helterskelter

I'm trying to decide what type of computer to get for engineering. I've decided that, for my situation, a desktop would be best, but I'm not sure what specs I should be looking for. I know I'll need it for MS office type stuff, such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, etc., as well as programming. Also, I'd like to have personal versions of engineering programs, like Matlab. I probably won't, however, need a lot of memory (I think?) because I store all my music/movies and stuff on another computer. This would really be more of a "work" computer. I really know next to nothing when it comes to buying computers, so I'd appreciate any help.

chuy

I'd suggest getting a laptop. They're required at my school for everyone (engineers are required to have a tablet, but I don't recommend them.) Yes, they are less powerful for the same amount of money, but if it's going to be a "work" computer you don't need all that extra stuff to run games anyway, right? Also, you can take it to meetings and projects, as well as classes if you like to take your notes on a computer.

UriA702

Make sure it has a dual core processor. I would suggest a laptop so that you can work on the same projects anywhere you go. A centrino duo or core 2 duo with 2 gigs of ram would be ideal for 2 dimensional drafting software. Oh and of course a cd burner. Those are necessary, everything else is up to your needs. I would not suggest MS office as it is a rip off.

www.openoffice.org - Free office software - Word processor, Speedsheat, presentation software, etc. etc.

Ideal specs for a engineering student:

.Centrino Duo/ Core 2 duo
.2 gb of ram for multi tasking as well as 3d drafting software
.100 gig hd should be sufficient if you plan on running crap, WHOOPS i mean Windows.
.A good video card ATLEAST 256 mb of vram (intel x3100, Ati Radeon, Nvidia GeForce) - try to get a card with installed vram as opposed to onboard memory which shares memory with your system ram and runs A LOT SLOWER.
A cd/dvd burner to burn backups of projects and other data will come in very useful.
.Windows XP - Personally, I use linux but for AutoCAD you will need windows - STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS VISTA it eats resources and will slow down your pc dramatically.

I would recommend a laptop - HP dv2005T or Sony FZ140E. Both Great for engineering students both new with the latest technology.

If you plan on getting personal copies of AutoCAD and MATLAB be prepapred to pay top dollar if you plan on purchasing them legally. You can always download them via torrent software - But that is illegally pirating software if you don't mind doing that as most college students don't - by all means. Otherwise, be prepared to pay $1500 for AutoCAD

helterskelter

Thanks for all the help. However, I'm still leaning towards getting a desktop for a number of reasons. First, they tend to cost less, and I'd rather not spend too much for this. Second, I'll be commuting, so I won't always have access to the school's computer labs. Therefore, I think its important for me to have the programs like matlab and autocad (and any other engineering software that the school would have) on my own computer so I can work from home as often as possible. I also think that getting a laptop with the specs to run that kind of software would be very expensive, compared to what I'd pay for a desktop with those specs. Third, I just prefer desktops to laptops (I hate typing on those laptop keyboards). Can you recommend any good desktops?

Also, regarding the personal copies of AutoCAD and MATLAB. It's probably true that, for some engineering programs, the software is extremely expensive. If I have to use those programs, I'll probably just use the school's computer labs. But doesn't MATLAB, for example, have a reasonably priced student version?

Then again there's always bittorrent...

sky

Uhmm... yea... I'm gonna have to disagree with you there.

There really isn't a need to get a top of the line machine for engineering work. There are very few things that are so computationally intensive that they require workstation-class specifications. The extra 5 minutes of computational time that you save per semester with such a powerful computer isn't going to be worth the premium you pay for the technology. Also, getting a powerhouse laptop is pretty useless for mobile computing. Most of the time, your processor is automatically underclocked anyways to save power.

If money isn't an concern, then by all means, get the best you can afford. In fact, I would say you're better off getting $1000 laptop and a $1000 desktop (at the same time) rather than spending $2000 on either one. As long as you don't go for the bargain basement computer (stay away from the $499 type deals), then you'd have sufficient computing power for anything you'd do at the undergraduate engineering level.

