Question:
Grad Student Looking for First Laptop
Hello, I've been lurking for quite awhile... I think I have a handle on what I should do, but I'd like to make sure I've nailed all my options and considered everything, in some way I guess I'm looking for confirmation of my current choice. After this listing I do have an additional question.
----
General Questions
1) What is your budget?
$1800-$1850
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
I've been looking exclusively at 15.4" laptops
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
General internet stuff. More importantly, I shall be using this as my primary device for research. (SEE SIG LINE) I'm into my 3rd year of my Ph.D. work so I'm starting to get into the research/presentations/other stage of my graduate school career. I'm going to be running intensive statistics packages such as SAS, WINBUGS, and R. I will also likely be coding in C++ as necessary. Aside from that I do some graphics editing when I feel like I need a graphic, nothing too odd. My most intensive night on this machine would be running SAS while watching a webcast hockey game and possibly some other thing. I might have to do some video stuff for my academic department but that's still in the hypothetical stage. Aside from that I'll probably have to make PowerPoint or LaTeX based presentations and possibly for use in teaching.
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
I'll be taking the notebook from my dorm/apartment to my department office or the classroom, so I'll likely take it every day.
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
Not likely, I'm not a big gamer that would rely on machine intensive games. My last few PC game purchases were C&C Generals, Sim Golf, and NHL2004. My XBOX360 is working pretty good for me.
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
I've never owned a laptop so I have never had a chance to form my own judgments. No Macs :)
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Ideally 2 or 3 is necessary. Two hours is not a problem but like everybody else, as much as possible is always nice
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
As long as there are pictures I have no problem buying online
9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?
United States
Screen Specifics
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Widescreen. Mostly because it seems like its standard. I'd feel weird if I didn't go widescreen.
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
Going back to earlier, it's tough to watch the game and do work on a small screen.
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
No preference in theory though the matte's do seem to look better from the pictures I've seen.
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Somewhat, not ugly is all I really ask for.
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
I want this laptop to minimally get me through graduate school and into the professional world... 3 years.
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB?
100GB seems to be the figure I've been looking at, but I keep debating how much I'd use it as I am using 24GB of a 120GB HD right now. I don't know, if it comes to being necessary as a sacrifice to power, if it would be better to get an 80GB HD or stick with 100GB HD regardless.
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
I think the DVD/CD-RW would be sufficient. I don't see the need for the DVD-RW right now in any context as people are content with burning data to CD and any item that needs more usually ends up invoking either e-mail or access to a given server
-------------
OK, aside from all that. I know a lot of people are playing the Core Duo vs. Core 2 Duo (Merom) game. I do want to get this before school, but like a lot of other people, I want the most that I can get. I know that people will say "there's always the next one", but to me all I want is the best performance possible... if that means waiting 2 weeks for a 2.0Merom vs. 2.16Yonah (anticipating a price drop on monday) then I might wait but I also have to weigh issues of possible money order situations for barebone-based companies being away from my bank and who will deliver where (if I'm at school within order and/or delivery time).
I'd also like to say that after lurking for a month and a half (not having a summer job has let me soak in everything :( ) I appreciate the stuff that many of you do around here and I've learned a lot in the last month or so.
Answer:
Re: Grad Student Looking for First Laptop
If you want portability, you also want to stay below 6 pounds, better if around 5.5... so a good size would be 14". But if you're set on 15.4", then you may want to take a look at HP/Compaq's business line. I'm fairly sure those don't have the high screen res you want, though...
C.
Answer:
Re: Grad Student Looking for First Laptop
For point to point travel I think weight is not as much of an issue. The Dell d820 might be worth a look as well. The 15" ThinkPad with FlexView screen will offer an excellent keyboard, support and quality, but is not widescreen.