Best Laptop for College

[JVC]

For school next year I have the option to either take the laptop that I currently use

Dell Inspiron E1705
Screen Size: 17 inches
Weight: 8 lbs
Processor Options: Core Duo, Core 2 Duo
Graphics Options: ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Dedicated), nVidia Go 7800 (Dedicated)).

OR

I can look for a different laptop that I'd get new or used. Here are some of the things that I would like or not like..

No Apple Products.
Preferably under 17" so its a bit smaller and can easily be carried class to class.
Under 8 lbs, this computer is just a tad bit heavy to be carrying around everywhere.
Decent battery life so that I wouldn't have to charge it all the time.
Cheap is best, Moderately expensive is OK, Expensive is not likely.

Thanks and most any ideas will be taken into consideration!
John

[Rizzo]

i would say get a dell just for the fact that they are very well priced and with the extended battery get about 3 hours.

If you want a smaller laptop Travel Sony Vaio's are very nice. The current one i use  has a battery life of about 2-3 hours, no extended battery. Dual Core proccessor, not a gaming computer though. Is about 1200 new, you could prob find it cheaper if you shop around.

[ginz111]

No Apple Products.

Sorry then there is nothing I can recommend. 

[cat97628]

I just got one of the HP DV9500's 17" screen 256 dedicated memory 2 GIG RAM 240 GIG HD 1.6 GIG Dual Core CPU. It get 4.5 vista score. I am very happy with it. It also comes with a TV tuner card with remote. I do not carry it anywhere so I can not say that it is something that would be fun to lug around a campus but it is a good solid machine. 1300 six months ago at best buy. I personally would stay away from Dell. I am an IT Manager for a decent sized Downtown company and we have had 4 major issues involing 100's of machines at a time. Good Luck

[Rizzo]

I just got one of the HP DV9500's 17" screen 256 dedicated memory 2 GIG RAM 240 GIG HD 1.6 GIG Dual Core CPU. It get 4.5 vista score. I am very happy with it. It also comes with a TV tuner card with remote. I do not carry it anywhere so I can not say that it is something that would be fun to lug around a campus but it is a good solid machine. 1300 six months ago at best buy. I personally would stay away from Dell. I am an IT Manager for a decent sized Downtown company and we have had 4 major issues involing 100's of machines at a time. Good Luck

HP's are great machines, just make sure wherever you buy it from (i know best buy can do this) unloads all the pre-loaded software. Most HP's come with it (all that i have ever bought or seen people buy)

What problems do you guys have with dells (from a technical standpoint)? I have used many dells  and except for obsolete machines never had a problem. Please pm me, i want to prepare for the worst haha.

[SeeNoEvo]

No Apple Products.

Sorry then there is nothing I can recommend. 

+1, i have a Mac book pro, at it's the best computer that i've ever had

[GliMarkPL]

why dont u want a mac book"? u could run windows and the mac operating system on it tooo and macs r the best for editing pictures videos and anythign else creative im waiting till the summer where u could get a free ipod wen u buy and mac

[SeeNoEvo]

why dont u want a mac book"? u could run windows and the mac operating system on it tooo and macs r the best for editing pictures videos and anythign else creative im waiting till the summer where u could get a free ipod wen u buy and mac

That's what i did, when i got mine, i got a free Nano

[chaimo]

I have a macbook pro too, I love the thing

[Mighty Mini]

i have a mac book pro, and 2 power books cant recommend anything finer - looks like you are SOL my friend