Computer Setup for school

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Kareful said:
I suppose I was thinking in terms of being able to draw on the screen with a stylus. However, when I think about it, laptops can have those capabilities on their own. I've been looking into the dell inspiron series. They seem to have some of the specs you mentioned with excellent battery life on select models as well on top of being lower budget computers.
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You can definitely go for a Dell XPS or Inspiron series 2-in-1 laptop. As long as the specifications are very similar, the only thing that really matters at this point is price and your preferences. Little nuances in every laptop can be the deal breaker.

Look up laptop reviews by techies on youtube i.e. linustechtips, MKBHD, and etc.
 
Not sure if it's been mentioned before but the Lenovo Yogabook is also an excellent line of computers
 
blablabla1 said:
Always go for the most RAM you can get is all I'm gonna say. The difference between an i5 and i7 dual core won't be noticed, but the difference between 4 vs 8 vs 12 gb of RAM is huge.

Definitely aim for 8 gb minimum but I've been finding that 12 gb is optimal for me. Especially if you, like me, run Windows with lots of google chrome tabs/windows because both the operating system and the browser are such unoptimized resource hogs.
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For the vast majority of casual users, the 12 GB of RAM is probably overkill. For example, I've got six programs open right now, and 12 internet tabs open, and I'm using 4.2 GB of RAM. I have 16 GB of RAM because I do lots of video editing and such, but I could easily get away with just 8. The type of RAM is also a variable, the newer DDR4 being faster than the older DDR3 (different RAM can also have different clock speeds, which affects performance) - but this is nitpicking and really doesn't have a huge affect.

But you'd definitely see more of a performance difference with the CPU as opposed to RAM, and the CPU is usually next to impossible to upgrade. RAM, as someone else pointed out, is extremely easy to upgrade. You want to upgrade from 4GB to 8GB? Add an extra 4GB stick; or remove the 4GB stick and add a 8GB stick. The caveat: if you are on a 32-bit operating system, your system will not be able to utilize more than 4GB of RAM, so adding extra would be useless.

Another thing to point out is that it is important to look at the generation of the CPU. A newer generation i5 will outperform an older generation i7. When buying computers, always be sure to look up the CPU on PassMark Software - CPU Benchmark Charts to compare the CPUs of the computers you are buying. As long as you have a computer with a SSD, and at least 8GB of RAM, your performance bottleneck will be with the CPU, so make sure to spend a little more money to get a good one.
 
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I just want to start off by saying I don't know anything about computers. I've used a MacBook Pro during my undergrad and masters. It's been good to me so I'll continue to use that. However, as of late, I've been thinking of getting a nice desktop setup for the house. Seems like you guys know your stuff so any recommendations for a great affordable computer? I'm looking for something with a large monitor so I can have a powerpoint, a lecture recording, and google docs up all at the same time and all pretty large windows. The Macs are sexy but damn expensive.
 
I'm on the market right now for an MSI or Omen for dental school
 
esqueleto said:
I just want to start off by saying I don't know anything about computers. I've used a MacBook Pro during my undergrad and masters. It's been good to me so I'll continue to use that. However, as of late, I've been thinking of getting a nice desktop setup for the house. Seems like you guys know your stuff so any recommendations for a great affordable computer? I'm looking for something with a large monitor so I can have a powerpoint, a lecture recording, and google docs up all at the same time and all pretty large windows. The Macs are sexy but damn expensive.
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Just get a large screen, keyboard, and mouse and plug your laptop into them. No need for a separate device unless you have some need for a second computer.
 
esqueleto said:
Any recommendations for a 27" display?
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Personally, I would go with a Dell Ultrasharp. Dell Ultrasharps are basically the standard for good deals on high end monitors Dell UltraSharp 27 InfinityEdge Monitor - U2717D | Dell United States

You could try the Monoprice basically generic version of the Dell. Monoprice 27-inch Premium Series IPS WQHD (2560x1440) Monitor, Pixel Perfect Display - Monoprice.com

You can definitely get something cheaper, but note that the cheap deals you see are going to be on screens with low resolution displays. A 1080p 27" will show the exact same amount of material as a 1080p 22" display, everything will just be larger. Good if you have poor eyesight, not helpful if your goal is to have lots of windows open side by side.
 
