Hatch wants/needs a lightweight one for her Uni studies, (double degree in psychology and biology,) one she can carry back and forth each day. I'm not really up to speed with current spec, trustworthy brands, capabilities, speeds, and availability, so would some kind person point us in the right direction of a good buy?
Many thanks in advance.
Laptop for Hatch
Laptop for Hatch
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Laptop for Hatch
Since nobody else has replied yet, if I were you I'd start here if I were looking for a laptop. At the very least you/Hatch could assemble what she needs and see what it is likely to cost.
You no longer need the most expensive state of the art computer unless you need a lot of extra power for games or other complicated programs.
I bought an ASUS for $600.00 or so about 2 years ago because Consumer Reports showed it as one of the best in that price range. It has more than enough speed and power for me. One thing I did learn before buying my second laptop (my first was an HP) is that I wanted a keyboard that included number keys on the right to make it easier to do calculations.
If you'd like I'll go dig up my CR magazine and copy the top choices.
The other thing to consider is whether or not you would prefer an Apple computer. They are worth the extra money in my opinion but they are dropping features like the CD burner/player and eventually I expect them to be only wireless and you'll need to buy features separately to get things that were once included.
You no longer need the most expensive state of the art computer unless you need a lot of extra power for games or other complicated programs.
I bought an ASUS for $600.00 or so about 2 years ago because Consumer Reports showed it as one of the best in that price range. It has more than enough speed and power for me. One thing I did learn before buying my second laptop (my first was an HP) is that I wanted a keyboard that included number keys on the right to make it easier to do calculations.
If you'd like I'll go dig up my CR magazine and copy the top choices.
The other thing to consider is whether or not you would prefer an Apple computer. They are worth the extra money in my opinion but they are dropping features like the CD burner/player and eventually I expect them to be only wireless and you'll need to buy features separately to get things that were once included.
Re: Laptop for Hatch
Thanks ever so much Joe.
We have enough computer power at home for all our other needs, so just something very portable for taking back and fore to Uni is the main criteria.
Not a Mac though.
We have enough computer power at home for all our other needs, so just something very portable for taking back and fore to Uni is the main criteria.
Not a Mac though.
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Laptop for Hatch
Maybe this will help....?
Re: Laptop for Hatch
That's me out of the discussion thenGob wrote: Not a Mac though.
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oldr_n_wsr
- Posts: 10838
- Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2010 1:59 am
Re: Laptop for Hatch
Get lots of memory and HD capacity. Doubt if she's a gamer so no need for uber processing/video power.
As pointed out a number pad on the right would be a must have for me. Wireless is standard pretty much.
Check the weight of the laptops. Get as light as possible. Also look at battery life. Nothing sucks more than no battery left and a class without power outlet to plug in to.
Make sure you have at least 2 USB ports. I like four USB ports as I still use a mouse and a printer and a thumbdrive and that leaves one still open.
Look at the various screen sizes and not just over hte internet. Go to a brick and morter store and see what she likes. Open up word and excel files and see how they look on the screen. Do you have to pan and scan back and forth to see the whole page? Would a slightly larger screen solve that?
We just got a new laptop for about $400. We use word, excel and email. All else is fluff for me.
As pointed out a number pad on the right would be a must have for me. Wireless is standard pretty much.
Check the weight of the laptops. Get as light as possible. Also look at battery life. Nothing sucks more than no battery left and a class without power outlet to plug in to.
Make sure you have at least 2 USB ports. I like four USB ports as I still use a mouse and a printer and a thumbdrive and that leaves one still open.
Look at the various screen sizes and not just over hte internet. Go to a brick and morter store and see what she likes. Open up word and excel files and see how they look on the screen. Do you have to pan and scan back and forth to see the whole page? Would a slightly larger screen solve that?
We just got a new laptop for about $400. We use word, excel and email. All else is fluff for me.
Re: Laptop for Hatch
Thanks everyone. Just been told by her boyfriend that he's buying her one for her birthday! Say nothing!!
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
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oldr_n_wsr
- Posts: 10838
- Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2010 1:59 am
Re: Laptop for Hatch
You know what that means!?!?!?Gob wrote:Thanks everyone. Just been told by her boyfriend that he's buying her one for her birthday! Say nothing!!