Laptop for College (Computer Engineering Major)

[Invancible]

I will be attending the University of Arkansas this fall, and I am looking for the best laptop to be my everyday workstation for the next 4-5 years.  Quality is a big thing for me, I can't stand when things feel cheap.

 

Basically, I'm looking at probably at least 8GB of RAM, and an SSD (probably 256GB or 512).  15" screen, so I have plenty of real estate to work with.  I have been looking at getting a Macbook Pro w/ Retina, but since they're not coming out until after school starts, they're expensive, and there can be compatibility issues, I have begun to look into a windows machine.

 

It would be extremely ideal if the laptop didn't have any kind of bloatware whatsoever.  Budget doesn't really matter because my scholarships are paying for it.

 

Thanks a ton!

[Invancible]

Also, at least a core i5 if not an i7

[target39]

Install Windows on your Macbook Pro.  :D

 

Also, would you rather have portability (weight and thickness), battery life, or CPU and Graphics performance? 

[laxer]

I would avoid macs....

 

CE is a very different discipline than CS but, I have found through my studies that most of the instructors use tools that are very difficult to make work on things other than windows.

 

I am not up to date on the laptop market but I would go with some type of ultrabook. Light, portable, generally a strong uni-body design, and still some computing power for when you need it.

 

In all reality head down to a local store and see what they have. Play with everything then go home and do some research.

 

Nothing beats hands on experience and no one knows what you want better than you.

[Invancible]

I would never be able to look at all of them, so I just need a little bit of direction.  I know some brands, but the power I need to use some of the programs would make me carry around a 5-6lb laptop which is a little much.

[Invancible]

Install Windows on your Macbook Pro.  :D

 

Also, would you rather have portability (weight and thickness), battery life, or CPU and Graphics performance? 

I dont want to spend the kind of money it takes to get a Macbook Pro if I'm going to be spending all of my time in windows though.

 

That's tough... I guess I want the best balance of all of them leaning slightly towards CPU and graphics

[target39]

I would suggest a Razer Blade because of its similar build to a Macbook Pro, but it has a far more inferior TN display. Also, I thought your scholarships were paying for the laptop?

[Invancible]

I would suggest a Razer Blade because of its similar build to a Macbook Pro, but it has a far more inferior TN display. Also, I thought your scholarships were paying for the laptop?

I'll have to float the money until my university reimburses me.

[WoodenMarker]

Take a look at some Thinkpads: http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/index.html

[TheProfosist]

Get a thinkpad especially if you going for engineering. Look at the T and the W series.

[TheProfosist]

I would order the cheapest ram and hdd then upgrade yourself. If find a second hdd/ssd to be usefull so maybe look at one that has the ultra bay where you can swap the disc drive for a hdd. For that I would let them ship you it with the optical drive and the buy the adapter sepearately and stick you own drive in.

[1funnygame]

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/edge-series/e531/?sb=:00000025:00003667:

you can change the specs to how you want them

[target39]

http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/memory-storage/MZ-7PD512BW

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/edge-series/e531/?sb=:00000025:00003667:

but your gonna have to deal with 4 gigs of ram if thats ok

$340 to upgrade from 4gb to 16gb? Just buy two 8gb 204 pin SODIMMs off ebay and install it on there and you have 16gb of RAM for a third of the price.

[Emperor_Piehead]

It's a little smaller than what you want, but this would be my recommendation http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np2740-clevo-w740su-p-6201.html

It's in the form factor of not really an ultrabook size, but smaller than a standard desktop replacement laptop.

 

-14in 1920x1080p IPS screen that can be color calibrated from xotic

-I7 4950HQ and has hd 5200 graphics

-comes standard 8gb of ram $80 more for 16gb

-comes with a 128gb msata ssd standard, but can be upgraded to a 240gb/256gb ssd + it has an empty 2.5in bay

-no bloatware

-For extra cooling you can add some extra copper or IC diamond thermal compound

 

Also if you want you can do something fancy like getting the laptop wrapped in carbon fiber or get a laser etching on it.

[Lil Chillbil]

If you are looking for a workstation I recomend a dell precision m4600

[ObeseWalrus]

http://www.vizio.com/notebook/overview