best laptops for graduate student image
Q. I am planning on buying a new computer for graduate school, but I'm doing so on a graduate student budget. I've had an iBook for the past 5 years and would like to get another Mac, but I'd rather not spend that much money. I mainly need something with a good amount of storage space to organize research. I think I'd like another laptop since they're portable, but I'm open to desktop suggestions if that would be the smartest choice for my money.
Answer
Although EVERY Mac fanboy is gonna come out of the woodwork to answer your question, The truth is simple. There is a LOT more software for a PC in this field than there is for a Mac. Although retired recently, I spent over 30 years in industrial networking and machine programming and can tell you first hand that big business and large advertising firms do NOT use Mac computers. Contrary to popular belief, they aren't used in the movie industry either. It's nothing but hype. I also know first hand that regardless of what you can do with a Mac, it does NOT come close to what you can do with a PC. IMHO, a PC is a valuable multi-tool, a Mac is an over priced toy.
Although EVERY Mac fanboy is gonna come out of the woodwork to answer your question, The truth is simple. There is a LOT more software for a PC in this field than there is for a Mac. Although retired recently, I spent over 30 years in industrial networking and machine programming and can tell you first hand that big business and large advertising firms do NOT use Mac computers. Contrary to popular belief, they aren't used in the movie industry either. It's nothing but hype. I also know first hand that regardless of what you can do with a Mac, it does NOT come close to what you can do with a PC. IMHO, a PC is a valuable multi-tool, a Mac is an over priced toy.
What kind or specific brand of laptop is good ?
ablimit
I'm a graduate student majored in computer science. I want to buy a laptop for my work and daily use. Both performance and reasonable price are important to me. At the moment I found IBM T61 is a good choice.
Any suggestion on specific brand or type ?
Answer
the brand that satisfy your needs.
Laptops are excellent for running a second screen.
Two screens are a lot of fun.
I suggest to buy the laptop to suit your travelling needs, and have a second 19 inch screen at main base to plug into.
If you moving the laptop every day, so that you plugging into the main base every day, I suggest to set up a docking station complete with usb mouse and usb keyboard, and of course the second screen.
The docking station sets the laptop at a 45 degree angle so its keyboard is 45 degrees and you hinge open the lid so its vertical.
If you have 19 inch on its own stand, then the top of the laptop is the same height as the top of the 19 inch..
Now you can buy the second screen and docking station later on, and the docking station is not really necessary for home use, but for office use its best practice, so ensure you get a brand that has this available, if you think you need it.
all very sweet and fun to use.
This is from my notes, hope it helps..
Always work out what your needs are and buy a laptop to suit.
Choosing a laptop
=============
You have to decide on weight and battery criteria.
1. Weight - If you are going to carry it to and fro to school/office then consider getting a lightweight model. An external CD drive may be an option as if you not into burning disks or watching DVD then you hardly use the CD drive. Something about less than 2 kg is a lightweight. Anything over 2 kg is very heavy to carry.
2. Battery Life, - if you never going to use it on batteries then you can go bigger processor and larger screen. You can consider not buying the battery if appropriate. You can have two power supplies; one at home and one in the office is good for large heavy laptops.
If you want to use the laptop on batteries then you may have to choose a smaller processor and a smaller screen so you can get the hours required out of the battery.
3. Minimum specifications â
Games will require more specifications â more ram and âmore video card specs â more processor power.
Generally though:
-a decent video card (for projection of power point presentations)
-Wireless networking
-Ethernet
-Consider a high speed hard drive
- Consider 80GB Hard drive or larger
- Consider an external DVD drive or an Internal Burner -depending on your needs
-Consider 1 Gig RAM for XP or 2 Gig RAM for Vista
-Software able to update from their websites
-Internet security and
-Antispyware (free from net) is a must for internet use.
-Easy accessible USB ports
- built in webcam /mic
- A Mouse - wireless mouse are a pain, get a small usb mouse.
- a keystone lock
-A carry bag. Sometimes the manufacturerâs bag is the best buy
Consider getting the hard drive partitioned to C: and D: The C drive can be 30 gig for a laptop D drive is extended across the remaining.
When looking at laptops in the shop do this:
In Vista, Press win key > type in System and click System Information
Go through the results you can see what hardware and what Microsoft products are installed in the laptop/ computer.
Google luck!!!
Vista versus XP:
All laptops are sold with Vista on it, it may be wise to get a higher standard Vista Ultimate because it rocks.. Vista basic will not play DVD unless you download a dvd codec.
