Can anyone help me choose a computer for med school?

[han14tra]

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Jefferson gives me an option of 4 notebooks from Dell. I want a 14.1" screen. Which option for the screen should I choose?

Ultrasharp WXGA+ (1440 x 900) LED Display OR
Widescreen WXGA (1280 x 800) LED with privacy flexibilty

I like to be able to pull multiple windows up at once. However, do I need the higher resolution for looking at medical imagery?

 

[Concubine]

I have a 14.1" screen (IBM), and multiple windows at once is pretty much useless on a screen that size. Go with which ever one is cheaper. The medical imaging they will give you, in almost every case I can think of, is always a lower resolution than the screen (sometimes a lot lower!), so it really doesn't matter. 1280 x 800 is plenty sharp.

Would they let you get a macbook?

 

[han14tra]

I have a 14.1" screen (IBM), and multiple windows at once is pretty much useless on a screen that size. Go with which ever one is cheaper. The medical imaging they will give you, in almost every case I can think of, is always a lower resolution than the screen (sometimes a lot lower!), so it really doesn't matter. 1280 x 800 is plenty sharp.

Would they let you get a macbook?

Yes, but I am more comfortable with a Dell.

 

[han14tra]

Other comments/reasons for choosing one over the other? Doesn't widescreen make it easier to pull up multiple windows? Also, I won't have a TV, so I may use this for watching DVDs.

 

[Concubine]

Yes, but I am more comfortable with a Dell.

No problem, just asking.I'm impartial to macs. I have an imac at home, and it holds up to abuse + wear/tear much better than any other computer I've ever owned (that's saying a lot considering I have owned a lot of different types including a Gateway desktop, IBM laptop, two Dells laptops and two Dell desktops, HP laptop, Compaq laptop, and an Acer laptop).

Our school issued us a computer, a lenovo X61 for about $2500. It's the biggest piece of **** ever, but I'm stuck with it. Just remember when you get a computer for med school, it will get very heavy use...mine is pretty much on every day all day throughout the semester. If price isn't an issue, buy the best warranty you can because chances are you will need it at least a few times.

 

[Concubine]

Other comments/reasons for choosing one over the other? Doesn't widescreen make it easier to pull up multiple windows? Also, I won't have a TV, so I may use this for watching DVDs.

14.1" is ok for watching TV. Even with widescreen, one window in a usable size will take up almost or all the screen. I often wish with my 14.1" that I had more screen for just one window.

Multiple windows are great for productivity, but the old "alt-tab" works good enough in most cases. If you really really need it, then I suggest getting a second monitor.

 

[nick_carraway]

14.1" is ok for watching TV. Even with widescreen, one window in a usable size will take up almost or all the screen. I often wish with my 14.1" that I had more screen for just one window.

Multiple windows are great for productivity, but the old "alt-tab" works good enough in most cases. If you really really need it, then I suggest getting a second monitor.

Yeah I'd go with portability and stick to the 14.1 inch, which is already decent for multiple windows unless you're actively researching something. If you want more screen real estate, just plug it into a monitor at home. They're pretty cheap nowadays.

 

[Mattabet]

👎 Phht. For the price of a fancy laptop, you could easily get 12 to 20 electric typewriters.

The advantages are numerous. Working in parallel, that means you'll be able to take notes 12 to 20 times faster, saved notes can't be lost to a harddrive failure, and they're sturdy enough that you could drop them down a flight of stairs and still use the keys that don't break off.

I think the decision is simple.

 

[KingstonPre]

I'd get a really powerful netbook.

I don't want anybody looking at my stuff while I'm in class... but hey that's just me.

 

[smec]

I'd get a really powerful netbook.

I don't want anybody looking at my stuff while I'm in class... but hey that's just me.

It's kind of hard to maneuver with smaller buttons and keyboards, plus there's no CD-Rom which I'm not sure that will create any problem down the road.