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Laptop for engineering student

  • 16-07-2011 09:15PM
    #1
    augmented reality
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 117 ✭✭


    Hi all,

    I'm hoping to start in UCD in September, studying engineering. I'll probably do mechanical after 1st year so was wondering what laptop to buy.
    I was told to stay away from macs as some programs like solid works have trouble running on them, this true?
    I don't mind spending money on a good laptop that would last for a few years, I'd be prepared to spend up to €1500, maybe more for something very good.
    Maybe I don't even need to spend that much....do I?:confused:

    Thanks!


Comments

  • #2
    cookie1977
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,794 ✭✭✭cookie1977


    thats a very healthy budget. What do you intend on using it for. Gaming, browsing, word processing, auto cad? Screen size?


  • #3
    augmented reality
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 117 ✭✭augmented reality


    Ya, just after realizing how much laptops have come down in price. I can remember my sister starting college about 5 years ago and her Dell laptop costing around €2000:eek: she still has it today though.
    I'd be using it for browsing, word processing, I'd like to get lots of practice on stuff like CAD and solid works so something able to handle that and not get bogged down with a few big programs on it.
    Thanks!


  • #4
    D'Agger
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,385 ✭✭✭✭D'Agger


    sugarman wrote: »
    Ram: 4gb is a must. More the better. But 4gb is plenty.

    This is very true if you're doing engineering - you'll prob be using programs like Matlab (spelling) and Autocad which can take up quite a bit of RAM when running them so be sure to get at least 4gb imo


  • #5
    carlcon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,844 ✭✭✭carlcon


    For your college requirements, you'd be fine with something like this; http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/ASUS_X52F-EX801V_1083883.html

    This may not be to your taste, but it's a great example of how you can get great processing speed and ram for a reasonable price.


  • #6
    Alanstrainor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,157 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    I don't know how much the UCD engineering course has changed in the last few years, but my friends have just graduated and none of them use anything more than a couple of old 5 year old laptops and first gen netbooks. They had no issues. My other mate had no laptop and just completed Mechanical without the need for one.
    So I don't think you need anything more than a 500/600 machine. I'd be going for a 13.3" or less screen size tbh. Processing power will not be a major requirement.


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