<p>I'm going to buy a new laptop. I'll be starting a BE in ME in a few months time. Will I need to use it in college? If so, would I need a high spec model?</p>
<p>If you plan on doing 3D modeling on your computer, it might be a good idea to get a more powerful computer. However, any school worth anything should have rows of computers for you to use (and 24 hour labs).</p>
<p>probably not, especially for the beginning years.</p>
<p>most ME classes are theory (at least in the classroom). ex calculating forces, speeds, stresses, energy, etc. these types of calculations are done much more efficiently on paper with a calculator.</p>
<p>as you get older and get stuff like senior projects, laptop is useful but mostly for research and writing. </p>
<p>any "hard core" engineering stuff like CFD will be available through computer labs. And you would NOT want to purchase that software!! (it is mighty expensive).</p>
<p>so in the end, you don't really need a super-duper laptop, and in fact probably dont need a laptop at all for your first two years.</p>