The
Laptop
Chooser
Please select a few criteria and we'll recommend a laptop for you.
Dell Inspiron 14R w/ Intel Core i3
The Dell Inspiron 14R is your standard, no-frills laptop. It's got a standard 14" screen. At just under $600 on Amazon, it will save you some coin. Inside, the Intel Core i3 processor will help you multitask while sipping on its battery juice. Not a bad deal.
Sony VAIO E Series w/ Intel Core i3
If you're the type that held out the full year for the white iPhone, the Sony Vaio E series may be more up your alley. We're fans of a few other Vaio machines at Hackcollege, too. This too packs the Intel Core i3 processor, which is solid enough for your day-to-day tasks.
Samsung Series 9 w/ Intel Core i5
Samsung doesn't just make phones and tablets, they make some pretty slick laptop too. The Samsung Series 9 is an able-bodied slim notebook packing an Intel Core i5 processor. Don't let's its size fool you; this one packs a punch.
HP Envy Beats Edition w/ Intel Core i5
HP has teamed up with Dr. Dre (newsflash: he isn't dead) to bring the Beats sound quality to its line of Envy laptops. Along with the Intel Core i5 processor, it should never break a beat. Unless of course, you're listening to break beats.
HP Pavilion dv6 w/ Intel Core i7
While we've reviewed the dv6 many moons ago, not much has changed. It's still beastly and can get all jobs done. Its Intel Core i7 processor has enough power to programmatically generate all of your papers for you while you mix your latest mash-up album. You still may want to proofread the results.
Dell Alienware M11x w/ Intel Core i7
The M11x lives up to its namesake: it's an alien. Its petite form-factor somehow packs in the power of the Intel Core i7 processor to deliver smooth gaming in between classes. Just don't get too addicted to WoW. You should go to class sometime.
Some tips to keep in mind while selecting a laptop
How much space do you need? Choosing a hard drive.
The hard drive is what holds all of the data on your computer. More gigabytes means more space for music, movies and games. Most hard drives come in 5400 and 7200 rpm flavors. More RPMs means a faster experience. And then there's the "SSD," which is a really fast, expensive version.
HackCollege recommends a 500 GB hard drive to get you through your four (or five) years.
How many apps do you have open at any time? Choosing how much RAM you'll need.
The RAM in a machine is temporary space that running applications use. It's faster than a hard drive, which makes it ideal for quick operations. If you're the type that has Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, Google Chrome, Skype, Spotify and iTunes open, you'll want to get yourself some more RAM.
HackCollege recommends going with 2 GB of RAM, or 4 GB if you want to splurge.
How fast do you want your computer? Choosing a processor.
The processor is the quarterback of your computer. It calls the shots. If it's slow or sloppy, the rest of your machine will be slow and sloppy. Having a great processor is the most important thing for your laptop.
The HackCollege team uses the latest Core i3, i5 and i7 processors. You really can't go wrong. See Intel's tool for helping you choose a processor.
Tell me more about the Intel Core i3...
With the visual features you want built right in, the 2nd generation Intel Core i3 processor makes for a fast, responsive, and visually stunning PC experience. Visibly smart performance starts here.
And what about this Intel Core i5 I've been hearing about?
With an automatic speed boost when you need it and built-in visuals for a better, more responsive PC experience, the 2nd generation Intel Core i5 processor delivers visibly smart performance with a boost.
Okay now you've got me, what about the Intel Core i7?
Whether it’s HD or 3D, multitasking or multimedia, this processor can handle it all. Its top-of-the-line adaptive speed and responsiveness make the 2nd generation Intel Core i7 processor the ideal choice for visibly smart performance at its best.