need laptop advice

[silentdescant]

f-list, I need your help. Well, your opinions and advice, anyway. Specifically, those of you who have laptops. I'm looking for a laptop to take to school with me and I don't know what kinds of things I really need it to have.

What I use a computer for: writing, mainly; messing around with photoshop and a few hi-res pictures; watching DVDs/video

Comments

[msilverstar]

I am a Mac person, and would be happy to help out, but if you're comfortable with Windows and have a good support network, it sure is cheaper.

[silentdescant]

is there a specific reason you chose a Mac? what areas do you think it's better in than Windows?

[msilverstar]

Well, lots of good programs started on the Mac, including Excel and Photoshop, FWIW. I prefer the consistent interface and the way Mac programs balance ease-of-use and power. That said, I've used Macs since 1986 and I'm never switching if I can help it.

But I don't recommend people switch just because I like it better ;-)

ETA for fixing really dumb spelling error

[promisethstars]

I have a Sony VAIO, and I love it.

It's pretty good about operating multiple programs and stuff at once and all that as well.

Also? The VAIO is pretty inexpensive, to be honest.

[silentdescant]

inexpensive is good, yes. does it handle more involved programs like photoshop pretty well?

[promisethstars]

I think that I have something called Paint Shop Pro, and it handles that pretty well.

[rainbowcobweb]

I have an Acer Aspire 5315 and tbh, it's class. Built-in camera and microphone, runs programs perfectly well, etc etc. Can be a bit slow b/c of Vista but other than that it's great!

[rainbowcobweb]

Oh and it was £300 so it's not that expensive either.

[silentdescant]

oooh, camera, that's cool. so you have Vista, then? what do you think of it? I've only used it a few times on school computers, but the general opinion of it isn't very good. lol