Is your computer making that weird noise that sounds like it’s about to blow up mid-Facebook wall post? Does it totally burn your legs when you have it on your lap? Maybe it just totally sucks?

If so, it might be time to start a-lookin’ for another. And with school starting right around the corner, what better time to begin the search?

Here are a few affordable laptops that are out there on the market now and our breakdown of their perks and flaws to help you out in your search:

Sony VAIO 16.4″

The Sony VAIO is like a pretty boy with rock-hard abs: it’s nice to look at, but doesn’t bring much to the table. It weighs close to 7 lbs, which is a lot when you’re going from class to Starbucks to library to your bed for late night IMing. It also costs nearly $1,600!

The VAIO does have some cool new features, like a Blu-Ray drive and built in Wi-Fi, but the poor battery life and high price tag (nearly double many other computers on the market) might not make it the best choice.

Gateway MC7801u

The Gateway MC is definitely cheaper than the Vaio, only $950, but that might be its greatest feature. It weighs 7.5 pounds, has a slower processor, and a weak graphics card, which makes running multiple programs a bit dicey. It is also missing some of the fun stuff that many other laptops on the market boast:  Blu-Ray drive, Bluetooth capabilities, and light-weight design.

Asus F50SV-A2

With an Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 and 4 GB of RAM, the F50SV-A2 is on average with laptops on the market. Weighing in at about 7 lbs, the Asus boasts good specs, but has many complaints of compatibility issues. From non-functional keys to preloaded software issues, the many probs with the Asus lead to its downfall.

Along with the many complaints, the Asus has a battery life of marginally over 1 hour, which is pretty craptastic when you need to churn out a paper at the libs and all the plugs are taken.

Toshiba Satellite A505-S6960

The Toshiba Satellite is priced pretty low, around $700, but the performance is also on the low end. Weighing in at over 7 lbs, The Satellite’s slower processor and weak graphics card makes running some programs slow and annoying. How annoying? How about that constant stuttering when you’re trying to listen to some music on iTunes (and not “Blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol…”) while also writing a paper and IMing your friends. Yeah, I know.

The Toshiba also lacks Blu-ray and Bluetooth capabilities that many laptops come standard with. The Toshiba may be a good price, but performance and features are sub par.

HP Pavilion dv6

The dv6 is powered by a 2.0 Ghz Intel Centrino Processor Technology (Intel® Core2 Duo) with 4 GBs of memory. What does all that mumbo jumbo mean? It means that this computer lets you easily run multiple demanding applications or games at the same time. Downside is it is almost as heavy as the others (6lbs).

This puppy also lets you store over 90 hours of HD video on its 500 GB Hard Drive (and you know you’ve got plenty of video-worthy moments), and use the built-in HP Webcam with integrated digital microphone to chat it up with your friends or family across the country (or upstairs…lazy). The webcam has better resolution than the others, and the HD is much bigger than the others. Oh, and there is a Blu-Ray player and DVD/CD burner. The dv6 offers a full keyboard and numeric keypad, and has 6-Cell Lithium-Ion battery, which means you can use it at the library for about 2 hours and not worry about finding an outlet. Don’t plan on whipping this out on a plan or anything, because it takes up the whole pull-out table.

This is the best in the lot for the price and value.

And let us tell ya; with CC on your side, geek has never looked so chic.]

So your current computer/MP3 player/TV/thing that runs on electricity isn’t treating you right anymore. Or perhaps your friends are laughing at you for being trapped in the 90’s (“You still use film for your camera? That is so cute!”). For whatever reason it’s time for you to upgrade. Chances are you know what you’re doing, but just in case you don’t, here are some pointers:

DO: Know what you’re going in there to get. Srsly, don’t go in the store and say,“I’m looking for something to play my music on.” Ok, that’s great, would that be for your home, travel, or other? You can save time (and $$$) by being specific. “I need an mp3 player that’s sturdy with long battery life,” is more appropriate. This allows you take control of your shopping experience rather than be controlled by the sales associate.

DON’T: Go in there thinking that buying gadgets is just like buying a shirt. People make this mistake all the time. If you go into Macy’s and say that you want a red shirt they can show you what they have in stock and you can pretty much make a decision based on your personal knowledge of what does and doesn’t look good on your fabulous self. The same does not hold true for shiny tech stuff because everything looks good, but that doesn’t mean it all works well, epecially if you don’t know what you’re looking at to begin with. Which brings me to my next point.

DO: Your research. There are a thousand products out there that all do pretty much the same thing. There are slight (and not so slight) variations between products, but the important thing is not what the machine can do, but what are you going to use it for? Sure the LG Shine is a totally sw33t phone (mirror finish? Hello! Matches everything!) but are you going to use all of it’s features? Or do you use your cell mostly to make calls, drunk text people, and take photos of your friend’s ex with his new girl (who is such a skank!). If that’s all you use it for then you can go for a more cost efficient phone.

DON’T: Be talked into things that you don’t need. The sales associates are there to help you but they’re there to sell you things too. They’ll dazzle you with all the cool things that your potential new toy can do and then a month later you realize you don’t use it for half that stuff and you’re mourning the three hundred bucks you dropped on it.

DO: Stick to your price range. If you only want to spend $500 on a new HDTV and you’ve done your research, you know you can get what you need for that price so don’t spend over that. There’s always going to be something that’s a little bit better for a little bit more money, but if you don’t need it then why buy it? It’s ok to say no. But be reasonable and don’t have unrealistic expectations on spending. Remember you generally spend more for quality and/or name. Figure out which one you’re buying with your money before you get there.

DON’T: Go alone. If you really don’t know how to navigate the aisles of Geek World then take a friend who does. Just like when you brought your first car and your dad came with you to make sure you weren’t getting ripped off, this friend will do the same. Strength in numbers. And strength in someone telling you when you’re about to buy something really, really stupid.

These simple do’s and don’ts should keep you out of trouble and help you find the some techie awesomeness to fill your world (without completely emptying out your bank/loading up on crap)

Happy shopping!

[Image courtesy of cnet.com]

Why? Because, as usual, Steve Jobs and his cronies have released a newer, better Nano. Poor 3rd generation Nano; so short and squat. Now she’s getting overshadowed by her taller, thinner replacement.

I know how that goes.

The new Nano – built with cleaner and less toxic materials – also comes in a full rainbow of colors and is the perfect combo of portability and function (sorta like this guy). New features include longer battery life, a larger screen and the landscape view for viewing cover flow and movies.

The coolest thing about the Nano, though, is that you just have to give it a little shake to shuffle your songs. That might be the coolest thing ever. And the reason why, as usual, I will be buying another Nano.

Damn you, Steve Jobs. DAMN YOU.

HP Mini has an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 offering up to 128MB of total shared graphics memory.

The Mini can store up to 31 hours of HD video on its 160 GB Hard Drive; Boasting an Integrated Webcam and microphone for easy video chatting or multimedia creation.

For versatility, the Mini has built-in Wi-Fi abilities, allowing internet access on the go or a LAN port for hardwire internet access.

The 10.1″ diagonal LED widescreen display provides an expansive viewing
area compared to other mobile devices, with a VGA port for optional monitor use.

Also, the Mini has 3 USB 2.0 ports, headphone-out, Microphone-in combo jack, along with a 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards and a 6-Cell Lithium-Ion battery offering up to 6 hours of Battery Life.