<p>My s got accepted to penn engineering this week and now his computer died. Should I get him a cheap computer now to finish out the year or splurge now on a good one. What type of capabilities will he need for engineering at penn? Are there benefits from buying from penn computing? At my older sons school if you bought the computer from the school it came loaded with all the software you needed to access the schools web and Microsoft word etc for like 10 dollars, excellent repair services like loaner labtops, etc. definitely an advantage. Should I buy a cheap one now and wait till the summer to get a good one then because of plans offered like that from penn computers?</p>
<p>In short, he’s probably going to want a pretty good computer (most kids come in to Penn with something new and shiny). You CAN buy a computer through Computer Connection (Penn’s computer store, linked below) and there are fancy warranties and everything, but unless he’s going to be rough and tumble with his gear, you can find the same models other places for cheaper. Most laptops these days DO come preloaded with some software, and sometimes MS Office. You don’t need any special software to connect to the web here, and the computer labs on campus give out free discs with whatever little proprietary bundled software you’d probably get preloaded on a Computer Connection computer. In short, personally, I would get a good laptop now and just take care of it; I’ve linked two very reputable websites below, where most of the laptops come with warranties, or you can add one on for a good price.</p>
<p>I don’t know if engineering kids need specifically stronger hardware, but I’m sure anything you buy today in the $700-850 range is more than enough. There are also zillions of great desktop computers all over campus (all of which have LOTS of useful, expensive software installed) in case he has a specific project that needs extra computing power.</p>
<p>Hope that helps! </p>
<p>Penn Campus Connection (CCX):
[Computer</a> Connection](<a href=“Computer Connection | Business Services”>Computer Connection | Business Services)</p>
<p>Good place to shop #1:
[Newegg.com</a> - Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, and More!](<a href=“Are you a human?”>http://www.newegg.com/)</p>
<p>Good place to shop #2:
[TigerDirect.com</a> - Electronics, Tablets, Phones, Office Supplies & Video Games](<a href=“TigerDirect Sunset”>http://www.tigerdirect.com/)</p>
<p>EDIT:
Any money you’d spend now on “a cheap computer” would probably be equal to the money you’d save by waiting for bundled stuff from Computer Connection. Plus he’d end up with two computers (and reselling could mean a loss of 50-100 bucks.)</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Get him a good computer now, and buying from Penn or not depends on which would save you money. Sometimes, it’s not always cheapest. I did not buy mine from Penn. The website said something like (not sure exactly) at least 4.0G ram, i5, etc. But Penn will send you a letter later on with the specific details of minimum specs needed for engineering.</p>
<p>The state college I teach at requires students to buy computers from the college, that’s it. Be happy you can choose.</p>
<p>Penn has a lot of computing resources on campus, so the worst thing that could happen is spending a lot of time in a computer lab.</p>