Computer Science Canada

Yet another laptop advice thread...
Author:  Naveg [ Tue Apr 04, 2006 6:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Yet another laptop advice thread...
I know there are way too many of these, but the problem is that technology changes so quickly you need a new one every time Razz.

Anyways, here's the scenario. I need a laptop for a summer program I am doing this July. I don't know whether I should buy now or wait, and what I should go for.

Here are my needs/preferences/limitations:

  • My preferred budget is around $2500 canadian
  • I want something that has reasonable mobility (as in weight)
  • Screen size is not a major concern
  • Specs should be powerful enough to last a good 3 - 4 years
  • I am not a gamer, so graphics is not a major concern


I have been deeply considering waiting on the iBooks that are apparently due in June, but I don't want to find myself paying more than I need to for OSX and good looks. If I can get the power for less money, I'd rather do that.

Anyhow, let me know of any suggestions or advice you guys have, including links to relevant sites.

Thanks alot!
Author:  wtd [ Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
Unless something really dramatic changes, you won't get the power of OS X without Apple branded hardware.

As for waiting... wait until new iBooks come out, if you can. If you don't want one, the other options will almost certainly be better and cheaper as well.
Author:  Naveg [ Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well, if running OSX isnt such a priority for me, do you recommend going for a cheaper windows laptop? If so, which do you recommend.
Author:  1of42 [ Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
Some of the Asus laptops are good, and have the quality to last at a good price. I'm not a major lappy person tho, so I don't remember speific models off the top of my head.
Author:  wtd [ Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
Naveg wrote:
Well, if running OSX isnt such a priority for me, do you recommend going for a cheaper windows laptop? If so, which do you recommend.


Possibly. But I think that you'll find that for the quality of the hardware, Apple's laptops are fairly price-competitive. Yes, you can can get cheaper, but there's a good chance it'll be cheaper for a very good reason.

I think the best advice any of us could give you is to wait as long as you can. The technology is not going to decline, and it will get less expensive.
Author:  md [ Tue Apr 04, 2006 10:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
An apple laptop might be expensive; but compared to any other laptop I would say it is the one market where their product really is worth the price. Great support and excellent hardware. If I had the money I know I'd get one.
Author:  apomb [ Tue Apr 04, 2006 10:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
another option is build one to your own specs ... Aopen has a nice little kit you can order and then just buy the rest, put on a nice Linux distro, and i bet you can get a damn good configuration, for < 2500 bucks, you could make quite the laptop. heres an example:Mandriva on an Aopen Barebook Smile
Author:  Naveg [ Tue Apr 04, 2006 10:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
The thing i've noticed with Apple is that they are living in 2002 when it comes to RAM. How is it that products considered top of the line come standard with only 512 MB? As far as upgrades go, Apple charges you a fortune. If i could get an Apple notebook with 2 GB's RAM for a reasonable price, I would certainly consider it.
Author:  shorthair [ Wed Apr 05, 2006 4:51 am ]
Post subject: 
just add your own ram later.
its so 2002 to get hte manufacturer to do it for you.

if you want apple but want to air on hte cheap side.

order a student priced MacbookPro with no upgrades , or wait for the iBook and do the same thing.

then get a killer deal fro mNCIX , RFD , TigerDirect , NewEgg.

on HDD and RAM.
you will be flying for a good price.
Author:  Andy [ Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
you could get a barebone asus from ncix and just build on it, you'll save a bunch and learn alot
Author:  rizzix [ Wed Apr 05, 2006 5:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
get the new intel-based macs.. and run XP along side: http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/
Author:  Neo [ Wed Apr 05, 2006 5:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
Can you run OSX on a pc?
Author:  rizzix [ Wed Apr 05, 2006 5:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
Not legally nor optimally.
Author:  apomb [ Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:11 am ]
Post subject: 
i love how Mac manages to be elitest, even when its trying to be accepting:
Mac Bootcamp sidebar wrote:
Sadly, Windows XP, and even the upcoming Vista, are stuck in the 1980s with old-fashioned BIOS. But with Boot Camp, the Mac can operate smoothly in both centuries.

and
Mac Bootcamp sidebar wrote:
Windows running on a Mac is like Windows running on a PC. That means it'll be subject to the same attacks that plague the Windows world.

i know this is true, i just find it funny that they are letting people do this, but obviously are hesitant in doing so. Laughing
Author:  wtd [ Thu Apr 06, 2006 2:00 am ]
Post subject: 
CompWiz333 wrote:
i love how Mac manages to be elitest, even when its trying to be accepting:
Mac Bootcamp sidebar wrote:
Sadly, Windows XP, and even the upcoming Vista, are stuck in the 1980s with old-fashioned BIOS. But with Boot Camp, the Mac can operate smoothly in both centuries.


They're not wrong. The fact that Microsoft refuses to let go of the BIOS is truly pathetic.
Author:  Martin [ Thu Apr 06, 2006 2:19 am ]
Post subject: 
I played with a MacBook pro in the store, I wasn't too impressed.

It is one nice looking laptop. OSX is really responsive on it, so I doubt you'd have problems with performance for a while anyway. Plus, keep in mind that you can set up a triple boot with OSX, Linux and Windows to run virtually any software out there.

It runs incredibly hot. Alienware hot. Now, I imagine it had been on for at least 8 consecutive hours, but it's something to keep in mind. The place that I work recently purchased five of them, but had to exchange two of them because their screens were flickering. As far as I know, there was no hassle in doing this, but it's a risk. Buy the warrenty with it. I've also heard some stories that there were problems with the safety power socket thing that they use, but I don't know.

It's first gen hardware. Apple doesn't seem to be able to release a decent v1 of anything, but I imagine that they'll roll out a new version in the near future, which'll probably be better.

And if you're buying a Mac, buy your own RAM. I don't know why, but Apple insists on charging twice as much as any other manufacturer for their RAM. It shouldn't take you more than five minutes to put your own in and you'll save yourself at least $100. For example, Apple charges $240 to switch the included 512mb stick with a 1024mb stick. TigerDirect.ca sells 1024mb sticks for $177.99, which would bring you to 1.5GB of ram.
Author:  wtd [ Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:52 am ]
Post subject: 
Martin wrote:
It's first gen hardware. Apple doesn't seem to be able to release a decent v1 of anything, but I imagine that they'll roll out a new version in the near future, which'll probably be better.


They've released four minor (and silent) revisions to it already.
Author:  Naveg [ Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
Let me know what you guys think of this:

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=009202&cid=896

I've read superb things about it. On the other hand, acer's tech support is known to suck horribly.

:


You can syndicate this boards posts using the file backend.php or view the topic map using sitemap.php.

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy