Critique This Laptop
- Thread starter Kel Varnsen
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Plenty good enough for school work.
Even looks good enough to be a gaming machine.
Even looks good enough to be a gaming machine.
OP
OP
Thanks.
The program is actually going to involve a lot of online collaboration, so I want to get something nice, but I have to force myself to not get all the fancy bells and whistles.
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Laptop is nice enough, but I have a hard time believing you need that expensive of a machine for school even if there is lots of online collaboration. Make sure you take a look around slickdeals/fatwallet for coupon codes. HP and Dell have both had holiday sales.
OP
OP
Yeah, that configuration is pretty much top of the line. I'm still researching which components I may be able to cut back on.
There was a $500 coupon that was supposed to run through January 8, but apparently HP took it down.
Chaz
observationist
I agree with this.
If you want a super entertainment machine I think that is great laptop.
You may want to look at the business class machines they come with less entertainment software but they probably run a little better/cleaner for school/business needs.
Also keep in mind a 17" laptop screen is huge. If you are traveling to and from class it makes a difference.
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Does it only come with Microsoft Works? 
If so do you already have access to a copy of Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007?
Many laptops only come with a trial version installed which expires in 60 or 90 days and then they start asking you for money.
Overall - very nice, but it seems expensive. Maybe it's worth it, but I thought the new XPS laptop that just came out was only $1095.00.
If so do you already have access to a copy of Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007?
Many laptops only come with a trial version installed which expires in 60 or 90 days and then they start asking you for money.
Overall - very nice, but it seems expensive. Maybe it's worth it, but I thought the new XPS laptop that just came out was only $1095.00.
Does it only come with Microsoft Works?
If so do you already have access to a copy of Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007?
Many laptops only come with a trial version installed which expires in 60 or 90 days and then they start asking you for money.
Overall - very nice, but it seems expensive. Maybe it's worth it, but I thought the new XPS laptop that just came out was only $1095.00.
$ramsey$
shawn
OP
OP
This will become my main computer, but school is the motivation for it. Most of my classes will be delivered online, so I don't have to worry about carrying it around too much. I like the larger screen because a lot of what I will do will be spreadsheet work and I like to have a big screen for that.
I'll look into some of their other options, too. Thanks for your help.
Does it only come with Microsoft Works?
If so do you already have access to a copy of Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007?
Many laptops only come with a trial version installed which expires in 60 or 90 days and then they start asking you for money.
Overall - very nice, but it seems expensive. Maybe it's worth it, but I thought the new XPS laptop that just came out was only $1095.00.
Yeah, I have an older version of Office. Works is junk. I'm hesitant to upgrade to Office 2007 because I've never used it and I'm always weary about backward compatibility with Microsoft.
I will check out the XPS next and start doing some comparisons. Thanks!
Darth Llama
Rise Up Red Sea!
Definitely a nice Laptop.
My only word of caution, be sure you're happy running Windows Vista before you order this laptop. The HP Laptops are now made with 2 Gig's of flash memory built into the laptop that serves as your recovery partition. While this makes re-installs easy, it makes it impossible to run anything on the laptop except Vista. With the new onboard flash OS you will never be able to alter the Operating System, and will be forced to run Vista.
If that's not a big deal for you, then I say buy it, the specs are awesome. Personally, I have totally changed my view on HP since they started removing the users ability to run the OS they like.
My only word of caution, be sure you're happy running Windows Vista before you order this laptop. The HP Laptops are now made with 2 Gig's of flash memory built into the laptop that serves as your recovery partition. While this makes re-installs easy, it makes it impossible to run anything on the laptop except Vista. With the new onboard flash OS you will never be able to alter the Operating System, and will be forced to run Vista.
If that's not a big deal for you, then I say buy it, the specs are awesome. Personally, I have totally changed my view on HP since they started removing the users ability to run the OS they like.
I have this one on my site for under $1500 that might work for you. I am sure I can give an ASFN discount also.
https://usm.channelonline.com/globalit/storesite/Products/Specifications/?id=M003939288
https://usm.channelonline.com/globalit/storesite/Products/Specifications/?id=M003939288
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Fiasco
Tyler Durden
How will you be using the laptop? Is it a desktop replacement (not going to carry it) or are you going to be hauling it around.
If your hauling it around do NOT buy a 17" laptop. If your carrying it regularly you have to consider the weight and physical size competing with books in your backpack. Also be sure to include the weight of the power pack.
Asus has some nice powerfull (512mb Geforce cards) 15" laptops if you want to game with it as well.
If your hauling it around do NOT buy a 17" laptop. If your carrying it regularly you have to consider the weight and physical size competing with books in your backpack. Also be sure to include the weight of the power pack.
Asus has some nice powerfull (512mb Geforce cards) 15" laptops if you want to game with it as well.
Darth Llama
Rise Up Red Sea!
I have an Asus Laptop, and I love it. If you're looking for a compact Gamer, that's definitely the way to go. Newegg.com carries their whole line. I have an A8JS and I absolutely love it.
OP
OP
It would be a desktop replacement, so I'd only be taking it with me occasionally. I guess what I should look for would be one of the business-style laptops, but with a nice screen.
Fiasco
Tyler Durden
You still might consider a smaller laptpo if you will take it occasionally and buy a 22" flat screen monitor for under $200 for use when your at home.
I have an Asus G1 2.0 core 2 w/ 512mb 7700 Nvidia card. When at home I use a 22" monitor and a logitech dinovo edge bluetooth keyboard. I have a usb hub with all my stuff plugged into it. When I get home I throw the laptop on a shelf plug in the monitor and plug in the one cable from the usb hub.... bam... instant desktop.
The asus laptop Darth has is a nice one. Mine is visibly more "game oriented" and his is more traditional looking but I believe they have the same exact hardware.
I have an Asus G1 2.0 core 2 w/ 512mb 7700 Nvidia card. When at home I use a 22" monitor and a logitech dinovo edge bluetooth keyboard. I have a usb hub with all my stuff plugged into it. When I get home I throw the laptop on a shelf plug in the monitor and plug in the one cable from the usb hub.... bam... instant desktop.
The asus laptop Darth has is a nice one. Mine is visibly more "game oriented" and his is more traditional looking but I believe they have the same exact hardware.
Darth Llama
Rise Up Red Sea!
Exactly. The only hardware difference is that the A8Js only comes with 1 Gig of RAM, I think the G1 comes with 2. I of course upgraded to 2Gigs though.
Asus makes some nice stuff, I would definitely give them a look. I would consider Fiasco's suggestion as desktop LCD's are pretty cheap now. You could easily just get a smaller laptop and a nice monitor and have the best of both worlds.
Fiasco
Tyler Durden
Exactly. The only hardware difference is that the A8Js only comes with 1 Gig of RAM, I think the G1 comes with 2. I of course upgraded to 2Gigs though.
Asus makes some nice stuff, I would definitely give them a look. I would consider Fiasco's suggestion as desktop LCD's are pretty cheap now. You could easily just get a smaller laptop and a nice monitor and have the best of both worlds.
Exactly. Don't get a big laptop just for the sake of having a big screen. Get a small laptop w/ the right hardware and a 22" LCD monitor for $200 or less.
