Any suggestions on which laptop?

Okay so it has been decided that I need a laptop for nursing school starting in August. I have spent the last couple of days looking at various laptops online, reading reviews, looking in stores at them in person, and I am so totally confused. I am not looking for anything fancy, no gaming, no burning cds, listening/holding tons of music, etc. etc. Just something basic that I can run my microsoft office 2007 on and do some basic day to day stuff on for/at school, something that I would not have any trouble running any outside programs (like study disks that come with college books, etc.) on for studying. Something simple, easy to use, and something that I would not have to wait forever for a program to load. Also one that I can use thumb drives on to hold my notes, etc. I would still have my home desktop if I need to do anything major. I have not decided yet, but I may not even use the laptop for internet although it may be useful at a later time...

So I think that my decision has come down to possibly 2 computers. Here's the links to them.
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...%20performance
or
http://www.gateway.com/systems/series/529598024.php

(I've been leaning a little more towards the gateway, but just not sure...) Can I use a thumb drive on either of these?

These would fit my current price range, just need something to get me through the next two years, if I need something better then I can save up. Or if anyone has come across any good deals on a good laptop, please let me know.

So if anyone would care to share their opinions on good laptops, or their opinions on the ones that I have posted, I would be very appreciative!! Thanks!!

macbook air!

My mom just got a macbook air - they look easy to break and the disc drive has to be plugged in, I don't like them very much but they would be easy to carry around if you will use one a lot.

I like Macbooks a lot, little more meat to them! I had an iBook for a couple years and just got an iMac last week (free ipod touch and printer and $100 off for students)!

I really haven't used anything other than an mac since we switched from dial up - sorry I couldn't be more help, but I know nothing about computers, just that macs have worked really well for me

I would personally go with a macbook pro. All around great computer. I would die to have a mac.
But, I'm poor.:(

-Chris-

I would love to have a macbook air!! Or any macbook/ desktop mac for that matter, but unfortunately their starting price is a bit out of my price range at the moment:(. That would be the type of computer upgrading I would do after I finish school (and then go back for more schooling ;)).
Thanks for those suggestions though!!
Any others??

got a gateway...
its... ok


id go with macbook...
NEVER heard any bad about them.

im a computer tech. i have never had an apple on my desk due to software problems. i say go with a macbook with apple care. the best decision i ever made. ive had it for bout a year and a half now and it runs as fast as the day i bought it. the mouse pad and battery have gone out but with apple care they cover 100% of any software or hardware issue so both have been replaced for free. the only down fall is that apple doesnt have some software and games, But they DONT get viruses. apple is the way to go in my opinion. apple care will cover you for 3 years. no matter what laptop you buy even with the perfect care something is going to crash or break within 3 years.

For the applications that I will imagine you'll be running in school for nursing, I would suggest a Dell Inspiron 1720. My son in-law is in nursing and so is my daughter in-law and they both have that type of laptop and they both love theirs. Just my 2 cents.

sorry i didnt realize that you were the one that cant afford a mac. just keep in mind what i said i guess. good luck

LOLZ! i didnt even pay attention to that.
get the gateway.
u can use a "thumb drive" aka flash drive.
yes.
i acually have the one on the right... in the pic.
just a older one.
the only problem i had with mine was switching it to windows vista, from xp.

but i do reccomend it.
i use mine for, school work, graphic design, web design, music, fun... stuff like that.
not gaming, but i do reccomend it.

Go with the gateway.

A lot of the HP/Compaq notebooks have really crappy wireless cards. I think the last I read was something like 1 out of 6 made are having to be sent back to HP for new motherboards and wireless cards. I've sent mine in twice and still have the same problem. I gave up and bought a USB network adapter. Their customer service is very weak. I'm not sure about the one in your link, but I've been very unhappy with my HP. I don't trust them at all.

I have a Toshiba Satellite, and I LOOOOVE it! Runs great, plays graphic intensive video games, the only thing I really really don't like its the volume control. THe speakers are nice, but it's too quite by default, and when you bend and turn with it in your lap, it turns up or down because the dial is in the front.

With all the keyboard room it has, you'd think they'd put the control up there.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, keep them up!! LOL :)

I will definitely keep in mind what everyone has said when finally making my decision about which one to buy, and will look again at the Dell and the Toshiba. Thanks again!!

Anymore thoughts??? :P

First, you can use a "thumb drive" or flash drive on essentially any computer with a USB port. I would really suggest looking at Best Buy, Circuit City, MicroCenter, or other computer stores online rather than looking to buy direct from the manufacturer. They will sell everything at full list price as opposed to the retailers who sell for less. I was just glancing at laptops on Best Buy's website and upon a quick scan, this one looks to be a pretty good deal...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1203815723334

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Originally Posted by Sunny1

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, keep them up!! LOL :)

I will definitely keep in mind what everyone has said when finally making my decision about which one to buy, and will look again at the Dell and the Toshiba. Thanks again!!

Anymore thoughts??? :P

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Oh, I forgot to mention the perks of my laptop that I particularly enjoy. It's what I consider a replacement for a desktop computer. It's got something like 8 USB inputs, video out put, stereo output, large 17" extra bright and clear screen, huge and easy to use keyboard (I hate laptop keyboards) with a separate number pad.

HUGE hardrive, DVD burner, a bunch of card drives that I'm not sure what for lol, and of course, a nice bunch of hardware to keep it running smoothly.

It is on the bulky side, not something like a macbook, but it is on par with the BF's desktop in terms of usability.

I use my computer for a lot of tasks, and it just keeps right on humming.

Can you tell I love my laptop?! :P

i have a gateway, i love it. its super fast and i havent had a problem with it for the 4 years ive had it.

I got the gateway M-1617 one bout a year ago. What a waste of money. We got it because the numbers on it were great, then we started using it and it doesn't perform anywhere near as well as we expected. It does look cool tho! but the cd drive breaks everytime u pick it up, it takes about 10 min to start up, the border around the keyboard is caving in, and the usb ports only work half the time. It also has random errors and closes out of everything suddenly (not good if you're writing a paper!).

On a more positive note, gateway does have excellent customer service. They have sent us a new cd drive everytime ours breaks!

In my opinion, Macbooks are overpriced toys. They look pretty and they are what the "cool kids" have right now, so they get a lot more press than they are due. They've stopped being computers so much as status symbols, and like any status symbol - be it designer jeans or sneakers - they are priced accordingly.

Additionally, I know 3 people who utterly shattered their Macbook Air - one of them the first week of having it. And for the privilege of owning a malnourished computer you are forced to sacrifice a lot of features, such as; only one USB port, no optical (CD/DVD) drive, a single mono-stereo jack, no Ethernet port (to get online you have to use wireless), a built-in non-replaceable battery, no upgradable components, etc.

All for just $3000!

Now, if you are a real college student on a real-world budget, and your parents can't drop you 3gs for the asking, go with a functional and fully equipped Dell/Gateway. Pay a little extra for their extended care service, and you should be all set! A friend of mine got a fantastic computer for less than $600 on sale at BestBuy. 4 years in and zero problems. Don't fall into the iTrap.

what are you wanting to do?

i bought a mac, and i gotta be honest, it is not the hottest thing since sliced bread. if i had to do it all over again i would get a PC w/ windows xp.

Can't you do payments for the Mac book?

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Originally Posted by redpython

what are you wanting to do?

i bought a mac, and i gotta be honest, it is not the hottest thing since sliced bread. if i had to do it all over again i would get a PC w/ windows xp.

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Have fun with all the spyware and pop up and anti-virus software. I've have had 3 PC's and I got a mac and it kills PC hands down.

Thanks again everyone for the continued input!! I really appreciate it and I am sure that others out there probably appreciate it as well!!

Okay so I have been looking online again at all the different ones. Looked at the Gateways, Dells, and the Toshibas, also took a glance at the Sonys.

I looked at the link for the Gateway that Inknsteel provided a link to which brings up another question. Reading the reviews that people posted for that particular laptop, people were complaining that it got to be a bit hot after awhile. Do all Gateways do this? What about the Dell Inspirons and the Toshiba Satellites? I also heard about pieces falling off of the inside of certain Gateways causing the computers to short out, anyone have this experience? Are there any things I should look for as a "do not buy me" type of sign? And what sold you on the laptops that you use? (Hopefully these are not silly questions!! :P this would be my first laptop and I want something that I would be happy with, does all of the basics that I need, and something that is going to be somewhat durable. I take good care of all of my stuff but with having young kids around anything is possible!!).

Who knew choosing a laptop could be this hard ***sighs***?? LOL
I am definitely going to have to make a list of computer model numbers and go to the stores again to get a feel for all of them.

And redpython, this would be primarily a study aid for school. Something I could use in class/at home for notes and studying. Something that would run any of the accompanying disks that come with certain school textbooks.Running my MS Office 2007 would be a bigger priority, I may not initially use it for being on the internet ( I would still have my current desktop), but could be a possibility later if I find I am having to do a bunch of research for nursing school...

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Originally Posted by Vomitore

Can't you do payments for the Mac book?

