[nathdep]

Hello!

I'm going to be needing a new laptop for college.

I am going to be using this laptop just for college. I will need it for writing papers and for something to use during my free time.

I don't want a netbook. I want something with a CD drive. I'm not really a gamer so I don't need any specifications for that.

I have about a $500-$1000 budget but would want something toward the middle of that range.

I would be somewhat willing to shop on black Friday for a laptop. However, I know I will have to work that day and I don't really want to stay up all night and then have to work. However, I will stay up if it is the best deal. What would you recommend?

Thank you! Your help is much appreciated.

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How about cyber Monday when many online stores have their big sells? And you can always buy an external optical drive you can use separately if need be. Just a thought.

[Zolton33]

How about cyber Monday when many online stores have their big sells? And you can always buy an external optical drive you can use separately if need be. Just a thought.

[phillpower2]

Hello nathdep

A useful guide http://www.newegg.co...x?articleId=205 and a notebook suggestion http://www.newegg.co...ptops-Notebooks

[nathdep]

Thank you for the guide/suggestion.

In your opinion, would you recommend Windows 7 or Windows 8?

[phillpower2]

You are most welcome nathdep

My machines run XP, Vista and W8 and so I have never used W7 for a prolonged period other than when repairing computers where it is the installed OS on the HDD which means that I cannot give you a definitive answer, personally I like W8 for the ease of use + the boot times are really fast (believe me) - what I will say about my preferred choice of OS (XP) like many others I will be truly sorry the day that support from MS is fully withdrawn as it will be a hard act to follow.

I am not aware of how hands on you are with upgrading your hardware but if me to save funds and try and get a better system (for less cash) I would purchase a slightly lower spec notebook, an SSD, an external HDD enclosure and two Xs 4GB sticks of Ram, this will set you up for many years of continued use with the same system which in turn means that you will be able to work longer hours assisting on the forums

[nathdep]

you will be able to work longer hours assisting on the forums

Haha. That's always something to keep in consideration!
Yep, no room for slackers around these parts


I would be willing to put together a computer if I could learn how. Is it hard to learn?
Building a notebook from scratch is a specialist area but upgrading one by swapping the HDD or adding more Ram is relatively straight forward if you follow the steps in the user manual correctly

How much money would it save by doing this?
Depends on the hardware but potentially 75 - $100