Who's that Laptop?

Started by Drrrrrr. Celty
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Drrrrrr. Celty

Drrrrrr. Celty

Osteo Dullahan
15+ Year Member
So in honor of it being the holidays and well.. a general splurgefest I wanted to know what opinions you have on what computers you'll be taking to school with you.

Personally I've been somewhat struggling to choose what I want in a laptop or overall configuration i.e do I want to buy a chromebook and a desktop and study like that? Or how about buying a small macbook pro with a monitor to get some high quality and large displays when I'm at home or playing a video game. Or what about getting a general windows laptop that can function as a good desktop replacement and carry my entire life without much fail.

What about you guys? What will you be looking into for your medical school computing needs?

also required

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I recommend a retina macbook pro. If money isn't a problem, the 15" model starts at $1300, but you might be able to get an educational discount. Perhaps down to $11 or $1200. Great hardware, OS and *free* upgrades aside, their tech support is fantastic. You should be able to run games fairly decently on a macbook pro.
 
J Senpai said:
I recommend a retina macbook pro. If money isn't a problem, the 15" model starts at $1300, but you might be able to get an educational discount. Perhaps down to $11 or $1200. Great hardware, OS and *free* upgrades aside, their tech support is fantastic. You should be able to run games fairly decently on a macbook pro.
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Check eBay Daily Deal, MacMall, and 9to5Toys/9to5Mac for MacBook Pro deals too. They often post them for $100's off, especially MacMall if you get a later model. But I second getting a Mac, I've had mine for 4 years now with no real problems except accidentally breaking my screen by bending it too far back, which they fixed for free at the Apple Store.
 
J Senpai said:
I recommend a retina macbook pro. If money isn't a problem, the 15" model starts at $1300, but you might be able to get an educational discount. Perhaps down to $11 or $1200. Great hardware, OS and *free* upgrades aside, their tech support is fantastic. You should be able to run games fairly decently on a macbook pro.
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The 15" rMBP starts at $2k. I bought the 15" but would prefer the 13" if you're looking to haul it around everywhere. Great computer.
 
Depends on how you study. I barely use my laptop and don't need one since I study at home. At home I have a dual setup in portrait. Take notes on my iPad, lecture recording on my left screen and anything I want to search on the right.


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I have a Mac book pro. It's reliable and good for school work, but it sucks for gaming. I installed windows on it and I have it hooked up to my tv. It can handle older games, but nothing new, really. I think an iPad plus a good gaming PC desk top would be a good combo. My wife has an air book, which is only slightly more heavy than an iPad, and it works with her hospital's EMR, so maybe an air book plus PC desktop would be a good combo if you have the money. I pretty much just use my iPad for everything now, except for writing papers or making power points. I think having a iPad/tablet is really helpful when you are on rotations, but that's a few years away.
 
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I have the 13" retina display, but am not a hardcore user of it. It did not have the same bang for your buck that the old pro had. 1) You don't have an integrated CD drive like the old mac book 2) It only has a fraction of the memory the old pro had (when you get the necessary add ons, it racks up quite a bit of money). If you are an avid gammer or using some heavy duty programs, then the pros will probably out weigh the cons. For me, it didn't really quite deliver as much as the former macbook (referring to before pro) did.
 
chizledfrmstone said:
Depends on how you study. I barely use my laptop and don't need one since I study at home. At home I have a dual setup in portrait. Take notes on my iPad, lecture recording on my left screen and anything I want to search on the right.


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What's portrait?

How reasonable is it actually to type in your iPad? The keyboard I have on mind is a bit underwhelming. Are there more reasonable ones?
 
AlbinoHawk DO said:
I have a Lenovo desktop and a Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro laptop. I love them to death. Middle finger to anything with a apply logo.
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I used to think the same until I experienced 10 hour battery life that is fairly reliable for the first time and a computer so light I often have to double check for its presence in my backpack. I love my mac
 
Mad Jack said:
I used to think the same until I experienced 10 hour battery life that is fairly reliable for the first time and a computer so light I often have to double check for its presence in my backpack. I love my mac
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Lenovo kinda also makes pretty meh devices tbh. Like they say they have certain specs, but you know that they're going to be poorly built and use parts that aren't made to last long.
 
I agree go with mac. My parents have to go on PC though for the EMR. That might be a problem but you can cross that bridge later. LECOM requires PC!
 
Drrrrrr. Celty said:
What's portrait?

How reasonable is it actually to type in your iPad? The keyboard I have on mind is a bit underwhelming. Are there more reasonable ones?
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http://i.stack.imgur.com/0Xw3W.jpg

You put the screen sideways to read long notes.

If you're going to KCUMB then there will probably be a lot of notetaking on you iPad. Writing the notes isn't fast enough. Maybe get a Bluetooth normal sized keyboard?

