<p>Hi, so this fall, I will be starting as a Computer Science games major, and I have been shopping around for a computer options. What it has kinda come down to is whether I should get a pretty good laptop or should I get and even better desktop with a netbook to take notes with in school. </p>
<p>If both options came down to the same price, what would be recommended. I'm not really sure what a cs games major would be doing, would there be more compiling on-the-go, or could most of the stuff be done at a lab?</p>
<p>In that major you will become quite familiar with the USC Games Pipe Laboratory in Viterbi.
On YouTube there are helpful videos which will give you more information about what you can expect in this field. There are videos about games students have created as well.</p>
<p>Check out this video on YouTube: USC Game Pipe Laboratory</p>
<p>Welcome! I will be a junior in CS Games, so I hope I can help you haha. Before I start suggesting things though, tell me as much as you can about what you want in a computer(s).
Two important questions are: Do you plan to be doing a lot of intense gaming? and Do you want what you buy now to last all four years?</p>
<p>Game Pipes alright, and from what I remember, the video provides some info, but it doesn’t do a good job of showing what the first 2 years are like. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!</p>
<p>Well I do plan on gaming in college, but not much of the very intense stuff I think. As for durability, I think that I would like for it to last as long as possible, so yea probably lasting the four years. Also besides that I wanted to do some other side stuff on the PC like video and photo editing on the side. Does the major lean more towards the side of needing portability, or can a powerful stationary desktop do a good job?</p>
<p>I’ve found that the major leans towards a balance of needing power, to compile and render, and portability, for meeting up with teammates and working on projects. I faced the same quandary two years ago. I solved it by getting a powerful laptop but still portable (and a great deal). You can get what you need at a better price from a custom notebook seller that specializes, such as [Gaming</a> Laptops - XOTIC PC - Gaming Notebooks - Custom Laptops - Custom Notebooks](<a href=“http://www.xoticpc.com/]Gaming”>http://www.xoticpc.com/) I got something like: [GAMING</a> NOTEBOOK MSI MS-1656-ID1-001 (GT640) Core i7 Gaming Notebook, 15.4" WSXGA+ TFT LCD, NVIDIA® GeForce® GTS 250 1GB Graphics : AVADirect Custom Computer Configuration](<a href=“AVADirect Custom Computers | Gaming PCs, Desktops, Laptops”>AVADirect Custom Computers | Gaming PCs, Desktops, Laptops) Going this route, you have a good amount of power and portability.</p>
<p>Not to rule out the other option, you can get a powerful desktop and keep it in your room, which has flexibility in upgrading it, and then get a netbook for portability (notes, group projects). Netbooks will be fine for a number of group projects, if you don’t mind the small screen. It’s a pain to have to program with only seeing 15 lines of code instead of 30, but it’s doable. Also, there’s a lot of computers to use on campus and in classes, so w/e route you take will be fine.</p>
<p>If you want a lot more information about the major in general, PM me.</p>
<p>for the same price, a desktop should pack a lot more power, especially if you custom make your own and shop for individual parts. Its also always easier to upgrade desktop parts and such, experimenting around with them is always fun. I dont think you’ll be at a major disadvantage without a laptop.</p>