laptop suggestions/concerns

MacBook or MacBook Pro (if you can afford it) You cannot go wrong with this. They are simply the best made laptops available. Tons of graphic software available. Max out the RAM but from a third party. Apple's RAM costs way more than it should.

Some would say that the whole system costs too much, but that is just not true. These laptops are great value.

Your daughter will not be disappointed.

Mac. I'd suggest getting a MacBook Pro since graphics are demanding in terms of processor speed, and she's more likely to be able to use the laptop for all four years.

Do not buy more RAM from Apple; buy it from a reputable company that doesn't charge an arm and a leg. Max out the RAM. You or your daughter will be able to install it.

Do take advantage of educational pricing; your daughter is eligiable for it. Compare prices at Apple's online educational store, and the on campus store. Do absolutely buy AppleCare. It's well worth it. Do look at the Refurb machines on Apple's site.

Do take advantage of educational prices for software; the best deal will be from the school, usually.

Get a power strip/surge protector as well; dorms are not great places for clean power, and decent (30.00 or more) surge prevention can save a motherboard.

MacBook Pro, especially if she's going to be in graphics design, etc. Yes, it costs more than a PC laptop, but they are very well made. Mine has lasted for five years now and still not a problem. Get the Apple Care just for a peace of mind.

Medievalist said:

Get a power strip/surge protector as well; dorms are not great places for clean power, and decent (30.00 or more) surge prevention can save a motherboard.

Click to expand...

I lost a couple power supplies and motherboards during college. A good surge protector is absolutely needed equipment. A UPS is even better.

Its not usually surges that cause the problem, but just unclean power (everything from 90v to 140v on the 110 line), and weird waveforms (saw everything from nice sin waves, to square waves, and everything else coming out of dorm outlets, and everything from 50hz to 65hz).

Get a MacBook Pro. The thirteen inch models are reasonably priced, but they also come in fifteen and seventeen inch models. I've never had any trouble with RAM from Crucial, and Apple provides RAM upgrade instructions that can be followed by anybody with a screwdriver, patience, and a steady hands.

Upgrading RAM in the MBP is very easy.

MGraybosch said:

Get a MacBook Pro. The thirteen inch models are reasonably priced, but they also come in fifteen and seventeen inch models. I've never had any trouble with RAM from Crucial, and Apple provides RAM upgrade instructions that can be followed by anybody with a screwdriver, patience, and a steady hands.

Click to expand...

In all honesty, if I can do it, anybody can.

Medievalist said:

In all honesty, if I can do it, anybody can.

Click to expand...

I can do it, and I'm actually a cat. *meow!*

I'm just going to put my toe in the water and say: Dell. Graphic/Web Design is my business. I have 4 dells. My husband has a Dell (computer programmer). We're on these machines constantly. They are hard working, affordable, and I've always been happy with customer service. Recently my mini had screen issues (everything was eerie blue.) They sent me a box, I sent it off to Houston on their dime, they installed a brand new screen and sent it back. I didn't pay anything. The whole process, start to finish was under 7 days. My dell desktop is over 8 years old and still runs like a champ.

i just bought this: Samsung R580

I use it for writing, browsing, carrying around, and the Adobe suite (GeForce and i5 are very helpful). it's light enough but big. i don't like to color but the specs are great.

i got a better price at bestbuy

Some Specs:

Operating System
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
CPU
Intel® Core™ i5 430
Standard System Memory
4 GB (DDR3 / 2 GB x 2)
LCD Technology
15.6" LED HD
Screen Size
1,366 x 768
Graphic Memory
512 MB gDDR3 (NVIDIA® GeForce® 310M)
Audio Speakers
3 W Stereo Speaker (1.5 W x 2)
Integrated Camera
1.3 MP
Hard Drive
500 GB 5,400 RPM
Optical Disk Drive
BluRay

Frankly, She can get either a Macbook Pro or a Windows Laptop. It matters less and less which you get. I say this a web designer and graphic designer.

Some things:

At least 4gb ram...If you go Mac, listen to what Medievalist and other are saying, don't buy extra from Apple go and max it out with a good third party.

At least 512mb video card. 1gb would be better so would two 512mb but they get pretty expensive.

Other than that: optical drive can be included or separate. If you get a Mac and it doesn't have an SD card slot, get a reader for her...they are pretty inexpensive now, some just come with the cards.

If you go Windows Laptop, get Windows 7...don't down grade to XP or Vista.

Did the adviser say anything about 3d or software types other than Adobe Suite That she'd be using? Might want to check software specs for those. But, usually this is available to use in the computer lab.