Should have remembered everything turns into an argument :X

 

Do not get a dell.

The build quality has gone to ****. Gone to ****.

****.

If you could, look for a lenovo.
I'm big about build quality. Go hit up a store and take a look at a few laptops on display. Lift them up move them around. Violate the **** out of it. It's something that's going to be with you for the next 3-4 years (depends on your refresh cycle.) so get a good feel for them. Also look at battery life. IF it says 5 hours it'll probably br 3-4 in real time.

Question is what will you use it for?
Most build specs are enough for everyday use (internet, office, chat, flash ****)

Most people will tell you to get a mac but get whatever your comfortable with.
Windows is now pretty stable and a decent os.

If you do look at the macs get an air. I love my air

 

oh and i tell you about the drivers for dells?

oh you need the driver for the video card? oh it's R23918482 not R4239909302
wait what?? Why so damn cryptic?!

yeah.. gotta love dell

 

Quick - someone change the title to Mac vs. PC!!

 

I would suggest looking at newegg.com

the new Ienovo line has a dual SSD and HDD setup that is killer. its the way of the future.

BUT! it depends on what you are using it for....pr0n? video editing? email? friendster and myspace?

 

Thanks to (most of) you guys for the handy input and useful links. You know who you are.
The main purpose of this laptop is office work, video streaming, just casual stuff -- but I want something reliable and with a screen that's easy on the eyes since I'll being doing a lot of work on it. Sounds like the HDD on HP's like to crap out, huh?
Will continue to do research and peruse the links provided; please keep the advice coming, I appreciate it!

And to VRT MBasile: I've used Mac's on and off since the mid 90's through now, and I really just don't care for the way they operate at all. I don't get how "Do NOT want a Mac " demonstrates "hostility" or why you're so excited about trying to "convert" a PC user, but suffice it to say, I don't want to be stuck with something that I won't enjoy using just because it's trendy or because some other people love it.

 

My apologies, it is a topic I have to hear nearly every day at school (and so kind of sets me off), mostly revolving around misconceptions about the Macs. Having used them and not liking them is understandable, it's the people that have used windows because it was what was more readily available in the past and then hear other windows users say they don't like Macs because they are "bad" and therefore then they themselves don't like it just by association... bleh. I should have left it at my first post

I am a big proponent of "Use what suits you." which is why I highlighted some examples of how well it works for everyday normal use and how it holds up reliability-wise, seeing as ease of use and reliability were you two big criteria. Again, my apologies

 

Ryan Macbook Pro 17" is what I use. Almost two years old nothing wrong with it. Nothing has gone wrong with it .

 

Shhhhhh!

 

I have been using lenovo for a couple years with no complaints.

 

Random question for the mac***s... Are there any macbooks that support dual internal HDDs? and how easy is it to swap HDDs on a Macbook?

I may be finding myself in the market for a new laptop soon since my hp is starting to get rather outdated. I am torn because I like the physical features of the current Macbooks (rock solid, back lit keyboard, long lasting battery) but I really dislike the Mac OS and the track pad. I am tempted to get a mac and run Windows on it.

 

harddrives are easy to swap but no duals on the laptops. the desktops yes

 

Hmm... My current laptop has dual drives and it is awesome.

 

how much battery life do you have?

 

Not a lot. Maybe an hour. If I tune the power settings I bet I could squeeze 2 hours.