<p>I am HS junior with Cal Poly being my #1 choice. Since my current laptop went down, I am looking to get a laptop for my college years. Because my major will most likely be mechanical engineering, PC’s seem to be the best fit, correct me if I am wrong. After researching, my top choice is the ASUS N56VJ-DH71. Would this be ideal for getting me through my degree? Any other recommendations under $1k or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Great topic.</p>
<p>I am also interested in one for my son who will be a Cal Poly Computer Science major next year.</p>
<p>The CS department website suggests buying one once you get to school because apparently you can get a price break somehow from their recommended vendor. They also point out that you should consider that laptops are easily stolen, whereas a desktop may not be.</p>
<p>@theChris, if there is anyway you can delay you’re purchase, I would recommend that you do. Assuming you’re technically savvy, you know that technology will be much different 18-months from now and, what you’re paying $1K for today will be available for $500 then. The 8GB is nice, but I’m not sure that you’re going to need 1T drive. Maybe save some $ there and get a 1T external for backups.</p>
<p>@sutteyo, I don’t know that you get any breaks on pricing through the school. I didn’t even bother for my frosh son in Computer Science. I purchased a Lenovo IdeaPad i5 last year and it seems to have held up well for him. It was well-rated and retailed for $750. Got it at Best Buy for $500. Only took an hour to get rid of the bloatware and load it with necessities. It’s all about research and patience.</p>
<p>I do have Lojack for Laptops on his notebook. He has a cable lock for when he is in and out of his dorm. And we purchased a combination lockbox that is cable-locked in his closet. It is large enough to fit his notebook and small valuables when he’s out all day. It’s not like theft is rampant by any stretch. But, like most things, there are crimes of opportunity if no one is around. </p>
<p>Good luck, theChris on your senior year and you’re hopeful admittance to CPSLO and Congratulations, sutteyo, for your son’s acceptance. He’ll love it. If you haven’t checked it out yet and are on Facebook, go join the Cal Poly Parent Community. You won’t be disappointed.</p>
<p>Thanks for the insight! Valid point about depreciation that I didn’t consider much beforehand. I never thought about getting a mediocre laptop now to hold me off for a while, but I think I’ll go that route. Because my hard drive went out, I’ve been using a Samsung Chromebook temporarily, and I can’t hold off for another 18 months.</p>
<p>Thanks Jamestg!</p>