I need to get a new laptop. I already have a Mac, but I do not want to install windows on my laptop.

I need a windows because a lot of the computer programs I need for school, run only for PC version. I do a lot of excel/linear programing work/other math stuff and I need something more then my Mac.

I would only be using it for school/job related things. I don't need to watch any DVDS on it, play games, store pictures etc. The two requirements is that it looks super cute and I can play www.amazon.com . . .

I am thinking of getting this laptop( PINK!)
www.amazon.com . . .

The business school at my college required a specific laptop. These are the details:

Business class laptop computer, based on the following configuration:
HP EliteBook 8460p
Windows® 7 Professional 32 bit, Office 2010 Professional 4-year license for Norton Antivirus/AntiSpyware
Intel® Core™ i5, 720p HD Webcam, Intel® HD Graphics 3000
14.0-inch diagonal LED-backlit HD anti-glare (1366 x 768 resolution)
4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, 250GB 7200 rpm 2.5-inch hard drive
LightScribe DVD+/-RW SuperMulti DL Drive
DualPoint (TouchPad and PointStick)
Wireless LAN 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth® Wireless Technology 2.1
www.stonehill.edu . . .

I hope that helps some. I have no idea if it comes in pink, or if its cute or anything like that. But perhaps something to base your decision off of. Do your professors have any recommendations? You also know you can run Microsoft Office on a Mac right? I'm just making sure.

^ Yup I know. I just prefer to have 2 different laptops. My other Mac died after 5 years, and I am in need for another one. I can let a simulation run on one, and DDN on the other

I have an HP it's a Pavilion dv6, it's been one of the worst computers I've ever owned. I would never touch another HP again. I haven't played Caesar on it but it would probably crash.

It has to be cute? What if it is not cute and you could just put some stickers on it? lol. I like VAIOs but I usually find them a bit over priced. The one you posted doesn't seem too bad for a price, however I only ever buy when there is a deal. If you have a bit of time to shop around, I recommend checking slickdeals.net everyday and see if you find any good deals or coupon codes. I have an HP desktop and laptop, so no clue why hummingbird hates hers. Mine have good specs, perhaps that is the difference. Before these two computers, all I ever owned were computers that had been built, and I have been very happy making the switch.

Yes, it has to be cute. It has to either be light pink, purple, or baby blue. My superficialness doesn't stop at handbags and shoes

In all seriousness, I may go with a slightly uncute one if the price is right. I can always get a sparkly cover rhinestone cover to put on my laptop. Those just cost like $200, so I thought it might just be cheaper to get an already cute one.

I have about 1 month to shop around.

My brother, the technologically advanced one in the family (read: the chemical engineer who also can't run programs on a Mac) loves his IBM Lenovo Thinkpad. I'm pretty sure he threw an old Dell out a window.

I've had a Dell, HP and Gateway and currently have a VAIO. Never have I had a computer (PC, that is) run just as good as it did when I bought it a year ago until I got the VAIO. The Gateway was my mom's and a few years old so it ran decently and the HP and the Dell really sucked. So my vote is if we're ignoring all things Mac, go VAIO.

OK people, news flash. HP, dell, gateway, lenovo, and apple ALL USE THE SAME PARTS. The only difference between those computers is the case and the customer service, and MAYBE the motherboard. But as far as the actual working parts of the computers (cpu, ram, graphics, audio, etc), there is ZERO difference between an HP and a dell (just for example). So if you have a computer you don't like, it has nothing to do with the brand. You just bought the wrong model. Saying something like HP is better than dell or gateway is better than lenovo is nonsense. They all use exactly the same components.

YumYumDoughnut wrote:

Yes, it has to be cute.

Ok well then I think you did a good job finding one that will suit you. For me when it comes to shopping, it is about price, so for me saving $150 would make me go with a different brand that is a plain old black. That is the only reason why I have 2 HPS, both times I found a $250 rebate on slickdeals. Quite a few HPs are customizable, this one www.shopping.hp.com . . . comes in purple and you could stand to upgrade a few things on top of the basic configurationt. Like panic said, the components are the same. I could find you a laptop with the same processor and hard drive for hmmm maybe about $100 less, but I don't think you would be as happy with it. You will have no problems playing the game you like on the VAIO (or really any game). If I see any coupons or deals for a VAIO anytime soon, I will let you know.

I can say that my HP pavilion dv2700 or whatever the series is is the worst laptop I've ever come across. I've had to replace the hard drive twice since buying it (once within just 6 months of getting it). It is currently in a state where the screen scrambles and flashes non-stop to the point where it is unusable.

On the other hand, I also have an Asus eee netbook that is really good. It's hard to compare because it's a netbook, but I have not had any problems with it. My boyfriend, who is a computer scientist, picked it out for me. My mom also has an Asus desktop computer and as far as I know has had no problems. When I hang around the engineering center on campus I see many people with asuses, so I can only assume it's a pretty good brand.

There is literally only a few companies, that I know of, that actually make hard drives. That means that no matter your brand of computer, the hard drive could be the same in another brand. (Ok so I found it, www.data-master.com . . . there are 4 companies that make hard drives, I assume this is still fairly up to date, as you can tell there used to be more, but companies bought each other out). So to assume that a computer brand is faulty because of the hard drive is just not true. I bet everyone that has owned a computer or computers can say that at one point their hard drive has failed. Whether that be 6 months or 6 years into your ownership. That is because hard drives fail, they just do, it really and truly comes down to luck. I am not an expert by any means so I can't speak too much else about the technical aspects. What I do know is that my dad has always been fiddling around with a lot of computers since I was little, and I have seen plenty of expensive computers have a hard drive that fails while the cheapos are still kicking. If anyone really cares, I know there is this big study that google did (they use a lot of hard drives lol) and while they don't name any brands of hard drives, there was very clearly problems at one time or another with all of them, which was unavoidable and came without warning.

Ok sorry about all that, back to the topic at hand. I just noticed the processor is a Core i3, if you can I would upgrade to the i5. I am a gamer, so that is why I say that. It shouldn't be a huge deal for mostly data processing and such.

I had the previous version of this pink Sony Vaio (outside and keyboard were both pink), bought about three years ago. It lasted about 8 months before the fan died and needed replaced. After getting a new fan installed, it lasted another 6 months before it died again. The guys at the computer place said it was a common problem with Vaio's. Hopefully they have fixed that problem but I know I wouldn't buy one again (despite how absolutely adorable it is). Anyways, ask a computer knowledgable person if they are still having fan problems just to make sure before you buy- it really sucks having to buy a new laptop after just over a year...


Forgot to add- also had problems with the power cord- it would come loose where it plugged into the computer. Had to get the plug in the computer replaced once too.

I don't like HP because of their terrible customer service.

I have a Panasonic Toughbook right now and I love it. It was expensive and it's not cute, but very durable. I can throw it around and not worry about busting it.

This is similar to mine (mine is 2.5 years old now):

panasonic.ca . . .