iPad 3 or laptop for engineering?( Mod Post: #68 READ)

partyatmygaff · 13-02-2012 12:45am

Janedoe10 wrote: »

Exactly if u really really want windows u can install windows in the partition Bootcamp . So u can have the best of both worlds

A laptop with unsuitable hardware running an OS it wasn't originally designed for?

That's the worst of both worlds really.

What's so wrong with suggesting that he buys something that won't give him endless headaches?

THEMRMONGOOSE · 13-02-2012 1:51am

I think I'd be better off just getting a windows laptop because its just less hassle with software. I'm not going to spend over 800 euro on one because honestly outside of engineering I just don't use them as much as I would an iPhone or tablet.
It's a great suggestion to get that Dell workstation but I've been told by a friend in an engineering course that I would get on fine with a good powerful laptop (just not an ultrabook and definitely NOT a mac)
I'm still staying strong with the iPad but I'm going to buy a laptop in the first few weeks in september, when the course starts. I figure I would use the iPad for personal use and handy extra information and the laptop purely for college work.
With the laptop market being so competitive, is there a brand that stands out the most like Sony or Samsung or are they all just very similar in spec and performance?(I'm talking about in the 750-850 euro region)

aperture_nuig · 13-02-2012 2:03am

THEMRMONGOOSE wrote: »

I think I'd be better off just getting a windows laptop because its just less hassle with software. I'm not going to spend over 800 euro on one because honestly outside of engineering I just don't use them as much as I would an iPhone or tablet.
It's a great suggestion to get that Dell workstation but I've been told by a friend in an engineering course that I would get on fine with a good powerful laptop (just not an ultrabook and definitely NOT a mac)
I'm still staying strong with the iPad but I'm going to buy a laptop in the first few weeks in september, when the course starts. I figure I would use the iPad for personal use and handy extra information and the laptop purely for college work.
With the laptop market being so competitive, is there a brand that stands out the most like Sony or Samsung or are they all just very similar in spec and performance?(I'm talking about in the 750-850 euro region)

Generally, for me, just go with the brand that offers you the best spec for your money (although google the model of laptop to make sure there aren't any nasty common issues) use https://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/ to get the best bang for the buck, most people over on the laptop forum will recommend them, as would I, having used them in the past.

For your budget maybe:

https://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_5755G_1114405.html
6gb of RAM and acres of HDD for installing software and saving complex models, as well as music/videos etc. Quad i7 and nvidia graphics too will run anything you throw at it(within reason), and 15" display for portability. Good battery life for an i7 too!

this is purely on spec mind you, I havent a clue if there have been any problems with this model or anything, so check around first.

EDIT: Yay 200 posts

THEMRMONGOOSE · 13-02-2012 2:11am

aperture_nuig wrote: »

Generally, for me, just go with the brand that offers you the best spec for your money (although google the model of laptop to make sure there aren't any nasty common issues) use https://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/ to get the best bang for the buck, most people over on the laptop forum will recommend them, as would I, having used them in the past.

For your budget maybe:

https://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_5755G_1114405.html
6gb of RAM and acres of HDD for installing software and saving complex models, as well as music/videos etc. Quad i7 and nvidia graphics too will run anything you throw at it(within reason), and 15" display for portability. Good battery life for an i7 too! this is purely on spec mind you, I havent a clue if there have been any problems with this model or anything, so check around first.

Thanks for the link:) that acer looks to be very powerful and at a good price. I don't really pay much attention to laptops just general specs so I'm not too sure what's the best in the market . I hear Sony is good And reliable but as you said I'd probably get better value for money with another brand. Plus I've noticed that all the vaio's are quite broad and bulky anyway.

ZRelation · 13-02-2012 10:48am

Alot of hype on here.
Here are the two most demanding programs you'll be using:
1) Autodesk Inventor
http://usa.autodesk.com/autodesk-inventor/system-requirements/

2) Abaqus FEA
http://www.3ds.com/support/certified-hardware/simulia-system-information/abaqus-611/system-requirements-for-abaqus-611-products/

For the first one you'll never be using any significant rendering or animation or more than 200 parts in an assembly so the lower set of system requirements are fine. You only start 3D CAD halfway through your second year.

For the second one, you'll only need it in 4th year and if you're doing anything decent with it you'll need to use a desktop anyways so won't make a difference what laptop you have.

As has been said, don't get a Mac if you want to use engineering software.

A bog standard Dell Inspiron did the job fine for me for the 4 years.

THEMRMONGOOSE · 14-02-2012 2:10am

ZRelation wrote: »

Alot of hype on here.
Here are the two most demanding programs you'll be using:
1) Autodesk Inventor
http://usa.autodesk.com/autodesk-inventor/system-requirements/

2) Abaqus FEA
http://www.3ds.com/support/certified-hardware/simulia-system-information/abaqus-611/system-requirements-for-abaqus-611-products/

For the first one you'll never be using any significant rendering or animation or more than 200 parts in an assembly so the lower set of system requirements are fine. You only start 3D CAD halfway through your second year.

