I need a suggestion about buying a lap top. What is the best lap top to buy for a teacher to use?

Here you go read the reviews of other like minded people I review every thing before buying it and it has proven successful for me

direct link to lap top section

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/?tag=leftColumnArea.0

You seem to be well on your way. I think you are right to decide first what you need to do with it, and then what to purchase.

As a teacher you are probably eligible for the educational discount on Microsoft Office which has Powerpoint and Word and so on, so perhaps you will want to avoid buying pre-loaded software, because that will make your system more expensive than necessary.

Next – do you have to lug it around, or will it sit in one place? If you will not be carrying it, you might be able to save a little money by not having to shave every ounce off the weight. If you do have to carry it, do yourself a favor and get a reasonably light system.

You don’t need a hyper-fast CPU to do the kinds you want to do; you are not doing complictaed mathematics, or 3D Rendering, so spend the money on extra RAM: get 4Gb of RAM – it’s the cheapest way to make things easier on yourself.

Try to make sure it includes wi-fi (preferably “N” but at least “G”), decide if you need a modem (probably not) if you will be burning DVDs, etc. so you get the peripherals you need.

After you know what you want your system to have, shop by price at places like newegg.com and Amazon.

Don’t forget that both Apple and Dell sell refurbished equipment with warranties, and that can save money, too.

@ Master- That website doesn’t show what kind of programs the computer comes with does it?

@pdworkin – Great answer! For the teacher discount can I still get the discount if I havent found a job yet or do I have to be currently employed? I would like a computer that is light but I dont want a tiny lap top either. Preferably a larger screen that is mobile because l will be bringing it to and from work. So 4Gb of ram is enough? Do you prefer mac or PC?

You can probably get 16 gigs of RAM on a MacBook Pro, but that’s worth about 100GB on a PC, so 4 on a Mac is plenty. I’ll be right back, let me build you one!

I’m a mac person, but I just bought a laptop for school for precisely the same reasons. Microsoft Word and Powerpoint I got an Asus K60 for about $500; My macbook just isn’t powerful enough to run Boot Camp. I like it but it is big. It’s really a replacement for desktop that you can also tote around. Still, I’m pleased – Asus will never compete with Apple but they are rather innovative. I agree with the 4 gigs of ram.

@jonfreed What is bootcamp?

No every manufacture has there own preset configuration that comes with the computer

HP has a different one Dell has a different one Ausus has a different one Im not sure about apple but I do know that widows always comes preset with Microsoft office im sure that apple has there own version they basically cover the good and bad points of all the laptops or desktops and customer experiences and opinions of them who have used them

if it was me personally i think dell has the best customer service in the industry and they are the most reasonably priced with a decent set up , emachine is Okay but the problem is they are not serviceable if you have a hardware failure which is why i recommend dell

How much does Microsoft office usually go for?

Bootcamp is a startup utility that lets you run either Apple’s OS X or Microsoft OS’s. Almost done with those macbooks

Office for a Mac (the normal one with Powerpoint, Word, Excel, etc) is $130.

What about office for a PC?

i’d suggest a macbook. it costs about $1300. or if you need pro tools and such a macbook pro. which is a little higher.

Actually, I just looked on Microsoft’s website and that costs $150. I know why its cheaper though; The Office you know and love is a whole new world on the mac. The user interface is very different, and not even I have gotten used to it. That’s why the systems I am building all have iWork, which is Mac’s productivity suite. So that I won’t worry you, you can save iWork documents as normal Microsoft office documents when youre done.

openoffice.org is free and cover’s most all the basics

reviews on it are highly rated

http://download.cnet.com/OpenOffice-org/3000-18483_4-10263109.html?tag=mncol

Pc-laptops run any were from 300–1400 depending on how much ram and hard disk space you want

I have learned not to take too strong a position on Mac vs PC in a public forum. If you want my opinion, PM me and I will tell you what I think.

good advice Pd lol it starts war’s

Alright, here is my entry list, finally:

