Laptop Recommendation
July 10, 2008 5:08 AM Subscribe
Laptop Recommendation
From my lovely grad student girlfriend:
I am ready to break free from the computer lab at my university and get my own laptop. I am looking for something that is durable (I am clumsy but will try to be careful), reasonably lightweight (I will need to take it with me everyday on a long and often arduous commute involving subways, buses, and on certain days, trains), has a good battery life, and is relatively affordable (around $600). I will be writing my dissertation on this thing using Word, downloading lots of pdfs from PubMed, and running the student version of SPSS 15. Other than that, it doesn't need to do any fancy stuff. Does this wonder machine exist?
From my lovely grad student girlfriend:
I am ready to break free from the computer lab at my university and get my own laptop. I am looking for something that is durable (I am clumsy but will try to be careful), reasonably lightweight (I will need to take it with me everyday on a long and often arduous commute involving subways, buses, and on certain days, trains), has a good battery life, and is relatively affordable (around $600). I will be writing my dissertation on this thing using Word, downloading lots of pdfs from PubMed, and running the student version of SPSS 15. Other than that, it doesn't need to do any fancy stuff. Does this wonder machine exist?
If you want something durable, I'll suggest running far, far away from Dells, and particularly the Latitude D600 series. I treat my computers gingerly and within probably 9 months of owning it the screen part broke off of the base part. Why? Because the metal hinges inside got stress fractures (from simply opening and closing the lid) and broke apart. Thankfully, I had the full warranty/come-to-your-house-and-fix-it plan, so it got fixed, but half of the other crap broke off, too. And I didn't even carry it around with me! Just sat on my desk most of the time.
I recently purchased an IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad (T61, but it's probably bigger than what you'd want), and this thing is a freaking tank. I love it and I'm never looking back.
posted by phunniemee at 5:26 AM on July 10, 2008
I recently purchased an IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad (T61, but it's probably bigger than what you'd want), and this thing is a freaking tank. I love it and I'm never looking back.
posted by phunniemee at 5:26 AM on July 10, 2008
I have had good experiences with two consecutive ThinkPads. My current one is still running fine after two years of hauling it back and forth to work on a semi-daily basis. They are not ultra-slim but my R51e easily fits vertically in a normal sized backpack with books and notes. I'm also an academic and it handles a barrage of stats programs fine.
posted by shadow vector at 5:32 AM on July 10, 2008
posted by shadow vector at 5:32 AM on July 10, 2008
I dearly loved my 12" G4 iBook, and used it to do exactly what you need it for, until it was stolen. They are less than $600 dollars now. They comfortably run SPSS, and with OSX you can use the lovely Sente, to manage your PubMed pdf collection.
posted by roofus at 6:09 AM on July 10, 2008
posted by roofus at 6:09 AM on July 10, 2008
I had an HP that was very good and was only $800, so perhaps you can find something there that will suit you?
If you're worried about durable then PLEASE, for your own sake, BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. Best Buy, Dell, whatever... I told a good friend to do that and he decided he didn't have the money and bought a Sony Vaio. Didn't pay attention to the 90 day warranty. Power supply jack went bad on the laptop, Sony wanted $800 to fix...$800 my friend didn't have after buying the laptop. So he was out the money and never got the laptop fixed.
From what I'm reading, avoid HP's tech support at all costs...but I had no problems with the laptop. But if you get it at Best Buy or somewhere you can get a warranty through it may be worth it.
I'd suggest perhaps buying used? You'll get a bit more bang for your buck given the budget you have for a laptop. And you will go farther with an older laptop running XP than a newer laptop running Vista...
posted by arniec at 6:12 AM on July 10, 2008
If you're worried about durable then PLEASE, for your own sake, BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. Best Buy, Dell, whatever... I told a good friend to do that and he decided he didn't have the money and bought a Sony Vaio. Didn't pay attention to the 90 day warranty. Power supply jack went bad on the laptop, Sony wanted $800 to fix...$800 my friend didn't have after buying the laptop. So he was out the money and never got the laptop fixed.
From what I'm reading, avoid HP's tech support at all costs...but I had no problems with the laptop. But if you get it at Best Buy or somewhere you can get a warranty through it may be worth it.
