Which Laptop Should I buy?

[dkyros]

Greetings escapist community, I have recently come into a sum of money which I was hoping to use to buy a ring for a certain lady, unfortunately my current laptop is now dying. I currently have a HP Compaq that I use for at least 10 hours a day for school work and other various activities. My budget is $2000 and I am looking for a model that will be able to load my current documents (currently saved on an external hard drive) and be able to withstand the three remaining years of schooling. It should be durable, screen size isn't too much of an issue, and it should have programs such as microsoft word and powerpoint. There are just so many choices out there that I am not sure on which model I should get so any help will be extremely appreciated. Please post a reason why you feel the model would be beneficial (just saying this so I don't have 20 posts with just a one word answer)

 

[Horticulture]

Do you plan on using it for any (modern) gaming or HD video?

 

[Umberphoenix]

It depends on what you're going to be doing with it. Stuff that requires a lot of software, you're going to want a PC because most stuff is made for them. If what you're doing is mostly word processing, music-making, movie editing, and the like, I'd recommend a Macintosh. The life expectancy on one is greater than that of a PC, and they're easier to use. I don't know if they come with Microsoft Office, but if they don't you can install it.

 

[dkyros]

Do you plan on using it for any (modern) gaming or HD video?

I would probably not use it for gaming other than silly flash games. Might be interested in having an HD output on it as I have a TV that I sometimes hook up via RBG cable because my current laptop does not have an HD output port. But mostly for school, was thinking about a tablet so I could write on my powerpoints, but just do not know enough about them. Have also been thinking about a Macbook or MacBook pro just because of the fact that they do not have the issue of getting a virus as often as PCs. Probably not going to be interested in something like AlienWare.

 

[mikecoulter]

A Macbook. The plastic model is in the middle of it's current model life, so it's a fine time to buy, and it has a 7 hour battery. It's kinda nice not needing to worry as much about system security and if you're spending long amounts of time on it, it's quite a nice interface to work with for long periods of time...

 

[Horticulture]

I would probably not use it for gaming other than silly flash games. Might be interested in having an HD output on it as I have a TV that I sometimes hook up via RBG cable because my current laptop does not have an HD output port. But mostly for school, was thinking about a tablet so I could write on my powerpoints, but just do not know enough about them. Have also been thinking about a Macbook or MacBook pro just because of the fact that they do not have the issue of getting a virus as often as PCs. Probably not going to be interested in something like AlienWare.

Macbooks are definitely a solid choice. On the PC side, I recently checked out a relative's ASUS UL80 [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220602] which was very slick in the time I spent with it. The battery life is especially incredible. It's generally a bit better than the baseline Macbook in spec, aside from the slower CPU. Of course, OSX is a big selling point for many people.

On the tablet side, HP's TM2 [http://www.logicbuy.com/deals/hp-touchsmart-tm2-12-inch-convertible-laptop/14734.aspx] is said to be very good, though I don't have any personal experience with it.

 

[Berserker119]

definitely go with a mac.

 

[dkyros]

Thank you everyone, I believe I am going to go with the TM2, it looks built well, with good reviews and a promotion that is hard to pass up. Thank you for the information everyone.

 

[jebus4you]

i dont think you can really go wrong if you are going to spend all of the 2000. If you just go into a best buy you could leave in 10 min with a good laptop. The things you require are capable of most pc's and macs