View Full Version : Computer people needed (all of you), need advice
ShortStack
12-05-2002, 03:51 PM
Alright, here's the scenario:
I'm going to be transferring to a 4-year college next Fall and I've been thinking about what I need when I'm there. The idea of getting a laptop has been on my mind for QUITE some time, but they're expensive so that blew that idea out of the water. BUT, I'm thinking it might be nice to have a laptop next Fall because then I could have my computer with me 24/7.
So, I spoke with my mom about it expecting a "too bad, so sad", but she actually went for it! Here's the deal though, she wanted to buy my grandparents a computer for x-mas so...she's going to buy me a laptop instead and then give them my computer!
So I'm thinking, wait...do I want to part with a desktop computer completely? I know it's not the best machine, but I could always upgrade. And I have to keep in mind that I can't work while I'm in school for the next two years so basically, I can't upgrade my desktop one unless I do it from now until next Fall.
So the basic question is, should I do this deal with my mom? I mean, laptops aren't cheap...and if I can convince her, I could get a decent top of the line laptop. It's easy to build a desktop, but not too easy to buy an entire laptop.
Plus, from my current desktop I could keep some of the items because my grandparents don't need my brand new DVD player, my extra hard drive, the network card, and I don't think they need the monitor. (Although I plan on buying a flat panel with all of these great deals coming around).
Just some advice...I know it's kind of vague because I didn't want to pour out the whole story, but ask questions if needed. I need some advice! Do I need a laptop...
Cantacuzene
12-05-2002, 04:05 PM
If I were you I'd use the laptop money to buy an amazing top of the line desktop and give your grandparents the old desktop.
My rational: you don't NEED the laptop on campus or during class, because most people take notes by hand. (frankly i dont like the one or two jerks who type on their laptop during class, its fairly annoying.) Most of the time you'll be on your computer in your apartment or dorm, so if you are there you will only need a desktop. Not to mention the desktop will be far more powerful thus meaning your next upgrade will be that much farther off. Just my $.02.
sounds like you made up your mind already. i mean...it is easier/cheaper to build a desktop and stuff. so you pretty much got that down.
as far as my opinion, i'll just say i'm coming from a laptop bias. mine's been my main box for years...it's a 266mmx, 80mb ram, blah blah blah...while the desktop is 1ghz athlon, blah blah blah. i still favor the laptop just cuz it's cute and cuddly and i can move it around and stuff wherever i want...and...and...
sizemic1
12-05-2002, 04:13 PM
I agree with Canta...
I would just get a decent desktop that's upgradeable.
ALL kinds of stuff get ripped off at college..It's probably better that you don't have something so tempting in you possession.
Speaking from experience, I don't use my laptop at school all that much. Its a bit too heavy to lug around, so I only take it when I need it. Plus, I tend to use the computers in the labs. It has been nice to have on many occasions, though.
It kind of depends on what you are taking in school. I'm in electronic eng, which means that we use special software fairly frequently. If there is a need for a computer in a lab, then they have desktops in the lab, and bringing my laptop is impractical.
If you're taking Arts and the main use will be writing papers in the library, then you may get more use out of it.
If you do get a laptop, you probably won't have any need for a desktop. While I can understand you not wanting to loose the desktop, I'd take a laptop and give up a laptop any day of the week, especially a brand new laptop for an old desktop.
Here's a tip though, get a thin and light model with a long lasting battery. Cords are a huge pain in the ass, and 8+ pounds is a lot of weight. Maybe one of these tablet PCs could work for you.
Originally posted by Cantacuzene
If I were you I'd use the laptop money to buy an amazing top of the line desktop and give your grandparents the old desktop.
The problem is, her mother isn't giving her the money to buy the laptop. Her mother is buying it FOR her. So she can't really just get the money and decide. :(
Originally posted by Corsec
The problem is, her mother isn't giving her the money to buy the laptop. Her mother is buying it FOR her. So she can't really just get the money and decide. :( so she's getting something like that and it's a problem? dang...wish i had problems like that :P
I bought a laptop for college just cause I had money to burn. To tell you the truth, it just sits here on my desk and I use it to chat on AIM while I play games on my desktop. Taking the laptop to class is a complete hassle if it weighs a good bit. And if you want one that is light, you'll have to pay a lot more for it. Plus, taking yoru laptop to class is so nerdy. In addition, I heard a statistic somewhere here that like 2 laptops get stolen A DAY on campus.