The only Lenovo lineup that is worth a damn is the Thinkpad series but they can get pricy.


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Surface Pro 3 for notetaking/school use (although by the time I matriculate the SP4 will probably be out), and my custom-built desktop/27" monitor for entertainment use at home.
 
I'll be taking my Surface Pro 3, probably a long with an all in one desktop of some sort, a big screen is the priority there for those hours of study sessions.
 
chizledfrmstone said:
http://i.stack.imgur.com/0Xw3W.jpg

You put the screen sideways to read long notes.

If you're going to KCUMB then there will probably be a lot of notetaking on you iPad. Writing the notes isn't fast enough. Maybe get a Bluetooth normal sized keyboard?

The only Lenovo lineup that is worth a damn is the Thinkpad series but they can get pricy.


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Yah, I looked up a decent set including using the apple keyboard + a nice stand. I could be pretty down with that.

That being said I think I'll still consider whether I want to use a laptop as a desktop replacement with an HDMI monitor or whether I want a real desktop. ( literally the only gaming I do is some occasional age of empires 2 hd and some stream game, god knows if I want to play something more I'll use a console).

I think probably I'll just go with a smallish MacBook Pro so that I can occasionally browse on the bed or something since I dislike using mobile versions of sites that the iPads automatically set up with.
 
Drrrrrr. Celty said:
Yah, I looked up a decent set including using the apple keyboard + a nice stand. I could be pretty down with that.

That being said I think I'll still consider whether I want to use a laptop as a desktop replacement with an HDMI monitor or whether I want a real desktop. ( literally the only gaming I do is some occasional age of empires 2 hd and some stream game, god knows if I want to play something more I'll use a console).

I think probably I'll just go with a smallish MacBook Pro so that I can occasionally browse on the bed or something since I dislike using mobile versions of sites that the iPads automatically set up with.
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I did the desktop route because I knew I would be studying at home most of the time anyway.

My laptop doesn't get any usage because studying in bed makes me more lazy and less focused.

Consider how you plan to study when you buy your stuff.

Just make sure whatever you get can run Mediasite and allows you to play @ 1.6 or 2


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chizledfrmstone said:
I did the desktop route because I knew I would be studying at home most of the time anyway.

My laptop doesn't get any usage because studying in bed makes me more lazy and less focused.

Consider how you plan to study when you buy your stuff.

Just make sure whatever you get can run Mediasite and allows you to play @ 1.6 or 2


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Idk, I imagine that a good amount of my studying will be with other people? Or are study groups generally ineffective as you need to focus less on cementing what you already know ( focusing all the material so it's all encompassing for everyone in the group) or is it better to basically sit at home and mostly focus entirely with yourself on the game?

In either case I guess there's no harm in considering a desktop too. Though I'm sure using a desktop replacement laptop will probably suffice too haha.
 
Mad Jack said:
I used to think the same until I experienced 10 hour battery life that is fairly reliable for the first time and a computer so light I often have to double check for its presence in my backpack. I love my mac
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Both of those things exist in other brands of laptop for less money than Apples.

Maybe not 10 hour battery life, but definitely 7 or 8. And ultrabooks that only weigh a couple of pounds are widely available from every major manufacturer. Just because the Macbook Air was the first one to become mainstream doesn't mean it's still the only one.

I don't dispute the quality of Apple products, but they are overpriced compared to other computers for what you are getting.
 
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I bought what was then last year's model of Acer on sale at Walmart for 400 bucks a while back. Weighs like 4 pounds with the charger and like a dandy and has gotten me through college just great. I wish the battery life on it was better, but if you just need a computer for internet surfing and studying purposes, you really don't need all that much. I don't really play games though so if you also want that, you'll have to cough up some more bucks.
 
sigh i don't even know where to start.

all the apple fans say pick apple!
all the windows fans say pick windows!
this one is better!
no this one is better!
the ultratech platinum series is the best
but the touchbook mega series is better
 
besides manufacturer, what hardware do people think is the most important?

can anyone compare intel and AMD processors and give equivalent measures? what speed dual core would = x speed quad core? etc? I'm fine with working with technology, but I don't know where to begin with the actual specs and what not.

I was definitely going to be getting something with at least 6GB of memory IMO because I tend to have multiple programs/internet tabs open at the same time, word processor, calculator, maybe an excel sheet, PDF open, music, etc.

Dedicated graphics memory at least 1GB preferably

No smaller than 15" screen (I'm a big guy lol... will not see me with a net book)

Definitely a true number pad, I love this.


