Check out those new surface tablet pros.
They got good reviews and extremely portable.
She is undecided at this time she either wants to be a Ballerina or a Firefighter.
She is just a freshman. I don't for a minute think anything I'm going to get her this year will be what she needs in 2-3 years. For all we know we could have some quantum leap in technology that will obsolete all we know as leading edge today...
Check out those new surface tablet pros.
They got good reviews and extremely portable.
Thats why I would have issues paying $1200 for a Mac.
1990 White NA - SOLD
1994 Black NA - SOLD
2006 Red NC - GT with limited slip, HIDs, all OEM.
The hate stems from Dells use of non-industry standard parts and the preinstallation of bloatware. While not alone in those practices today, they are the largest, most well known, and have been doing it the longest.
That aside, my eight year old Dell Latitude finally had enough hardware issues I retired it for a new Alienware (Dell) machine that can handle the sort of complex CAD work I'm doing today. It was expensive, but it's also a monster. I had XoticPC build it with some custom parts and do the software install with no bloatware at all. The only non-MS Win7pro software that came on it were some hardware drivers and the Alienware software to control their silly lightshow in the case.
I've had three Dell laptops before this one. Mostly engineering level machines. They came with an enormous amount of crap software that was always running in the background. Recently bought a $200 ASUS to run as a media server. Though the display is cheap, it seems to be a decent machine for surfing and writing.
Jason McDaniel
we've been satisfied with the dell studio 15 purchase for my stepson back in 2008 off the dell outlet. A college computer will get the crap kicked out of it for the most part, although your daughter sounds a little more conscientious though. we have pretty much replaced everything on it ourselves, from the surround and screen after a drop, speakers after years of abuse, to just replacing the motherboard with a better video section and upgrading the processor this year. thankfully between amazon and ebay, nothing has been too expensive. after each home service session, i am still impressed with the screen and the unit itself. the 14" would be the way to go, and i wouldn't hesitate to do it again, though i would go with the more 'office' like latitude over the ones aimed at the teen-college market. just spray paint, vinyl wrap the case or something to make it age appropriate.
95 r white
Dell Dropped the price on the computer KK likes to $666
Isn't that a bad sign??
Wait till a little closer to back to school. You may see more or even better deals. It is a buyer market!
Gabriel
Personally...I would head down to Microcenter and get the least expensive laptop that fits her needs regardless of brand. Should be less than $400. Kids are tough on laptops both physically and from an OS perspective. Dell does offer a warranty that covers accidental damage but you could likely get a second laptop for the cost if you go the Dell w/Warranty route. To protect the OS, set up her profile without admin rights and make sure there is virus protection installed and set to auto update. The vast majority of the hate Windows and Dell (or any other brand) get is due to users that expect to browse the dark depths of the internet and never have a problem. (college female dark depths = gossip sites...notorious for being infected) I personally hate Apple laptops with all my soul...but I had to support them in a Enterprise environment that was built to support Windows.. My moto.."Apple, Optimized for Starbux."![]()
What? You let her ride the Greyhound by herself! When was the last time you did? Single young female and Greyhound should not be in the same sentence! I know b/o in my younger days I rode it for a month went around the country. I saw a lot plus things I wish I had not!
Gabriel
Its a 4 hr ride. She'll be fine.
Polished Turd Racing
Mick wrote: "I think Jerrett is the best autocrosser I have ever seen naked."
After dropping off 2 kids at college dorms, I saw many a mom shedding tears over leaving their babies. I would imagine mom and dad POS Racing will be taking MANY trips to Stillwater the next few years.
1990 White NA - SOLD
1994 Black NA - SOLD
2006 Red NC - GT with limited slip, HIDs, all OEM.
I seem to remember that dell does some back to school promotion every year. Probably around the tax holiday thing.
Although, I don't think you want to wait around for that.
My last laptop purchase was a Dell that was over $2k, the one before it was $2.5k IIRC. I will never do that again.
My current thinking is to buy a inexpensive decent laptop, and if it breaks, replace it with the same for the current time frame advancement of tech.
Forget future proofing and warranties.
- James
Got KK a Dell Inspiron 14R off of Amazon for less than $600.00 she is happy so all is good in the world!