Bachelor numero uno: The standard MacBook with these features go for $1,227:
2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM – 2×2GB
320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
Keyboard (English) & User’s Guide (English)
SuperDrive 8x DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW
iWork preinstalled
Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter
Country Kit

Bachelor numero dos: This 13” MacBook Pro goes for an extra $250 for virtually the same performance:
2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM – 2×2GB
320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Backlit Keyboard (English) / User’s Guide
iWork preinstalled
Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter
Accessory Kit

Bachelor numero tres: This 15” MacBook Pro adds on another $400, but has a bigger, antiglare screen and a somewhat faster processor:
2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM – 2×2GB
320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
MacBook Pro 15-inch Antiglare Widescreen Display
Backlit Keyboard (English) / User’s Guide (English)
iWork preinstalled
Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter
COUNTRY KIT

Not satisfied? Just tell me and I’ll browse around for more.

@master_mind413 Thanks for reminding me! Yes, definitely get OpenOffice, It is a great substitute for Microsoft office on a PC. However, I’m hooked on the iWork that I already have on my Mac, so I haven’t tried the mac version and therefore do not know if there is any difference from PC and Mac versions of the software.

I would just get MS Office if you are using it for school. Fortunately or unfortunately, it is still the prevalent format, and while iWorks and Open office are fine fine programs in themselves, if you have to convert formats it’s a hassle. (e.g., you’ll e-mail someone a Pages document instead of a Word because it takes that one extra button to save, and the doc format doesn’t appear on “recent documents” in Pages, etc, etc)
Not to mention occasional formatting-conversion mishaps.

Macs are lovely.. and pricey.
For ages I used a Samsung laptop and for functionality and my college needs it was great.
Now I have a beautiful 15” MacBook Pro and I really enjoyed the shift, but seriously, if you are just going for functional and cheap, PCs are really much better starting out. But if you want to become a cyborg, go Mac.
I also had a Dell but I found them clunky and prone to crashes.

By the way, sometimes schools have licenses for software for their teachers, so you might be able to get the software you need via the school… also some schools have gone Mac…

I can get a MacBook for 700 but I’ve always had PCS. Even though 700 is a lot cheaper and a good price for a mac I still don’t want to spend that much on a computer. I mean is it really worth it? Can’t I get a good PC for 500 or less ? So basically mac computers don’t cone with Microsoft drive they just cone with iWork? What is iWork?

iWork, Apple’s productivity suite

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB942/iWork-09

open office is still cheaper and cover’s all basics you cant beat free and 500 is a lot cheaper and you have no compatibility issues if you decide to buy and install some thing else in the future since Microsoft owns 98% of the computer market there is always some thing and always some thing new

I strongly urge you to use the software that is the standard where you intend to work.

Open office is an open source program pd the file format automatically complies with all other file formats it is built that way so it can easily be used in an office environment

I know what it is, I know what it does, I own it, I use it, I stand by what I just said.

I don’t have a job yet so I don’t know what program I’m going t need but I still need to get a good lap top before I get the job.

You can buy the computer before you have to decide on the productivity software.

Well that’s what I’m trying to figure out now. Which computer is the one to get?

Do they all come with wireless wifi? Where I can use the lap top anywhere even outside?

Also how much is photo shop

There’s a lot of great advice in this thread, but I would like to stress how little software matters in comparison to hardware when shopping for computers. Software only matters or creates a problem rather when it is not directly compatible with the hardware. Keep an eye out for hardware specs – that’s what matters most in a computer, and should be the determining factor when picking out a laptop that will best suit your needs. Try to find laptops with the appropriate hardware to support the software you’d like to install – and from there you can make your decision based on any additional preferences you might have (aesthetics/design, sturdiness, extra features, etc.)

@missjena, if you’re getting a laptop soley to work with Microsoft Office there is no significant difference in performance between using it on a Mac and using it on a PC. Microsoft Office is a multi-platform software program, and will function properly and efficiently on both platforms as long as it meets the hardware requirements. You can certainly get a good PC for $500 or less that can run Microsoft Office, and on the same token like @pdworkin mentioned you can get a refurbished Apple for much cheaper than the usual retail price. While Apples do not come bundled with Microsoft Office, you can still purchase the software separately. But, since you seem to have familiarity and experience with Windows – I would stick with Windows.

