<p>Hello. I'm going to be an engineering student next year and I need a new laptop.
I have no clue what laptop I should get though or if engineering classes would require particular specifications or features such as an i7 processor.
I intend on using this laptop for academics as well as media such as music and movies. I don't really game on my computer so that isn't an issue. I just want a good amount of memory.
Any suggestions? My budget is currently about 500 but feel free to suggest more expensive laptops than that because I'd prefer quality even if it's more expensive.</p>
<p>Get a really nice Lenovo/IBM Thinkpad T61 on Ebay for $400. Make sure it has Intel graphics (NOT Nvidia), the other graphics cards can fail after a certain amount of time. Otherwise… I bought my T61 on Ebay, and it’s amazing. Super fast, throw in an Intel 320 80gb SSD in too and it’s faster than any computer out there for $500 by a longshot. The keyboard’s probably the best part as it’s known as the best laptop keyboard out there (I’d debate even better than normal desktop keyboards). My friends say it looks like an old computer and wonder why my (computer nerd) would use it. Then they use it for whatever and are amazed by its speed.</p>
<p>Modern features too like DVD-RW, Bluetooth, and more professional perks like ability to use with a dock.</p>
<p>Oh, and load Windows 7.</p>
<p>What type of engineer?</p>
<p>I highly recommend Lenovo thinkpad. The t series is great. I splurged a little bit (and caught a sale) and got a w520, but my second choice was a t series.</p>