I usually play games so I need a decently powerful rig that grows expensive in a laptop. I was thinking of maybe doing a desktop build plus a cheap tablet that can take notes or something. I don't know what I'll really need in a lecture hall though, so is my idea viable?
I'm an incoming freshman, so I either get a pretty powerful laptop or I build my own desktop and get some cheap mobile computer that can do all my work. I am a computer science major.
I'd think someone in comp sci would want a laptop to run code on. All the stuff you'll be doing will be really basic, so you could just get a cheap laptop and a desktop, but I wouldn't suggest getting a tablet.
[QUOTE=The Best;41584363]I usually play games so I need a decently powerful rig that grows expensive in a laptop. I was thinking of maybe doing a desktop build plus a cheap tablet that can take notes or something. I don't know what I'll really need in a lecture hall though, so is my idea viable?
I'm an incoming freshman, so I either get a pretty powerful laptop or I build my own desktop and get some cheap mobile computer that can do all my work. I am a computer science major.[/QUOTE]
We're in the exact same situation. Comp Sci Freshman here too.
I bought a Sager laptop, and I'm planning on buying a Nexus 7 + Bluetooth keyboard. The laptop is decently priced, comparatively portable (to a desktop) and has decent specs for the money, in terms of laptops. My theory behind it is: We'll have labs, we'll have group projects, we'll have times when we need a decent computer to actually compile and test programs, not just in the dorms. The laptop will be able to do everything I need it to for both work and entertainment. The tablet is much more portable, can still do google docs/evernote, and will be EXTREMELY portable.
This has a dual purpose, as I'm planning on doing Android development, and an android tablet will be very useful for testing.
I know it's off topic, but I suggest that if either of you have any amount of experience coding to look at [url]http://bootcamper.io/[/url] and see if any of them interest you, traditional education isn't that great for developers imo
[QUOTE=Shadaez;41584699]I know it's off topic, but I suggest that if either of you have any amount of experience coding to look at [url]http://bootcamper.io/[/url] and see if any of them interest you, traditional education isn't that great for developers imo[/QUOTE]
While you may say "uni isn't the greatest for a dev" it is essentially required for a job. I know many people that work in a corporate environment, and unless you don't have good amounts of experience or shipped products, etc companies won't even look at you without a comparable degree...
If your school is at all worth two shits, college will give you all you need to know to be a junior dev. Mostly data structures, FizzBuzz type stuff. Either way, get a laptop - tablets aren't great for comp sci stuff, although they can be good for note-taking.
[QUOTE=Flash;41585100]While you may say "uni isn't the greatest for a dev" it is essentially required for a job. I know many people that work in a corporate environment, and unless you don't have good amounts of experience or shipped products, etc companies won't even look at you without a comparable degree...[/QUOTE]
Maybe at some places there's a HR gate, but if a dev is hiring a dev they don't care if you have a piece of paper saying you can code, they care if you have a github or something with proof you can code, regardless of your education. I know a HS dropout with a GED who went to one of those boot camps and [i]turned down[/i] multiple job offers exceeding a $60,000 salary. He is the one who referred me to them.
A W8 tablet would be more than passable for most if not all tasks if you can find one cheap used (I found some on craigslist which were way, way below retail value) but in general if you're looking for a cheap laptop that's easy to code on just get a slightly newer refurbished/used thinkpad off of eBay mostly because they have great keyboards and often great screens
If you aren't getting a computer related degree a surface RT would be good but for your case you need a laptop
[QUOTE=Latias;41585909]A W8 tablet would be more than passable for most if not all tasks if you can find one cheap used (I found some on craigslist which were way, way below retail value) but in general if you're looking for a cheap laptop that's easy to code on just get a slightly newer refurbished/used thinkpad off of eBay[/QUOTE]
There's some core 2 duo thinkpads on Newegg refurbd for $200ish
I was able to do tablet only for classes. I prefer it to the laptop. Any tech classes I had they supplied me with a desktop though so your mileage may vary.
[QUOTE=Shadaez;41585930]There's some core 2 duo thinkpads on Newegg refurbd for $200ish[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I just like ebay though because the lack of standardization means you have a chance of either:
1. finding an auction that goes low for whatever reason (a good amount, but not reliable)
2. finding a specced out laptop
Any laptop with a decent discrete gpu will do rightly
I was surprised as fuck at how fast a 650m is in real world use, there's only a handful of games I turn my desktop on for now
Just don't fall into the pit of buying a gaming-oriented laptop on specs alone. It sounds like you have a decent budget, so get yourself a nice high-end Vaio, Thinkpad or Macbook.
