PC for College....What should I get?

[socref9]

Well, here's my dilemma.

As a computer literate person, I'm stuck in a bind with the computer package offered at my school of choice, Holy Cross.

At $2300+ (shipping/tax/the works), I feel that the Dell Latitude C640 they offer may not be at the level that the outlay demands.

The specs...

1.4 GHz Pentium (Centrino not specified)
256 MB RAM
20 GB Hard Drive
24x CD-RW (not a combo with a DVD)
True Mobile Wireless Card
Microsoft Office XP - pro edition
Four-year on-site "complete care" warranty

Now, while fully realizing that the four year warranty and Office XP run around $500 combined...is this laptop really worth $1700?

I'm willing to lean towards no.

Realizing this, I've looked into other systems, most Toshiba and other Dells, as I've had the best response when I've brought them up.

I'm throwing this out to the floor.

Any suggestions?

[Cannonfodder]

I would look elsewhere. That amount seems a little high for the specs given. I would say Toshibas.....since I know a few friends that have loved theirs. But my sister has a Dell and loves it, damn...I am just confusing myself.

[_chachi]

that is very expensive for that machine. check out buying directly from dell - i'll bet it's WAY cheaper.

[otterulz]

One important thing you should look at is the software that it comes with. I'm assuming most computers these days come with MS Word which is pretty much a necessity. Also look for MS Excel and PowerPoint. These programs are widely used, especially if you're a business major. I painfully learned this lesson when I bought my computer when I started my freshman year of college by not having Excel and PowerPoint. I gotta go to the computer labs to do my Excel and PowerPoint assignments which sucks.

[metrocorazon]

Try Gateway. They make pretty decent computers and have ok custumoer support.

[Foosinho]

Originally posted by otterulz
Also look for MS Excel and PowerPoint. These programs are widely used, especially if you're a business major.

Don't worry, engineering majors use both of them often as well. Lots of charting for lab reports, and project presentations.

[DaSweeper]

Get as much RAM as possible.

[phats_away]

get a dell direct
and warez as much software as you can get your hands on

ram and hd space are prolly more valuable than the processor

w/ the phat pipe at school, you'll prolly be d/ling lots of crap