Computer Science Canada

So..New Laptop?
Author:  jseto [ Mon May 17, 2010 10:04 pm ]
Post subject:  So..New Laptop?
Anyways, after being accepted into Waterloo comp sci, ive been looking heavily into different laptops to purchase. Ive been really set on buying a Lenovo Thinkpad t410, but I was browsing this forum, and i was reading an old thread called "Mac vs PC" , where it stated that the Math department runs on unix. So im slightly confused. Should i actually consider buying a mac, of will a pc do?
Author:  jcollins1991 [ Mon May 17, 2010 10:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So..New Laptop?
jseto wrote:

Anyways, after being accepted into Waterloo comp sci, ive been looking heavily into different laptops to purchase. Ive been really set on buying a Lenovo Thinkpad t410, but I was browsing this forum, and i was reading an old thread called "Mac vs PC" , where it stated that the Math department runs on unix. So im slightly confused. Should i actually consider buying a mac, of will a pc do?


No matter what operation system you run you'll be able to do your work... The computers/workstations in MC (the main math building on campus) run a bunch of different systems like windows, mac os, linux, and solaris (maybe more, I forget)... For assignments in CS135 (first CS course) you'll be using Dr. Scheme which is available for any OS... In CS136 we used a setup of Ubuntu (run on virtual box so anyone could use it) with all of the tools we needed for the course built it... Now in CS241 we're using the tools on the universities systems, which can be accessed IRL through the labs, through the terminal in mac or linux, or using certain programs on windows (I'm not sure which, I think it's cygwin or something)... IMO the most important thing is buy the type of computer that you think will be good for you, if a course needs a specific setup the university will most likely provide it to you...
Author:  Euphoracle [ Mon May 17, 2010 10:36 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:So..New Laptop?
Buy a PC and put ubuntu on it. Best of both worlds. This is the most cost effective/functional option. The other option is Macbook which lets you use OSX and still work with the unix stuff at wloo. The (arguably) worst option is pc + winders but to each their own.
Author:  jseto [ Mon May 17, 2010 10:38 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:So..New Laptop?
wow quick answers! I'd just thought of this question, especially because I walked around the MC building last weekend, and I saw A LOT of Macs.
Author:  Tony [ Mon May 17, 2010 11:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: RE:So..New Laptop?
Euphoracle @ Mon May 17, 2010 10:36 pm wrote:
Buy a PC and put ubuntu on it. Best of both worlds. This is the most cost effective

While Thinkpad t410 says it starts at $1000, a couple of the reviews that come up say that they've actually been testing ~$1250 and ~$1500 models, which puts those right on par with 13" MacBook Pros ($1200, or $1500 configurations).

The University provides a free copy of Win7 to students.

Either way, any financial argument here is +/- $200 tops (and it's not immediately clear in which direction either). Though over a lifetime of a laptop, the significance diminishes greatly. Is using one kind of a laptop over another bring you $0.25 worth of utility per day?
Author:  Euphoracle [ Tue May 18, 2010 7:09 am ]
Post subject:  RE:So..New Laptop?
^ Revenge of Econ 101.

Anyway, you assume that the price can be averaged down for a term of 2-3 years. I don't know about you but when the bill for my laptop came, I kinda had to pay for it :\
Author:  jcollins1991 [ Tue May 18, 2010 8:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: RE:So..New Laptop?
Euphoracle @ Tue May 18, 2010 7:09 am wrote:
^ Revenge of Econ 101.

Anyway, you assume that the price can be averaged down for a term of 2-3 years. I don't know about you but when the bill for my laptop came, I kinda had to pay for it :\


Lol, I've had to pay for both of my laptops (both in the last 2 years since one broke rather quickly XD)... And just a little detail, but UW doesn't provide a free copy of Windows 7, they provide two Razz
Author:  wtd [ Tue May 18, 2010 8:37 am ]
Post subject:  RE:So..New Laptop?
Portability and build quality are paramount in your situation.

I would say 13-14" screens, and for build quality, consider MacBook Pros, Lenovo's Thinkpads, or HP's ProBooks or EliteBooks.
Author:  jcollins1991 [ Tue May 18, 2010 8:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: So..New Laptop?
hmmm won't let me edit my old post saying that I can't edit something that's been replied to, even though it hasn't... so i'll put it here

edit: realized this post was sorta useless in its current state, so heres the link for the software incase you were wondering... http://www.housing.uwaterloo.ca/resnet/resnet/ist.html ... btw, if you buy a mac just take some form of proof that you're attending a university when you buy the system and you can get a discount (on the lowest end model I think it's $50 so the price is down to $1249), and they might have the iPod deal where if you buy an iPod you can get a mail in rebate for it (though you have to pay for the mac, ipod, (and warranty if you want it) all up front so it can easily come out to over $2000 >.<)... Oh, and if you buy a pc, make sure you have accidental damage protection... I didn't, so even though the idiot at HP support said my repair would be free, when they got it they called and told me they wanted $600... And back to mac, if you do buy one I'd suggest the Apple Care warranty, AFAIK it covers faulty parts and stuff extended to 3 years past purchase date (no accidental coverage ;(..) and the tech store on campus can get it repaired on site for you free of charge, they just have to order parts if they don't have them in stock...

