BuffettNews.com

I'm in the process of applying to grad school and will need a new computer. I'm gonna get a laptop so I can take it to class. I've only bought one computer in my lifetime and that was almost 7 years ago, so I'm kind of out of the loop on what I need. Please help.......

-Laptop
-probably a 15.4" screen so its not too heavy
-Windows Vista
-Microsoft Office
-CD and DVD burner

Do I need 2 gigs of memory since I will be running Vista?

Is there anywhere to buy Microsoft Office for cheap?

What is my best option for a processor?

What are my best options as far as brands?

Where are the best places to look for a computer?

*I would like to spend less than $1,000 tax and all*

Microcenter has great prices, and adds an additional $100 rebate if you sign up for their Visa at the time of purchase. If you like what they have on sale, and get a regular rebate plus the extra $100 rebate, you won't do better anywhere else.

Um...sorry...I was gonna say "Get a Mac," but I guess that's not the way your wind is blowin'...

Me, I love my Powerbook.

Being a student, you should be able to purchase the
student/teacher edition of Office

TropicalTroubador wrote:Um...sorry...I was gonna say "Get a Mac," but I guess that's not the way your wind is blowin'...

Me, I love my Powerbook.

Ditto...

You can get the student version of Microsoft Office for Mac relatively cheap (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)

If you really wanted/needed to, you can run Windows on a Mac.

I switched to a Mac Powerbook last summer, and I'm happy with it.

Otherwise, take a look at Dell's deals for students and make sure you include strong virus protection.

Sorry Bob.....I can't offer you any good advice. I've never really been a big fan of laptops. Not sure why......they're just so different, I guess would be my reasoning.

You can get some good deals on refurbished Dells.

http://www.dell.com/outlet/

I buy laptops often for my job, my experience is stay away from Dell's, they make good desktops but we have had so many problems with their laptops. The last batch of laptops we bought were Gateway, we have had nothing but success with them. Gateway has some good deals for students at any level, their education website is: http://www.gateway.com/education/hi_ed/

Vista recommends as a minimum 1 Gig, every version of windows to-date pretty much needed double the recommended minimum to work halfway decently. i would recommend a minimum of 2 Gig for a vista machine. then again i wouldn't recommend a vista machine. for one alot of software is not vista compatible yet....

Vista runs great on my MacBook, a little more expensive than the $1000 but you can buy refurb. Vista is pretty 2nd rate compared to OSX but much better looking that XP. Now is it better? probably not.