For the second one, you'll only need it in 4th year and if you're doing anything decent with it you'll need to use a desktop anyways so won't make a difference what laptop you have.

As has been said, don't get a Mac if you want to use engineering software.

A bog standard Dell Inspiron did the job fine for me for the 4 years.

Thats good to know a normal spec computer would do the job. But I read through the requirements of Autodesk Inventor and it says I would need a Full HD screen but every laptop I've been looking at is just HD ready.
Why are the screens so bad?, you'd think in 2012 they would have but 1080p in most of these higher end models by now! Tablets are even beginning to pass them out!

MyPeopleDrankTheSoup · 23-02-2012 2:09am

My God the Apple fanboys were entertaining in these here thread.

adam500 · 23-02-2012 2:32am

Sadly the greater majority if Irish educational institutions have minimal or zero Mac/OSX based computing systems in use,in incomparison to the UK were some of the major University's computer systems are OSX based, witch means that if you were to invest your funds into a Mac laptop or iPad, it would be difficult if not impossible to be compatible with your course material, as your Uni probably will be windows based systems (unfortunately).

There is a lot of posters on here stating that an iPad would be impractical for use on an engineering course, or in your case "biomes-engineering", but I personally don't agree. An Ipad can be used quiet well for all your needs, just as a laptop could, if you take the time to fully understand how to compute it and use it to function for your means, you would adjust perfectly. Chinise students are already abandoning there laptops for touch screen tablets as a more convenient form of computing.

Touch screen tablets is the way computing is heading, it's well documented now that Apple will be focusing on the evolution of the iPad and tablet technology to replace laptops in the future. Touch screen interface is going to be the way, so to conclude your question, the iPad may not be at this moment the most favored form of computing for college goers but in time it will be replacing the laptop and will be and already is, just fine for use.

Adi

aperture_nuig · 23-02-2012 2:48am

adam500 wrote: »

Sadly the greater majority if Irish educational institutions have minimal or zero Mac/OSX based computing systems in use,in incomparison to the UK were some of the major University's computer systems are OSX based, witch means that if you were to invest your funds into a Mac laptop or iPad, it would be difficult if not impossible to be compatible with your course material, as your Uni probably will be windows based systems (unfortunately).

There is a lot of posters on here stating that an iPad would be impractical for use on an engineering course, or in your case "biomes-engineering", but I personally don't agree. An Ipad can be used quiet well for all your needs, just as a laptop could, if you take the time to fully understand how to compute it and use it to function for your means, you would adjust perfectly. Chinise students are already abandoning there laptops for touch screen tablets as a more convenient form of computing.

Touch screen tablets is the way computing is heading, it's well documented now that Apple will be focusing on the evolution of the iPad and tablet technology to replace laptops in the future. Touch screen interface is going to be the way, so to conclude your question, the iPad may not be at this moment the most favored form of computing for college goers but in time it will be replacing the laptop and will be and already is, just fine for use.

Adi

while I agree with you in terms of the direction computing is heading, I'd love to see you do your CAD assignments on an iPad

That's all I'm going to say, thread has been derailed by iPad v laptop debate for long enough.

adam500 · 23-02-2012 3:09am

aperture_nuig wrote: »

while I agree with you in terms of the direction computing is heading, I'd love to see you do your CAD assignments on an iPad That's all I'm going to say, thread has been derailed by iPad v laptop debate for long enough.

The soft were may not be 100% efficient for what may be required, but with the Auto Cad WS 1.2 sofwere for iPad, the user can reach a high standard of work with this softwere and also with the use of the touch screen pen.

This software is ever growing, just give it a chance.

CHECK THIS VIDEO OUT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgLFQx1tz9M&feature=related

Adi

ZRelation · 23-02-2012 10:27am

THEMRMONGOOSE wrote: »

Thats good to know a normal spec computer would do the job. But I read through the requirements of Autodesk Inventor and it says I would need a Full HD screen but every laptop I've been looking at is just HD ready.

Well nice and all as it would be to see your drawings in glorious HD, don't worry, you'll get away fine without it!

adam500 wrote: »

There is a lot of posters on here stating that an iPad would be impractical for use on an engineering course, or in your case "biomes-engineering", but I personally don't agree. An Ipad can be used quiet well for all your needs, just as a laptop could, if you take the time to fully understand how to compute it and use it to function for your means, you would adjust perfectly.

I'm going to take a wild stab and say you haven't taken the course.

adam500 wrote: »

with the Auto Cad WS 1.2 sofwere for iPad, the user can reach a high standard of work with this softwere and also with the use of the touch screen pen.

Well since you can only make simple modifications to existing drawings with it at the moment I'd have to question what you mean by high standard of work.

