How to choose a laptop?

How to choose a laptop? Need serious help!?

• Hey !! So here it is, I just started University and I need a laptop soon so I can work on projects and browse the Internet. I want to spend around 500-700 $ (14-15 inch screen), a laptop that will be reliable and relatively fast ! I don't know anything about laptops so please give me any advice you have on which brand, model, processor, etc. Remember, I only need to browse the Internet, use Microsoft Word/Excel, that type of stuff. Perhaps MSN, watching DVDs. No games or complicated stuff lol. Thanks !!!

• Answer:

  Depending on the projects...you'll be better off with a desktop (Computer Animation / CAD work / etc) than a laptop. First piece of advice...try to avoid wifi hotspots unless you *really* know your tech...once you access a wifi network, it is theoretically possible for someone to hack your system remotely. Wired is *always* infinitely more secure than wireless. That being said, if you're careful, wifi can be *reasonalby* risk-free...although always run a scan before and after connecting, and keep a two-way firewall active at all times. At a bare minimum...because you'll need to run an AV Suite, you'll need to find one that is listed as "Laptop Friendly" (Sunbelt Software's VIPRE is listed as such...), and buy/subscribe to it. (Do NOT use Freeware...most freeware [if not trialware] is crippled or just plain doesn't work - there *are* exceptions, but they tend to prove the rule than disprove it.)...you'll need a 2.4 dual core processor. If you go XP, you can survive quite well with 2gb of memory. If your want Vista or Win7, you'll want a minimum of 3gb of memory. For the versions themselves, XP Pro, Vista Home Premium/Business/Ultimate, for W7 Professional or Ultimate. Graphically speaking, you'll want almost anything in the HD3000 or higher series mobile processor for ATi, or 260M or higher on the nVidia side. (Again, depending on the projects, you'll need higher and higher requirements for graphics.) If you can't find them, the HD2600M or the 8800M chipsets are decent as well. However, much lower and your enjoyment of your DVDs will be reduced. HDD wise, you'll want a minimum of a 250gb drive (avoid the SSDs...they *dramatically* increase your cost!)...and considering the costs involved...just buy either the Student/Teacher or the Home/Office edition of Office 2007 (if you can find it) or 2010... Just use your student discount (and *avoid* OEM versions). Good Luck!