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by thegraverogue31 on January 7th, 2007

thegraverogue31

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I want to buy a new computer but I am not sure if I should buy a home computer or a laptop. I currently have a home computer but I am on the go alot and I could be entering college in about a year. What would be the best to buy?

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Answers. 17 helpful answers below.

  • by Karl Plesz on January 8th, 2007

    Karl Plesz

    This would be a longer answer, but I'm going to dispense with the desktop side of the explanation, since you already own one.

    A laptop is certainly handy when portability is your prime issue. But getting a laptop comes with a unique set of things to consider.

    How long does the battery last? Do you care?

    Is the laptop the right fit for you? Is the keyboard placed ergonomically for you? Is the screen big enough and is it easy to read?

    For some people, 3 USB ports is enough. For others, they want Firewire and as many USB ports as possible. Make sure it has the type and quantity of ports you need.

    Once you choose a model, are you able to find accessories for that model after the fact? Maybe you should consider buying an extra battery or port replicator up front. If you don't know what a port replicator is useful for - find out.

    As scubabob said, a laptop is quite fragile. You need to protect it. But they are also one of the most sought after electronic devices. You can never let it out of your sight, especially away from your home. Not only because it could get stolen, but also because the data on your drives would be compromised.

    Make sure you understand the warranty and repair terms of the laptop. Some owners are surprised to learn that if their laptop breaks, the company wants them to send it back. That means you're without your laptop for weeks. Is that OK? If not, choose a brand and store that agrees to fix locally if possible and give you a loaner if not.

    Which leads to my last point. If you get a laptop, as soon as you have everything installed - back it up! Try not to keep files you create (documents, pictures, music) on your laptop - the ultimate would be an external drive or memeory stick. The reason I say this is that if you ever do lose the laptop for any reason, you'll still be able to access your own files. I cannot begin to impress upon you how important this is.

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  • by Scifisuz on April 19th, 2007

    Scifisuz

    I'm spoiled on laptops. They cost more but the convenience is worth it.

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  • by Jimmyz101 on April 15th, 2007

    Jimmyz101

    Having a laptop is very useful when going to college and moving around a lot.
    But you have to expect to pay a lot more and not get as much hardrive space, CPU, Ram etc etc.
    You also need to research battery life and choose a laptop that has sufficent length for your needs.
    It is also a lot harder to upgrade or repair a laptop and new hardware also costs more.

    On the other hand if you can do without the portability, a desktop will generally be cheaper and have better specifications. You can also custom build a desktop computer, choosing the components which best suite your needs.

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  • by Bad_Boy_Billy on January 8th, 2007

    Bad_Boy_Billy

    It all depends on what YOU need and how much money you're willing to spend on it. For college I'd have to agree that a notebook is more suitable due to the sheer amount of moving around you do in those situations. However if you were doing a course on say 'AutoCAD', you're probably better to get a Desktop PC as they're a lot easier to upgrade and also come with a much smaller price tag in relation to how much power you will get from the machine.

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  • by adloyada on January 7th, 2007

    adloyada

    I prefer laptops.
    about banging them around? I know they already came out with hard shelled ones, I am sure they are costy. I think you need to think about what you want out of it and do your research on which will provide your personal needs. since you want to go to college, I assume you need a light weight, wireless, good working horse.. I will advice you not to play games and videos while you are on the go, it will make the battery run out quickly. if you only do your homework on it, a good one should give you atleast 4 hours.

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  • by anonymous on January 7th, 2007

    anonymous

    Laptops are great for college students. I personally dont like them(mostly because im clumsy and drop them too much, but theyre really useful). I just hate that whole your finger is the mouse thing.

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  • by Tantric on January 7th, 2007

    Tantric

    I am always on the go...I'm looking for a good laptop computer myself.

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  • by glamorgirli on January 7th, 2007

    glamorgirli

    buy a Laptop that way you can bring it to class and take notes on it, epically if a teacher goes way to fast. Sometimes its easier to type things than write it out. Plus you can bring it almost anywhere maybe get some papers done at the library take it to starbucks. Way better for a college student!