The way things are going I'm sure tablets will some day be able to replace most of what a laptop can do in engineering courses, but right now an Ipad can't.

mathperson · 23-02-2012 10:29am

adam500 wrote: »

Sadly the greater majority if Irish educational institutions have minimal or zero Mac/OSX based computing systems in use,in incomparison to the UK were some of the major University's computer systems are OSX based, witch means that if you were to invest your funds into a Mac laptop or iPad, it would be difficult if not impossible to be compatible with your course material, as your Uni probably will be windows based systems (unfortunately).

There is a lot of posters on here stating that an iPad would be impractical for use on an engineering course, or in your case "biomes-engineering", but I personally don't agree. An Ipad can be used quiet well for all your needs, just as a laptop could, if you take the time to fully understand how to compute it and use it to function for your means, you would adjust perfectly. Chinise students are already abandoning there laptops for touch screen tablets as a more convenient form of computing.

Touch screen tablets is the way computing is heading, it's well documented now that Apple will be focusing on the evolution of the iPad and tablet technology to replace laptops in the future. Touch screen interface is going to be the way, so to conclude your question, the iPad may not be at this moment the most favored form of computing for college goers but in time it will be replacing the laptop and will be and already is, just fine for use.

Adi

Apple laptops/desktops - half the spec for twice the price. And can only run a limited range of software. When I see someone with an Apple computer I know instantly that that there is a 99% chance that person hasnt a clue. And the other 1% is people who are suckers for marketing. There is no other excuse for having an Apple.

partyatmygaff · 23-02-2012 1:29pm

adam500 wrote: »

Sadly the greater majority if Irish educational institutions have minimal or zero Mac/OSX based computing systems in use,in incomparison to the UK were some of the major University's computer systems are OSX based, witch means that if you were to invest your funds into a Mac laptop or iPad, it would be difficult if not impossible to be compatible with your course material, as your Uni probably will be windows based systems (unfortunately).

There is a lot of posters on here stating that an iPad would be impractical for use on an engineering course, or in your case "biomes-engineering", but I personally don't agree. An Ipad can be used quiet well for all your needs, just as a laptop could, if you take the time to fully understand how to compute it and use it to function for your means, you would adjust perfectly. Chinise students are already abandoning there laptops for touch screen tablets as a more convenient form of computing.

How long will a person need to persevere with "understanding how to compute it and use it to function for their means" for the iPad to start being capable of running extremely resource-intensive software that occasionally lag on even the most powerful of desktops?

Touch screen tablets is the way computing is heading, it's well documented now that Apple will be focusing on the evolution of the iPad and tablet technology to replace laptops in the future. Touch screen interface is going to be the way, so to conclude your question, the iPad may not be at this moment the most favored form of computing for college goers but in time it will be replacing the laptop and will be and already is, just fine for use.

I highly doubt it. For two reasons:

1. Apple is not going to compete with their own products. Both the Macbook and iPad are fairly successful product lines within Apple.

2. Tablets in their present form are completely unsuited to typing and content production in general. They're nowhere near as powerful as laptops and touch screen interfaces are (At the moment at least) almost completely useless when it comes to creating content. It's not an ideal platform for note-taking nor an ideal platform for CAD/3D drawing.

adam500 wrote: »

The soft were may not be 100% efficient for what may be required, but with the Auto Cad WS 1.2 sofwere for iPad, the user can reach a high standard of work with this softwere and also with the use of the touch screen pen.

Why the hell would anyone pay €500+ for something that isn't standard, "may not be 100% efficient for what may be required" and is on the whole likely to prove a major hindrance to work?

adam500 · 23-02-2012 2:11pm

mathperson wrote: »

Apple laptops/desktops - half the spec for twice the price. And can only run a limited range of software. When I see someone with an Apple computer I know instantly that that there is a 99% chance that person hasnt a clue. And the other 1% is people who are suckers for marketing. There is no other excuse for having an Apple.

I'd like to see things from your point of view but I can't seem to get my head that far up my ass.

Say what you want fools, you all know Apple is at another level, your ignorance and ego inhibit your ability to comprehend

srsly78 · 23-02-2012 2:24pm

adam500 wrote: »

Say what you want fools, you all know Apple is at another level, your ignorance and ego inhibit your ability to comprehend

Reality distortion field much? Also: you mad?

partyatmygaff · 23-02-2012 2:25pm

adam500 wrote: »

I'd like to see things from your point of view but I can't seem to get my head that far up my ass.

Say what you want fools, you all know Apple is at another level, your ignorance and ego inhibit your ability to comprehend

:pac:

It seems that all logic, sense and intelligent thought goes out the window when it comes to blind brand loyalty.

KittyeeTrix · 23-02-2012 2:50pm

Mod NOTE: This is the final warning to quit with the personal jibes. Anymore and infractions will be handed out.

Ye have been warned. Thank you

iPad 3 or laptop for engineering?( Mod Post: #68 *READ*)

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iPad 3 or laptop for engineering?( Mod Post: #68 READ)