<p>Hey guys, I figured this would be the best place to ask about computer-related questions :)</p>
<li><p>What’s the difference between the
-512MB DDR-SDRAM (DDR333, 512 MBx1)
-512MB DDR-SDRAM (DDR333, 256MBx2) ?</p></li>
<li><p>How much memory do I really need for my hard drive? Is 30GB enough, or do you recommend 60GB+?</p></li>
<li><p>How long does the Standard Lithium-Ion Battery (BPS2A) last? Do I need to get the Double Lithium-Ion Battery?</p></li>
<li><p>Are you guys bringing printers with you? Any specific kinds you recommend? </p></li>
</ol>
<p>1) 512x1 fills one slot, so it’s more cost effective to upgrade but probably costs more. 256x2 fills both slots and is more expensive to upgrade (since you’ll have to put one of them away and waste it in order to replace it with the bigger RAM) but initially cheaper.</p>
<p>2) I would recommend at least 40 GB, but I guess it depends on what you’re going to use it for.</p>
<p>3) Depends on the model; double is probably a little bigger or heavier but last longer, or something like that.</p>
<p>4) I’m bringing a color printer, but they have free printing services there. Having one’s own is more convenient, I’d think.</p>
<p>1) Some laptops only have one memory slot, having one with two is good.</p>
<p>2) I agree on the 40 GB. 250 songs is about one gig in my iTunes, but actually on the hard disk of my computer, it takes up about twice as much space (maybe it’s the pictures and possible double copies that did that…) If you do anything with movies, you need more space. Pictures also take a significant amount, and large numbers of new games (things like Sim City 4, World of Warcraft, and Rise of Nations) take up alot of space. To get an idea of the space on the computer you have right now, go to My Computer, right click C: and choose properties, and it should show you how much space you currently have/have used. Hard drive space is a sort of personal thing; one of my friends had 400 GB filled in his desktop (pirated movies, mostly), but I have barely filled 40 GB.</p>
<p>3) Battery life should be listed with the information about any laptop. If you google the type, you should be able to find out if it really does get that battery life. Desktop replacements that are already heavy generally have shorter battery lives. (Usually things with 3.0 Ghz processors or almost that, as opposed to lightweight laptops with 1.2-1.8 Ghz processors)</p>
<p>4) If there isn’t a cheap deal on a printer when I buy my laptop, I’m going to wait till I get there, then order one from best buy online or something, so that I don’t have to ship it.</p>
<p>LAN means local area network, and they can be either wireless or wired with cat5 cable. They let you do things like access internet that isn’t directly connected to your computer, play games with other people on your LAN without using the internet, and store files on a central server (big hard drive thing that lets you put files on it) that is connected to the LAN. Wireless LANs are available in coffee shops and on school campuses for internet access; CMU’s whole campus and a 3 mile radius is covered with a wireless LAN, and there are plans to increase that to 5 miles.</p>
<p>Wireless LAN cards can either be built in the computer or purchased separately and installed. I would HIGHLY recommend built in wireless for laptops because it saves you the trouble of buying another thing that is covered by a different warranty and will let you use the internet outside or in campus libraries, etc.</p>
<p>I don’t know what a wireless mouse LAN would be. Normally wireless mice have two pieces, the mouse and some sort of cradle that receives the signal and recharges the mouse. Google did not help me find that, so I suppose it’s not too important. It might be some form of bluetooth, which is a thing either built in or plugged into the USB port that lets you use wireless devices within 30 feet. It’s particularly popular with cell phones and wireless headsets.</p>
<p>Good luck on your laptop shopping, Angel. Answering your questions keeps me from being bored out of my mind. :)</p>
<p>I wouldn’t suggest buying an Apple computer right now because Apple is shifting from the PPC chip to an x86 chip (what PCs use), meaning that in another year it will be difficult to get compatible software for your Apple. The good news is that when the new line of Apples comes out in mid-2006 and 2007, they will be able to run Windows, too, so gamers will be happy.</p>
<p>Actually, KrazyKow, I believe when they make the transition from PowerPC to intel they are going to make it so the programs are compatible with both chips using the new xCode developer mod that just came out. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about compatibility. But like you said, if you’re a gamer (specifically, half-life) stick with the PCs for now.</p>
<p>I comparison shop everything too much, and my dad won’t let me order a laptop until a month before school starts, so who knows what I’ll be getting and when I’ll decide…</p>
<p>As of next yr, theres a new printing policy where you get 1000 black and white prints, either per yr or per semester, I am not sure. For papers and things, cluster printers should be an annoying but useable alternative to buying your own printer. For color prints, though, all options are so expensive (running abt $8.00 for 3-foot-wide and 1 ft long sections in the CFA, which is the shortest section you can buy) and complicated (you either have to find this lady named Fran at very odd morning hours or buy a $40 print card from the book store and take it to the CFA computer cluster, and it takes several hours) that you’ll find yourself frequenting Kinkos down in Oakland (follow Forbes past Morewood, 10 mins.)</p>
<p>As an art student, I’d say DEFINITELY either buy a printer or find a friend who has one, unless you only plan on printing papers.</p>