<p>Our son is headed to Penn State in the fall. We want to get him a laptop before then, but I'm struggling with the decision. Since he won't need a "high powered" laptop until his junior/senior years, do I just buy a basic laptop now and a better one then? Or buy the good one now and hope it is still working in 2 years?</p>
<p>For the "higher powered" laptop, it would be something with an Intel iCore7 processor, at least 8GB of RAM and an upgraded video card.</p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>Buy the high powered one now and it’ll work for quite some time. I recommend MacBook pro or if you’re on a budget hp pavilions g7</p>
<p>If I was considering engineering earlier in time, I for sure would have gotten a Microsoft laptop to save money (even though I personally hate Windows 8) instead of a MacBook. In the later years, like sophomore year, he will probably be using CAD which does not run well with Mac computers. If you download Microsoft for the MacBook, it should be fine. You do have to pay for the Microsoft software separately unless Penn State offers it for free like my school does. I’m not sure how much it would be to purchase the software.</p>
<p>Linux would also work, and is probably cheaper than Microsoft. But the best bet would be to get a Microsoft computer, and not even bother with a MacBook for engineering… Nekogami :)</p>
<p>If he is gaming on it and you are comfortable shelling out the money to get him a toy, do that. If he isn’t going to be gaming on it, you can buy i3 systems for like 300$ and i5 systems for like $400, and RAM is super cheap and easy to max out any time you want to. </p>
<p>This winter I bought a $300 Acer i3 with 4gb RAM and whatever the crappy screen is and it’s totally fine. MATLAB runs on anything, CAD stuff he’ll do will run on anything…I am almost done with my CAD class and it’s never even hinted at being sluggish. </p>
<p>I basically I live on this thing, am always messing around with different stuff, watch movies or TV on it for hours before bed, and there is just not anything wrong with this level of machine for a student. I would get him an i5 system for now, and if he really does need more power down the road – and if he does need power, it’s probably going to be for something you’d rather do the school’s lab computers – reevaluate, when different chipsets are out. Don’t buy something pricy now and beat it around campus for two years where a cheaper option would probably be better anyway.</p>
<p>An upgraded system is going to have some drawbacks: quadcores and dedicated GPUs are going to be heavier, hotter, and have worse battery life. They are just more of a chore to be on all the time. The only upgrade I wish I’d looked for is a nicer screen but I doubt I would pay much more for one and the cheap one is fine.</p>
<p>You only need the I7/GPU for gaming, and PoppinBottlesMGT does a great job of listing the drawbacks. Go for a newer I3 or I5, and you should be able to pass on the GPU.</p>
<p>From PSU Website:</p>
<p>For incoming students who do not already own a computer or plan to purchase a new system, the following information is provided for a Laptop system configuration; this is a minimum system configuration recommendation. It should provide acceptable performance for the majority of undergraduate students:
•Processor: Intel Multi Core or AMD equivalent, Apple Intel-based systems, or other system Equivalent to the aforementioned.
•Memory: 4 or 8 Gig RAM
•Hard Drive: 500 GB or Larger
•Video Card: 256 MB RAM Minimum with 512 MB RAM or greater desirable for some applications
•Networking: 10/100/1000 BaseT Ethernet
•Wireless Networking: 802.11g/n
•DVD/CD Read/Write Drive
•2 USB Ports
•Sound Card & Speakers
•Operating System: Apple Mac OS X (running, as a minimum, Version 10.6.x), Windows 7 with latest Microsoft Service Packs applied, or Linux (Ubuntu or SUSE Lunix would be good choices)
•Display: 13 inch or greater
•Lock & Cable (Recommended)</p>
<p>Incoming first-year students should note that the system of choice need not be the most expensive available. Also, computing requirements will vary by department and becomes major–specific in one’s junior and senior years. In the case of Architectural Engineering, the requirements will become major–specific in the sophomore year. If a student is committed to a major upon entering the University, the student should contact the major’s Department for specific computer configuration recommendations.</p>
<p>Additional Considerations</p>
<p>Apple, Inc. migration to the Multi Core Intel processor technology broadens the ability for Apple computer owners to experiment or work in the Microsoft Operating System environment without having to purchase an additional computer. This expanded functionality is attained through the use of a number of software applications, the most notable of which are Boot Camp, Parallels, and VMware Fusion. The downside of Boot Camp is that the computer can only boot into one operating environment at a time; Parallels and VMware Fusion do not have this limitation. Boot Camp is a no-cost application from Apple, Inc. Parallels and VMware Fusion may be purchased at discount pricing from the Penn State Computer Store.</p>
<p>Get a macbook pro, it is not expensive anymore and it definitely worth the money. They also last for years!</p>
<p>The one thing I took from my son’s orientation last week was that they said If you are buying your incoming freshman a new laptop, stick with what they already are used to. Do not change from a PC to a Mac or from a Mac to a PC … freshman have enough things to learn without adding that on top of it.</p>