Tips to buying a laptop.
I have been at uni for 5years and brought a laptop in August Last year. When I had huge assessments i used to hog the home comp so i thought it was time to get one of my own.
It has been fantastic for assignments.. ... i can do assignments in my room.... no one else bothering me.
but realistically, I had to take my laptop to uni a few times for a powerpoint presentation and it annoyed the hell out of me. You think they dont weight much but carrying it all day.. at times it felt like a tonne.
You can't use the internet on your laptop... there is no access at uni. Also, the battery life on laptops could cause you problems since u may not have access to a powerpoint.
Also, doing assignments and work on your laptop on the way home on the train/bus? Have you really thought this through....... in theory sounds good but i can't see how you could concentrate.
However, I do have a few tips on buying a lap top:
Shopping around is essential when buying a Lap top.
Stay Away from Myers. DJ'S etc...... they dont reduce or discount prices.
The good guys are good, Mega Mart, Harvery Norman, Bing Lee, Retra Vision.
I ended up buying my Laptop from Megamart.....Auburn.....
I brought a Toshiba widescreen P4.....extra warranty and free bag....... and they matched the good guys price....... the good thing about megamart is that they usually have 12months interst free if you have a coles myer card..... basically you have 12months to pay no interst... no lock in contracts etc. So each month I pay a bit at a time...
I found mega mart great..... I originally brought a Compaq but had to get it replaced twice because the modem was faulty, on the third time I was so sick of the hassle that I thought to go with the toshiba... no problems and its great. So stay away from Compaq.... Megamart did say they so have modem problems.
Dont be afraid to bargain and ask for free stuff..... warranaty is important, get extra warranty cover if you can. Dont buy any software from stores, get it frm the coop bookshop... cheap prices for students.
Go into shops like Harvery Norman at just about closing time on a Sunday when you are ready to buy. Haggle with them and they will give u a great deal... I did this... they gave me a great price on an LG centrino with heaps of freebies but I didn't want centrino....
Most important...... Have a budget, know what you want to use your laptop for and dont let them suck you in.