Going to college, which laptop is better?

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RE

by nino8888 Jul 6, 2009 8:29PM PDT

I have good experience with HP notebooks in terms of their durability. I have the DV4, DV6 and even the previous models prior to the new design.

Mac is a really good option. The only problem I have is that I'm an Outlook person and Mac doesn't have it. Not sure if there is a way to go around it but that's the only reason I don't use it. Otherwise, it's a darn fast notebook.

One thing to consider also is the weight. Are you going to carry it often around the campus? When I was in college, I carry my laptop a lot and anything over 14.1" (except Mac and Vaio) is really heavy especially added to the thick college books in my bagpack. Not to mention the battery life is much shorter (even with the new models). And usually, the bigger the notebook, the heavier the power supply also. But if you gonna use it as desktop replacement, then your choice is fine. Just get the one with the best deal because any of them will do just fine with what you're using it for.

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RE

by aray90 Jul 7, 2009 5:08AM PDT

First of all, thank you for your help. And if I wanted to, I know you can get windows system and programs on a mac (according to the apple website).

As far as carrying it around campus, that is not a very big deal. I am attending a community college and will only have two classes a day, four days a week and I would only be using the laptop for writting papers and taking notes in two of the classes. I would primarily use it at home though.

Like I said earlier, I would also use it for photoshop mostly for fun because I like to do it. And I don't know if paying for the mac is worth it because they do have better graphics for photo editing that I have had previous experience with. Or if buying a cheaper HP will have the same capabilities or not.

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Sorry.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jul 6, 2009 11:29PM PDT

But keep in mind that one of these are 2 to some number of year devices. A local school/college/higher-ed offers a 4 year laptop. The laptop comes with a 4 year warranty, support and more on the school grounds so you can't beat that. Did you ask the school? And are you ready to buy a new machine 2 years later?

Look at the battery life of each machine (not run-time but LIFE) to figure out which machine is one you are likely to replace sooner. Also factor in what they use at your school and the cost of Apple Care for 4 years.
Bob

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Thanks

by aray90 Jul 7, 2009 5:27AM PDT

I would be using the laptop at a community college, but mostly at home for writting papers and taking notes for two out of four classes I'm taking. I don't think the school has any programs or anything that you can get a computer. Would such little use still make it a 2 year computer?

Like I said before, I would also use it for photoshopping too. And I don't know if paying for the mac is worth it because they do have better graphics for photo editing that I have had previous experience with. Or if buying a cheaper HP will have the same capabilities or not.

When you say battery life do you mean the overall life of the battery like in years? Or do you mean like the Mac has 7hrs. and HP has 3hrs?

Apple Care for 4 yrs. is $550, is it worth it? Or should I get a cheaper HP? Or get an HP with a Best Buy warranty of 3 yrs. and hope it breaks down enough so that I can get a better HP or Mac?

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"LIFE"

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jul 7, 2009 6:20AM PDT

You noted run time and not the life of the battery. I read the HP, Dell with about 300 charges. What is that on the Apple.

As to more or less use it is a factor but given the unibody frame and the many more year life battery which one do you think will make it to year 4?

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Mac span

by aray90 Jul 7, 2009 6:29AM PDT

I just checked the apple website and it claims that the macbook pro has a lifespan of up to 1000 charges.

I would assume that this would dominate the lifespan of an HP but then agian I'm no expert.

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Do some math.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jul 7, 2009 7:08AM PDT

Your average HP is 2 to 3 hours on a charge and some 300 charges.

http://earth2tech.com/2009/01/06/apple-unveils-efficient-macbook-battery-whos-the-supplier/ tells you the usual 1,000 charge but there's 7 hours on each charge.

That's 900 hours for the common HP battery and 7,000 for the Apple.

Looks to be quite the bargain if you look again.
Bob

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Your opinion

by aray90 Jul 7, 2009 7:24AM PDT

So after looking and hearing some of the facts about each computer. Which one, in your professional opinion, would you say is better? The 15" Macbook Pro? Or the HP DV6 1245dx/HP G60 series?

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So.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jul 7, 2009 1:47PM PDT

900 hours battery life vs. 7,000.
Plastic case vs aluminum uniframe.

The quality here is measurable, tangible and more. But in the end it can be the initial cost. Let's say that the PC is a great value but you replace it after 2 years. Would that be a bad thing?
Bob

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My 2 cents

by tommy122 Jul 10, 2009 9:34PM PDT

I have a HP DV3510NR and love it. I've had it about 5 months with no problems. I've never had a Mac so I can't comment on them however you will find that you get a lot more bang for your buck with a PC. As far as lasting goes, with the way technology is improving every day, a PC will be obsolete in two to four years, so I don't think that lifespan is that important.

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buy the g60

by ricardor888 Jul 13, 2009 5:37AM PDT

I'm a proud owner of a g60 235dx and I got tell you that this laptop is the best for the price, durability, and efficiency. Sure, you might say a mac has a longer battery life, but how long are you going to use the laptop without charging? My g60 sometimes lasts for more than 3 hrs. Enough time for me.

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