<p>I'm not sure at all, if I would need an intensely powerful computer or anything for any demanding programs, or if that's not a concern.</p>
<p>One that lets you use MS word and open emails.</p>
<p>Essentially any fairly priced computer on the market today will do. You don't need "intensely powerful" which often equates with "overly expensive" and "ultimate gaming."</p>
<p>You need to be able to run CAD programs, and that's it. Nothing too fancy. Anything equal or over 1GB will do fine, Windows XP/Vista. Mac is out of the question.</p>
<p>I disagree that Mac is out of the question. First, any engineering software that you will need should be on the schools computers. So unless you plan on dropping hundreds/thousands of dollars into CAD programs, CFD programs, math programs, etc. you don't need a PC. </p>
<p>The only software that I found myself turning to for virtually every class was Matlab, which runs on Macs fine, anything else that I needed I used the schools comps. I added it up once, and to purchase all the software that I used would have been just under $2k. </p>
<p>In terms of power, I have yet to solve a problem for a class that required anything more than a standard computer. Once you start getting to the research level, super computers are typically required and even still take hours to run simulations, which would kill normal comps.</p>
<p>Buy student versions and you'll save a bundle. Most of the software from AutoDesk is free for students with a .edu email address (although there is a watermark around the border on printouts). I know there's a student version of Matlab somewhere for under $100, the Adobe CS series for only a few hundred dollars (considering it retails in the thousands) and I'm sure there are others too. While you don't need these software on your own computer, it's convenient sometimes, especially if you don't live near campus.</p>
<p>The only reason I say don't get a Mac is because I have one for my EE program and it's a pain to run certain programs. Yes, I do have Parallels, which allows me to run WinXP, but the whole process is a pain when I want to run PSpice, for example. Parallels running makes my computer a little laggy, especially with Firefox, MS Word, MS Excel, Matlab (in Parallels), PSpice loaded (in Parallels), etc. </p>
<p>So, I guess I restate what I said earlier. Macs are NOT out of the question, as vienneriver noted, but there will be some hassles you'll have to go through... that's if you consider them hassles.</p>
<p>And ken285 is right, if the student lives off-campus, he'd have to stay on campus to get the work done on the school computers. The school computers should have the software readily available for you to use.</p>
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The only reason I say don't get a Mac is because I have one for my EE program and it's a pain to run certain programs. Yes, I do have Parallels, which allows me to run WinXP, but the whole process is a pain when I want to run PSpice, for example. Parallels running makes my computer a little laggy, especially with Firefox, MS Word, MS Excel, Matlab (in Parallels), PSpice loaded (in Parallels), etc.
[/quote]
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<p>maybe it wouldn't be so laggy if you dual-booted?</p>
<p>It's worth wile to note that many schools have worked out license agreements for may of those programs such as Matlab, Mathmatica, probaly some CAD programs, etc. This is especially true for most big schools where as long as you are registered for half of full time enrollment or something like that you will be able to get a cd or dowload a copy of the program for free or very low cost (read less than $10.) So you may want to be sure you have a computer with at least 1 gb of ram (2 if your running Vista) and a decent processor. Also another option may schools offer is to allow you to connect via ssh or a remote desktop application into certain computers in their lab. While this is not ideal, as at times it can be slow and you can loose the connection, it is another option if you can't have the programs installed on your own computer.</p>
<p>Oh okay, I mean I knew the school would provide the computers for the most part, but was wondering if you'd need like, some decked out monster for personal use too.</p>
<p>My school has several 24-hour labs which students can access. All nighters are fun.</p>