My initial intention was to put Windows on my MacBook, as you can see from an earlier post. I need Windows to minimize the compatibility issues with Excel files since I'm in the graduate program at UNCG for accounting. The department uses Excel 2007 for PC. There is no Office 2007 for Mac; only Office 2004 (which I have) and Office 2008. I read that there were some compatibility issues with Office 2008 and 2007. I wanted to avoid this since accounting uses Excel heavily. OpenOffice also wasn't a solution for the same reasons; a different interface would mean I'd have to learn on my own how to do in OpenOffice the functions and operations that the professor does in Excel 2007. The best solution was to get Windows, either on my Mac, or get a whole new laptop.
The MacBook has been a dream to have ever since I bought it in late 2006. The problems I've has with it have been minimal and almost insignificant, such as Firefox freezing up and having to restart the program. However, to get Windows on my Mac, I would have had to get a bigger hard drive, as I've filled mine up over the past 3 years. Also, I would have had to increase my RAM to at least 2 GB. Additionally, there was the time factor. This particular class, Business Statistics, meets once per week and I needed windows ASAP. At this point, it seemed easier and less stressful to just buy a PC laptop. So, I went to Best Buy.
My criteria for buying a laptop was simple: I'm not buying a Dell. I can specifically recall three people who have had abysmal experiences with Dell laptops. Myself, Ben, and Ruff. I know I've heard the same horror stories from other people (maybe 2 others), but I can't specifically remember them. My old Dell Inspiron 8200 had hard drive problems, it kept crashing, and even though I took extremely good care of it, the hinge cracked, meaning the screen couldn't support itself or shut properly. It was an embarrassment.
So now I have an HP G60-445DX Notebook PC. I know this because I haven't taken the stickers off yet. It was within my price range, has HDMI output, and has a 5-in-1 card reader. Neat. I also get Windows 7 for free when it comes out in October. Time will tell if that was money well spent, or if it's another money-sink like most PC's. My first impressions are optimistic. This seems like a nice laptop for the price. My only complaint so far is that to open the laptop, I have to hold the bottom down while I open the screen, like prying open a clam, because the hinge is tight. But hopefully this means that it will last a long time, unlike my Dell.
5 comments:
My next laptop will probably be an HP. It seems to me like they make a reliable product. I think you will be satisfied (especially if you upgrade to 7).
My Dell hasn't been too bad. It's coming up on 6 years old and there's no big issues. The hinges on mine are getting weak, but aren't broken. About a year ago it started getting too old to run Windows well, so I put Linux on it. Since then, it hasn't been showing any signs of dying any time soon, although there is part of me that wishes it would so I can get a new computer. :)
I'm glad to hear HP has a good reputation in the PC market.
When I mentioned your Dell, I was thinking of the problems you had with your mouse and USB. The USB was faulty, I believe.
I'm glad Linux is working out for you on that laptop. Kinda odd how the free OS are sometimes more revered than the most common OS ;)
Ah yes, you are exactly right. One of my USB ports has been bad for a couple years now.
Bentok, do you remember that time I busted the screen on your laptop?
Yes, I was very upset.
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