Hi guys. I need some help in my search for a college laptop. I am going to be an engineering major, currently open options. I need to get a laptop as soon as possible, so any help would be appreciated. I was directed to the Gateway Convertible Notebook by my drafting teacher in high school. http://www.gateway.com/programs/conv...x.php?rdr=v116.

Do any of you have any experience with this, or other covertibles? Any engineering student with advice as to which way I should go? Anything would be appreciated. Thanks a lot for the help.

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I know you'd probably like to just get an answer here, but I'd recommend heading over to www.notebookreview.com and their forums for the best answers. They can help you find exactly what you need.

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TV/Event Guide Editor

I too am going to college this fall to study engineering and I just bought a laptop through Dell...My school offers up to 12% off plus Dell was having a deal going on giving you a free upgrade to 2gb of RAM and a 160gb hard plus $300 dollars off on top of that. So you should go check that out, the deal ends on Wednesday and who knows when they'll have another deal like it.

Stay away from Gateways... they really suck in terms of quality.

Stick with Dell, Toshiba, Lenovo, or perhaps even HP.

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ThrillNetwork Webmaster/Systems Administrator -- My Official Fansite -- Get Firefox!

Thanks for the help. I will go check that website out now.

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Unless you are dealing with special PC-only software or it's absolutely necessary to get a convertible, I'd say go with a MacBook.

2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo
80 GB HD
1GB RAM
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$1,099


2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo
120 GB HD
1GB RAM
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$1,299


These are obviously just stock specs and can be updated. Those prices will drop now that you are entering college and can get a education discount at Apple's education store.

Also, you can get a free 4GB iPod Nano after mail-in-rebate when you buy an nano alongside your MacBook.

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"I go out and see a kid grabbing his crotch. Ain't nobody telling them that. Where do they get it from? They watch MTV. I say, 'If you wash up more often, you won't have to grab your crotch.' I'm telling these guys, 'Why you gotta grab your crotch?' Then you see Michael Jackson grabbing his crotch 50 times. What's with him?" - Mr. T

One tip that I would recommend is the Accidental Damage warranty. I got a 3 year version from Toshiba when I ordered my laptop, and it was well worth it. It covers drops, spills, etc. which could come in handy, especially in college.

Another tip that I would give is to get smaller/lighter rather than some 17" widescreen. As an engineering student, you probably won't really take your laptop to class much (I don't) but it's still nice for when I do move it around (plus the battery lasts longer).

And finally, I'd like to throw the idea out there that you may not be doing much engineering stuff on your laptop. Have you spoken with current students or read anything about your specific school and how their computing is? At my school, they actually discourage doing 3D modeling, CAD work, etc. on your own - they provide all of the software and plenty of computers in our Engineering building. Of course all schools are different, and I've seen it both ways, so I'm just throwing the thought out there.

I'm currently a senior Mechanical Engineer, so if you have any more questions about classes, computers, or college in general, let me know - I'd be glad to help!

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ThrillNetwork Moderator and Editor

The Macbook should be able to run both OSX and WinXP as a dual boot setup. Now what would be cool if they use a "XP Environment" to run Windows Apps along side OSX Apps similar to how they did the "Classic Environment" to run Older OS 9 and under software.

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"I'm going off the rails on a crazy train"

I guess I'm a OS X, Windows , Solaris 10 , Linux, and Unix fanboy. Did I miss any OS?

As a former engineering student that carried a laptop everywhere I consider it a great thing to have on it. I went with the light-weight option as opposed to something with a large screen. The odd time that I did any CAD work on my laptop, it was a little difficult on the smaller screen but I was doing that for a very small percentage of the time that I was willing to accept it.

My personal recommendation is a MacBook since I'm a recent mac convert and the occasional need for windows (since most CAD software is generally PC only) can be served quite well.

I'd also recommend you look at your school's computer store and find of what they suggest students buy. A lot of the time they'll have deals with certain companies that allow you to buy computers for less and then have them serviced on campus for free if something goes wrong. My school has deals with both Apple and Dell.

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TV/Event Guide Editor

Looking at that, the funny thing is, I got a Dell 1420 with my Dell EPP discount through my school and was able to get a 1.8ghz Core 2 Duo processor, 2 gb of RAM, a 160gb 7200rpm (upgraded) hard drive, bluetooth capability, and 3 year warranty all for only $1113 which included free shipping. Not only does Apple charge you an arm and a leg to upgrade the components of the computer, they also charge you for shipping I believe and only offer $100 dollars off for students whereas I got well over $500 dollars off my computer through Dell. I never thought I'd buy a Dell but they offered me a deal I couldn't refuse. Plus, try getting these same specifications at any of the retail stores and you'll be paying well over $1500 especially with the 3 year warranty.

I'd recommend you check through your school and see if you get a EPP discount through Dell and try ordering before Wednesday if you're trying to get one. Keep in mind that its getting closer and closer to school starting and more you wait the less chance of you finding any good deals since they know students are going to be scrambling to pick up a laptop before school starts.

Yeah but with the MacBook you get a better operating system, iLife 06 which includes great software (iMovie, iPhoto, GarageBand). So unless you actually own one, or have had extensive time on one, you have 0 space to talk. Its not like its expensive JUST cause its an Apple, there's a reason for it.

If you MUST get a PC Laptop, I highly recommend Lenovo especially if you are an engineering student. They offer convertible notebooks, and they're designed with no flash and fancy appeal, just get the job done. I used a IBM Thinkpad back in the day, and it pretty much was one of the more rock solid Notebook's I have used.

Other Brands Include:
Toshiba, Sony, possibly HP.

I'm a college student and I have a laptop obviously, but make sure you buy a screen size ranging from 13-15". I have a 13.3" MacBook and it's perfect for class. It's small enough to fit on any desk or those stupid "arm desk" things, the battery lasts a long time, and the wireless is wicked fast.

If you have any questions about getting a Mac I'm sure either Martin or I can point you in the right direction.

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Kyle L - Thrillnetwork Speedzone Lead

Anyone have experience with this model? http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1824458,00.asp It is a Lenevo convertible. I do appreciate all of the help as I need to make a decision rather quickly.

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Well isn't that great?

Apple's computers are nearly flawless. Just ask Kyle L how he likes his MacBook. The MacBook also has a bluetooth module and is now wireless 'n' capable.

Mac OS X is a great operating system and has no viruses. I haven't even had to download virus software since I received my first Mac over a year ago. You can also install XP or Vista on a MacBook and use it as an OS alongside Tiger.

With an education discount and a free 4GB iPod Nano, I think that price difference gap between a Dell (of which I've had two lemons) and a MacBook is closed.

I don't see any reason not to go with the MacBook if you can run 'Windoze' as well as OS X.

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"I go out and see a kid grabbing his crotch. Ain't nobody telling them that. Where do they get it from? They watch MTV. I say, 'If you wash up more often, you won't have to grab your crotch.' I'm telling these guys, 'Why you gotta grab your crotch?' Then you see Michael Jackson grabbing his crotch 50 times. What's with him?" - Mr. T

I'm an engineering student and bought the cheapest Gateway laptop I could find. I have yet to use it for anything school-related. *shrug*

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