New T440s are on their way and they're gonna be cool as heck
How does this look, if I play games:
[url]http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np8270-clevo-p170sm-p-5913.html[/url]
[QUOTE=The Best;41622022]How does this look, if I play games:
[url]http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np8270-clevo-p170sm-p-5913.html[/url][/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Darkimmortal;41586086]Just don't fall into the pit of buying a gaming-oriented laptop on specs alone.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Darkimmortal;41586086]
Just don't fall into the pit of buying a gaming-oriented laptop on specs alone.[/QUOTE]
Slightly off topic, but I have to say after getting a nice ultrabook, when it comes to laptops it's a lot more than just specs you have to look at. Build quality, battery life, weight and a good trackpad is what makes a good laptop.
[editline]31st July 2013[/editline]
Oh, and keyboard backlight is awesome
[QUOTE=Warship;41653392]Slightly off topic, but I have to say after getting a nice ultrabook, when it comes to laptops it's a lot more than just specs you have to look at. Build quality, battery life, weight and a good trackpad is what makes a good laptop.
[editline]31st July 2013[/editline]
Oh, and keyboard backlight is awesome[/QUOTE]
The trackpad thing is actually one of the main reasons I feel like buying another MacBook, even though I'm starting to go out and do some gaming once in a while and the no sli options are kinda sad
[QUOTE=Warship;41653392]Slightly off topic, but I have to say after getting a nice ultrabook, when it comes to laptops it's a lot more than just specs you have to look at. Build quality, battery life, weight and a good trackpad is what makes a good laptop.
[editline]31st July 2013[/editline]
Oh, and keyboard backlight is awesome[/QUOTE]
Thank you. The above laptop has a backlit keyboard, but I'm not sure what to make of the build quality. It's 8.6 pounds (3.9 kg) and has 300 minutes of battery life, which I expect will probably decrease. What do you make of that? Is that reasonable or will it be too cumbersome? I do not plan on lugging it everywhere, mainly leaving it in my room.
[QUOTE=The Best;41665944]Thank you. The above laptop has a backlit keyboard, but I'm not sure what to make of the build quality. It's 8.6 pounds (3.9 kg) and has 300 minutes of battery life, which I expect will probably decrease. What do you make of that? Is that reasonable or will it be too cumbersome? I do not plan on lugging it everywhere, mainly leaving it in my room.[/QUOTE]
2kg is heavy
3.9kg is insane tier
[QUOTE=Darkimmortal;41671371]2kg is heavy
3.9kg is insane tier[/QUOTE]
My laptop is 2.6kg and I wouldn't consider it heavy. It feels a perfectly reasonable weight to lug around.
[QUOTE=Warship;41653392]Slightly off topic, but I have to say after getting a nice ultrabook, when it comes to laptops it's a lot more than just specs you have to look at. Build quality, battery life, weight and a good trackpad is what makes a good laptop.
[/QUOTE]
I'm not so bothered about battery life, and I can agree on the other points, but one of the most important aspects for me is the keyboard. A nice, medium-ish profile keyboard feels amazing, a rarity on laptops. I also prefer laptops to be on the slightly heavier side, they feel much more tactile and planted when you have a weighty one.
I have a Clevo W150ER and I bought it specifically for it's price/performance.
I really wouldn't recommend buying one for college, it won't last.
Let me tell you, the weight and thickness really does grind after a short while.
If I'd bought it for your purpose, I'd be disappointed.
[editline]1st August 2013[/editline]
You really do need a decent battery life to use it in lecture halls, and I can say it won't get anywhere near the 300mins it says on that site.
Thanks for the heads up. Now I'm really conflicted. I think I will get a desktop + cheap laptop combination.
Does you college not provide computers for working on? My uni does, so I find I don't really need a computer for working on campus.
I've been using a desktop at home and a cheap laptop for when I need it at uni, and find the laptop really clunky and annoying to use in lectures for note taking. The battery really did not hold up that well either.
I'm awaiting delivery of a W8 Atom powered tablet with a digitizer pen, which will hopefully replace my laptop, notepads and pens, and with a keyboard attachment should be more than capable of doing anything that requires typing. Should also last more than the entire day in terms of battery.
Desktop + tablet is my thought if you want to take notes in lectures (annotate lecture slides and such), but if you plan on using your own computer for working at uni you may appreciate a laptop with some power.
[QUOTE=Darkimmortal;41671371]2kg is heavy
3.9kg is insane tier[/QUOTE]
Depends on the bag you're carrying it in
3.9kg is perfectly comfortable to putt around in a decently built backpack
It will, however, kill your shoulder if you're carrying a 4kg laptop with a 1kg AC adapter + accesories in a standard laptop bag (but I put up with that for over a year so it is doable)
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.