@ hokey thank you for your answer! If I were to stick with a PC because I pobably will end up with a PC. Any suggestion on which one? Dell,HP ? Which model?

I plan on putting all different types of programs on the computer. I just need a good lap top that doesn’t freeze and crash all the time and thy can efficiently hold as many programs that I need.

Photoshop is $600, you don’t need it. For image retouching iPhoto on the Mac or Picasa on the PC are both free and will suit most. Paint.net will take care of more elaborate photo and picture needs, also free.

$600 on the PC side, before paying for software is plenty for you. Just look for a computer with:
Processor: Core 2 Duo, any speed
Memory: 3–4 GB is more than enough
Hard Drive: unless you go crazy 250 GB is enough space for most. 160 GB will even be enough, as long as you have less than 50,000 pictures or mp3s.
Battery: 6 Cell minimum, 8 cell recommended

If you are a college student you may be able to get Office for as little as $25. Contact your IT department to find out more.

Dell vs. HP and the others. It really doesn’t matter, they all have the same components and with the activities your doing you don’t need anything high end.

Go to the store and check out the different sizes to see what you like. I carry a 15.4 inch everyday, but that may be a bit much for some. 13 inches seems to be the sweet spot these days for one that is carried around.

Your school may give you a laptop, consider that before assuming you will be taking it to work. You also don’t know how you will be using it at school. You may want a small tablet. I suggest waiting until you get the job or know more about it.

I’d avoid most service plans from Best Buy and such. Thats where they make almost all their money these days, as well as printer ink and cables.

Some other things to think about before buying a new computer (regardless of platform):

-Warranty on your new computer (1-year, but does the manufacturer extend it? In the case of most laptops, hardware on the laptop will break after 1 year; on a macbook pro, the display can cost as much as $700 if out of warranty);

-Compatibility with your colleagues: as for MS Office Mac 2008, it is 100 percent compatible with windows-counterparts in terms of file exchange; the main point here is that when exchanging files and attachments, you want to make sure the files translate from mac to pc or vice versa; in the case of MS Office Mac 2008, it does.

-Memory: on the issue of memory, check the requirements for the operating system, plus the software you intend to use most frequently; often, most people check one or the other, but don’t add both when factoring in running the app, the OS, and anything else (like a web browser or iTunes) simultaneously.

-What does your school use for email? Are they on a campus email system (like MS Exchange/Outlook)? Is there a way to get / check email when off-campus? In my case, I have a Mac, but whether a Mac or PC, no one can get email off campus unless they use a web browser (Firefox, Safari, etc.). If calendaring is critical (say the campus uses MS Exchange services), you’ll want to get MS Office Mac 2008 in most cases, to use the Mac equivalent of Outlook (Entourage).

-Cost of ownership over time: take time to research manufacturing process and workmanship on the model you intend to purchase. In my case, I opted to pay an extra $200 for a MacBook Pro (which is aluminum) versus the MacBook (white plastic), and in general, these things last years without fading or denting.

-Lastly, research any possible educational discounts; for example, Apple will provide a discount on their hardware to instructors, and also a discount on Apple-branded software. MS also discounts their Office products, and if you check with your IT department, the campus may participate in a MS campus agreement. At my college, the MS Office Mac ended up being $49 instead of $150, based on the campus agreement.

-P.S. If you do decide on a Mac, DO NOT upgrade the RAM or Hard Drive through Apple!! They mark up their hardware upgrades substantially (aka the “Apple” tax)...get the base model MacBook Pro (even the 13”) and use the savings to buy an external display (again, don’t buy Apple monitors unless you want to pay the Apple Tax!! There are several other manufacturers for displays-ViewSonic, Dell, just to name a few) that will get you more bang for your buck, and are compatible with Mac or PC.

