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Thread: Buying a Dell Laptop for sis, geek advice needed PLEASE

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    Featured Member Hatshepsut's Avatar
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    Default Buying a Dell Laptop for sis, geek advice needed PLEASE

    My sis is about to go off to college, and she's going to buy a laptop. She's going to major in something computer related, and she's a huge geek, so something along the lines of a high-end Inspiron or XPS would suit her. However, she's looking at a Latitude Laptop, which is one of the small business ones. My bf tells me that business-grade laptops are meant to last, but not much else. Is this true, or would it support her geek needs? She's not going to buy it until mid August, as she's working and saving up money for it.

    The reason why we're sticking with Dell is because of the discounts. Not only do they have deals like 30% off occasionally (I keep abreast of discounts. There are entire blogs dedicated to coupon codes), but we also have a friend who works with an affiliate company who can get us an additional 18% employee discount.

    One trick I've learned about customizing Dell laptops: you can save up to a couple hundred bucks if you build up rather than buy the pre-made package. You know how when you go to a model menu (e.g. Inspiron 1505), they give you three choices: the baseline customization, the middle one, and the high-end one with all the stuff maxed out? Well, if you go to the baseline customization and just max it out with the options so that it's the same as the top-end one, then you'll get the exact same computer for a bit cheaper.

    Anyhoo, I'm asking about how the Latitude and other business laptops are, as well as any other advice about getting a computer and slashing costs. Thanks.

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    Default Re: Buying a Dell Laptop for sis, geek advice needed PLEASE

    dell's are ok, but dont use the keyboard as the letters fall off :S


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    Default Re: Buying a Dell Laptop for sis, geek advice needed PLEASE

    Dell is in a down turn right now, and if your sis is majoring in something computer related, depending on what that is, I would strongly suggest you start her off with a high end notebook (something with the santa rosa chipset and decent video) that can be upgraded in the processor/ram/hd area.

    When looking for a laptop (I'd stay away from Dell right now) I'd look for something with an ATI or nVidia video card (Settle for NO LESS than the Intel 945G) 2gigs of Ram but upgradeable to 4, a sATA hard drive (newest technology) and a upgradeable Core2duo processor.

    If you buy high now, not only will it last a while, being able to fully support VISTA, but when it comes time to upgrade, the major components can be upgraded rather cheap.

    Let me know if I can help more.
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    Featured Member WiseGuy_TX's Avatar
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    Default Re: Buying a Dell Laptop for sis, geek advice needed PLEASE

    MAST is the man, however, my opinion looks at it differently. Any model computer with decent specs/options should work fine for school. She's using it mostly for email, letter writing, DVD/CD burning, and internet. Surely the school isn't requiring her to buy her own computer to disassemble/assemble, upgrade and run intensive class programs on but who knows.

    I'll agree that buying as many "high specs" now is better in the long run. A few years from now, instead of upgrading, she may find it preferable/easier to sell the laptop and buy something else to her liking inline with her computer schooling.
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    Default Re: Buying a Dell Laptop for sis, geek advice needed PLEASE

    like wise, i'll defer to mast but would like to suggest screen size. i know this is a major issue (dealbreaker) with the programmer/designer-friends/family i have.

    i would think ram is the next major issue. also agree with the 2gig minimum and upgradeability.

    i aso agree with the crappy keyboard-dell comment. i've had a couple of dells and was less than impressed. i like the toshibas (currently using) and sonys. the sony's probably more eye-candy and not "intense enough" imo. although my brother swears by them but he worked for them so that's a little bias.

    does she have an preference or does the school have any guidelines? (very likely) most tech/engineering schools have "minimum suggestions" although they aren't likely to recommend a brand ime. hth

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    Default Re: Buying a Dell Laptop for sis, geek advice needed PLEASE

    Quote Originally Posted by WiseGuy_TX View Post
    MAST is the man, however, my opinion looks at it differently. Any model computer with decent specs/options should work fine for school. She's using it mostly for email, letter writing, DVD/CD burning, and internet. Surely the school isn't requiring her to buy her own computer to disassemble/assemble, upgrade and run intensive class programs on but who knows.

    I'll agree that buying as many "high specs" now is better in the long run. A few years from now, instead of upgrading, she may find it preferable/easier to sell the laptop and buy something else to her liking inline with her computer schooling.
    Yea, I just got the idea that if she's going INTO a computer field, she'll want to make sure the system meets spec for the school period (4-5 years?)

    Screen size is indeed important, but so is portability, but resolution should be a factor. 1280x800 should be a min I suppose. Just keep in mind that their 30% discounts is almost directly caused by the loss of value in their "award winning support". Dell is a recognizable brand, but they have their ups and downs, and right now is a down. Just an F.Y.I.
    People are not ruled by their memories.

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    Default Re: Buying a Dell Laptop for sis, geek advice needed PLEASE

    Unless she's playing video games, going to school for something computer *art* related (video or sound editing, rendering 3D artwork, etc), or a math major looking to calculate PI to bajillions of digits, then any laptop for sale now will be just fine for all of her needs.

    I have a computer geek friend with a PC he hasn't upgraded in 5 years. If you're just using it for basic everyday tasks, it's fine, and a "low end" PC right now is ridiculously powerful if all you're doing is MS Office, e-mail, Internet, IM, etc.
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    Default Re: Buying a Dell Laptop for sis, geek advice needed PLEASE

    I hate to argue people with people who more experience than me, but I don't understand why people need such high specs. Recently got an old pentium 4 2.0 GHz machine and it does everything fast with windows xp. The only slow moments are opening photoshop and other large programs, but once it's open it's fine. I really am curious what programs besides Operating Systems and games that need high specifications (I assume 1 GB ram on XP would run all the large programs you threw it at without complaint).

    I remember reading a ridiculously long dell buying guide and like you they said to go threw the different options: home,business, and so on and compare prices.
    Here's the first google search for dell buying guide:
    http://www.dealhack.com/buyersguides/dell_top_five.php

    On the theory college students should suffer, I assume 3 year old off-lease dell computers.
    http://www.dfsdirectsales.com/edeali...5&attrib_cnt=6
    perfectly reasonable desktops for $250.

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    BrunetteGoddess
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    Default Re: Buying a Dell Laptop for sis, geek advice needed PLEASE

    Quote Originally Posted by ALee View Post
    dell's are ok, but dont use the keyboard as the letters fall off :S
    That seems like an exception, rather than a rule. I've had my Dell Inspiron 1100 since it was brand new in 2003 and the keys have yet to fall off.

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    Default Re: Buying a Dell Laptop for sis, geek advice needed PLEASE

    Quote Originally Posted by space_Cadet_28 View Post
    I hate to argue people with people who more experience than me, but I don't understand why people need such high specs. Recently got an old pentium 4 2.0 GHz machine and it does everything fast with windows xp. The only slow moments are opening photoshop and other large programs, but once it's open it's fine. I really am curious what programs besides Operating Systems and games that need high specifications (I assume 1 GB ram on XP would run all the large programs you threw it at without complaint).

    I remember reading a ridiculously long dell buying guide and like you they said to go threw the different options: home,business, and so on and compare prices.
    Here's the first google search for dell buying guide:
    http://www.dealhack.com/buyersguides/dell_top_five.php

    On the theory college students should suffer, I assume 3 year old off-lease dell computers.
    http://www.dfsdirectsales.com/edeali...5&attrib_cnt=6
    perfectly reasonable desktops for $250.
    The main reason for this is forward thinking. The computers you speak of may do exactly what you are saying now. But in a year, it could be a different story. If you go with the high specs you'll be prepared for the next big thing. Right now the next big thing is Vista once it gets past the obligatory adjustment period for a new Windows OS. Having a plan for the future in computers is always a good thing. Only planning for what will work right now will end up biting you in the ass.
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    Default Re: Buying a Dell Laptop for sis, geek advice needed PLEASE

    Quote Originally Posted by CorsicaFire View Post
    That seems like an exception, rather than a rule. I've had my Dell Inspiron 1100 since it was brand new in 2003 and the keys have yet to fall off.
    I have the dell inspiron 9300 and the keys on the board are just crumbling off... I do admit I put it through hell, it has been used heavily for the last 18 + months.

    Also, I do have complaints to make about the battery, which seems to be a very common problem ----> http://www.west-wind.com/WebLog/posts/365.aspx <---- I have made a comment on there ages ago, but maybe worth a browse!


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    BrunetteGoddess
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    Default Re: Buying a Dell Laptop for sis, geek advice needed PLEASE

    I agree about the batteries. And the power adapters effing break in the wiring no matter how gentle you are. I've replaced it THREE times! Argh!

    Oh, and I visited your site ALee

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    Default Re: Buying a Dell Laptop for sis, geek advice needed PLEASE

    Quote Originally Posted by space_Cadet_28 View Post
    I hate to argue people with people who more experience than me, but I don't understand why people need such high specs.
    Because the difference between ttr (time to replacement) between a status quo/used computer and a new one can be about 400 dollars, but the split difference can amount to an additional 5-6 years.


    All I'm saying is that if it's for school buy newer hardware since a lot of the components now carry 5 year warranties to compete.

    It's a horse-a-piece really. Overkill now takes longer to become "more than enough" than "more than enough" takes to become "obsolete" at MAYBE a 300-400 dollar difference.
    People are not ruled by their memories.

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    Default Re: Buying a Dell Laptop for sis, geek advice needed PLEASE

    ^^^ you're so sexy when you talk tech Mast

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    Default Re: Buying a Dell Laptop for sis, geek advice needed PLEASE

    Quote Originally Posted by CorsicaFire View Post
    I agree about the batteries. And the power adapters effing break in the wiring no matter how gentle you are. I've replaced it THREE times! Argh!

    Oh, and I visited your site ALee
    Thanks! I am no way going to get 10,000 unique visits, but I was being optimistic when I posted that any way, I am on my way to 5,000 which I suppose is good considering I do not pay for advertising on any sites


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    Default Re: Buying a Dell Laptop for sis, geek advice needed PLEASE


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    Default Re: Buying a Dell Laptop for sis, geek advice needed PLEASE

    Quote Originally Posted by Mastridonicus View Post
    It's a horse-a-piece really. Overkill now takes longer to become "more than enough" than "more than enough" takes to become "obsolete" at MAYBE a 300-400 dollar difference.
    ...in "MAST speak",the worlds fastest portable computer at 9.54mhz was once "more than enough".
    Last edited by WiseGuy_TX; 12-01-2007 at 07:12 AM.
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