I'd suggest perhaps buying used? You'll get a bit more bang for your buck given the budget you have for a laptop. And you will go farther with an older laptop running XP than a newer laptop running Vista...
posted by arniec at 6:12 AM on July 10, 2008
I found this link for used Lenovo ThinkPad T42's:
http://www.epinions.com/content_402578378372
"Pros: Thin, light, fast and well made. Cons: Cheap new machines can be had for same cost. The Bottom Line: While any T-series ThinkPad is a joy to use, the T42 may just be the best of the lot."
This will be my next laptop when my HP wears out.
posted by lungtaworld at 6:35 AM on July 10, 2008
http://www.epinions.com/content_402578378372
"Pros: Thin, light, fast and well made. Cons: Cheap new machines can be had for same cost. The Bottom Line: While any T-series ThinkPad is a joy to use, the T42 may just be the best of the lot."
This will be my next laptop when my HP wears out.
posted by lungtaworld at 6:35 AM on July 10, 2008
Avoid Dell.
I've had great experiences with my ThinkPads (G40 and X61). For your price range, a used T series ThinkPad would be great.
posted by grouse at 6:49 AM on July 10, 2008
I've had great experiences with my ThinkPads (G40 and X61). For your price range, a used T series ThinkPad would be great.
posted by grouse at 6:49 AM on July 10, 2008
The Lenovo Thinkpads are very rugged and I've had great luck with them.
They are more than $600, but IMHO, worth the extra cost.
posted by Argyle at 6:57 AM on July 10, 2008
They are more than $600, but IMHO, worth the extra cost.
posted by Argyle at 6:57 AM on July 10, 2008
You can probably get into a Thinkpad R series at this price range if you are a student. They seem sturdier than most other laptops, until you start getting into the sort of tanks that are made for field use by contractors and the like.
posted by caddis at 7:09 AM on July 10, 2008
posted by caddis at 7:09 AM on July 10, 2008
Recommend avoiding HP. Everyone I know who has owned an HP laptop has had something serious go wrong with it. Sometimes several serious things went wrong.
Agree with the ThinkPad suggestion. Probably too expensive new but you can get one second hand for less that $600.
posted by theyexpectresults at 7:16 AM on July 10, 2008
Agree with the ThinkPad suggestion. Probably too expensive new but you can get one second hand for less that $600.
posted by theyexpectresults at 7:16 AM on July 10, 2008
How about a ASUS Eee PC 900 with Win XP for $450.
It's lightweight (2.18 lbs) and small (8.9 inch) enough to comfortably use in subway.
posted by WizKid at 7:31 AM on July 10, 2008
It's lightweight (2.18 lbs) and small (8.9 inch) enough to comfortably use in subway.
posted by WizKid at 7:31 AM on July 10, 2008
No: HP, Compaq (does Compaq still exist?)
No no no no no no Oh god no!: Dell
Yes: Thinkpad, Toshiba (I love my little Toshiba Satellite)
posted by drjimmy11 at 7:56 AM on July 10, 2008
No no no no no no Oh god no!: Dell
Yes: Thinkpad, Toshiba (I love my little Toshiba Satellite)
posted by drjimmy11 at 7:56 AM on July 10, 2008
My Dell Inspiron has been fine for years, no real problems, well actually come to think of it, it did die at one point, think it was a bad RAM module after some troubleshooting, no major problems since.
The Toshiba I had at my old workplace was a tornado, the cooling system just sucked. Had to improvise a way to elevate it to shut the darn thing up.
posted by hungrysquirrels at 8:20 AM on July 10, 2008
The Toshiba I had at my old workplace was a tornado, the cooling system just sucked. Had to improvise a way to elevate it to shut the darn thing up.
posted by hungrysquirrels at 8:20 AM on July 10, 2008
I'm not going to argue brands. But I have bought six Dell laptops for my family over the past three years, with being two the ultra cheap ($450+/- Vostros 1000s. All have worked flawlessly. Just a data point.
posted by mojohand at 8:39 AM on July 10, 2008
posted by mojohand at 8:39 AM on July 10, 2008
Not sure where all the Dell hate is coming from; I've had no trouble whatsoever with my Vostro 1500. That said, Dell laptops tend to be pretty chunky. For what you need, I'd say that if you can find a Thinkpad in your price range, that would be your best bet.