I'd also disagree with you about the recommendation to stay away from MS Office. It is the standard in both the academia and industry. You will be expected to turn in MS documents. Sure, they might be compatible for the most part, but do you want to risk your files not opening or not having the same functionality that your classmates and professors expect from you? When your spreadsheets start getting complicated and start using macros and VBA, are you guaranteed that they will work 100% correctly in openoffice? Perhaps, but that's not something I would blindly recommend to someone else. Don't burden them with a risk that they might not be willing to take.

Watson&Crick

I wanted to ask you guys how much computer skills is recommended for a high school student to pursue engineering in college. I have not taken any computer programming class yet, but am interested in engineering (maybe BME or ChemE).

BTW, I really suck at a computer, though I excel at other science subjects. How much will that impact my engineering courses later?

asbereth

Get a desktop dude! It's more powerful, and it's cheaper. For the same price (or less) that you'd pay for a 'work' laptop, you could get a 'gaming' desktop (not that you will have time to play games anyway in engineering, but still...).

From what you said, I would assume that you would mostly stay at home to do school projects and problem sets? Then all the more reason to get a desktop. Even if you stay on campus most of the time (like most engineering students do), it's not like you'd need to carry your computer wherever you go, and you can always use computers in the computer labs. Using school's computers has its advantage, mainly: they would have programs that otherwise would be too expensive to buy (Ansys, CAD, Catia, Matlab, Office what have you).

The only reason that you might need a laptop would be if you're going to be doing your homework a lot when you're working. But then again, when you work, you don't do homework, unless your job consists of mostly waiting or something... Or if you are traveling a lot. But that's not likely to happen as you will spend 15 hours a day in the lab anyway...

"I wanted to ask you guys how much computer skills is recommended for a high school student to pursue engineering in college. I have not taken any computer programming class yet, but am interested in engineering (maybe BME or ChemE)."

I think you'd learn anything you need in college. A solid programming background in C or Java would be good, but most engineering majors would require you to take these classes anyway (in college). Unless you don't even know how to turn on the computer (but that's close to impossible), I don't think you should be worried about it that much.

ken285

There are free student versions of AutoDesk software (incuding AutoCAD) for download at http://students.autodesk.com . You just need to register for it via a school email account. Be wary of hardware requirements though.

I'd also stick with MS Office as sky said, it's pretty much the standard, and openoffice might cause more trouble than it might solve if others are reading your docs in MS office.

quicksilver40133

If I had it to do again, I'd get a desktop. I'm a big power nut, and even though I don't necessarily *need* the extra mmpf a nicely done desktop can provide, I like using them more. If you appreciate the finer aspects of computing, do yourself a favor, and get a desktop. Particularly if you can't picture yourself out on the lawn playing with your computer.

Loverboyfan420

i wouldnt worry about computers for engineering. use the comp lab for that.

your home comp should just be for porn and ****

UriA702

sky - all extensions are the same. .doc, .xls, you can change to other formats.
take into consideration that a personal computer is not the same as the pcs in the school lab, other programs and softwares will be running which will cause lag and can be extremely stressful if you don't have a machine considerably powerful. Considering that the OP does not exactly sound like the type of person whose going to control the processes run by his pc, so ill assume some sort of instant messaging program, and other useless junk will be running in the background.

Maybe I am just thinking long term - each year these programs come out with new more powerful versions that eat resources like there is no tomorrow. you'd want new software you use to be stable on the same PC 3 years from now.
Since you think 2 gb of ram is too much I will make an educated assumption that you have never used Windows Vista which is a resource hog, my desktop runs a p4 3.0 with ht, a gig of ddr2 ram, 256mb nvidia video, 120 gig ata hard drive and runs like CRAP THANKS TO WINDOWS VISTA. Buying a new PC it is not unlikely to be getting VISTA included.

Shackleford

Open Office blows.

calkid

Lot of people recommend Thinkpads. I have one and I love it for it's reliability and sturdy feel. It's The workhorse laptop.

UriA702

Not since lenovo aquired the rights to market their junk as "thinkpads." I'd say the T series are great. My brother actually had one stolen.

To the OP: where will you be purchasing the pc? If it's via the web check out www.newegg.com. You could always order parts and put the PC together yourself, The process is rather simple. If not i'd recommend a pc from a site such as newegg, by not paying for brand name you save a ton, like someone else mentioned dont buy the "449 special" 800-1000 can get you a very very good high level midrange pc

greenvison

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