JupiterMonky

I can see what you mean GoodBytes that if I bring a desktop to college there is no need for a laptop. It is mostly a want for me. I don't want to be limited to my dorm rooms or computer labs. The laptop would allow me to work outside of these areas. I don't know if my courses will be heavily math focused but if they are then I understand why pen and paper have more freedom than just typing. All this supports you idea of taking my first semester before buying a laptop. Cooljonathan, I'll take your experience and I'll ask others how they feel about their first year at college with a laptop.

To add more information on and maybe solve some questions: I will be dorming at Stony Brook University, which focuses a lot on math and sciences, so I'm going to assume there will be a lot of wall outlets to plug a laptop in. There is no policy for bringing a desktop so I don't see any trouble doing so. I shy away from the Surface Pro in general because I don't really need a touch screen or stylus. I don't need a touch screen in general because I don't find myself using it. I don't need a stylus in general because typing is faster for me and if I need to draw a diagram or something I will use pencil and paper because that is more practical. Yes the Surface Pro has a lot of features but no do I need them. If the prices were lower and the specs were better I would consider it, maybe the Surface Pro 4 could be my choice. I also shy away from Apple as I feel a Windows computer is better for Computer Engineering, and rather have a native Windows computer than a boot camped Apple computer. I don't see gaming as an issue because I play old games or non intensive games: League of Legends, Terraria, etc. If I were to play a graphic intense game I would be in my room, door closed, and on my desktop. The only real reason for a discrete graphics card for me is probably if I needed to design something using a program. I'm going to research more on the first semester. If I don't really need a laptop for the first semester, then I will wait unless a sale comes. If I do need one then I will probably wait until Windows 10 comes out and see price drops.

I've read through all your replies several times and I'm still conflicted one whether to buy an ultrabook or a gaming laptop because of the trade offs. Buying an ultrabook would mean I would have a longer battery life and an easier time transporting it but it might not fulfill all 4 years of college. Buying a gaming laptop would be the opposite, I would have a shorter battery life and it will be harder to transport but I will have the peace of mind of it working for all 4 years of college. I can work around the gaming laptop by accepting it's size and weight, and solve the battery problem by plugging it into the wall rather than using it on battery for the whole day. However, if I know that an ultrabook can do all 4 years then I will be push over to buy one. If I were to buy a gaming computer I would pick the brand MSI. I've heard only good reviews on it and a few bad one of the Lenovo. I didn't state this on the original post before, sorry, but I have in mind to bring my desktop over to college. I have a 21" monitor so this would solve the small monitor issue of the XPS 13. I can adapt to a keyboard but if it were to happen that I can't, I could use my keyboard of 3 years to be more comfortable. And if I have any intensive work I could use my desktop, it has an Intel i5 3570K, Nvidia GTX 560, and 8GB of RAM. I would like to know if your opinions are still the same or have changed. Also I wouldn't mind waiting for Windows 10 or Skylake CPU, but after reading of some of other people's opinions I think I should stick with a Windows 8.1 system. They said that we wouldn't know if Windows 10 would be better of worse, probably buggy so Windows 8.1 is safer. And if Skylake does come out would the performance be that much better, it would be more expensive so I think I would just stick with Broadwell. Overall I think the systems I buy now will be good for 4 years, there is no great need for the latest OS or CPU. However, I will try to hold off until buying a laptop until Windows 10 comes out to see if the price drops. If you are still here reading this, THANK YOU ALL FOR LISTENING AND GIVING ME ADVICE.

I will be attending college this upcoming fall of 2015. I will be majoring in computer engineering. I want a laptop that I could bring around easily and do all my tasks. I want to invest in the Dell XPS 13 but I'm not sure if that will be good for all four years as a computer engineer major. People also suggested me getting the MSI GE70 or GE62, or the Lenovo Y50. Please help me decide on a laptop. These are models I've picked out: Dell XPS 13: http://www.amazon.com/Newest-Model-Dell-Ultrabook-Computer/dp/B00VWC2NBO/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1436677315&sr=1-2&keywords=xps+13+2015 MSI GE70: http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GE70-Pro-681-17-3-Inch-Aluminum/dp/B00TI6TASK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1436670312&sr=8-2&keywords=msi+ge MSI GE62: http://www.amazon.com/MSI-15-6-Inch-GE62-APACHE-082-9S7-16J212-082/dp/B00YPEIFYA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436677478&sr=8-1&keywords=msi+ge62&pebp=1436677487672&perid=1N1P75EFQ6CE85YFJBW9 Lenovo Y50: http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-15-6-Inch-Touchscreen-Gaming-Windows/dp/B00K6ZIFFG/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1436678068&sr=1-1&keywords=y50&pebp=1436678074569&perid=1EKR2W7XN772695P7KB0

I found Linus Tech Tips looking at review of parts before I built my first computer. I subscribed because of the entertaining yet informative videos put out by the NCIX group.