@WTD, HP elitebooks are IMO just ripoffs of macs and from what I looked at a few months ago they cost more for similar components (for the lower end models)
Author:  Tony [ Tue May 18, 2010 2:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: RE:So..New Laptop?
Euphoracle @ Tue May 18, 2010 7:09 am wrote:
Anyway, you assume that the price can be averaged down for a term of 2-3 years. I don't know about you but when the bill for my laptop came, I kinda had to pay for it :\

That's the assumption, yes.

jcollins1991 @ Tue May 18, 2010 8:29 am wrote:

Lol, I've had to pay for both of my laptops (both in the last 2 years since one broke rather quickly XD)...

I've paid for my laptop when I got it. It was a lightly used MacBook (they hold their resell value ridiculously well) and it's been serving me wonderfully for the 2 years (and counting) since. I still can't justify an upgrade, since it continues to work so well.
Author:  wtd [ Tue May 18, 2010 7:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So..New Laptop?
jcollins1991 @ Tue May 18, 2010 9:44 pm wrote:
@WTD, HP elitebooks are IMO just ripoffs of macs and from what I looked at a few months ago they cost more for similar components (for the lower end models)


I'm not trying to evangelize them too much here, but I would counter this a bit. EliteBooks are solidly built machines with good warranties at competitive prices.

Consider particularly the 8440p.
Author:  jcollins1991 [ Tue May 18, 2010 8:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So..New Laptop?
wtd @ Tue May 18, 2010 7:55 pm wrote:
jcollins1991 @ Tue May 18, 2010 9:44 pm wrote:
@WTD, HP elitebooks are IMO just ripoffs of macs and from what I looked at a few months ago they cost more for similar components (for the lower end models)


I'm not trying to evangelize them too much here, but I would counter this a bit. EliteBooks are solidly built machines with good warranties at competitive prices.

Consider particularly the 8440p.


>__< I was thinking of the Envy models that look like mac ripoffs... The EliteBooks actually look pretty good for a student laptop, and if you get the accidental damage warranty you've got a laptop that will easily last you for all of university
Author:  jseto [ Tue May 18, 2010 8:35 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:So..New Laptop?
I really considered the hp Elitebook, but im really not a fan of the 1366 x 768 resolution. If i were to go with the discrete graphics card + a higher resolution screen, its gonna cost > $1500 which is completely beyond my budget. Currenty there is a 35% discount off of thinkpads, so i can get a fully loaded comp for < $1000. I really want a macbook pro, but i really cant stand the glossy screen. (Im typing on a laptop with one right now Sad) It kinda sucks that MBP cost quite a bit, but thinkpads will stay more technologically relevant longer.
Author:  Tony [ Tue May 18, 2010 8:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: RE:So..New Laptop?
jseto @ Tue May 18, 2010 8:35 pm wrote:
thinkpads will stay more technologically relevant longer.

Curious as to what you might mean with that.
Author:  jseto [ Tue May 18, 2010 8:51 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:So..New Laptop?
Hmm, well i was more referring to the thinkpad as compared to the elitebook and in that respect, a discrete grapics card, more ram will help especially if i do choose to play newer and more graphically intensive games/applications.
Author:  wtd [ Tue May 18, 2010 9:40 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:So..New Laptop?
If you're buying a laptop to use as a gaming machine... don't.
Author:  jseto [ Tue May 18, 2010 11:07 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:So..New Laptop?
haha only very light gaming.
Author:  ProgrammingFun [ Wed May 19, 2010 8:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: RE:So..New Laptop?
wtd @ Tue May 18, 2010 9:40 pm wrote:
If you're buying a laptop to use as a gaming machine... don't.


I did...and I can tell you that you can get a much better deal on a desktop with the same specs:

I originally planned on buying a desktop for ~$800 (but it wasn't in stock),
my laptop (half the specs) cost me ~$1100.

Both prices don't include tax.
Author:  wtd [ Wed May 19, 2010 8:24 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:So..New Laptop?
Also... for gaming: consoles. Better title availability these days and no checking system requirements, plus much lower cost of entry ($200-300).
Author:  RandomLetters [ Fri Jun 11, 2010 10:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So..New Laptop?
For gaming? Especially casual?

Desktop > Laptop > Console

Consoles have terrible title availability. Proprietary content, expensive production, low quality gaming.
Desktops are much more affordable than laptops (because they dont need to focus on portability) and give u access to a wide range of smaller, independent games that will last you forever.
Author:  zero-impact [ Fri Jun 11, 2010 11:11 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:So..New Laptop?
I would have to disagree with you on one point RandomLetters. I would say Consoles are MUCH more affordable then pc gaming. Take for instance the BestBuy website. You can buy an Xbox 360 for only $180.

However the absolute cheapest desktop tower is $280. Also, note that the tower I mentioned would barely be able to play any of today's modern games.

The nice thing about pc gaming that I can think of is, if something breaks, you can just take it out and replace it. However, I have had a Xbox 360 for 2 years now, and Microsoft gladly replaced it for free when the network card got fried in a thunderstorm.

Anyways, just my 2 cents.

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