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is surface book/pro drawing capability all that useful??? or just gimmick feature? I debating between macbook pro 15 inch and surface book just cant decide if writing capability will be any good for courses?
 
acesofseven said:
Bump bc Microsoft just unveiled their "new" Surface Pro. Any thoughts on it vs an XPS 13 or MBP?
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Looks to be an incremental update over the Pro 4 (Microsoft has said they won't release a 'Pro 5' until they have some worthwhile breakthroughs in tech for it). Supposed battery life of 13.5 hours is nice on paper, but probably will be around 10 hours in real life. New CPU and GPU, LTE option coming in the fall, and the pen sensitivity is 4096 levels compared to Pro 4's 1024 so it will be a lot smoother to write on.

The new Surface Pro > XPS 13. MBP only if you absolutely need MacOs
 
Personally I hate the concept of touch screens on laptops. The surface is nice but Windows was not made for a touchscreen.

I'd personally go with an XPS 13 (I kinda have to since my school requires we buy an XPS13 from them) since it maintains the traditional laptop form factor
 
The only reason to get a new surface pro is the battery life, imo. I'm debating SP4 vs 2016 12" macbook at this point.
 
SolidGoat said:
The only reason to get a new surface pro is the battery life, imo. I'm debating SP4 vs 2016 12" macbook at this point.
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Please don't buy the 12" Macbook, it's a glorified web browsing machine that's laughably overpriced. And anyway, Macs are supposed to get updated in June so hold off until then. Or get a SP4 if you find one at a discount
 
I went with 13" MBP then got a 34" ultra wide curved monitor for the home office
 
dr.d00m said:
Please don't buy the 12" Macbook, it's a glorified web browsing machine that's laughably overpriced. And anyway, Macs are supposed to get updated in June so hold off until then. Or get a SP4 if you find one at a discount
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Well I used one for a couple weeks a while back, and it was surprisingly good. It even performed decently when I ran some blastx comparisons in Blast2GO just for kicks. I would only buy a used 2016 model at $850 or less though. And yeah WWDC should hold some internal upgrades that drop prices on older models further.
 
People underrate how good the processor is on the 12 inch MacBook. I wouldn't be editing movies on there, but it's still a pretty capable laptop.

A better reason to avoid the laptop is because of the fact that it only has one USB C port
 
cl9090 said:
is surface book/pro drawing capability all that useful??? or just gimmick feature? I debating between macbook pro 15 inch and surface book just cant decide if writing capability will be any good for courses?
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This is the only thing I am hung up on. Is the stylus worth it? Do current students use it? If not I may just settle on a 13" $800 dell inspiron and be done with this endless debate.

This is what I am considering
 
tlovaj said:
This is the only thing I am hung up on. Is the stylus worth it? Do current students use it? If not I may just settle on a 13" $800 dell inspiron and be done with this endless debate.

This is what I am considering
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That's the thing I'm hung up on, too. Seems nice, but lectures go too fast to really put it to good use. A simple, reliable laptop to cover everything without gimmicky features seems like the better option.
 
tlovaj said:
This is the only thing I am hung up on. Is the stylus worth it? Do current students use it? If not I may just settle on a 13" $800 dell inspiron and be done with this endless debate.

This is what I am considering
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I just bought this laptop 2 weeks ago. I got the i7 one though for the same price because Best Buy was having a deal on their Inspirons.. I walked out with it for under $750. I came from a 2012 13" Macbook Pro that had lots of issues, so I wanted to go with Microsoft this time. It's really solid with the metal casing, pretty good trackpad, and I like the keyboard a lot. My only complaint is that the battery life is about 6-7 hours (I web browse and create word documents) which is below my MBP. Otherwise, no complaints.
 
mplusg said:
I just bought this laptop 2 weeks ago. I got the i7 one though for the same price because Best Buy was having a deal on their Inspirons.. I walked out with it for under $750. I came from a 2012 13" Macbook Pro that had lots of issues, so I wanted to go with Microsoft this time. It's really solid with the metal casing, pretty good trackpad, and I like the keyboard a lot. My only complaint is that the battery life is about 6-7 hours (I web browse and create word documents) which is below my MBP. Otherwise, no complaints.
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How does the stylus work on this?
 
