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Which laptop to get, I'm starting a degree in computer science

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    #2
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Joejoanne123 wrote: »
    Big hello to all. I am starting a degree in comp. science. And I was wondering what spec on laptop I would need. Such as processor, RAM, and battery life. Thanks for any advice you all can give.

    I'd reckon something with an I5, 8 gb ram minimum and battery life depends on you..... How often will you be near a plug charger etc.

    What is your budget? Hard to pick something out for you, if you are not giving an idea of what kind of money you want to spend.


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    #3
    Joejoanne123
    Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭Joejoanne123


    Budget is 600-800. Not overly familiar with Windows 8 or 10. So which is best in your opinion?


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    #4
    Hollister11
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,482 ✭✭✭Hollister11


    I have been working of this machine for the last 2 years. It'd an absolute beauty. It's cost me around €700, you can buy it on amazon for £350


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    #5
    Joejoanne123
    Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭Joejoanne123


    Thanks for that Hollister. Though the battery life seems a little short as I don't know how easy it will be for charging it while in college.


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    #6
    Hollister11
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,482 ✭✭✭Hollister11


    Joejoanne123 wrote: »
    Thanks for that Hollister. Though the battery life seems a little short as I don't know how easy it will be for charging it while in college.

    Battery life on it is ****. I never bring it to college, as we're in computer labs for every class, and the libary as plenty of computers.

    I just use it at home.


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    #7
    Joejoanne123
    Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭Joejoanne123


    What are you studying yourself?


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    #8
    Hollister11
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,482 ✭✭✭Hollister11


    Joejoanne123 wrote: »
    What are you studying yourself?

    Computer Science.


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    #9
    Joejoanne123
    Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭Joejoanne123


    Where at, if you don't mind me asking? And what year are your on?


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    #10
    Joejoanne123
    Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭Joejoanne123


    I am very new to boards.ie. Is there anyway of adding friends on here. As I would like to add you if that is okay with you.


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    #11
    Hollister11
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,482 ✭✭✭Hollister11


    Joejoanne123 wrote: »
    Where at, if you don't mind me asking? And what year are your on?

    I'm in the National College Of Ireland. I have just finished 2nd year, heading into 3rd year in September.


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    #12
    Joejoanne123
    Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭Joejoanne123


    Thanks for all your replies. I am very new to boards.ie. Is there anyway of adding friends on here. As I would like to add you if that is okay with you.


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    #13
    Hollister11
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,482 ✭✭✭Hollister11


    Joejoanne123 wrote: »
    I am very new to boards.ie. Is there anyway of adding friends on here. As I would like to add you if that is okay with you.

    If you click into my profile on the desktop site, there should be an option.


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    #14
    Joejoanne123
    Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭Joejoanne123


    One step ahead of ya. Have already made a request. Have you had many people drop out of your course?


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    #15
    IncognitoMan
    Registered Users Posts: 4,383 ✭✭✭IncognitoMan


    69081459.jpg


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    #16
    Hollister11
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,482 ✭✭✭Hollister11


    Joejoanne123 wrote: »
    One step ahead of ya. Have already made a request. Have you had many people drop out of your course?

    30/80 dropped out/failed first year. I expect 15 - 20 to do the same now.


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    #17
    Joejoanne123
    Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭Joejoanne123


    Have had a look at that laptop you suggested. It looks great though I have heard the Lenovo support is #<%~!


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    #18
    Joejoanne123
    Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭Joejoanne123


    I'm off to IT Sligo myself as a mature student. Start 29th August. Excited and worried😕😄


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    #19
    bren2002
    Registered Users Posts: 1,198 ✭✭✭bren2002


    Should get a tb of storage. Is imagine a CS student could be running a few virtual machines. Lirs of ram too. 8gb minimum. More of you can stretch.


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    #20
    Hollister11
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,482 ✭✭✭Hollister11


    Joejoanne123 wrote: »
    I'm off to IT Sligo myself as a mature student. Start 29th August. Excited and worried😕😄

    I was the same. I was 18, excited to go off to college, and new nobody. But I love it so much, and have never missed a day.

    Yea the laptop is really good, bar the battery.


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    #21
    Joejoanne123
    Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭Joejoanne123


    What series is the processor in that i7 of yours. Is it 5th series?


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    #22
    Hollister11
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,482 ✭✭✭Hollister11


    Joejoanne123 wrote: »
    What series is the processor in that i7 of yours. Is it 5th series?

    4th AFAIK


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    #23
    Hollister11
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,482 ✭✭✭Hollister11


    bren2002 wrote: »
    Should get a tb of storage. Is imagine a CS student could be running a few virtual machines. Lirs of ram too. 8gb minimum. More of you can stretch.

    It runs virtual machines just fine.


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    #24
    Joejoanne123
    Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭Joejoanne123


    Any use in looking at these refurbed machines?


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    #25
    IamtheWalrus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,075 ✭✭✭IamtheWalrus


    Does the OP really need that powerful a PC to run computer science tutorial programs? 8GB is more than enough. 4 would do but you're on the lower end but it'd do it your budget couldn't stretch.


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    #26
    Hollister11
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,482 ✭✭✭Hollister11


    Joejoanne123 wrote: »
    Any use in looking at these refurbed machines?

    Refurbished machines are perfect. They are just returned faulty machines that have been fixed.

    So you get a new machine at a discounted price.


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    #27
    Grab All Association
    Registered Users Posts: 3,918 ✭✭✭Grab All Association


    I remember I used a Dell Precision M90 and later a Dell XPS M1710 (shows how old I am now) which looking back was probably overkill at the time. Everyone else had at the time had an Inspiron 6400, Acer, Toshiba etc

    Equivalent today would be €2-3k

    i5 above and you'll be fine. Just don't go for a notebook with a soldered processor.


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    #28
    IamtheWalrus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,075 ✭✭✭IamtheWalrus


    Joejoanne123 wrote: »
    Any use in looking at these refurbed machines?

    If you can get a decent deal, then why not.

    Keep an eye on the model you choose to see if it's soon to be replaced by an updated version. You might prefer to wait until the upgrade comes.


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    #29
    IamtheWalrus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,075 ✭✭✭IamtheWalrus


    Grab All Association wrote: »
    Just don't go for a notebook with a soldered processor.

    I think a Notebook would be perfect for Uni. Easy to carry around, light. I'd throw caution to buying a large screened, heavy laptop for academia.


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    #30
    Joejoanne123
    Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭Joejoanne123


    Hey Grab, how will I know if it is a soldered processor?


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    #31
    Hollister11
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,482 ✭✭✭Hollister11


    IamtheWalrus wrote: »
    I think a Notebook would be perfect for Uni. Easy to carry around, light. I'd throw caution to buying a large screened, heavy laptop for academia.

    Not really powerful machines generally though.


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