Laptop for grad school

[Lazy8s]

Ok, I'm going to Auburn this fall to get a grad degree (notice I didn't specify masters or PhD cause I haven't decided. I have been accepted to PhD track but I'm starting with a masters to see where my interrests lie) and I'm looking to purchase my first laptop. Anyways, as a grad student I have a definate budget and I'm looking at about $2,000. My #1 priority is being able to do school work: Compiling programs, powerpoint presentations, papers, internet access etc. I have great interest in network and information security but I'll get to that part later. I figure I could purchase a $1000 laptop and use it for just papers etc but I do have the money to spend so why not get something I can CASUALLY game on? I'm not looking to run all the latest games on this thing but I do like Company of Heroes and Medieval Total War 2 and stuff. I am also concerned about battery life. It doesn't have to run 10hours but 1 or 2hours isn't acceptable either.

Anyways, the 2 comps I have kinda narrowed it down to so far are:
Macbook Pro 15". With my educational discount I can get the base one for about $1800. I would run Boot Camp or Parallels because I need to be able to run windows programs.
http://store.apple.com/1-800-M...3p0jSxj1idOXJUn/2.?p=0

or

HP dv9500t For this I would be looking at the specs:
Operating System Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Business (32-bit)

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)

Display 17.0" WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)

Memory 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)

Graphics Card 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS

Personalization HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone

Networking Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)

Hard Drive 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive

Primary CD/DVD Drive FREE Upgrade to LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support

TV & Entertainment Experience No TV Tuner w/remote control

Primary Battery High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Office Home and Student 2007


Anyways, any other suggestions or advice would be great. I can't find a way to link the custom HP sorry for that. x(

I moved a laptop topic that you mistakenly put in General Hardware, or so I thought. I moved the GH topic to the Notebook forum and I see that you have another, identical topic already there. Cross posting in two or more forums is not permitted. Please do not do this again.

esquared
Anandtech Senior Moderator

 

[Lazy8s]

No thoughts on these systems or alternatives?

 

[soccerballtux]

You could get by on the cheapest $300 laptop you can find if you upgrade the ram yourself.

I spent ~$360 on a Compaq deal, it was base $300 and upgraded to the wireless (of course) and 12-cell battery. Then when I got it I picked out a 1GB stick of ram off newegg to upgrade.

It does all the things you listed no problem. What a lot of people don't realize is that computers 3-4 years ago could do your word processing, email, internets, etc. without breaking a sweat. Compiling programs, depends. Even the slowest processor on the market now will still be fine for whatever you write. I have a Sempron 3100+ (on the laptop) and it was fine for my signal processing needs-- Fourier transforms, convolution, etc. in Matlab (which is certainly NOT the fastest compiler). My desktop sempron 3100+ that I have OC'd to 2.3Ghz (runs like a 3400+ basically) has been fine for some Quartus II work I've been doing but that's mostly small stuff. Some of the larger designs can take a bit more time compiling and simulating.

So really the question comes down to-- what kind of programming are you going to be doing? If it's purely software you're going to be fine with pretty much any processor out now. If it's hardware design too, and you're designing some pretty complex embedded hardware, then I could understand wanting to go with a faster processor (although I myself would just go with the cheapest single core and wait the 10 more seconds while it builds).

If I had lots of money I might spend $2000 but there's no point wasting $1500 when $400 will do you perfectly fine for what you need.

 

[Lazy8s]

Well I'm really hoping next year to get picked up on the dept. of defense stuff they have going on which involves video feeds over wireless networks and measuring latency. Like I said I have the extra money to spend so I figured I would get a laptop that I can do my work on but game a little on as well. I don't need 100+ FPS on doom 3 but I worked so damn hard for the full ride + monthly stipend I thought a laptop I can have fun with on vacations and with friends would be a nice way to treat myself for all of the hard work. I don't want the top of the line but why not be able to watch movies or play some games while I'm in the airport or the car, right?

Perhaps I came off wrong in the original post?

 

[soccerballtux]

Ah I see yes if you want gaming then that HP would be perfect for the job.

Keep in mind though; battery life won't be superb. Three hours perhaps? Someone else would have to speak about that. It's definitely not a "mobile" solution so it's not going to be 6 hours. Likewise, it's going to be relatively heavy.

I didn't consider the Mac because a). you want gaming.
I guess you could get the mac and install Windows if you wanted. I've always found Windows + Linux to suit my needs so when I went looking for a laptop Mac never came into the picture. Anyhow, if you go the Mac Pro then it might be a bit lighter. But you'd have to pay for the MS software (might be able to get XP/Vista free through school?).

 

[CountZero]

If you are carrying this to school daily or around campus I'd highly recommend going down to a 15.4". I carried a 15.4" daily on the mile or so walk to campus plus around campus and it felt like a ton of bricks by the end of the day, can't imagine a 17". In addition if you are working in a lab (which if you are PhD program you probably are) they will more than likely have monitors you can use while on campus that will be much larger than the 15.4" if you so desire.

 

[A5]

Originally posted by: Lazy8s
Well I'm really hoping next year to get picked up on the dept. of defense stuff they have going on which involves video feeds over wireless networks and measuring latency. Like I said I have the extra money to spend so I figured I would get a laptop that I can do my work on but game a little on as well. I don't need 100+ FPS on doom 3 but I worked so damn hard for the full ride + monthly stipend I thought a laptop I can have fun with on vacations and with friends would be a nice way to treat myself for all of the hard work. I don't want the top of the line but why not be able to watch movies or play some games while I'm in the airport or the car, right?

Perhaps I came off wrong in the original post?

If you get put on a DoD project, you won't be able to use your personal system to do any kind of classified work, which will probably be most of what you do.

If I were given the choice between those 2 systems, I'd pick the HP.

 

[0roo0roo]

external universal battery packs can extend battery life big time if you need such a thing.

 

[WildHorse]

Before buying a laptop loaded with software, maybe you could phone the school & ask what arrangements they have for providing software discounts to students.

You may be able to get some of it free or at a great discount through your school.

You mentioned that you could get a small educational discount on the hardware, but some universities give students good software for practically free.

Good luck in grad school!