Calling all [[Michigan (Ross)]] 2008 applicants...

My request to the google group just got approved You guys should be getting yours pretty soon.

I love the iMpact !!! and the Ross' google group:) a whole new world has oppened up to me today!

Anyways... since I don't know much about computers I want to ask you guys for some computer advice.
I have a Dell Latitude D600 which will be about 3 years old in September. Do you guys think I should buy a new computer for Ross or just use this one? I was thinking about buying a new one but the offer that Dell gives to Ross students is Latitude D630 and I am not really excited about spending 1K for upgrading from D600 to D630 ... so please advise if I should buy a computer or not And also, since I have a laptop from work also I don't use my Dell too much, I just used it a lot for 1 year in undergrad and that is it

Also, if I decide to stick with this computer what should I get to 'refresh' it? I am thinking about buying a new battery and formating the hard drive, any other ideas? Also, unfortunatelly I only have Windows instalation CD but not Office instalation (I have office now, but cannot re-instal it)

Soo if I stick with this laptop I will have to buy battery $112 + office $50, is that too much? should I just get the D630?

Also, are there any advantages to getting a computer that is offered through a bundle from a school (for example better support and stuff)?

PS I am too embaresed to ask these stupid questions in the google group

I think you can keep the Dell Darden. It sounds like it is good enough to get you through B-school. As for me, I only have a company laptop - a Lenovo T60. So I have to buy one. My first laptop - yay!

Thanks KK,
ah finally somebody taking notice of my stupid computer question ... ok now I can see even more clearly why everybody likes you

I have Lenovo T60 for work also yay we are computer-mates and I like it better than the Dell

better than my Lenovo T42 company laptop I'm still using... I'm dying to get that X61 Ultraportable..

Darden,

what processor and how much memory?

Here's my computer dilemma:
I am going to buy a new computer for school. I had thought about buying the Lenovo T61 because I have a T60 for work that I really like. However, I have heard some bad reviews from Ross students like they cannot connect to wireless in certain places. The other option Ross offers is to get Dell. The only downside is with Dell you have to get Vista and with Lenovo you can still get XP if you want. I could also go outside the Ross offers. However, I don't know very much about computers so I was trying to keep it simple. I do know that I definately do not want a Mac mainly because I don't really know how to use it.

skaballet - I know a lot of Ross students have said they have had some issues with the T61 (mainly connectivity). but it might improve in the new building. I have a pretty new T61 (less than 4 months old) and love it- so am hoping it should work in the new building.

Lenovos are awesome...

bherronp, were you asking about my computer?

Here it is what it says:
System:
Microsoft Windows XP
Professional
Version 2002
Service Pack 2

Dell Latitude D60
Intel(R) Pentium(R) M
587 MHz, 256MB of RAM

and the C: capacity is 37.2 GB

hmm is this enough info?

Darden,

My two cents...

With 256KB of RAM and a 587Mhz processor, it'll be slow...
I'd buy a new one instead of upgrading. Dell's "outlet" has very decent machines for under $500-$600.


BTW, I am not a techie but a big-time PC enthusiast. Even have my side business where I build and service PCs and networks for a handfull of very small business clients...

You can look around and can usually find a decent deal on Dell or even Lenovos. My T61, though not "loaded" is pretty good for $700+ tax. You can buy it through a "shareholder" site or employee pricing site and get a good deal there.

oookkk so the consensus is that my computer is slow
hmmm I kind of like these Inspirons from Dell
but why are they so cheap? are they slow also?

I have never found the dell outlet laptops to be a very good deal. Usually you can buy new and for 2-300 bucks get twice the machine. There are some occasional good deals though.

However I do agree that 256MB of ram is not enough.

Do you like to use larger monitors with your laptop, or do you always just use it as a laptop? I always hook my laptop to my 24 inch screen, and the Insprions do not support a true docking station solution, so they don't work for me.

No I never use anything else with my laptop. I like small portable laptops
But you guys.... I have never had problems with my Dell, it has never acted too slow untill now

256MB is NOT enough these days... probably want at least 512 MB, if not 1GB (my work laptop got a lot easier to use after I had 1 GB installed, a T42).

Processor you probably want at least a dual core, so you can run different applications at the same time and not lock up your computer (especially if you run a movie or something in the background).

Lenovo employee website saves you at least $200-400, so that's a good thing to explore.

I'm all for portable... getting tired of the standard size of the T's, and will go for the X's soon.

Oh yeah, I have a good desktop too (could never just live off a desktop, I like to upgrade and tweak components too much), so that's what I'll use at home.