Computer for Engineering Undergrad help please

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>I'm a freshman attending UC Irvine in the fall. I'm still debating between Environmental Engineering and Material Science Engineering. Frankly though, I'm getting a little frustrated with my parents who don't quite seem to understand my need for a better computer...</p>

<p>My father insists that all I need for college undergrad engineering is a netbook. He bought me a netbook (Asus Eee PC, 2GB of RAM, 1.5 Ghz) and said that it would be just fine for taking notes my first year, and that to have any more would be "overkill". </p>

<p>He said if I was so worried I could bring our older laptop, a Dell Vostro 1500 which runs XP and has a mere 1.5 GB and 2.0 Ghz. </p>

<p>I suppose what I'm really asking is: Do you think that a netbook and a some 4-year old laptop is enough for an undergrad engineering major (at least for the first year)? Or should I be pushing for more? </p>

<p>It's not really a question of money so much as my parents not wanting to spend more money. If I weren't an engineering major then I would be fine with this setup but I hear it's tough without a good computer.</p>

2

<p>If it is going to be your main machine, no. </p>

<p>Simply put if your going to be working with any engineering program in class a netbook will be worthless. They can barely run youtube videos and that dell isn’t much better. </p>

<p>Think your parents might need to get you a good computer.</p>