Aesthetic laptop, high capacity, good value..?

[ellarella]

Hello,

I am going to University in September and was looking for some advice on a good laptop to buy...

I initially wanted the black macbook, however have been told that it is better to buy the white one and then manually fit it with the bigger hard drive/capacity..(I can't remember, but pretty much give it the same spec as the black).

Various friends have tried to put me off this choice saying that it is a money waster's laptop (in so many words) but as I constantly use my flatmate's and my boyfriend's mac books I like feeling safe in the knowledge that there is enough memory for all my music and movies and coursework, I have an iPod, lots of photos ... I like the compatability of the macbook with the aforementioned...

ANOTHER shameful factor is that the black macbook is pleasing on the eyes... The white aren't to my taste...

�900 is a lot of money though, and when I have tried to shop around for others I have not known where to start! I don't understand computers, but I do know that I want something light, attractive etc. (previously mentioned)
That isn't going to cost a proverbial arm and a leg to buy & then to fix...

Do you have any recommendations re: my specifications OR if you disagree, just some advice would be helpful...?

Thank you!

Ellarella

[bimbim]

Why don't you just buy a cheap laptop & paint it pink & stick some litttle bows on the case !? Maybe a small mirror above the screen ? USB hair curling tongs ?

[fo3nix]

Oh dear. I couldn't disagree more with some of the above answers, I'm afraid.

1) The black macbook is more than a same-spec white one. You pay more for black paint. Apple know some just want it black and will pay for it. If you want it, you will pay for me.

2) Apple give pretty decent discounts on their computers to students. Specifically, they have two systems. Standard student discount, and a discount system that only works when using a university network. The latter offers much better savings (when I bought my laptop a few years ago, I saved almost �500 this way), so perhaps wait until you're at uni to buy it (on a friend's computer or library PC), or buy with a friend that's already at uni.

3) Yes, GNU/Linux systems are available. It's a free replacement for Windows (you just buy a normal Windows PC, not a special extra kind). However, if you haven't heard of it, it's not for you. Especially since you'll be using it at uni where others may not be familiar with it if you get stuck.

4) Sony laptops are nice to look at. But in many reviews they come out as being tat. Not very well made at all.

[fo3nix]

5) Macs will be just as compatible for your regular uni stuff as any other system. You'll have two issues: if you're a heavy gamer, you don't want one (I'm pretty sure you don't fit into this bracket from your question), and also that Macs may not be offically supported by the uni. However, networking standards etc. are universal; Macs will work just fine. In fact, I have less issues connecting to printers and other peripherals than both my Windows and GNU/Linux friends.

6) You say Macs seem to be "newly established" compared to Windows. Macs actually predate Windows by about a decade (a huge length of time in computing standards). It's just down to history and decisions made that meant that Windows became very popular, and Apple Macs didn't.

So, to boil it down:

What course are you doing? If it's something that's going to require specialist Windows software (I'm thinking along the lines of Accounting with Sage Line 50, that kind of thing), then get a Windows PC. Acer, Toshiba, Lenovo are all good brands.

If you're going to be using it for general uni stuff; typing essays, web browsing, email, chatting to friends, iTunes, watching films, then get the macbook. Even the cheapest, most basic one will do everything you want it to do (�600 with the student discount I talked about). Just get the largest hard drive you can choose from, because you'll always fill it. On the Macbook it's very easy to replace it your self too.

(I realise I seem to have disagreed with pretty much everyone here. Oh well :P)