In Vista, there are a lot of laptops that the touchpad is to sensitive. When you hover your hand nearby the Vista does weird things. Go to the Mouse console >touchpad and slide the sensitivity slider to halfway.
If you want to install your own XP disks on it first you have to find out if XP has drivers to suit the hardware on your new laptop.
Since you paid for your Vista, keep it.
If you want to load XP consider partition the Hard drive and dual boot. Google âdual boot vista xpâ for step by step instructions but donât forget a third partition for your files so both systems can open your files..
Good buying: I suggest to buy from a discount store that can offer extended warranty, which you may pay for. If you do this make sure all the ram is in so it is covered by the warranty. Extended warranty will cover it for 3 years, and a lot of laptops do go wrong.
the brand that satisfy your needs.
Laptops are excellent for running a second screen.
Two screens are a lot of fun.
I suggest to buy the laptop to suit your travelling needs, and have a second 19 inch screen at main base to plug into.
If you moving the laptop every day, so that you plugging into the main base every day, I suggest to set up a docking station complete with usb mouse and usb keyboard, and of course the second screen.
The docking station sets the laptop at a 45 degree angle so its keyboard is 45 degrees and you hinge open the lid so its vertical.
If you have 19 inch on its own stand, then the top of the laptop is the same height as the top of the 19 inch..
Now you can buy the second screen and docking station later on, and the docking station is not really necessary for home use, but for office use its best practice, so ensure you get a brand that has this available, if you think you need it.
all very sweet and fun to use.
This is from my notes, hope it helps..
Always work out what your needs are and buy a laptop to suit.
Choosing a laptop
=============
You have to decide on weight and battery criteria.
1. Weight - If you are going to carry it to and fro to school/office then consider getting a lightweight model. An external CD drive may be an option as if you not into burning disks or watching DVD then you hardly use the CD drive. Something about less than 2 kg is a lightweight. Anything over 2 kg is very heavy to carry.
2. Battery Life, - if you never going to use it on batteries then you can go bigger processor and larger screen. You can consider not buying the battery if appropriate. You can have two power supplies; one at home and one in the office is good for large heavy laptops.
If you want to use the laptop on batteries then you may have to choose a smaller processor and a smaller screen so you can get the hours required out of the battery.
3. Minimum specifications â
Games will require more specifications â more ram and âmore video card specs â more processor power.
Generally though:
-a decent video card (for projection of power point presentations)
-Wireless networking
-Ethernet
-Consider a high speed hard drive
- Consider 80GB Hard drive or larger
- Consider an external DVD drive or an Internal Burner -depending on your needs
-Consider 1 Gig RAM for XP or 2 Gig RAM for Vista
-Software able to update from their websites
-Internet security and
-Antispyware (free from net) is a must for internet use.
-Easy accessible USB ports
- built in webcam /mic
- A Mouse - wireless mouse are a pain, get a small usb mouse.
- a keystone lock
-A carry bag. Sometimes the manufacturerâs bag is the best buy
Consider getting the hard drive partitioned to C: and D: The C drive can be 30 gig for a laptop D drive is extended across the remaining.
When looking at laptops in the shop do this:
In Vista, Press win key > type in System and click System Information
Go through the results you can see what hardware and what Microsoft products are installed in the laptop/ computer.
Google luck!!!
Vista versus XP:
All laptops are sold with Vista on it, it may be wise to get a higher standard Vista Ultimate because it rocks.. Vista basic will not play DVD unless you download a dvd codec.
In Vista, there are a lot of laptops that the touchpad is to sensitive. When you hover your hand nearby the Vista does weird things. Go to the Mouse console >touchpad and slide the sensitivity slider to halfway.
If you want to install your own XP disks on it first you have to find out if XP has drivers to suit the hardware on your new laptop.
Since you paid for your Vista, keep it.
If you want to load XP consider partition the Hard drive and dual boot. Google âdual boot vista xpâ for step by step instructions but donât forget a third partition for your files so both systems can open your files..
Good buying: I suggest to buy from a discount store that can offer extended warranty, which you may pay for. If you do this make sure all the ram is in so it is covered by the warranty. Extended warranty will cover it for 3 years, and a lot of laptops do go wrong.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
Title Post: What is the best computer option for a liberal arts graduate student?
Rating: 100% based on 9998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
Rating: 100% based on 9998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment