Did you not look two threads below this?

That thread was a specific comparison, and I'm trying to get some general suggestions. Also, I need a suggestion for BOTH desktop and laptop. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I'm not too knowledgeable about computers, so any general pointers would be appreciated. I.e. what are some reliable brands, etc.

Well, I'm in the UK and have a Dell desktop and HP laptop. I can't comment on HP desktops, but the Dell was not too expensive and is great. The fact it's quite easy to go on their website and customise your own does make it easy and if you know what extras are a rip off, it's not too bad for price either. For grad school, I say get at least a 2GHzcpu and 2GB of RAM. Storage would be a personal call, but it all depends on how hard you'll be pushing it with renders etc. If the answer is a lot a quad core might be better suited.

HP laptop is great too and cheaper/just as good as dell's. Its about 2GHz with 2GB of RAM. I think it's the 6719b or something.

i have a dell desktop that i use everyday that is 6 years old. also have a dell inspiron laptop that i've used for 3 years for studio (rhino, CAD, adobe) and have absolutely no complaints whatsoever. i'm going to try to squeeze a few more years of grad school out of the laptop and then buy a real computer (a mac)

I recommend the highest number..the quantity that comes before the CPU, RAM, and and HD

so , not sound like a smart ass..vbut if you haven;t herad..

a quad cpu, with a 4 g+ of ram and a tera of HD..and there you go, ...no reason to start to thread.

You cannot go wrong with a Lenovo laptop.

Contractor Discount Code:

www.lenovo.com/cpp

704919

Thank me later ;)

Sweet!! Thanks for your help so far, archinecters! By the way McTaco, I am rather fond of IBM/Lenovo, so I may be thanking you later when I use your code. =)

Maybe I'll get a Lenovo laptop, and a Dell desktop, and be done with it.

Any other suggestions, or sources for good bargains to help my poor grad school budget would be appreciated!

look if you've thought about it, just get a mac. I don't have one - but this week I sure wish I did.

architechnophilia, enlighten me. Why do you wish that you got a mac? Virus problems or something?

well i'd also think about dell outlet laptops if you are on a tight budget. they still do have the warranties, it's just they might have been used/returned, or just still new but order cancelled.

lenovo has the same.

dell desktops are cheap as well, but always be on the lookout for coupons and discounts - they have those all the time.

get a TABLETPC goshdarnit

nothing better in my eyes

howd you make it 4 or 5 years of undergrad and know nothing about computers? we were basically made to build our own over the years.

Mac or IBM everything else is trash

there will be some happy dumpster divers. i found 3 pcs in the trash at the dorms 2 weeks ago.