<p>The computer I am using right now is pretty much shot (broken battery, overheats a lot, etc...) so I'm going to get a new computer this summer. This means I most likely will not be getting a new one for college. As for major in college, I'm deciding between chem, biochem and some sort of engineering. </p>
<p>If I do decide on engineering, is a Mac out of the question? If so, which PC is durable enough to last the next 5 years? With my past few laptops, I have gone like $700 and below so as a result I've gone through like 2-3 computers since around 7th grade.</p>
<p>I'd also like something with a nice user interface (although I'd assume all PCs that run on Windows are pretty much the same). Is Windows 7 nice? Right now I'm using Vista.</p>
<p>This may sound stupid... but if something comes in pretty colors (i.e. Dell's have this thing where there are like 5 or 6 color choices) that would be a major plus. I wouldn't be willing to exchange quality for color though.</p>
<p>For Engineering, I’m a bio major so I’ll have to pass that question onto someone else.</p>
<p>For the user interface, Windows 7 is almost just like Windows Vista in terms of the user interface. However, Windows 7 is much lighter, secure, and faster than Vista, and much less annoying (I hate the darn UAC; Yes I’m sure I want to install that program!)</p>
<p>As for the pretty colors, unfortunately Dell is the only manufacturer that makes full-sized laptops in colors like that, and unfortunately I would not wish Dell even on my worst enemy. </p>
<p>I’ve had great luck with laptops for $700, and they’re all running strong still. So long as you avoid Dell and most HP models, you should be fine.</p>
<p>Before I recommend you a laptop, can you tell me what you do on your computer and what you’re probably going to be doing on your new laptop?</p>
<p>I recommend you take a look at the Dell Latitude series.</p>
<p>They’re much more durable than consumer-grade laptops, but they’re also the only line that comes in bright colors (namely silver, red, and blue). With a few coupon codes, you can get a nice, powerful system with 6hr battery life for ~$1000.</p>
<p>You’ll also get Windows 7 Professional instead of one of the Home editions at no extra cost. I personally suggest that you install some sort Linux when you feel that you are ready.</p>
<p>As for Mac – I think they’re overpriced.</p>
<p>I am an engineer and use a mac. it is fine. it is a myth that you cannot have a mac for engineering.</p>
<p>Certainly wouldn’t recommend a Mac for engineering. I know people who use them, and you’d most likely need to run Windows on it for compatibility with software that you’d be using (or do that work on public computers).</p>
<p>The Dell Latitudes are definitely durable. A lot of people seem to use them and I’ve heard pretty good things about them.</p>
<p>I have a consumer-grade Dell (XPS) as I got a lot more features for the money. You can certainly tell the build quality isn’t as nice, but I’m careful with it and it hasn’t given me any issues so far.</p>
<p>Windows 7 rocks. I still use XP because it’s what I’m used to, but 7 is a very nice OS. I’ll probably make the switch some day (I have both installed right now).</p>
<p>I decided on the Studio 14 with an i5 processor. It probably wouldn’t be the greatest for engineering, but since I’m more likely going into a general science (either chem or biochem) I figured it would suit my needs best.</p>