What type of computer for engineers? - Page 2

Meteorain007 · 08-01-2007, 03:04 AM

Matlab is very expensive, even for the Student version. I bought a license for the student version through school for about $40. Unfortunately, the license only lasted for one semester, which i thought was a major ripoff.

If you want a copy of matlab that will work forever, youll either need to shell out a couple thousand for it.

OR, you can just look around and download a cracked copy from bittorrent.

sky · 08-01-2007, 04:34 AM

Meteorain007,

The student edition of MATLAB (not just the semester long license) is about $100. This includes the fully functional version of MATLAB and Simulink.

Also, it is highly inappropriate for you to suggest that he steal software illegally. If you choose to engage in illegal activities, that is between you and your lawyer, but don't go around encouraging others to do the same. MATLAB is excellent software and worthy of purchase. The student edition is reasonably priced.

sky · 08-01-2007, 05:01 AM

Quote:

sky - all extensions are the same. .doc, .xls, you can change to other formats.

I'm quite aware that OpenOffice can attempt to open most of MS Office's files, what I am concerned about is the 100% functionality. Does OpenOffice support features like 'track changes', styles, objects (like equation editor), all of the reference features, etc. etc? Does OpenOffice's spreadsheet support VBA, macros, and all of Excel's built-in functions? Can you guarantee me that if you get a MS file, then save it in OpenOffice and send it back out to your group, that absolutely no data or functionality was lost? Are all the changes and comments still going to be there in the Word document? Is the VBA code still going to be in the Excel file? [Hint: I don't actually want to you enumerate every feature I listed, I want a simply yes or no answer] Regardless of what you say, as others have said in addition to what I have, MS Office is the standard everywhere you go. You will be expected to know it inside and out. It is also good software. Say what you will about Microsoft, but Office is good software, full stop.

Getting back to the issue about required hardware, you don't need 2GB ram and 256MB video ram to run instant messaging apps and typical productivity software. Don't get me wrong, I personally like very fast computers and have always built powerful workstations for myself. However, I do not agree with your recommendation of what he needs. If he has the money to waste, then by all means, he should get the best system he can. However, he can get everything he needs for less than $1000. If he can find a system with the specs you recommended for that price, great. If not, it's not a big deal, and he should get what he can without spending a fortune.

greenvison · 08-01-2007, 11:10 AM

@@@SKY,

man u really stuck on that 1000 dollar bond arent you? Then please feel free to suggest a laptop( forget the Macs) for me, an engineering student. I want to buy something under 850. because i will be paying about 250+ for software..
I have been searching like crazy, came to the fact that Core duo is a must have. Why do we even need 2Gb of ram? I have running on 512, it never consumes over 412!(with a movie running)

UriA702 · 08-01-2007, 11:52 AM

Sky- are you keeping up at all with the pc industry? Low end pc's are now offered with 512 mb of ram. 2 gb is pretty much standard at this point. Windows Vista is a resource hog.

$1000 will get the buyer a high range desktop if he shops wisely and doesn't pay for brand name with useless support. I have always assembled PCs myself and find them to be far superior as far as reliability goes, in comparison with paying for a brand name.

If the OP does go ahead and buy a pc with 512 mb of ram, how long is it really gonna last him before he needs to upgrade? Why not get the most for your money, shop around and get the best deal instead of settling for something low to mid ranged that will need to be upgrades in a year.

Longhorn2007 · 08-01-2007, 05:35 PM

I got a Macbook. It is an amazing computer. I'm majoring in BME. Should I have gotten a PC?

milki · 08-01-2007, 05:51 PM

I couldn't agree with UriA more, 512 MB is the bare minimum. Get at least 1 Gig!

ken285 · 08-01-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

sky - all extensions are the same. .doc, .xls, you can change to other formats.

I have opened openoffice files in MS office, and did notice some things coming out a bit funky. Not all the time, but it happens enough for me to get MS Office 2007 when I get my new computer instead of relying on openoffice.

UriA702 · 08-01-2007, 10:04 PM

That's cool, My opinion is that ms products - not worth a cent.

For desktops - check out the pentium D too its a beast

Morning_Theft · 08-01-2007, 11:26 PM

Get which ever computer you want. It's stupid to buy a computer based on the major you're choosing as an undergraduate. Who knows if you'll stay in the major or not. Also, most libraries the software needed for any class, why pay money for something you can use for free?

chronic · 08-02-2007, 01:07 AM

UriA, what in the world are you smoking?

pentium D is the most watered-down piece of ***** ever, i hope you weren't serious with that one

but UriA is right with the self-built computers

it takes no more than an hour to put together the parts and you get a far superior computer for however much you spent as opposed to a name brand pos computer that probably uses pos parts (that is if you go the desktop route)

if you decide to go laptop, i would recommend either a macbook or a dell (dells are horrible for desktops but they build solid laptops for a lot cheaper than any other crappy brand i.e. toshiba)

whether you are getting a laptop or a desktop, i will recommend you to get an intel duo core with at least 1 gig of ram (512 will cause some lag, while 2 gigs is overkill for most people) HDD space we can't decide for you because you know yourself best

UriA702 · 08-02-2007, 10:29 AM

I was being sarcastic. Just as if i wrote GO FOR THE CELERON ITS SMOKING

chronic · 08-02-2007, 08:37 PM

haha for sure

ken285 · 08-03-2007, 04:44 PM

Quote:

if you decide to go laptop, i would recommend either a macbook or a dell (dells are horrible for desktops but they build solid laptops for a lot cheaper than any other crappy brand i.e. toshiba)

Very interesting... I have heard exactly the opposite from people who I know that have Dell computers. everybody with a desktop loves theirs, and everybody with a laptop has had major problems.

UriA702 · 08-03-2007, 06:43 PM

from personal experience stay away from dell laptops and desktops. their customer service is junk. I would recommend putting together your own desktop. It's a good learning experience. If not order from tigerdirect, newegg, or others who assemble pcs themselves and ship them out. You save money and get better quality parts. Dell uses cheap made in china parts. I had a dell inspiron E1505 specs were great but the quality was junk. I now have a sony vaio and love it. it feels very strong and durable. Macbooks are great as well and can now run windows!