Laptop choices

Started by rangoon1984
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rangoon1984

rangoon1984

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Hi all,

I am planning on getting a laptop for my post bacc and beyond. The laptop I am looking at doesn't have an optical drive, which means it can't play DVDs/CDs internally.

Would having a computer with no optical drive hurt me? I currently work in a technical field where everything is on the Internet, and I am not sure what level of technology universities are using right now and I don't know what would be the wisest purchasing decision.
 
The last time I used a CD was when I was installing AOL 2.0. If you ever end up needing a CD or DVD, the computers at your school or local library should have what you need.
 
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No, go for it. Now you can find most things as downloads. If you ever do need to use a disc, get an external optical drive.
 
Last edited:
I like to watch DVD's and download music from CD's, so I would find the missing drive very annoying.

so it really depends on you; do you still use discs?
 
Xenops said:
I like to watch DVD's and download music from CD's, so I would find the missing drive very annoying.

so it really depends on you; do you still use discs?
Click to expand...

External optical. Also DVD player/PS3/360 + TV.
 
I made the leap about 6 months ago and haven't looked back. Buy a $20 external drive and you will be fine.
 
I don't use discs, but I wasn't sure if schools/classes were using them in their classes, or as teaching material. I've taken a few classes at a cc and we didn't use them then, but I don't want to have buyers remorse either.

Thanks for the advice guys!
 
Get a Surface Pro! i5, 4gigs of Ram, 1080p res, pen stylus for notes. It also can be docked and ran through a larger screen to function like a desktop (HDMI port). It's awesome. Oh ya and just buy an external cd/dvd drive for the one time you might actually need to use a disk.
 
I was at first intrigued by the new convertible and touch screen laptops for the purpose of note-taking, but now I'm just worried about the horror stories dealing with Windows 8. I'm typically a paper/pencil person. I thought about keeping my current laptop and getting an Ipad for notes, but now it's apparent that my laptop is on it's final days. I'm leaning towards getting a Macbook once Apple updates its lines and continue using printouts for notes. Any input?
 
red doctober said:
I was at first intrigued by the new convertible and touch screen laptops for the purpose of note-taking, but now I'm just worried about the horror stories dealing with Windows 8. I'm typically a paper/pencil person. I thought about keeping my current laptop and getting an Ipad for notes, but now it's apparent that my laptop is on it's final days. I'm leaning towards getting a Macbook once Apple updates its lines and continue using printouts for notes. Any input?
Click to expand...
Get a MacBook Pro for computing and an iPad for school and notes it works great
 
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red doctober said:
I was at first intrigued by the new convertible and touch screen laptops for the purpose of note-taking, but now I'm just worried about the horror stories dealing with Windows 8. I'm typically a paper/pencil person. I thought about keeping my current laptop and getting an Ipad for notes, but now it's apparent that my laptop is on it's final days. I'm leaning towards getting a Macbook once Apple updates its lines and continue using printouts for notes. Any input?
Click to expand...

Wouldn't a laptop be easier to type on for notes though? MacBook Pros are due for updates soon. Current rumors are in about June I think.
 
LV16 said:
Wouldn't a laptop be easier to type on for notes though? MacBook Pros are due for updates soon. Current rumors are in about June I think.
Click to expand...

A lot of med school notes require drawing diagrams and such that are difficult to produce on a laptop
 
red doctober said:
A lot of med school notes require drawing diagrams and such that are difficult to produce on a laptop
Click to expand...

Oh I see, then what MedPR said. It's easier to draw diagrams on tablets but that still wouldn't compare to pen and paper.
 
darkjedi said:
Literally 95% of the laptops students bring to class are macbooks of some sort. It's amazing how drastic of a shift from Dells to macs it has been in the last decade.
Click to expand...

Bandwagon/fad. Same as beats headphones.. Though those just suck while Macs are not terrible.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile
 
rangoon1984 said:
Hi all,

I am planning on getting a laptop for my post bacc and beyond. The laptop I am looking at doesn't have an optical drive, which means it can't play DVDs/CDs internally.

Would having a computer with no optical drive hurt me? I currently work in a technical field where everything is on the Internet, and I am not sure what level of technology universities are using right now and I don't know what would be the wisest purchasing decision.
Click to expand...

I thought the optical drive was just a fancy cup holder.
 
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