posted by sinfony at 8:47 AM on July 10, 2008
posted by sinfony at 8:47 AM on July 10, 2008
I got an IBM/Lenovo R51e from Woot for around $700 to $800 a couple of years ago. Compared to other laptops I've had in the past, as mentioned above, the Lenovo is a tank. I've spilled beer in the keyboard, dropped it (admittedly probably less than 1 foot) and generally abused the thing and it just keeps going. Not the flashiest machine but it serves its purpose for me.
posted by Carbolic at 9:42 AM on July 10, 2008
posted by Carbolic at 9:42 AM on July 10, 2008
If you can live with not so long battery life I would suggest a used Thinkpad. An Asus EEE will probably be to small to write a thesis on it but 600 US$ would buy you bascially both, a used Thinkpad at eBay and a new EEE.
I will be writing my dissertation on this thing using Word, downloading lots of pdfs from PubMed, and running the student version of SPSS 15.
Writing your scientific thesis with word? My professor always said that braveness is the lack of intelligence and you seem to be a very brave man if you want to write your thesis with word.
I strongly recommend to write your thesis with Latex and maybe Kile.
I don't know if you have to pay for SPSS15 but you could try KNIME and R instead.
posted by yoyo_nyc at 10:15 AM on July 10, 2008
yoyo_nyc wrote: "Writing your scientific thesis with word? My professor always said that braveness is the lack of intelligence and you seem to be a very brave man if you want to write your thesis with word.
I strongly recommend to write your thesis with Latex and maybe Kile."
Worth repeating. Also worth passing along this question I asked when starting my dissertation. Perhaps also worth another vote for the Lenovo ThinkPad.
posted by JMOZ at 10:39 AM on July 10, 2008
I strongly recommend to write your thesis with Latex and maybe Kile."
Worth repeating. Also worth passing along this question I asked when starting my dissertation. Perhaps also worth another vote for the Lenovo ThinkPad.
posted by JMOZ at 10:39 AM on July 10, 2008
Lenovo Thinkpads are wonderful. I had good experience with business-grade Dell laptops in years past, can't speak to their quality now.
posted by everichon at 11:04 AM on July 10, 2008
posted by everichon at 11:04 AM on July 10, 2008
My Toshiba Satellite Pro cost £300 from ebuyer and with some extra RAM it runs Vista superfast. Unfortunately Office didn't come with it so you'd have to find a (free) copy somewhere :)
posted by cardamine at 12:13 PM on July 10, 2008
posted by cardamine at 12:13 PM on July 10, 2008
I would definitely reccomend sub 5 lb labtop, possibly a tablet pc. For the most basic functionality like reading word, pdfs etc any small laptop will do otherwise called ultraportable or portable.Something like the x60 lenovo would be perfect but priced higher than your budget
suggest sticking to the business machines for hp or dell which are way more durable than their consumer counterpart, 2510p is selling in the hp outlet for $599
For college setting, a tablet pc might be worth considering. They are generally priced higher but worth the money imho. All the notes searchable and no messing around with paper.
posted by radsqd at 12:41 PM on July 10, 2008
suggest sticking to the business machines for hp or dell which are way more durable than their consumer counterpart, 2510p is selling in the hp outlet for $599
For college setting, a tablet pc might be worth considering. They are generally priced higher but worth the money imho. All the notes searchable and no messing around with paper.
posted by radsqd at 12:41 PM on July 10, 2008
I got a used Thinkpad X41 tablet for under that price. Very happy with it. The non-tablet is lighter & cheaper if you don't need the functionality.
posted by alexei at 1:11 PM on July 10, 2008
posted by alexei at 1:11 PM on July 10, 2008
You're not asking, but buy a nice, big Flash drive and use something like Allway Sync or SyncToy (both on Windows) to backup your stuff. Laptop hard drives are fragile and can (and will) fail no matter which vendor's laptop you buy.
posted by cnc at 1:25 PM on July 10, 2008
posted by cnc at 1:25 PM on July 10, 2008
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I'd recommend something from the IBM/Lenovo brand, though the pricepoint would be met by some Dell Latitudes.
I just bought a Dell Latitude D620 and it was roughly $650. Its ok, and I never move it farther than my living room.
When you do, ensure you upgrade memory outside of the manufacturer/retailer. You'll save up to $40.
posted by sandmanwv at 5:19 AM on July 10, 2008