Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Which Laptop Computer Company?

Okay, if you have to have a Windows machine and want cheap/frugal, any Lenovo Thinkpad that still runs is a tough machine with decent quality parts.

But your best bet for "long-term" amortization is still a Macbook (standard or pro).

Thank you, all. My son will be a freshman majoring in Engineering. The college's website recommends Windows or Apple, but it does say that there are certain programs in use that will only run on Windows OS. The student can either run Windows on a Mac or use these specific programs at the school's computer lab.

Their latest recommendations published in a new student orientation guide go beyond even what's listed on the College of Engineering's website. The new student guide recommends processor speeds and memory size (Intel core i7, 16GB+ RAM, 512GB+ SSD hard drive) that makes any laptop fitted out with these specs relatively expensive.

My son is footing at least part of the cost, and he is leaning toward the MS Surface Pro. My concern with this particular model is that it looks to be a little on the flimsy side with its extendable kickstand and thin, detachable keyboard. He's played with some of them at stores, and he seems to be impressed with the Surface Pro's ability to recognize handwritten notes on the screen and organize them into MS One Note. He claims that even fairly complex handwritten math problems are recognized and organized. Better yet, the computer has the ability to solve the math problems and provide a step-by-step explanation as to how the problem is solved. I'm not sure if that's accurate, but that was my take on what I was being told.

Here is a cellphone pic of the recommended specs from the new student guide:




Edited to add:

My experience with Windows seems to be that my work computers, which are updated, maintained and supported by a professional IT staff work well. My Windows home computers that are maintained by me (or not) seem to run OK for about a year or so and then get bogged down and hinky.

I've heard from Mac owners that the computers seem to remain stable and run well for longer periods of time.

I use a Windows PC (at work), Linux PC (at home), and a Mac (at home) virtually every day. I totally agree that the PCs are ok when they are maintained by a dedicated IT department. The Macs just simply work without any effort much on my part. There is no question that I would get him a Mac.

Your last line has been my experience with them for the last 15 years.

Number one requirement of a laptop is to be able to see over it to watch tv with the wife.

I've done a lot of typing over the years and I can make a standard sized keyboard smoke. However...when I try to type on a smaller board, I'm lucky to get 5 words/min with under 30 mistakes. I just can't adapt to the downsized ones. At home I use a 17" laptop with remote keyboard, mouse, and 22" monitor. I just unplug all that stuff and take the computer when we travel. All the USB stuff is plugged into a hub so there's only 1 USB wire to pull out.

Me too.

I always buy HP. My great uncle was a very early investor in the company, and got out because he could not see the value of such a company.

I think of him every time I use my computer.

I've had my fill with Windows and Dell. A few years back I bought a MacBook Pro - best decision ever. Finest firewall protection there is imo. Good luck.

I have been using Toshiba Satellite lap tops for years. Bullet proof.

Having used a bunch of laptops and been around people that do for business, I've yet to meet anyone who went Mac that ever went back.

Just get the Macbook Pro and be done with it.

I use and support HP's at work. No complaints.

I have an HP. My wife has a Lenovo. They have different processors that are rated to be the same speed but the Lenovo is at least twice as fast.

My son graduated with a "Hard Science bachelors degree"... Only used Mac OS computers..

DD,

How difficult and/or expensive would it be to run MS Windows on a Mac? I assume I would have to buy some version of Windows 10 to do so. Also, does it noticeably affect the computer's performance to be running two OSs simultaneously?

Thank you.

DD can answer better than I, but I have never found a need to run any MS software on my Macs. So much is either web based or on both platforms that I don't find a need for it except for one particular program that I am on the developer to resolve. I have to use a PC for my race cars which have a MS only program for altering the tuning. This is a dedicated HP laptop for my race cars that never sees the light of day on the internet.

Everything else I can run on my Macs flawlessly. With the availability of MS Office for Macs the gap has closed dramatically for me. I also don't like learning new stuff all the time. Macs and Linux adhere to keeping the look and feel pretty much the same upgrade after upgrade. If you don't mind learning how to navigate a new operating system all the time or you are ok fearing the next OS upgrade then MS based PCs are for you. I have never feared an OS upgrade on my Macs.

Piece of cake. You just need to buy a copy of Windows. Using Bootcamp, only one OS is actually running at once so there is no performance hit. You do need more disk space to hold the second system. You can read the general procedure here: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-install-windows-10-macbook

I'm typing this on an 8 year old Toshiba. But it is giving some problems. The guy who does my computer repair says Toshiba is as good as HP or Dell. But he can repair Dell or HP a lot easier and cheaper. A few months ago I thought mine was shot and I ran across a great deal on an HP. But until this one completely dies I still use it as well as the new HP.

Oh, I dunno about that. My son's Dell has lasted him 7 years, so far. 6 in college. My daughter's Toshiba has lasted her 6 years and still working. My Toshiba has lasted me 5 years and doing well. My youngest's Lenovo was a mistake.

Your HP might need a tune up.....maybe check the alignment and change the oil too.

After a quick Google search, it looks like a Windows 10 Pro license cost $200 ($179 for a student). Being that my son is already leaning toward a Surface Pro, I'm not sure we want to spend an additional $200 on a second OS. He could probably get by without it and use the school's computers on rare occasions when needed.

I just don't have a good feeling about the Surface Pro's longevity. Anyone have long-term experience with a Surface machine?

Most, if not all, of the money for the laptop will be coming from my son's HS graduation gift haul. This makes cramming my choice down his throat without discussion a bit more complicated....

Don't know if this will help in your decision;

CNET 13 in Laptop Reviews by highest rated LINK

PC Magazine Best Laptops of 2017 LINK

Personally, I'd go with either a Dell XPS or an Alienware.

Oh, and buy whatever you get from Costco. They have THE best return policy AND offer an extended 3 year warranty that will come in very handy for a college laptop.

Ed