<p>As an engineering student, I've come to the conclusion that I would rather have a pc than a mac for college, and I've heard Lenovos are the best. I'm trying to decide between the ThinkPad x220 and the ThinkPad x220t. I was wondering if the touch pad is really that useful or if it's something that people buy because they think it's cool and only end up using one or two times. Another thing that worries me is whether the single hinge will be reliable or not and how the battery life will compare. The x220 has the option for a 9 cell Li-Ion battery, but the x220t only offers a "6 cell battery x52+". Thanks for any help, and if you have suggestions for other possible laptops, I would consider any brand except Dell.</p>
<p>Also, should I spend extra money getting a better processor? It is equipped with an Intel Core i5-2520M Processor (3M Cache, 2.50GHz), or I could upgrade to either an Intel Core i5-2540M Processor (3M Cache, 2.60GHz) ($50 extra) or an Intel Core i7-2640M Processor (2.80GHz, 4M Cache with Turbo Boost up to 3.50GHz) ($190 extra). Is 4 GB enough “total memory,” or should I upgrade to 6 or 8 GB?</p>
<p>The ThinkPad x220t is a tablet PC so you can also take notes on it. It also supports an additional battery ( called a slice battery) so you can have more battery life.</p>
<p>I would recommend buying RAM yourself and upgrading and it. It’s generally not a good idea to pay the extra money for the company to upgrade it for you.</p>
<p>The Core i5-2520M is already a respectable processor. What type of work will you be doing with this laptop? Instead of a CPU upgrade you could upgrade the HDD to a SSD instead.</p>
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<p>I agree. IMO, the 0.1 increase in CPU would be less economical (cost-to-benefit ratio) than if upgrading from an HDD to SSD and depending on what you plan to do with the machine, an i5-2520M is typically powerful enough. i7 is an amazing tool to have, but it’s like using a chainsaw to cut kindling for the typical computist - you never really use it to the full potential unless you are planning on doing graphics intensive tasks (gaming or photo/video editing) or heavy programming.</p>
<p>The problem is I really don’t know what I will be doing. I will be majoring in either aerospace engineering or mechanical, and I don’t know whether I will be doing simulations on my computer or not. </p>
<p>I’ve been talking to my friends who know quite a bit about computers, and they have convinced me that it’s a good idea to get a mac book and double-boot it with windows so I have no incompatibility issues with software. Good idea? Yes or no?</p>
<p>And is a solid state drive worth the extra money? Judging from the above responses, it seems to be.</p>
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<p>Let me give you an example to see if you can conceptualize the power of the machine in question:</p>
<p>I have a 5 year old Toshiba X205 with an Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 CPU @ 1.8 GHz (4GB RAM and NVidia GeForce 8700M GT graphics card). I currently have an Excel workbook open, a couple web tabs including this one, instant messaging service open, and have a graphics intensive game open running at the highest graphic setting with minimal frame rate lag (Skyrim). With all of that going on, I have yet to hit 100% CPU usage (currently spiking anywhere between 4-64%) and I am sitting right at 2GB of memory.</p>
<p>So, I would propose, that if my old(er) <2GHz and minimal RAM machine can do that, then a 2.5GHz with 4-6GB RAM and even the base internal graphics chips they are installing these days would trounce all that even. IMO, even if you think you are going to be doing some sort of simulations or modeling (stuff of which I actually know nothing about), then still many of these out-of-the-box machines suffice in the undergraduate realm.</p>
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Dual booting a MAC for Windows software is technically possible with products like BooCamp and VMWare. However, there is a caveat. It has been my experience and understanding that dual booting a Mac for Windows does not eliminate all compatibility issues. You may still find a few limitations within those software products that a Genuine Windows machine can easily do. This view may come down to preference really. By that I mean, those who prefer Mac anyway, tend to put up with those limitations because it keeps them with their Mac. Those who prefer Windows figure “why put up with the extra little hassles when I can just get the genuine machine - for cheaper even?”</p>
