What'* the best brand, etc and what should I have installed?

I need a laptop with WiFi capability so I can use it almost everywhere. I'll be using it for schoolwork (soon to attend RIT) and among other things, what should I be looking for?

I'm a newbie at laptop and new technologies

Look for a HP or a Toshiba, or IBM Lenovo. Best brands IMO.

DELL
li love mine, they have the best warrantys.... good prices..

Durable


I can get Discounts for ya.....

HP. Buy from www.hpshopping.com and it'* free shipping. There are more affordable laptops than those listed above, but the quality just isn't there. You get what you pay for.

yeah but can you get an warranty that you can run your laptop over with your bonneville and HP will replace it???

i can with dell i have it

toshiba is my personal preference

Yes. Accidental 'warranty' insurance is available with 24hour replacement if you choose.

i personally like the compaq laptops, but i want a hp pavilion dv8000 laptop, its sexy

Wow, a lot of different brands

The top runners are Dell ( I have one) and HP and Toshiba.

Let say I pick one of these, what should I have installed? Sometimes you get to optionize your laptop (I think?)

Guys, help me, I'm lost.

get 1GB of ram..(memory)
Get the 60GB (or bigger) 7200RPM drive much faster.
If gamming.. then get a better video card.
If you have the money get the bigger Battery....