New Laptop Question

bigaudiofanat · 09-13-2009, 01:25 AM

So I have been in college for a little over 5 months now. My master is computer science and networking. I own a 4 year old mac laptop that ha never given me any problems and still working great. The only thing is it can not run windows programs. "Except office and all" So today I took 350 dollars out of my Z fund and went and bought a toshiba laptop. It is not the best one or anything like that. But after having it for only 5 hours I am already thinking of returning it. Reason being is I rely do not see any REAL reason why I would need it. And I would rather have the money sitting in the bank for my car. So what do you think should I keep it or take it back?

Here is a link to it. I have also asked one of computer teachers he said he can not see any real reason why I would need it but than again he dose not know about my future teachers.

Toshiba - Satellite Laptop with Intel® Celeron® Processor - Onyx Blue - L305-S5955

Trips · 09-13-2009, 02:20 AM

Have you tried running parallels or Vnware fusion? on you mac. I'm running Vmware fusion. or running Windos on boot camp?
Looked at the laptop on your link is fine. You might consider more ram and a bigger processor. It's always better due to if you upgrade to run vista or even windows 7 your gonna be glad it's all ready in there just my 2 cents..

zman1910 · 09-13-2009, 02:25 AM

I doubt he can do all that if he is still running on a Powerpc G4 processor. The newer Macs can do just about everything. It's probably a good time to upgrade in your situation....worry about the car later

edeeZee · 09-13-2009, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zman1910

....worry about the car later

I really admire that. That is some genuine maturity and "concern for your fellow man." It's so rare to hear someone give advice that is beneficial to someone you barely know, especially in cyberspace.

Yeah bro, do your college thing first, because the Z isn't gonna earn you money nor a future.

Trips · 09-13-2009, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zman1910

I doubt he can do all that if he is still running on a Powerpc G4 processor. The newer Macs can do just about everything. It's probably a good time to upgrade in your situation....worry about the car later

Total agree if the mac is not recently new.

Trips · 09-13-2009, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edeeZee

I really admire that. That is some genuine maturity and "concern for your fellow man." It's so rare to hear someone give advice that is beneficial to someone you barely know, especially in cyberspace.

Yeah bro, do your college thing first, because the Z isn't gonna earn you money nor a future.

the Z will just suck the life out of your wallet trying all the mods that are out there...

theDreamer · 09-13-2009, 11:17 AM

I would actually wait on the laptop, wait a year or so until you really need a laptop to do your work beyond MS office. I feel that is one big mistake people going to college make, they buy a laptop the first year they go and by the time they are deep in their major it is dated and almost useless.

bigaudiofanat · 09-13-2009, 11:33 AM

No I can not run xp on my 4 year old mac it is before they switched to intel possessors. Also I do not think any of you still get it. I have yet to have a class say I need a windows computer or anything like that. I have microsoft office on my mac and works fine. So that is why I am not sure if I should keep it or not. The Z when I get it will not be modded liek some people thin. That is what I am trying to get right now. I think the laptop was more of an impulse buy.

zman1910 · 09-13-2009, 02:25 PM

Sorry but you phrased it as if you were needing a new laptop being a computer science and networking major and all. You even went to the point of purchasing a cheaper laptop bc you couldn't run windows... so I assumed it was necessary.

If you don't need it than why even think about getting one...especially if you don't want to spend the money to begin with? I'm confused over the purpose of this thread. It sounds like you answered your own problem.

bigaudiofanat · 09-13-2009, 03:32 PM

I went ahead and returned it. Yes I was confusing myself, thinking that I would need one when in fact I probably will not. So the question was rely do i need a laptop for the sake of maybe needing one to run maybe one program. I answered it myself and returned it today. When I get my refund check it is going to the bank in the savings where it will not be touched again. Until it is time for the car.

theDreamer · 09-13-2009, 03:59 PM

Good move, like I said, most college students do not need a laptop until the third year of school as at that point you will learn what your major specifically needs and then you can buy the latest thing. Also, once you get farther into your major, try to talk to a few people a year or so ahead of you and ask what features work best for them. Tablet, netbook, what OS (7 will be great but many schools will not transition for some time), etc.

bigaudiofanat · 09-13-2009, 04:03 PM

I am honestly thinking I will not even need a new one at all. Also I am not a fan of windows 7 hijacking macs looks and features. Also I should be done a lot sooner than 4 years as my classes will be all done in a year and a half, maybe a bit more. I just think I did not rely need it at all and that my mac is going to hold out for the time. I will have everything backed up just in case. But I trust it.

theDreamer · 09-13-2009, 04:30 PM

Not going to get in the debate of Windows 7, not, taking anything from Apple.
That is, 1.5 years, if you can get your current notebook to last then I would. I had my last notebook for four years and sold it to my brother who loves it. I ended up with a solid netbook as I only need to take notes and view powerpoints for school currently.

bigaudiofanat · 09-13-2009, 05:14 PM

Ya mine has office and all that. I can write and view anything the teachers would send me so I think I am okay. This mac will not die I have been saying for over a year now that I am going to replace it but it still marches on not giving me one bit of grief.

zman1910 · 09-14-2009, 10:18 PM

For reference my ancient Ibook lasted me all through Chemical Engineering and Med school. Now that is quality baby....Apple ftw.