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  • by Stableboy on January 7th, 2007

    Stableboy

    I think a student is much better off with a laptop. Both of our girls found them more suitable in college -- they bring them home on visits, take them to the library for homework, etc.

    The one downside is they're not as rugged as a desktop -- you gotta get a nice padded case and be careful with them. If you don't trust yourself not to bang it around, a desktop might be better.

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  • by notDr.Phil... on July 9th, 2009

    notDr.Phil...

    I would have to say a laptop considering your going to be on the road quite a bit. A desktop would just slow you down. And might i recommened an Apple because they dont seem to have as much problems as other laptops.

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  • by CockatooBoy on July 9th, 2009

    CockatooBoy

    Get a MacBook Pro... best computer you will ever buy.

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  • by AlwaysHope on July 9th, 2009

    AlwaysHope

    Karl's points and points made by many of the other posters are excellent.

    If you are entering college in a year, you might consider holding on for now. Almost all colleges enable you to get a discounted computer, and a few of them have arranged really good discounts.

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  • by mesamec on July 9th, 2009

    mesamec

    Get a laptop, I'm pretty sure some Sony Vaio laptops have titanium cases (or was that Alienware). If you are worried about storage capacity, buy a external Hard Drive. As for getting it stolen, buy a laptop lock, and don't let it out of your sight.

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  • by BROADWAYTHECAT on July 9th, 2009

    BROADWAYTHECAT

    i would say laptop for the same reasons others here have stated...i switched to a laptop as my sole computer last august and i wish i had done it sooner...i will never go back to a desk top. you can get a laptop to do anything a desktop can do...even storage capacity can easily be addressed with the convenience of memory sticks.

    i own my own business, have two offices and love not being tied to either office - with my cell phone and laptop, i can do some of my work from any place...somethings i don't even need internet connection for but when i do, there's always a cafe available close by.

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  • by laobali on July 26th, 2009

    laobali

    You already have a home computer, so get a laptop (or perhaps a netbook which is smaller and lighter but has most of the features of a laptop except perhaps a built-in DVD, although there is an Acer Aspire One which includes one and costs about $350) and start using it; you will soon see the advantages and disadvantages. The main one of course is portability.

    By the time you enter college you will probably know which might serve you better or you may want to have both. You can easily keep your important data on a flash drive and access it from either computer. You can also keep the drive separate from the laptop while on the move, in case it's stolen.

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  • by Anonymous T. Jackson on July 9th, 2009

    Anonymous T. Jackson

    I'm a cheapskate when it comes to computers.
    .
    I never buy the cutting edge stuff when it first appears.
    .
    I shop at places like Buy.com and I don't hesitate to buy refurbished stuff from major manufacturers.
    .
    Check out this:
    .
    http://www.buy.com/prod/hp-compaq-presario-cq60-211dx-notebook-2-16ghz-intel-15-6-diagonal/q/loc/101/211020071.html
    .
    $349.00 with free shipping.
    .
    It will come with a 90 day warranty from HP.
    Usually these items look brand new and never used at all.
    I don't know where they come from.
    .
    A 15" MacBook Pro that has somewhat better specs eg: Intel duo processor, 4 G memory, 250 G HD costs $1,700.
    It definitely has better specs and is much cooler.
    If money is no object ... buy it.
    The refurbished HP will work just fine and you can put $1,350.00 in the bank and buy a new refurbished HP laptop in two years for another $349.00 that will blow the current MacBook Pro away in terms of specs and performance.
    .
    That still leaves $1,000 in the bank and you can give the old laptop to your little brother.

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  • by bigkado69 on January 7th, 2007

    bigkado69

    the best by would be is to find a buddy who knows allot about computers and have him build you 1.it is allot cheaper and it will save you on spending money up the ass for parts thru one of the major computer companys.I f you do decide to get a computer thru a major store ,GET THE WARRANTY!!!.lol its worth it in the end.

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