Best Laptop for a Science-Related Major?

Colleges and Universities A-Z The University of Texas at Austin
1

<p>I was just wondering if anyone had any idea on what type of laptop would be best at UT for someone planning to major in a science related field. I have no idea if should get a Mac or a PC, which brand I should get, etc. I was leaning towards a Mac, just for its ease of use and visual appeal, but I don't want to encounter any trouble. All thoughts are welcome!</p>

2

<p>I'm planning to get a laptop soon too. Any ideas??</p>

3

<p>Take a look at the PC deals listed at:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.techbargains.com/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.techbargains.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://www.dealcatcher.com/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.dealcatcher.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://www.dell.com/outlet%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.dell.com/outlet&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&mco=44BD9AA6&node=home/specialdeals%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&mco=44BD9AA6&node=home/specialdeals&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Techbargains and DealCatcher frequently have listing for 10-15% discounts off the listed prices at the Dell Outlet.</p>

<p>Prices on computers tend to get cheaper about one week before the end of a month. </p>

<p>Companies/salespeople who have a sales quota to meet are more concerned with meeting their sales target than they are about profit so they will cut prices to move boxes out the door. (The "half a loaf is better than none" theory.) </p>

<p>The key is to buy just before their deadline to be able ship the box out the door to count for the current sales period.</p>

4

<p>To be honest whether your choose mac or PC it really doesn't matter. If you find you need windows, well then you can buy VMWare Fusion for $99 and run programs on your Mac. </p>

<p>In an honest opinion on build quality, I'd say get either a Mac or a small Thinkpad. I personally have a Thinkpad X61 and I've dropped it off a table, stepped on it, and generally abused the hell out of it. The paints chipping from this, but not much else. </p>

<p>Oh, and whatever you do, don't be tempted by the cheap 15" screen monstrosities. UT is a big campus with lots of hills and unless it's going to sit on your desk 90% of the time your back is going to regret it.</p>

<p>Also, UT offer's good discounts on Macs. Consider it before you buy elsewhere.</p>