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I could, but I would rather not have another bill to worry about while I am in school (no matter how small the bill may be). To be completely honest, I feel they are a bit too expensive to be used primarily as a study aid of sorts. And my husband and I are putting ourselves on a budget while I am in school since I am going to have to cut waaaaay back on working while going to school full time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sunny1

I could, but I would rather not have another bill to worry about while I am in school (no matter how small the bill may be). To be completely honest, I feel they are a bit too expensive to be used primarily as a study aid of sorts. And my husband and I are putting ourselves on a budget while I am in school since I am going to have to cut waaaaay back on working while going to school full time.

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Ahh. Makes sense.

Sunny1 -

All laptops I have owned seem to get hot if you're using them for a while with them resting directly on your lap. What seems to be the reason for this is because the ones I have used have the intake fan on the bottom of the machine, so while sitting on your lap, it doesn't get enough airflow. Once you move it to allow air to flow freely, it seems to get better and cooler. This is the laptop I have.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1196470766892

Overall, I love it. when it's sitting on a table or desk, it doesn't seem to heat up as much as my last one (Toshiba Satellite). I got something from Target that was designed more as a closet organizer, but it's a wire mesh thing that I can set over my lap that will elevate the computer a few inches above my lap, leaving plenty of airflow to the intake fan. Another option is to pick up something like this to help keep it cool.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1193234476472

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Originally Posted by Vomitore

Ahh. Makes sense.

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Thank you though, I'll be sure to take a better look at them in the future. My husband keeps saying that when we go to replace our main computer that he would like to look into the Macs.

And thanks again, Inknsteel. I'll have to take a better look at that one a little later (getting close to time to be heading off to work).

Again, I really appreciate all the advice and suggestions!! I just want to make the best possible purchase for my current needs within my current budget, without regretting it later.

i have a pc that i have used for five years. never had an issue w/ it. don't do illegal downloads, dont go to porn sites on it.

pretty simple formula for keeping it clean.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I have a Toshiba Satellite, and I LOOOOVE it! Runs great, plays graphic intensive video games, the only thing I really really don't like its the volume control. THe speakers are nice, but it's too quite by default, and when you bend and turn with it in your lap, it turns up or down because the dial is in the front.

With all the keyboard room it has, you'd think they'd put the control up there.

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How old is your Satellite?
I *HATED* mine. It would overheat even just sitting on my desk (don't even think about putting it on your lap!) and so that killed a couple hard drives

I actually still have it hanging out in my closet, but after like 3 years the battery already doesn't hold a charge, and every couple months it has a major system failure and I have to reformat the hard drive. But it would work great as a non-portable internet machine!
A fried of mine had overheating problems too and took it back to Best Buy. They said to her "Overheating? Of course, it's a Toshiba!"]plus they're far more expensive than many other brands (hp, gateway and dell mostly)

I have an HP (tablet) now and I really like it. All my problems have been operating system/driver related and they've all been my fault for trying to upgrade to vista.

Really though, (to the OP) if you want just something to do word processing for super cheap, Dell might not be a bad choice (as much as it sickens me to say it haha) Any computer made within the last like 20 years will be able to support a thumb drive (haha maybe a little over exaggeration)
I don't know how good you are at typing, or if you're planning on taking notes in real time, but I find having a tablet, or a convertible tablet, to be *awesome* for classes. They are without a doubt a little pricier, but I at least write a whole lot faster than I type, so if you can find one in your price range it might be worth it.
(I know I just trash talked toshibas so much, but it looks like they might have one that's not too pricy hehe....another good place to look for recommendations is http://www.cnet.com )

Sorry for the long post, I just get excited about computer shopping!

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Originally Posted by Vomitore

Have fun with all the spyware and pop up and anti-virus software. I've have had 3 PC's and I got a mac and it kills PC hands down.

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or you could get a PC and install Ubuntu and save like 50%

edit: like I said in the last post...OS issues. This is NOT a good option if you have a tablet haha. I had to spend months getting it to subpar operation.
I'd definitely do it on my desktop though if I wasn't too lazy to change everything now, and I'll probably dual boot my HTPC when I build it
computers are fun!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redpython

i have a pc that i have used for five years. never had an issue w/ it. don't do illegal downloads, dont go to porn sites on it.

pretty simple formula for keeping it clean.

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don't download email attachments from people you don't know....

really though I've never had a viral problem and since switching to Firefox I haven't had a spyware/adware/popup/etc... problem either
and if the OP isn't using it for internet...
well getting a virus would be awfully difficult

they do say abstinence (from the internets) is the only foolproof way to keep (your computer) clean...

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Originally Posted by soy.lor.n

How old is your Satellite?
I *HATED* mine. It would overheat even just sitting on my desk (don't even think about putting it on your lap!) and so that killed a couple hard drives

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Brand new, maybe 6 months old, I sit with it on my lap all day long and like I said, LOOOVE it!!. ;)