Question on laptop

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I am a pre-nursing student and I am in the market for a new laptop. What brand would you recommend and why? I have heard Apple is good but I want to know if there is something better and I don't know much about computers. Please Help!!

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get a dell. IMO PCs are more versatile then apples.

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

I have a toshiba which I have had for about 3 years now. I like it and had another toshiba before this one. I have not yet had a problem with it, and for what it came with it was reasonably priced.

Swtooth

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MacBook. You can run windows or mac os x on it and they're AWESOME. I have one and love it.

If you get one make sure you get the student discount.

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I too am looking for one. I would like to find a tablet, but they are REALLY expensive. I cant see paying almost 2,ooo.00 on one. It sure would be nice though.

I am going out looking for one tomorrow if the weather isnt too horrible tomorrow.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma.

Dell. Comparatively speaking, not really expensive- I love mine.

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I have a toshiba which I have had for about 3 years now. I like it and had another toshiba before this one. I have not yet had a problem with it, and for what it came with it was reasonably priced.

Swtooth

Agree 100%

Get their comprehensive warranty that covers everything including spills. You will appreciate that there are local service centers for same day repairs and support is in country.

I have owned Dell laptops before - but would not again.

Think performance and weight when considering.

Best of luck!

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I have a Thinkpad tablet (which I love) and it was a bit pricey, but you can find tablets under 2 grand both new (I think Toshiba's R20 is about $1,100) and from internet resellers.

As far as the Mac/PC debate, as someone who's been a professional computer tech for the past ten years, I think Apple engineers better software, hands down. But the reality is that it's a Windows world. So, unless you're comfortable making things translate (when they're able) or you have someone handy who is comfortable making things translate you might have difficulties. And yes, you can run windows on your mac now....but if you're going to buy a mac, why put windows on it? Why pay for two operating systems? You'd need to either run both of them (like a boot camp solution) or just install Windows on the machine. It just seems like overkill for most folks on this board. The boot camp solution makes sense if you're a big time graphic artist who needs the mac for their art. Mac's really do handle illustrations and specifically fonts differently than PC's....anyway, if you need a mac for another reason, boot camp makes sense so that you can also run Windows on the machine....otherwise, I can't see why anyone would go through the trouble.

As far as PC's, look for a good service plan (including accidental damage)....fixing laptops on your own is a bear....their components tend to be much more expensive than desktop components. I haven't had much luck with Dell's in general. I've had better experiences with Sony's, Fujitsu's and Toshiba's (and obviously Thinkpads :) ). I would avoid Gateway completely, they're not generally consistent with their components, so you never know what you're going to get.

Best of luck with your search!!!!

Peace,

Cathie

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I'm also looking for a laptop as well. What do you guys think about HP laptops?

-LC

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I've had good experiences with HP, but make sure to get your hands on one before buying it. Their hardware layout (keyboard and mouse placement, etc) doesn't seem to be as ergonomic as others. It doesn't work for my hands, but does for a good friend of mine....so you just need to check it out.

Peace,

Cathie

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Specializes in NICU.

I've heard horrible things about HP computers. The customer service is supposedly not good at all. Dell's good for customer service and price, but for a laptop I wouldn't recommend a Dell. IBM's are great: durability and you can get a refurbished one for pretty cheap. But, even at the refurbished prices, you can get a new Dell desktop at the same price.

My boyfriend had a Toshiba for 3 years, great computer, the keyboard is awesome in that it's so quiet, nothing like a desktop one. Given that he sort of abused it at times, it lasted pretty well. The abuse was mainly to the hard drive, which he changed I think 2 times. Computer techie types have always recommended Sony's Vaio also. Expensive, but very good laptops.

I picked the specs for my sister's Dell Inspiron. And for less than $1000, it's a great one. For Dell laptops, if you want the price and service, go for the smaller ones, not the desktop-like ones like the Latitude. Also, for the Dell's the extended warranty is well worth it, trust me. You'll definitely end up using it, whether it be for something small like the speakers or the hard drive, but they'll fix it for you within warranty with very little trouble.

If I were in the market, and on a budget of course: Dell all the way.

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I have a toshiba which I have had for about 3 years now. I like it and had another toshiba before this one. I have not yet had a problem with it, and for what it came with it was reasonably priced.

Swtooth

I have a 9 year old Toshiba, and a new one I just got for my second swing at school. I've dropped both, one off the back of a truck... and no problems.

Best wishes in searching- see if you can find an XP loaded machine, most schools wont update for a little while.

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