<p>I am an incoming freshman and was planning on buying a laptop (leaning heavily towards pc's over macs) before the school year started. I was wondering what laptop specifications I should be considering pertaining to the major. I would really prefer to have my laptop for the next four years, yet I wish to spend no more the $800. As of now, I am concerned with speed, screen resolution (not a huge deal, just to be nice on my eyes if I am using it for an extended period), durability, and preferably light weight.
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>haha i asked the exact same question when I was in your place last year (i’m bioE too). i recommend a PC, just because I think it works better with engineering software, and you can find them for a better price. but in general, big programs you will go to the labs to work with. your laptop can be just any basic computer…now if you want speed, just make sure it has all those elements in it. i got a dell xps less than a year ago. i love it so far. its fast, HD resolution, and does everything I need for my classes. but in general, just go for what ever deal you get. i dont think the type of laptop matters in the long run, as long as it will last!</p>
<p>milktea11
are you taking bioe10 this fall?</p>
<p>@gilmore… thanks! at first i was thinking about a low end sony vaio, but they are so expensive! maybe i’ll be better off with a high end model of another brand…</p>
<p>@neonseri yes, i am 
are you bioE too?</p>
<p>@milktea</p>
<p>well, im chem but will take bioe classes along the way XD
i signed up for bioe10 and am very excited about it!</p>
<p>Cool you guys I’m BioE too but I plan on applying for double major with ECE since my four year plan conveniently fulfills the requirements for both majors so hopefully I get a high enough GPA to be approved! So I guess I’ll see you guys at that BBQ, hmm do they have any non-beef stuff at the BioE BBQ?</p>
<p>This was a good enough deal that I think I should share it publicly, so if anyone else is looking for a (specifically NON-GAMING) laptop with good specs and a fairly low price:</p>
<p>[Newegg.com</a> - HP G72-250US NoteBook Intel Core i3 350M(2.26GHz) 17.3" 4GB Memory 320GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi Intel HD](<a href=“Are you a human?”>Are you a human?)</p>
<p>^wow those stats are almost exact, maybe even exact, to the HP laptop I got this summer for college except it’s white and mine’s black but it might be the same model except mine came pre-installed with full version MS Office Home & Student 2010 (I got it at Best Buy for $699 I think)</p>
<p>Unless you need it right away, it’s generally best to avoid starting shopping for…well, anything…at major retail outlets. Computer hardware is almost always cheaper on Newegg, Tigerdirect, or eBay (the lattermost of which isn’t sketchy at all if you stick to sellers with massive sales numbers and high ratings), music is usually cheaper on Amazon…hell, most stuff is usually cheaper on Amazon.</p>
<p>Basically, online specialty retailers (which effectively includes eBay, given the volume that many sellers put through) >>>>> physical general retailers in most cases. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t check to see if the physical retailer has a good deal going (e.g. when I was buying my laptop, Best Buy had an AMAZING desktop replacement for about $1200 - I kinda regret not pushing for it, actually, but w/e), but it’s rare.</p>
<p>…and if anyone reading this is trying to get a desktop, don’t buy it prebuilt. Find a decent guide to building one yourself (e.g. the one stickied on the GameFAQs PC Hardware message board), buy the parts individually, and assemble it yourself. You’ll save tons of money, get a better and more streamlined machine, learn some cool stuff, and have a fun (and fairly easy) afternoon putting everything together.</p>
<p>so at first, the weight/portability of the computer wasn’t a major factor for me, but now that I think about it, I may end up having to haul it everywhere (library and back, friends’ room and back, etc).
I am looking at a Toshiba. 4GB RAM, i3 processor, 2.26 gHz, and what appeals to me is that it is 3.2 pounds. as jonnosferatu said, it is a bit pricey at bestbuy - $829…
yet, I feel that it is kind of risky buying from newegg or tigerdirect, mostly because i haven’t done so before, but also because what if something happens or it breaks down after the return period? i’ll check ebay though, thanks!</p>