I have used so many laptops and I doubt I could ever make a decent youtube video review. I would say this youtube video makes a very objective review on laptops MOST dental students currently or will use.

 
DOC YANKEM said:
I have used so many laptops and I doubt I could ever make a decent youtube video review. I would say this youtube video makes a very objective review on laptops MOST dental students currently or will use.

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Wow that was actually a really great summary.

I agree with his picks, you really can't go wrong with an XPS 13. I think he underrated the Lenovo X1 Carbon a bit too. Very surprised by how well the Razer Blade Stealth does in this review but it looks like a very solid laptop as well
 
blablabla1 said:
Wow that was actually a really great summary.

I agree with his picks, you really can't go wrong with an XPS 13. I think he underrated the Lenovo X1 Carbon a bit too. Very surprised by how well the Razer Blade Stealth does in this review but it looks like a very solid laptop as well
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I could see why you felt that way about the Lenovo X1 Carbon, but the point of the review was to cater to a wide audience. Each and every laptop will efficiently execute the basic and daily tasks. What we consumers use them for in regards to other functionalities and preferences will depend on the minute differences. What makes the Lenovo X1 Carbon unique is the definitely the "nipple" or the joystick. Most millennials either don't use it or experienced having a think pad laptop back in the days. Lenovo think pads serve a very niche market to an older audience. In this context, I would rather say older dental applicants or dental students.
 
Just an FYI for anyone considering a MacBook: wait another week until WWDC, there will be a minor hardware update to the MacBooks that may or may not include a reduction in price
 
What do y'all think of the new surface laptop? Can't decide if it's worth it
 
austin_dent said:
What do y'all think of the new surface laptop? Can't decide if it's worth it
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Overpriced for what you get. Microsoft doesn't want to compete directly with its OEMs so they upcharge significantly. You can get other laptops for the same price or less that have better specs
 
Shifff based said:
Thoughts on this laptop for $550?

Lenovo - Yoga 710 2-in-1 15.6" Touch-Screen Laptop - Intel Core i5 - 8GB Memory - 256GB Solid State Drive - Black


Sent from my SM-G920V using SDN mobile
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Looks like a good value for the money (especially with that 256 Gb SSD), id just do some research on the reviews for it (on websites other than Best Buy, a tech blog is ideal), and also how much battery life it has.

Also just wanna throw out there (in case you think it'll be an issue) that you'll be carrying this thing around, 15 inches may be a little big.
 
blablabla1 said:
Looks like a good value for the money (especially with that 256 Gb SSD), id just do some research on the reviews for it (on websites other than Best Buy, a tech blog is ideal), and also how much battery life it has.

Also just wanna throw out there (in case you think it'll be an issue) that you'll be carrying this thing around, 15 inches may be a little big.
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I was checking it out today at Best Buy and it didn't seem overly large. I thought I could get it for $550 with the $100 off but I don't see anywhere to put the coupon code online!
 
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Shifff based said:
I was checking it out today at Best Buy and it didn't seem overly large. I thought I could get it for $550 with the $100 off but I don't see anywhere to put the coupon code online!
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For your price range, I highly recommend this laptop: Costco Wholesale

It doesn't have a touch screen (I find touchscreens on laptops to be impractical and annoying, but to each their own) but it's priced very solidly, is future proofed with a USB-C port, and best of all, its reviews are pretty universally excellent.
 
blablabla1 said:
For your price range, I highly recommend this laptop: Costco Wholesale

It doesn't have a touch screen (I find touchscreens on laptops to be impractical and annoying, but to each their own) but it's priced very solidly, is future proofed with a USB-C port, and best of all, its reviews are pretty universally excellent.
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Thanks for the recommendation!

Sent from my SM-G920V using SDN mobile
 
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