As far as Mac is concerned, really try and research or test drive basic operation, because many uninitiated computer users switch over to Mac OS because of its ease-of-use and included iLife software (video editing/DVD burning/iPhoto/iWeb, etc.)

good luck with that; feel free to PM me if you have any other follow-up Qs.

@sndfreQ The white plastic Macbooks have an aluminum substructure. I wouldn’t worry about the workmanship.
Buy the laptop with a credit card and the warrenty gets extended to two years. After that, if it has catastrophic failure, just buy a new machine.
The only reason I would recommend a Mac for this person, since they have stated they are a PC user, is if they used 1on1 training at an apple store.

@arpinum

-Re: aluminum substructure: the bottom of the MacBook is an aluminum plate, and the entire body is polycarbonate plastic. That is much different from the all-aluminum body of the MacBook Pro. The two are different in terms of durability, although the new Polycarbonate is said to be stronger and fade-resistant;

-Regarding the extended warranty: nowhere on Apple’s site does it extend the warranty just by purchasing with a credit card…if you know about this, send me the link (I’d like to take advantage of that offer, since I purchased my MBP with a credit card);

-Re: reasons to switch: There are plenty of other reason besides in-store “One-to-One” tech support, namely: a superior OS, ease-of-use for the operating system, security (far fewer viruses), the ecosystem of included apps (iLife ‘09 in particular, which is free with the purchase), and yes, the extended AppleCare ($183), which definitely comes in handy in the event of any premature hardware failure. I think it’s this combination of factors that makes many “PC” users switch over to Mac. The up-front premium that PC advocates whine about (a couple hundred dollars) does get you some pretty significant advantages.

-There is something to be said for iLife ‘09 as well; if you intend to edit photos, video, audio (even record audio and create podcasts), a new MacBook or MacBook Pro would get you all of these features for the purchase price of the hardware. If you are not a working professional that depends on Photoshop for work (the app is normally $999), then iLife ‘09 (included) and iWork ‘09 ($71) would be much more cost effective than the full Photoshop ($999) or even PS Elements ($99). You could even forego getting MS Office as iWork ($71) has apps that will allow you to create, edit, and manage MS office docs (pages, numbers, and keynote all do MS docs; Keynote is miles ahead of PowerPoint).

@missjena: So far, I have yet to meet a PC user who has switched over to Mac and regretted their decision…but then again, I’m a Mac “evangelist”...so take that for what it’s worth. If you’re comfortable with PC/Windows, and don’t mind shelling out extra for the apps, virus protection, and you don’t mind dealing with a kludgy operating system, then well, there you go. But again, if you are relying on your school to support your computer (maintaining it), then you may want to ask them if they’ll support the mac in terms of providing tech support when you have questions about connecting to their network, using campus-specific software, etc.

@sndfreQ
The extended warranty is on your credit card terms of service.
The OP does not seem to be a power user. I said switching would be profitable only if she signed up for 1on1 training.
If the OP is a college student MS Office can be chaper for her than iWork.
No doubt the MBP has a better finish. I just don’t think it is enough to justify spending more money.

OK, so you want something that will run smoothly, have plenty of RAM, be productive, not be a hassle, and cost less than $700. Mac laptops start at a grand already, so you might want to rethink your preferences.

@arpinum-thanks for the clarification. I think you hit the nail on the head with this and reminded me of the very conundrum of Mac vs. PC: Mac switchers / users don’t mind spending the extra money as they feel the added features are advantages that add value and justify the added cost, whereas most PC users consider price as a primary determinate in their choice and are comfortable with “basic” that doesn’t break the bank. As @Gokey points out, the other “middle ground” option is to seek out a used Mac, as they may fall more on the price range, and from most specs, can do everything most non-power users expect.

As @missjena points out, she’s a teacher, and as a fellow teacher, I can relate to being on a fixed budget. I think the best thing to do is research and get talking with the tech support guys at work to find out what the most suitable options are based on their systems, communications and apps.