• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Starting college, computer engineer major, laptop ideas?

I

imported_tconthepc3

Member
Im about to start college, and im going to need a new laptop. Im wondering what you guys are getting, maybe around $1400 dollars or less, that will fit my needs in the next 4 years. Maybe which processor, or even brand, do you consider as a good choice for a freshman to senior computer engineer major. Thanks for all the help, Travis
 
I say get yourself an $800 laptop that will last the first two years, then get a new one after sophmore year. Put whatever you sell it for + the other $600 towards a newer model.
 
Originally posted by: tconthepc3
You think there will be something else coming out in 2 years that would be worth getting?
Click to expand...

technology wont sit still...it's always better to buy mid range and upgrade than buying high end and trying to make it last, unless you're just rich
 
Always. Merom will be around by then for a start.

Cheap laptops are the way forwards, all you need to do is run word processing on it, maybe a bit of Pspice, matlab, programing etc. The heaviest stuff you'll have to run will be modeling software like PSpice, which you'll run on a desktop anyway because that's what they are for. Get yourself a nice Pentium M 1.6Ghz laptop, fast, good battery and now a generation out of date, cheap and cheerful 🙂
 
The 2-year plan is without a doubt the way to go. My school requires everyone buy in on the same laptop as incoming freshmen, and even though these are relatively high-end every time (approx. $2k in hardware, with quantity discounts), by the time you graduate they're creaky at best. The senior laptops this coming year are Pentium 4m 2.4 GHz.

Even those clunkers are adequate for the things our CpE students do. But $1k back then and another $1k after sophomore year would have meant having a Pentium M and battery life, which the Pentium 4m systems are sorely lacking (both because they are less energy-efficient and because Li-Ion batteries don't live forever). And of course assuming you don't throw the old unit in the lake when you're done with it (which is a story in itself), you can get a decent chunk of its value back on eBay or as a Momputer.

My advice would be to look for a mid-range Thinkpad and then replace it after sophomore or junior year. If I had the option, this is what I would've done.
 
check out ******

I'd reccomend the dell e1405, perfect balance between size\weight\performance\battery life:

Get the cheapest dual core, there is a negible price difference sometimes vs. a single core. Also get a 7200rpm hard drive, there is a big difference in speed.

You could get a very nice dell core duo system for like 800 bucks, if you catch the right sale.

I got a 1.66ghz core duo, 1 gb ram, 60gb 7200rpm hard drive, for under 900 and that was a couple months ago.
 
Dell offers a number of good promotion/coupon deals on their Home line of laptops. The e1405 laptop that bobdelt mentioned above can be found here: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?CS=19&kc=07769&oc=D80711F

When I needed a laptop during my junior year, I went kept an eye on bensbargains.net for good deals on laptops. Alot of times if you get a good price when you buy, you can sell it later for around the same price. I ended up getting a Dell 700m for around $750, used it for about a year and a half, and sold it here on the forums for $650 just a few weeks ago.

I have the bad habit of still checking these deal website alot, so let me know if you'd like me to pm you if I see a good laptop deal.
 

In the college environment I would strongly suggest that you have an anti-theft cable for keeping it attached to something unmovable in your room. When you take it out of your room, never let it out of your sight.
 
Originally posted by: MplsBob

In the college environment I would strongly suggest that you have an anti-theft cable for keeping it attached to something unmovable in your room. When you take it out of your room, never let it out of your sight.
Click to expand...

Agreed, and never bring your laptop to class(unless its absolutely needed)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top