I just recently upgraded to a Macbook pro and I can't believe the difference!

09-13-2009, 01:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 853	New Laptop Question So I have been in college for a little over 5 months now. My master is computer science and networking. I own a 4 year old mac laptop that ha never given me any problems and still working great. The only thing is it can not run windows programs. "Except office and all" So today I took 350 dollars out of my Z fund and went and bought a toshiba laptop. It is not the best one or anything like that. But after having it for only 5 hours I am already thinking of returning it. Reason being is I rely do not see any REAL reason why I would need it. And I would rather have the money sitting in the bank for my car. So what do you think should I keep it or take it back? Here is a link to it. I have also asked one of computer teachers he said he can not see any real reason why I would need it but than again he dose not know about my future teachers. Toshiba - Satellite Laptop with Intel® Celeron® Processor - Onyx Blue - L305-S5955 __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

09-13-2009, 02:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,732 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	Have you tried running parallels or Vnware fusion? on you mac. I'm running Vmware fusion. or running Windos on boot camp? Looked at the laptop on your link is fine. You might consider more ram and a bigger processor. It's always better due to if you upgrade to run vista or even windows 7 your gonna be glad it's all ready in there just my 2 cents.. __________________ Last edited by Trips; 09-13-2009 at 02:29 AM.

09-13-2009, 11:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	I would actually wait on the laptop, wait a year or so until you really need a laptop to do your work beyond MS office. I feel that is one big mistake people going to college make, they buy a laptop the first year they go and by the time they are deep in their major it is dated and almost useless. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

09-13-2009, 11:33 AM	#8 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 853	No I can not run xp on my 4 year old mac it is before they switched to intel possessors. Also I do not think any of you still get it. I have yet to have a class say I need a windows computer or anything like that. I have microsoft office on my mac and works fine. So that is why I am not sure if I should keep it or not. The Z when I get it will not be modded liek some people thin. That is what I am trying to get right now. I think the laptop was more of an impulse buy. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

09-13-2009, 03:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 853	I went ahead and returned it. Yes I was confusing myself, thinking that I would need one when in fact I probably will not. So the question was rely do i need a laptop for the sake of maybe needing one to run maybe one program. I answered it myself and returned it today. When I get my refund check it is going to the bank in the savings where it will not be touched again. Until it is time for the car. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

09-13-2009, 02:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
zman1910 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: FL Posts: 361 Drives: 2011 Audi S4 Rep Power: 429	I doubt he can do all that if he is still running on a Powerpc G4 processor. The newer Macs can do just about everything. It's probably a good time to upgrade in your situation....worry about the car later

09-13-2009, 02:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
zman1910 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: FL Posts: 361 Drives: 2011 Audi S4 Rep Power: 429	Sorry but you phrased it as if you were needing a new laptop being a computer science and networking major and all. You even went to the point of purchasing a cheaper laptop bc you couldn't run windows... so I assumed it was necessary. If you don't need it than why even think about getting one...especially if you don't want to spend the money to begin with? I'm confused over the purpose of this thread. It sounds like you answered your own problem.

09-13-2009, 03:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	Good move, like I said, most college students do not need a laptop until the third year of school as at that point you will learn what your major specifically needs and then you can buy the latest thing. Also, once you get farther into your major, try to talk to a few people a year or so ahead of you and ask what features work best for them. Tablet, netbook, what OS (7 will be great but many schools will not transition for some time), etc. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

09-13-2009, 04:03 PM	#12 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 853	I am honestly thinking I will not even need a new one at all. Also I am not a fan of windows 7 hijacking macs looks and features. Also I should be done a lot sooner than 4 years as my classes will be all done in a year and a half, maybe a bit more. I just think I did not rely need it at all and that my mac is going to hold out for the time. I will have everything backed up just in case. But I trust it. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

09-13-2009, 04:30 PM	#13 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	Not going to get in the debate of Windows 7, not, taking anything from Apple. That is, 1.5 years, if you can get your current notebook to last then I would. I had my last notebook for four years and sold it to my brother who loves it. I ended up with a solid netbook as I only need to take notes and view powerpoints for school currently. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

09-13-2009, 05:14 PM	#14 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 853	Ya mine has office and all that. I can write and view anything the teachers would send me so I think I am okay. This mac will not die I have been saying for over a year now that I am going to replace it but it still marches on not giving me one bit of grief. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/ Last edited by bigaudiofanat; 09-13-2009 at 05:18 PM.

09-14-2009, 10:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
zman1910 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: FL Posts: 361 Drives: 2011 Audi S4 Rep Power: 429	For reference my ancient Ibook lasted me all through Chemical Engineering and Med school. Now that is quality baby....Apple ftw. I just recently upgraded to a Macbook pro and I can't believe the difference!

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