On Sun, 10 Feb 2008 10:58:58 -0600, RnR <> wrote:
>Journey, if you prefer email rather than here, just email me. I might
>consider an Apple for a future purchase so I just thought I'd ask you
>first before any other research. I was wondering since you are the
>only one I recall here with a recent Apple laptop and with some
>experience now with it...
>1) do you think there is an ample enough software for it?
>2) how do you remedy a minor laptop (setup or software) problem? Is
>it "similar" to a dell laptop?
>3) any recommendations for a college student using an Apple laptop or
>as a home laptop?
>
>thanks.
Your post had me thinking about what laptop would be good for a
college student.
If I were a student, going away to the dorms for freshman year, the
computer that I would want is the Lenovo ThinkPad X61 -- 12.1"
ultraportable:
http://tinyurl.com/3b5lg2
Right now the "sale price" listed on the Lenovo site is $1,070, so I'd
expect to pay maybe $1,500 for a fully configured one with 3 year
warranty. That may seem like a lot, but compared to prices of just a
few years ago it's relatively inexpensive, and paying a little more
for a good laptop when starting college is a good "lifestyle
investment".
I picked one up (and was later delighted to find that it also had a 3
year warranty included) for $750 by fluke on Craig's List. {deleted
story about how I came by such a deal to stay on topic ...}
The reason I would like the laptop as a college student is that it's
light enough to carry around everywhere -- to class, library, to
coffee shop -- doesn't matter, weight is negligent. That kind of
flexibility for a college student is, I think, important.
I would get a PC rather than a Mac. With a PC a student is safer as
far as being able to run software required for classes and (reality
check) to be able to "share" software with other classmates and
friends.
It's very durable (legendary ThinkPad), has great wireless, a great
keyboard (legendary ThinkPad), and has good ports (3 USB, 1 Firewire,
Modem, Ethernet, VGA, memory card slot, mic, and headphone in).
The optical drive is not built-in, but is included with a docking
station, which keeps the laptop thin and light.
Battery life is great -- up to 10 hours with an optional battery that
can be attached to the bottom of the laptop, or a good 5 hours with
the extended cell battery.
Back at the dorm (or apartment) I'd have the docking station hooked up
to an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, and for all practical
purposes it would be as powerful as any desktop computer.
After picking up the X61 my XPS M1210 feelsl like a tank.
One other thought about what I'd get if I were a student ...
The above is what I'd recommend for most students. However, if I were
a student taking programming classes or student in which more screen
real estate is useful, I'd recommend the Latitude D530 for a few
reasons:
- It has a 15" standard aspect screen, which is great for writing
software code and things of that nature.
- It also is built very well and is durable.
- It has the modular bay which provides great battery life with a
modular battery, which can be hot-swapped.
- Side benefit -- rock bottom price, great value.
The obvious tradeoff is size -- it's not a "take everywhere" kind of
laptop, but the big screen size is useful without an external monitor
(even though it would still be nice).
I have both the X61 and a Latitude D520 and they complement each other
well. I no longer write software code, so the X61 meets all my needs.
I have a XPS M1210 that I am going to be selling on Craig's List. I
price my items so that the person will be very happy and so that I
don't have to negotiate -- pricing them to sell easily is more
important to me than making a little more.
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