I'm not trying to discourage you from getting the laptop, just letting you knw it's not a necessity. But if you want one get one. Especially if you go back home to your parents house for the breaks. It's always nice to have your computer. That's one thing I do use mine for. Also, if you're gonna live in a dorm or a small room, the laptop is good. Your desk will keep the room it needs for working and such or you can chill on the bed and be online. I'd go for the laptop, but just know if it's pulling too many strings, you dont NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED one.
pagemap
12-05-2002, 04:40 PM
I would recommend the new iBooks. Small, cheap, and they are pretty cool looking.
ShortStack
12-05-2002, 05:43 PM
Alright, updates. Bad news, the laptop I need is too expensive so the laptop is sort of out of the question now. The main reason I wanted a laptop was for its size because I'll be living in the dorms and I'm sure my desk ain't that big. But, like I said - no can do.
I need a computer that can do stuff for multimedia which includes television production, audio production, and much much more. So, the laptop would need to fit that. Plus, like I said above, it needs to be small. So here's the solution for now:
My mom is going to help me upgrade my current computer. I will first take out the extra hard drive, the network card, and the dvd player from my current computer, and then ship the rest to my grandparents. The computer will be perfect for what they need to do (which is load pictures from a digital camera for the most part). Then, I'm going to build a new computer with the grand my mom would have spent on a complete system.
Now people are saying, why not just find a brand new system for that much? Well, I think we all know it's cheaper to build one than to buy one. So I'm going to work with Corsec to build a computer, plus we're going to buy a flat panel monitor and that will solve my problem for space. Also, I'm going to see if my dad will purchase the flat panel monitor so we'll have a grand to work with, otherwise our budget will be small. So we'll see. Send Corsec and I ANY good deals you find!
So I think that works...and I'd be open to suggestions for OTHER solutions!
Cubsfan
12-05-2002, 05:50 PM
I suppose advice on this should probably go to the hardware forum, but since we're here already...
Just two things. I will of course defer to the dozens of other people here who have more up-to-date knowledge than me.
Look at the Shuttle cases for a small computer. That may not have enough expansion possibilities for what you need, but it IS very small.
Second, for video, I still like the All-In-Wonders.
Good luck in college!
Cantacuzene
12-05-2002, 07:16 PM
Glad to hear you are going desktop, you made the right choice. You can get an LCD for under 300$ now which should help you.
You already have the dvd rom and the hdd, so you just saved like 125$ right there. I just built my new computer and its really really nice and I spent under 800$ all said and done, so I think your $1000 upgrade budget will take you farther than you expect. You could get something like...
Asus Nforce 2 board 150
Athlon XP 2000+ 75
Chieftec server case 70
GF4 ti4200 145
cd burner 50
____________________________________
$490
+LCD $300
__________________________________
$790
Speakers $100
_______________________________
$890
$910~ after shipping is great. Thats a fast box, it should please you.
hang10wannabe
12-05-2002, 07:47 PM
Originally posted by Cubsfan
I suppose advice on this should probably go to the hardware forum, but since we're here already...
Just two things. I will of course defer to the dozens of other people here who have more up-to-date knowledge than me.
Look at the Shuttle cases for a small computer. That may not have enough expansion possibilities for what you need, but it IS very small.
Second, for video, I still like the All-In-Wonders.
Good luck in college!
i thought gigabytes were smaller and GeForce4's forever!!!!!!
or GeForce FX!!!! :D
Cantacuzene
12-05-2002, 08:50 PM
Whoops I forgot ram. You could go with two 256 sticks to take advantage of the dual channel ddr on that for for $150.
ShortStack
12-05-2002, 10:30 PM
Originally posted by Cantacuzene
Asus Nforce 2 board 150
Athlon XP 2000+ 75
Chieftec server case 70
GF4 ti4200 145
cd burner 50
____________________________________
$490
+LCD $300
__________________________________
$790
Speakers $100
_______________________________
$890
$910~ after shipping is great. Thats a fast box, it should please you.
Actually, I don't need speakers - got those...they aren't "the best", but I have them. I'm sure I'll be just fine with my budget - as long as it works and does what it needs to.
Capricornholio
12-05-2002, 11:55 PM
I say go with a Dell Inspiron 4150 or 8200 notebooks. They are fairly cheap and are considered desktop replacements. I want the 8200 bad! You can configure it w/ a Radeon 9000 now...yummy. :lick:
mcs328
12-06-2002, 08:01 AM
Buy the computer that Dell has on sale now for less than 400 shipped free. =)
OR I would just build around the Shuttle XPC systems. I recommend against a laptop in the dorms simply b/c they have computer labs everywhere and ppl steal laptops. If you get a Shuttle...lock it down. They sell those locks that fit into an empty pci slot and string the cable thru the hole in the slot. Maybe get one of those star shaped screws too.
Believe me ppl steal laptops from dorms since they're so portable and expensive. They also steal console systems. Desktops are kinda bulky but you may never know.
