laptop suggestions?

DutchmanAZ

Hall of Famer
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Posts
1,845
Reaction score
476
Location
AZ
My son will be a new college student next month and I need to outfit him with a laptop. Any suggestions, brands to stay away from, unneeded crap, etc would be appreciated.
 

CaptTurbo

ASFN Icon
Joined
May 5, 2003
Posts
16,782
Reaction score
5
Location
Pennsylvania
Gateway has/had an unbelievable laptop for around 475. Has 4GB dual core good graphics card built in wireless etc. HDMI available etc.

Gateway was bought by ASUS I think (if its the wrong company its a solid company that bought them. Bought 3 of these for myself and family and they have been great. Best deal on the market by far.
 

dreamcastrocks

Chopped Liver Moderator
Super Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2005
Posts
46,291
Reaction score
11,920
Agree with swd, there are a ton of great laptops available for less than $500. Linder and I just spent $300 on a laptop for her daughter and so far it seems like a great deal.
 

thirty-two

boglehead
Supporting Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2003
Posts
26,992
Reaction score
3,990
Dutch, I bought this laptop in January: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Acer+-+...ssor/9555769.p?id=1218127632130&skuId=9555769

It's certainly not the fastest, most awesome computer out there, but it gets the job done. I think for a college student it would be great. I watch netflix on it, surf the web, play dvd's and use MS Office, etc. For the price, you can't beat it.

edited: the price was 299 and 329 when I posted the link, it's now up to 379. I bought mine for 329.
 
Last edited:

BIGTONY

Registered
Joined
Jan 6, 2003
Posts
557
Reaction score
0
Location
MESA
Come on now...Once you go Mac you dont go back...Back a mac you will never look back...
 

Covert Rain

Father smelt of elderberries!
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2005
Posts
36,782
Reaction score
15,887
Location
Arizona
I simply don't recommend a MAC. It's a nice product an all but it still doesn't have the software compatibility that a regular laptop has. Even if you run an emulator it's still not the same. If you are into photography or video editing I could see you going MAC but not really for any other reason.

I still recommend Dell or Asus for laptops. Asus is quickly becoming one of my favorite manufacturers. We use Lenovo, Dell, Toshiba, HP, Gateway and Asus laptops at work. Our Lenovo and Dells just seem to last forever. However, we have been getting some really good feedback on the Asus laptops.
 

Duckjake

LEGACY MEMBER
LEGACY MEMBER
Joined
Jun 10, 2002
Posts
32,190
Reaction score
317
Location
Texas
ASUS has problems with the case. Very cheap imo. It's like they take a ferrari engine and put it in a Ford Focus. Check the buttons on any ASUS you consider. Ours makes an annoying click like those old metal "crickets" or clickers. Drives you nuts.
 

Staff online

Forum statistics

Threads
556,062
Posts
5,431,321
Members
6,329
Latest member
cardinals2025
Top