looking to buy a laptop for college

[nwe30]

so i've been saving up my past few paychecks and i'm looking to invest in a nice laptop. i would say my budget is around 1600...maybe 1800 depending on if i find the money worth it.

i've been looking into the:

sony vaio S 2011
macbook pro 15" 2011

the reason i don't really want to get the macbook pro is because it's overpriced for what it really is.

what are you guys using?

[Dominic49]

you either want an apple computer or you dont, the price shouldn't be the deciding factor as there is more involved then just the hardware...

[Dermeister3]

I got a Toshiba satellite with hardware that is better than a macbook pro, for about 700 last summer. id do that.

macbooks are overpriced status symbols, end of story, no argument.

[e30e]

Love my new Hp Pavilion g7, isn't a gamer computer. But it would handle all my homework of when I went to college.

[nwe30]

you either want an apple computer or you dont, the price shouldn't be the deciding factor as there is more involved then just the hardware...

yes, i know the difference of the operating systems. but i could get a 750gb hardrive at 7200rpm's, 8gb of ram, and an i7 processor in a sony vaio for the same price as a 15 inch macbook pro with i5, 500gb hd at 5400rpms, and 4gb of ram.

huge difference in hardware there

[Dermeister3]

Also, depending on where you go to college, you might need to install software for your classes. Mac OS sometimes cant handle software if its formatted specifically for windows.

[Killacortes]

yes, i know the difference of the operating systems. but i could get a 750gb hardrive at 7200rpm's, 8gb of ram, and an i7 processor in a sony vaio for the same price as a 15 inch macbook pro with i5, 500gb hd at 5400rpms, and 4gb of ram.

huge difference in hardware there

i think you answered your own question bro!

[nwe30]

Also, depending on where you go to college, you might need to install software for your classes. Mac OS sometimes cant handle software if its formatted specifically for windows.

very good point. im definitely going with pc.

i think you answered your own question bro!

haha true, but right now im open to other configurations.

after looking at these past couple posts, i think apple is out of the question.

the reason i made this thread is to receive recommendations as i may have overlooked some nice laptops that are out there. for instance, i was pretty set on the macbook pro a couple weeks ago until my friend told me to check out the new sony vaio S series. i fell in love when i saw these new vaio's. now, before i pull the trigger i'd like to make sure that there are no "hiding" laptops out there that i may have not discovered yet.

[pureaudio]

I'd never get a laptop that wasn't a MacBook and I'd never get a desktop that wasn't a PC. I have high standards for a laptop that can't be met with anything but a MacBook and it has nothing to do with cool factor or even the OS.

That being said, I think Mac is a giant waste of money for most users out there. Do some research and find out what kind of specs you are actually going to need. No need to throw money at a processor you will never fully utilize.

I'd look for a core i5 with at least 4gb of ram but then you need to decide on screen size, 10 key or not, dedicated video card, battery life requirements and so on.

If the MacBook is what you really want then get it, if you don't really have a preference then shop around. Don't spend your entire budget just because you have it, this is not an investment that is going to pay out for spending more now.

[Kershaw]

I'd never get a laptop that wasn't a MacBook and I'd never get a desktop that wasn't a PC. I have high standards for a laptop that can't be met with anything but a MacBook and it has nothing to do with cool factor or even the OS.

this sums up my view pretty well. macbooks have excellent battery life as well. 5-7 hours. AND they are lightweight. something to keep in mind.

[TurboJake]

Buy windows PC
Crackintosh IF the need arises.
/thread

[selturk]

Get a macbook pro 15".. I'm sure you don't want to be dealing with windows crashing every time for no reason and windows likes to get infected (virus, spyware etc.)

Just get an apple and there will be less headaches..

[TurboJake]

You sir, don't know how to operate a PC then.
This was covered before, I haven't restarted the windows computer I'm on in over 6 months...

[Dominic49]

i use apple for many reasons, amazing customer service experiences have played a big part. walking into the store a week after my extended warranty was up expecting and willing to shell out money for a new graphics board and walking out with a brand new emac with out shelling out a dime was something they didnt have to do but, they went the extra mile and now have a lifelong happy customer.

[ALYKZANDYR]

I have a HP Pavilion DV7 (Core i5), got it for $850. for the money it is damn good. plays every game ive thrown at it, at high to max settings. (BFBC2, F12010, gta4, RF Gurierilla, FC2)