Laptop advice

**cyismydog** · 04-10-2011, 03:29 PM

I'm heading off to college next year, and I'm looking for advice on a laptop. Right now I'm thinking I may go with a 17" screen (older bro has one, good for ESPN3, but I'm concerned about portability), and I definitely want Windows 7. Looking for a good quality, fairly priced one under $1000. My grandfather, who's buying it for my graduation gift, already has a Dell account, and likes the Insprion 17R. Any suggestions/help/advice is greatly appreciated!

**cyclonedave25** · 04-10-2011, 03:30 PM

This thread may help you.
http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/forum/...p-college.html (Laptop for college)

**TitanClone** · 04-10-2011, 03:34 PM

I would never get a 17", but that's just me. I've had a 13" Dell Studio for a year. It' been great so far.

Make sure whatever you get has an HDMI port. Then you can just watch ESPN3 on your TV.

**IcSyU** · 04-10-2011, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by cyismydog

and I definitely want Windows 7.

Good, because you're stuck with it if you buy a new Windows computer.

**ISUAgronomist** · 04-10-2011, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by TitanClone

I would never get a 17", but that's just me. I've had a 13" Dell Studio for a year. It' been great so far.

Make sure whatever you get has an HDMI port. Then you can just watch ESPN3 on your TV.

This is exactly what I was going to say. Get a smaller size laptop for portability with an HDMI port.

**cyismydog** · 04-10-2011, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by IcSyU

Good, because you're stuck with it if you buy a new Windows computer.

I was trying to scare off the Macheads.

**cyismydog** · 04-10-2011, 03:53 PM

Also, what site is best for purchasing them from? Newegg is one I've heard.

**ISUAgronomist** · 04-10-2011, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by cyismydog

Also, what site is best for purchasing them from? Newegg is one I've heard.

That's pretty good place for prebuilt. If you want to customize I'd go to the manufacture's website.

**IcSyU** · 04-10-2011, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by cyismydog

Also, what site is best for purchasing them from? Newegg is one I've heard.

Go to Dell's site and just build your own.

**alarson** · 04-10-2011, 04:00 PM

Amazon is great for them.

Here's one laptop i might recommend. Taking it to class everyday, id go with something thin and light and about 13" for portability. I have a model similar to this (though not with this year's upgraded specs) and have been pretty happy with it. You might notice there's no disc drive, and ive found that the benefits you get in having a light laptop far outweigh the benefits of having that drive. You can always pick up a $20 external drive for anything you need to install that's on disc, but you wont have to lug that around everywhere you go (which is essentially what you're doing with any laptop that has one built in)

Amazon.com: ASUS U31JG-XA1 13.3-Inch Laptop - Black: Computer & Accessories

**ianoconnor** · 04-10-2011, 04:15 PM

Agreed with the 13 inch. I have a Dell XPS M1330, it has an HDMI output as well. I love it. Check out the dell outlet, you can get more bang for your buck.

**tim_redd** · 04-10-2011, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by ianoconnor

Agreed with the 13 inch. I have a Dell XPS M1330, it has an HDMI output as well. I love it. Check out the dell outlet, you can get more bang for your buck.

I have the XPS M1530. If i had to do it over again, I'd choose the 13" over the 15".

**jtm** · 04-10-2011, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by cyismydog

I'm heading off to college next year, and I'm looking for advice on a laptop. Right now I'm thinking I may go with a 17" screen (older bro has one, good for ESPN3, but I'm concerned about portability), and I definitely want Windows 7. Looking for a good quality, fairly priced one under $1000. My grandfather, who's buying it for my graduation gift, already has a Dell account, and likes the Insprion 17R. Any suggestions/help/advice is greatly appreciated!