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Have you ever owned a brand spankin’ new computer? Do you remember how fast it zang through files and displays, but for some reason now (maybe like 4-5 years later, like me) things seem a bit sluggish and you notice it takes a few seconds longer to open that file path that gets ever more buried in your metadata? Those instances are mainly due to hugely filled HDDs. Because they’re mechanical (indeed the only mechanically moving part in your computer), they actually have to perform a moving action to “look up” or “open” that file you impatiently are waiting to see. And every time you save or rewrite it, it has to move some more. Over time, like most machines with mechanically moving parts, these parts slow down from usage until finally they break. Other external forces like dropping or bumping it may expedite that inevitable moment.</p>
<p>An answer to the inevitable - the Solid State Drive. It is not mechanical, so it’s life span is exponentially longer than the HDD. Plus, with no moving arm to locate a specific disk location, this “chip set” gets more integrated into the fluidity of the other computer components, like CPU and RAM. Without any “move” delay, they can work together to get the file you want faster - for longer. This, IMO, creates more value to the machine as a whole compared to a 0.1 increase in CPU with an HDD.</p>
<p>The downside, which may be rather obvious, is current technological size limitations. With some common sizes of 128 or 256 GB, your real storage space will be about 20GB less with OS install, other start-up essential programs, and bloatware (which can be deleted anyway). This would constrain those who have their whole lives on a single drive. My advice for that is to use an external (HDD or SSD) that is sufficient enough space to hold all of those big files like movies/video, pictures, games, or even music libraries that are not essential for when you’re on the go. That way, you have a defacto back-up for those files in case your machine fails (plus the external would be interchangeable amongst multiple machines) and it leaves even less space taken up on your on board SSD.</p>
<p>So, yes, IMO, the SSD is usually worth every faux-copper Lincoln.</p>
<p>Have you asked an Engineering Professor about any of these aspects?</p>
<p>Macbooks are overrated. I bought a Fujitsu T5010 instead of a Macbook since it was way more practical. Instead of bringing many notebooks to school , I just bring my T5010 since I could take notes on it. My Fujitsu T5010 also has a better screen than the Macbook.</p>
<p>The Core 2 Duo T9550 in my T5010 is powerful enough for many MATLAB , PSPICE and MULTISIM simulations.</p>
<p>A 2nd gen Core i5 blows away my Core 2 Duo by a lot so you wouldn’t have problems with normal simulations assuming the program is ok.</p>
<p>The ThinkPad x220t also has the option for a great screen.
For me a convertible tablet PC is better than a Macbook for school work in general. If you want a great graphics card neither the Macbook or the convertible tablets offer that.</p>
<p>Let me summarize the pros of buying a convertible tablet such as the ThinkPad x220t:</p>
<p>+Two USER REPLACEABLE batteries ( one is optional ) for great battery life
+Can store many notes on the computer ( using your own hand writing or/and typing ; see Microsoft Onenote)
+The LCD screen can be much better than most laptops ( including the Macbook)</p>
<p>There are still compatibility issues with Bootcamp on Mac. I’m not sure if Apple has fixed this yet or not, but on my 2008 MacBook, I essentially need a mouse every time I want to use the computer because I can’t double click (left click) on my Window side. I also ran into trouble at an internship trying to run some software that would have worked fine on a PC. I love Macs, but know the computer I buy this summer as I prepare to transfer to a 4 year school will be a PC. </p>
<p>Also, CAD performance (and maybe Sim) is your primary concern as an aero major. My computer is competent for MATLAB, Java, one gazillion applications and windows opened, but lags while doing CAD. Not only does it lag, but it doesn’t properly display complicated drawings, which makes getting work done properly difficult. There are several sites about a CAD performance with reviews and general tips.</p>
<p>Purdue doesn’t require a laptop. There are labs for use by all students, and there are laptops in the classroom we can use if we want. As long as most programs work, it wont be a huge deal to walk down to a lab to do an assignment occasionally. </p>
<p>Another question: is the 256 gb of “flash” that comes with the MacBook air an ssd, and if not how does it differ?</p>
