back to school

bad habit · 07-28-2008, 08:36 PM

well i decided to go back school again . due to injuries i recieved from a car accident its clear I wont be able to build houses anymore . putting up the general contractor hat . and getting back to my original career choice , computer software engineer/graphic artist . so now Im looking for a good laptop with good upgrade options , durability , any good advice on what laptops not to buy ?

OldTrout · 07-30-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bad habit

well i decided to go back school again . due to injuries i recieved from a car accident its clear I wont be able to build houses anymore . putting up the general contractor hat . and getting back to my original career choice , computer software engineer/graphic artist . so now Im looking for a good laptop with good upgrade options , durability , any good advice on what laptops not to buy ?

Sorry, have no recommendation, but let me congratulate you upon going back to school. Never give up.

Cornbread · 07-30-2008, 01:33 PM

Not sure how much school you already have but if you go to school go for Computer Science at any of the State Universities here in Oregon and Washington. With a degree in Comp Sci you can do anything with computers you want as far as jobs go but if you get a degree in graphics arts etc. the reverse is not true. Anyway for your original question as far as laptops go for Comp Sci you just need something you can develop on and do regular homework on as well so the Dell Inspirons will be more than enough. Go for one with the dual core processor, 3GB of RAM, and 250GB of hard drive storage running Windows XP Pro. Most Universities today are Windows centric thanks to grant money from MSFT so if the Univ you are going to is Windows based make sure you are compatible with them.

wthr4d · 07-30-2008, 02:34 PM

if you go graphic arts you want a Mac go with a powerbook. if you go comp sci make sure you have a good amount of RAM 3-4 gig and a high speed dual core processor. one brand to the next wont tell you much as they are all very similar but prices will vary greatly. Our Fujitsu is a great machine but the CD/DVD drive was slow (made movies jumpy) and it was VERY heavy compared to others of a similar size.

Paul

M'kay13 · 07-30-2008, 04:57 PM

Call your school, talk to the department head, and see what he recommends. He will tell you most of the students/profs run.

I just started on my master's degree and had to pick up a laptop. I spent two weeks researching everything and reluctantly went with a Mac. Reviewers on both sides of the Mac/PC fence have negative (and valid) complaints about the oppposite side's machines. I came to the realization that opinions on laptops are like opinions on rods, handguns, and trucks. Essentially, they all have their problems and they are never going to make all people happy all the time.

I have two Windows XP machines in the house, but went with the Mac because of the customer service, no Vista, and I got a free iTouch out of the deal. Is it better than my PC machines? No. Worse? No.

Happy shopping.

Gus Orviston · 07-30-2008, 09:13 PM

search my posts on this topic, I stand by those positions still. HP is tough to beat in the market and they make use a good keyboard.. (my major beef with most NBs). They are only second to Lenovo (old IBM NB group).

gus

bad habit · 07-31-2008, 12:54 PM

well thanx for all the good tips .. i purchased a hp dv 9930, 4 gb ram, intel dual core,, 17 in. ,, base score is 4.7 ,, thanx again