are not used to using the apple operating system I dont think its worth learning. Lastly, remember the size is NOT important, I bought a big one and now it just pisses me off, when your only a foot away, a couple more inches doesnt make a difference when your watching videos. fyi I am an engineering student.
May 11 2011 3:28AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
you are a fucking idiot

go look at any test, or read any article, SSDs are lightyears faster then HDDs
May 11 2011 3:38AM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
I'm on an Asus, no complaints other than this is the second one they had to send me after the first one crapped the fuck out inexplicably in the first week of use.
May 11 2011 3:42AM
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Boggs
Posts: 1039 - Karma: 208
Agreed. I have the g73. BEST PURCHASE EVER. fuck da macs.
May 11 2011 3:52AM
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dreadyboy
Posts: 2306 - Karma: 34
Okay so a small windows laptop

And to the 2 other posts, i'm not getting a dell
May 12 2011 6:49PM
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ShredTheGnarnia
Posts: 2544 - Karma: 79
refer to my post after that one. i conceded that ssd's are noticeably faster for booting, but not for accessing program or document files.
May 12 2011 9:39PM
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dreadyboy
Posts: 2306 - Karma: 34
And what do you think of getting a pimp big gaming laptop for the dorm and a tablet to carry around?
May 12 2011 9:42PM
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