<p>I don't have anyone near me who's going into CS Major, so I came to get some advice. </p>
<p>Can someone tell me what I should look for? (ie, specs, size, battery life..etc) I was thinking of getting Mac pro or air, but I feel like they are too expensive considering their specs.</p>
<p>I am also a light gamer who plays on daily basis (1-3hrs). Any recommendation($1000 budget)?</p>
<p>You most likely won’t have enough time to play on a daily basis. </p>
<p>I really wouldn’t worry about CPU, RAM too much as long as it isn’t one of those sub $200 netbooks.</p>
<p>Look for a long lasting battery life and light weight. </p>
<p>I wasn’t CS, but for ME I did most if the “important” stuff on CAEN computers. Your laptop isn’t hugely important. Any big projects, or programming or matlab or whatever was done on a computer in the Dude. You can virtual connect, but it lags sometimes</p>
<p>If you get a Mac you’ll want it to run windows. </p>
<p>I agree with @ForeverAlone and @ThisIsMichigan 100%. </p>
<p>Your future laptop isn’t hugely important (though you need one) because computing in the Dude is the norm for the most part. </p>
<p>I recommend to get a genuine copy of Windows 7 or 8 if you are planning to get a Mac. I used to have MacBook Air with Windows 7 installed to run Microsoft Office for Windows (Mac version is utter crap and DON’T count on it) and other windows-only programs like Minitab. </p>
<p>Pick a light-weighted laptop (13"-14" ideally for being portable with enough screen real estate to do moderate tasks) with a long-lasting battery like latest mid 2014 MacBook Pro/Air or 2014 Dell XPS 13" models. Admittedly, I’m in love with Mac hardware in perpetuity. :)</p>
<p>Finally, try to feel comfortable asap in computing in the Dude and other CAENS labs, or remote in via virtual connect but don’t put too much stock on it sometimes. </p>