<p>and preferably engineering grad students:</p>
<p>what kind of laptop should we get, in terms of graphics card and processor to handle all the engineering tasks done on computer?</p>
<p>A lot of engineering students have gone with Powerbooks. Mac OS X and its UNIX underpinnings have provided a great all around system.</p>
<p>I'd get a computer that has a lot of ram and a decent graphics card, at the very least. 512MB Ram, at least and at least 64MB on the GFX card.</p>
<p>I think I will stick to Windows because of more compatibility.</p>
<p>i thought engineers had to get windows
and also, an integrated graphics card wouldn't be enough?</p>
<p>It should be... most are about 32-64 MB now.</p>
<p>It's integrated graphics though, might be working okay now but 3 years later who knows if it can handle programs or not, seeing how technology is advancing so quickly.</p>
<p>hey do the dorms have wireless??? or do i have to bring LAN cables?</p>
<p>i have same question that lefay8 said. do we have to pay for any type of internet connection?</p>
<p>No. Your internet comes with your room.</p>
<p>Integrated graphics cards are fine unless you do something that requires a lot of video rendering: games, 3d, CAD, etc.</p>
<p>Should I go for Professional or is Home enough?</p>
<p>Windows XP is all the same.</p>
<p>The difference between each version is that Microsoft disables certain features.</p>
<p>Pro gives you more options and control over the system but most people don't deal with it.</p>
<p>MCE is Pro minus the domain capability and with media packs.</p>
<p>Honestly, if you have to ask, Home should be enough for you. That is unless you want to spend the extra $50 for Pro.</p>
<p>It's also possible to convert Home into "Pro-lite" (done through a simple text file editing before installing, whether it violates the EULA or not is another matter). That is it's a psuedo-Pro in that it has most of the capabilities but it's not an actual Pro version.</p>
<p>The same applys for MCE except MCE is built on top of the Pro edition so it requires a little gerrymandering to enable Domains and then you'll have a full Pro edition.</p>
<p>I prefer Win2k and Win2k3 though; Microsoft software sucks as it is, but the server OSes are generally more stable and provide more control and they are easy enough to convert to perform normal desktop duties.</p>
<p>come on....almost everyone has a Windows XP Pro CD....just ask someone for it if you want it</p>
<p>Yea, I have a bootleg but don't wanna use it.</p>
<p>i see, good for you</p>
<p>"Yea, I have a bootleg but don't wanna use it."</p>
<p>Absolutely! Microsoft needs the money, be sure to spend your xxx$ on a new one! </p>
<p>:-p</p>
<p>Berkeley has MSDNAA so if you're in the right major, you should get access to it and can download a legit copy of Windows XP/2003, VS.NET, etc.</p>
<p>^ which is for EECS.</p>
<p>what's msdnaa?</p>