<p>For a polisci/econ major, what would be a good laptop to have? I'm currently deciding between Dell XPS Studio, Vaio SR, and Macbook Pro. Which of these would be best, and maybe last a good 3 or 4 years?</p>
<p>Other suggestions are welcome as well, thanks in advance!</p>
<p>It all comes down to preference. Political Science and Economics aren’t too computer-intensive, so all three would get the job done. Decide which OS you prefer (or both), and go from there.</p>
<p>Any of those computers will be fine, including for any macro modeling.</p>
<p>Oh great, thanks. I prefer OSX in terms of usability but I guess the major concern is just that I might run into one or two programs that aren’t compatible.</p>
<p>A Pro is way overkill. If you want OS X, the regular MacBook will be great.</p>
<p>^ well, now the macbook and the lowend pro aren’t that different in price (only $150) and the pro has so many benefits, why not?</p>
<p>I’m a big windows advocate…My school only uses Macs, and I only use Windows at home. I like Windows better because the systems are less expensive, a ton of software works on them, and you get a much wider range of computers to choose from.</p>
<p>Now, of the two Windows computers you’ve selected,
I’m kind of biased against Sony, because my friend’s sony computer broke from overheating, which shows poor engineering.
Also, after it broke he let me open it up just for fun and there were a lot of screws that seemed to be tightened with 100+lbs of force…i couldn’t get it completely open and ended up basically ripping the outer plastic (with his permission of course) to get it open. so now I don’t like sony. the end.</p>
<p>I use a dell right now and it’s stable, reliable, and capable. However, the XPS models are expensive. Get an inspiron if you want a lot cheaper. I’m on a Latitude system right now and they are very sturdily built. I recommend Dell Latitudes highly.</p>
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<p>what benefits?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Some of these are subjective, but…</p>
<p>Backlit keyboard
Glossy screen
Aluminum unibody casing
DDR3 RAM
.13 faster processor
Much longer-lasting battery (both in terms of time and cycles)
SD slot
Firewire 800</p>
<p>Possibly more, though that’s just off the top of my head.</p>