GilbertsGrape
12-06-2002, 06:21 PM
Dude,
When I was in college (grad may 2002) there where almost as many Pc's on campus as there where students. PC access was easy, also i was a CIS major so lots of classes in PC labs. then my job in college was working with PC's so the only time i has to use my own PC was to write a paper or a computer program and a basic desktop system can handle that. (it dont take much power to compile a C++ or VB program.
so just keep your old system if it is not a dinasore and save the $$$ for pizza and beer.
ps. hanging out with your frinds is alot more fun than a PC.... it is not like you are going to be glued to a pc your entire college years.
college is for having fun and partying and oh yea getting that piece of paper that said you afended a few classes, wrote a few programs and listened to soem booring ass Professors.
Bires
12-06-2002, 06:26 PM
Originally posted by GilbertsGrape
Dude...college is for having fun and partying and oh yea getting that piece of paper that said you afended a few classes, wrote a few programs and listened to soem booring ass Professors.
Hey! I WAS one of those "booring(sic) ass Professors!" :eek:
Seriously, through, please resist the temptation to be the jerk that brings her/his labtop to class and wails on that thing while ppl are trying to hear/learn/think. (clickity-clak-clak-clickityclickty-clak! "DIE LAPTOP DIE!!!")
As a professor and teacher, it's irritating. As a fellow student, its distracting.
ShortStack
12-08-2002, 11:09 AM
Originally posted by GilbertsGrape
Dude,
When I was in college (grad may 2002) there where almost as many Pc's on campus as there where students. PC access was easy, also i was a CIS major so lots of classes in PC labs. then my job in college was working with PC's so the only time i has to use my own PC was to write a paper or a computer program and a basic desktop system can handle that. (it dont take much power to compile a C++ or VB program.
so just keep your old system if it is not a dinasore and save the $$$ for pizza and beer.
ps. hanging out with your frinds is alot more fun than a PC.... it is not like you are going to be glued to a pc your entire college years.
college is for having fun and partying and oh yea getting that piece of paper that said you afended a few classes, wrote a few programs and listened to soem booring ass Professors.
Well the money is for a computer, not anything else. She's not going to just give me a check, she's going to use her credit card so ya...I have to buy something. Plus, I want the desk space. I'm sure I'll use the labs and such, but I still want my computer there...it'd be weird not having one! Besides, there are games I want to play online. :D
As for partying, I'm sure I'll be having fun, but I do want to concentrate on school. I mean, I don't want to be there for more than 2 years if I can manage it. And, I don't drink so beer wouldn't really be an option. College parties are scary too...I mean, I have to remember to bring my OWN drinks because no one can be trusted.
Cantacuzene
12-08-2002, 11:14 AM
Originally posted by ShortStack
College parties are scary too...I mean, I have to remember to bring my OWN drinks because no one can be trusted.
Who told you that? I could understand wanting to pour your own drinks, but I think bringing your own is an overraction. You are a girl, girls drink for free always. Thats the number 1 benefit you have, use it.
rajatQ2
12-08-2002, 06:32 PM
drink beer. it comes in safe cans. beer cans are fun and usefull!
ShortStack
12-08-2002, 10:30 PM
Well I don't drink, like I said. Most of the time at parties there isn't much soda, and if there is...there isn't a whole lot of it. What's the big deal with bringing my own? And I know because I've been to parties and I have friends who are in frats and sororities. Perhaps things have changed since some of you went to school, but guys are getting desperate these days. And I see nothing wrong with bringing my own water. No biggie. It may be "overreacting", but it's certainly not dumb. :angel:
Cantacuzene
12-09-2002, 05:45 AM
Things changed since last weekend? OK, so like 1% of 1% of people put GHB in girl's drinks in an effort to rape them. Big deal. I don't think the tiny amount of people that do that justify bringing your own alcohol to parties. Anyway this thread is getting off the topic of computer hardware...
Originally posted by Cantacuzene
Things changed since last weekend? OK, so like 1% of 1% of people put GHB in girl's drinks in an effort to rape them. Big deal. I don't think the tiny amount of people that do that justify bringing your own alcohol to parties. Anyway this thread is getting off the topic of computer hardware...
Yea, but her point is, she doesn't drink anyway. :P That is just a side-note.
ShortStack
12-09-2002, 10:01 PM
New Note:
The computer is postponed. My mom would rather just buy my grandparents the Dell Computer and then help me in the summer to build my computer. This way it's after X-mas and it's a bit less "psycho". Besides, there would be a lot of trouble and it will be cheaper to just upgrade what I already have in a way.
So, the only expense I need right now is a new video card. Otherwise, I'm good to go.
Plus, maybe LCD monitors will be cheaper! :shrug:
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