<p>Now you guys have me flipping back again to leaning towards a pc. Since I can overcome incompatibility issues fairly easier, would I be happier with a MacBook air or a lenovo x220t? They have fairly comparable specs and prices, but the air is lighter and seems like it would be easier to use once I mastered the Mac controls.</p>
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That is completely personal preference. Some don’t mind using the public comps every now and then when needed.</p>
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It is SSD. Directly from the Apple website for the Macbook Air: All-flash storage. No moving parts, yet incredibly nimble. Flash storage is solid state, so it’s reliable and efficient. It’s also really fast.</p>
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Have you fiddled with each in-store? Would Best Buy have the lenovo on display? Doing so may help you make your decision.</p>
<p>I was going to get a Macbook Air for my next computer mainly used for school, but once I went into the Apple store a few times to try out both the 11" and 13" models, I couldn’t really justify the price for what’s offered. I could spend $300 less and get a PC with all the same specs (with the MBA only beating it out in screen resolution - and the PC alternative didn’t have bluetooth on the base model, but dongles can be purchased for like $20) plus a RAM upgrade to 6GB. So instead I’ll be getting the Toshiba Portege Z835. In my recent opinionated findings, the MBA was hip and cool, light as a feather (the Toshiba Portege is actually almost 1/2 lb lighter), seemed like it would have easy simple controls once one was acclimated to the OS, but came with a 30% price premium for it. With no real under the hood hardware advantage, I just could not see spending the extra for it. Some use the “Macs are better protected from viruses etc” argument, but really, MS has come a long way in this respect, and though I use (and don’t mind paying for multiple year subscriptions to anti-virus software) ESET, I’ve heard good things about the free virus protection software that MS offers now. Believe me, Macs are no less impervious to viruses, it’s just that the very nature of the different OS shell makes it more unlikely an attack from a pre-scripted malicious software will be able to occur. Macs can, and in time will most likely be, specifically targeted. When Apple becomes a worth while target for hackers and the like, they will hack away. Apple themselves suggest to protect your Mac and also offer pre-installed control software for it, which I’ve heard it can be too restrictive and cumbersome, but I haven’t actually tried it for myself. Just watched youtube videos.</p>
<p>So, as del<em>psi says:
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<p>I am really right on the edge between getting a macbook or a lenovo. MacBooks are expensive, but I like the fact that I can get a 256GB (512 gets too expensive at $1100). The highest Lenovo offers is 160, which I just don’t think would be enough. How hard is it to install a hard drive yourself? 256GB are around $210, which is about what it would cost me to get a 160GB if I ordered it with the computer, but I know very little about compatibility or swapping hard drives. If it’s not too difficult, I may go with the lenovo because it will probably be better for engineering.</p>
<p>As long as the drive, HHD or SSD, is considered SATA (that’s the way a drive is considered to “connect” to your computer board), then it should be relatively easy. You simply open the drive bay (on a laptop it’s one of the little doors on the bottom) pull up the old HDD or SSD by an attached tap and pull out the opposite way that it is connected to the computer. Reverse the steps for placing the new drive in and voila!</p>
<p>You can google some more specific instructions as other sites usually give tips.</p>
<p>You can also refer to the machines manual or the manufacturer’s website to determine which drives would be compatible. There should be a wide range of them for either machine.</p>
<p>Just a suggestion: since memory storage space comes in a wide variety of forms these days, it’s not too hard to it in more unconventional ways. For example, external drives if they’re small (I have an 80GB external HDD that’s 3"x2.5" - easily fits in my back pocket or a bag or whatever), or if your computer has an SD card reader then you can slip in one of those as I’ve seen them go as high in storage as 32GB for a single card for about $30. Or you can tote around a couple thumb drives around too. A lot of this will depend on personal preference. Of course, if you’re the type that likes everything centrally located on a single drive, then these won’t work well with you.</p>