<p>So, I decided that i would take a MAC to CMU. I haven't decided whether i should buy the macbook or the macbook pro.
So if any current students can help me out, do i need the bigger screen and dedicated graphics?
Money is not a big issue, i just don't want to buy the mbp unnecessarily.</p>
<p>You'll either wind up running most of your assignments on Matlab, working in the ECE clusters, or running programs remotely, so I think it's most up to your type of work style. The ECE clusters are actually pretty nice (as are most of the public ones), so I don't even know how necessary a laptop is. Most of my friends that had them left them locked to the desk in their room 90% of the time.</p>
<p>are the clusters open 24/7?
Then, i won't be buying a laptop.</p>
<p>The only clusters I can think of that close are the ones inside of libraries. I think they're only closed from 2AM to 7 AM, though (maybe midnight). Other clusters (such as the ones in Wean, Baker, and Cyert) are open 24/7 as will the ECE one. The only time you won't be allowed in a cluster is if it's being used for a class, but there's only certain ones that are (and if the class doesn't fill up the chairs they usually let you keep working if you're quiet).</p>
<p>They know some kids like to work crazy hours, and they know everyone has to work crazy hours when big assignments are due, so they cater properly.</p>
<p>That was actually one of the things I loved about CMU, there were public computers everywhere, and they were all of pretty great quality.</p>
<p>There are lots of clusters, they are in just about every academic hall and then there's one in Morewood, that's acessible to anyone who wants to use it but best for those living in morewood/new house/mudge. Then there's one in West Wing that's close to the UC so accessible to most and especially those living on the Hill</p>
<p>but anyways, I don't think i would be able to survive without my laptop</p>
<p>I live about a half mile from campus (still in housing from CMU) and my laptop broke, so I had no computer. It was pretty terrible - I couldn't do any work for two of my classes without walking to campus (who wants to do that on Friday night?), I couldn't check my email without doing the same (at high season for internship searching), and I couldn't make plans to do anything with my friends who refuse to answer their phones. How do you do a phone interview that also requires IM access without a computer? I think the answer is that you don't, or you beg one off of someone. If you lived near a cluster it wouldn't be so bad, but having a laptop is worthwhile, though not absolutely necessary...</p>
<p>(the above comes from a CS major, who happily now has two computers in her posession :) )</p>
<p>Thx for the info!! I also want to know whether you need a laptop for graphic intensive programs throughout the course, because i might go for integrated instead of dedicated.</p>