Originally Posted by Ownaginatios

Dell laptops used to be absolutely terrible. They seem to have learned from their mistakes in some of their more recent models though. It's going to take a while for people to get over how badly they failed in the past :p.

I never had problems with their desktops. I still have my original Dell 4600 (my first legit PC ) and it still works fine... well, what's left of what was originally in there :p.

I'm not sure how far back you have to go to find a terrible Dell laptop. Mine is three years old and it's still awesome, and it's run perfectly for all those three years (and I run it constantly, virtually every day).

I've been able to play modern games on it up until just this year... I hate how I can't upgrade my GPU.

Really, honestly, Dell is one of the best ways to go when buying a computer right now, either for a desktop or a laptop.

I'm looking forward to finishing school this year and getting a real job. I can't wait to build a kick ass computer.

Originally Posted by DJ_JJ

if you're not going with a mac, get an HP. Hands down best value and most efficient. Don't go with a dell.

I disagree... All the HP's I've seen haven't run all that well. In my experience (which is quite a bit when it comes to computers), HP's aren't all that great... the only good thing HP makes is printers.

Originally Posted by Taunton

I disagree... All the HP's I've seen haven't run all that well. In my experience (which is quite a bit when it comes to computers), HP's aren't all that great... the only good thing HP makes is printers.

I don't know, my HP laptop is pretty good (tx2514ca) , and the GPU is pretty great (ATI HD 3200); comparable to Dells. I know nothing about there desktops though, so I can't comment on that.

And the crappy Dell laptops I'm referring to are basically anything pre-2004. Those were some of the ugliest and loosely put-together laptops I've ever seen.

Originally Posted by Ownaginatios

And the crappy Dell laptops I'm referring to are basically anything pre-2004. Those were some of the ugliest and loosely put-together laptops I've ever seen.

Fair enough. I don't think the consumer notebook industry was really fully established at that point yet, am I wrong? Laptops before the mid 2000's were really designed for a niche market, so I suppose it would be expected for a consumer-oriented manufacurer such as Dell to have problems in their first few generations.

Originally Posted by Taunton

I don't think the consumer notebook industry was really fully established at that point yet, am I wrong?

Ya, I think you're right; I don't think laptops have really been perfected until recently. I mean; look at the original iBooks, lol. It's interesting how computers are getting so cheap. Back in the late 90's, a piece of crap desktop cost you $3000. Now you can get a near top of the line desktop for $800 if you know what you're doing :p.

hey.. im goin into first yr life science.. nd im thinking about gettin a HP pavillioin dv4t.. does anyone hav ny suggestions or think that i should consider something else???

Get what you want... make sure the specs and price suit your needs and budget.

I personally prefer the ability to choose exactly what goes into my computer, so I would therefore recommend ordering your computer online (whichever company you decide to go with).

I haven't had great experiences with HP computers, but some people have. I really don't want to beat a dead horse here.

i'm going into the math and statistucs program and i dont know how often i'll need to use a laptop. does anyone know? and any suggestions on a laptop for me. It would be best if it was under $1000 and something colourful ( i dont want a classic black laptop).

Originally Posted by Lizliz

i'm going into the math and statistucs program and i dont know how often i'll need to use a laptop. does anyone know? and any suggestions on a laptop for me. It would be best if it was under $1000 and something colourful ( i dont want a classic black laptop).

You can get the white macbook for $1100 with student discount and you get a free ipod touch.

http://store.apple.com/ca/browse/campaigns/back_to_school?cid=WW W-NAUS-BTS20090507-00032

it's white....

Originally Posted by Lizliz

it's white....

Spraypaint?

Originally Posted by Lizliz

it's white....

Whats wrong with white? Put stickers on it or something.

Originally Posted by syaseen_360

Whats wrong with white? Put stickers on it or something.

stickers? pfft.

would it not be a good idea to get a netbook? they seem too small. anyone have experiecne with one?

You could also look into the dell studio laptops. They are the only colourful laptops I know of, but I cant comment on the hardware.

http://www1.ca.dell.com/ca/en/home/Laptops/laptop_studio/ct.aspx?refid=laptop_ studio&s=dhs&cs=cadhs 1&ref=lthp