The most gaming I do is very occasional League of Legends. No idea if that is considered a "heavy" game or not.



hallllllp me
d1740c7c7b38d898327c02165d028be97edb24519b268091034940c6949575c4.jpg
 
Drrrrrr. Celty said:
Idk, I imagine that a good amount of my studying will be with other people? Or are study groups generally ineffective as you need to focus less on cementing what you already know ( focusing all the material so it's all encompassing for everyone in the group) or is it better to basically sit at home and mostly focus entirely with yourself on the game?

In either case I guess there's no harm in considering a desktop too. Though I'm sure using a desktop replacement laptop will probably suffice too haha.
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Depends on your studying preference really.

I tried the group study thing and it just didn't work for me.

Some of my friends do the group study and share notes. It works for them.

The unfortunate thing is you probably won't know what is best for you until end of first semester. Hold off on buying expensive equipment until you know exactly what you want. Unless a really good sale comes up of course.


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DoctorSynthesis said:
I agree go with mac. My parents have to go on PC though for the EMR. That might be a problem but you can cross that bridge later. LECOM requires PC!
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lol why don't they just stop antagonizing their students? They're making a bad name for themselves.
 
If you want, shoot me a PM and we can discuss computer hardware as I don't want to completely derail this thread with my techie ravings. PC's have been a hobby of mine for more than 20 years, so I can definitely provide some insight there for you. Apple products...no clue, I have always avoided them like the plague...

baxt1412 said:
besides manufacturer, what hardware do people think is the most important?

can anyone compare intel and AMD processors and give equivalent measures? what speed dual core would = x speed quad core? etc? I'm fine with working with technology, but I don't know where to begin with the actual specs and what not.

I was definitely going to be getting something with at least 6GB of memory IMO because I tend to have multiple programs/internet tabs open at the same time, word processor, calculator, maybe an excel sheet, PDF open, music, etc.

Dedicated graphics memory at least 1GB preferably

No smaller than 15" screen (I'm a big guy lol... will not see me with a net book)

Definitely a true number pad, I love this.


The most gaming I do is very occasional League of Legends. No idea if that is considered a "heavy" game or not.



hallllllp me
d1740c7c7b38d898327c02165d028be97edb24519b268091034940c6949575c4.jpg
Click to expand...
 
AM508 said:
If you want, shoot me a PM and we can discuss computer hardware as I don't want to completely derail this thread with my techie ravings. PC's have been a hobby of mine for more than 20 years, so I can definitely provide some insight there for you. Apple products...no clue, I have always avoided them like the plague...
Click to expand...

If you want Apple scoop, let me know. I currently work for them as a genius. I am a terrible salesperson, but can let you know anything about the tech side of a mac.
 
I'm really into the surface pro 3 right now (plus my 27" all-in-one lenovo)

I'd consider switching if apple decides to make an iPad Pro or whatever that will run os x instead of ios
 
chizledfrmstone said:
Depends on your studying preference really.

I tried the group study thing and it just didn't work for me.

Some of my friends do the group study and share notes. It works for them.

The unfortunate thing is you probably won't know what is best for you until end of first semester. Hold off on buying expensive equipment until you know exactly what you want. Unless a really good sale comes up of course.


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I see haha. Well fair enough.
 
I found the schools IT requirements and worked backwards. Our testing software is pretty specific. I use a Toshiba Satellite C55t. Most of my classmates with Mac's don't have any issues, unless there is an OS upgrade. The test software isn't compatible yet with the latest Mac OS. One of the guys in my study group has the latest Macbook with the Apple HDMI cable and Apple TV at home. He can connect them and show slides on his TV-made studying for Histology a snap.The HDMI out is good, especially if your study rooms have the input to a wall monitor.
 
I went for the 15" MBP, the last one before the retina's came out. It's been solid the past 4 years.

I've had too much trouble maintaining windows to ever go back, and all the macs I've owned have been built to last. My in-laws are still using my 2007 blackbook, just needed a replacement battery.

If I were doing it all again, I'd be getting a MacBook air. The 15" is too big, and has way more power than I ever needed.
 
baxt1412 said:
besides manufacturer, what hardware do people think is the most important?

can anyone compare intel and AMD processors and give equivalent measures? what speed dual core would = x speed quad core? etc? I'm fine with working with technology, but I don't know where to begin with the actual specs and what not.

I was definitely going to be getting something with at least 6GB of memory IMO because I tend to have multiple programs/internet tabs open at the same time, word processor, calculator, maybe an excel sheet, PDF open, music, etc.

Dedicated graphics memory at least 1GB preferably

No smaller than 15" screen (I'm a big guy lol... will not see me with a net book)

Definitely a true number pad, I love this.

The most gaming I do is very occasional League of Legends. No idea if that is considered a "heavy" game or not.

hallllllp me
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To answer all your other questions lol...

For the most part, unless you're like a hardcore gamer or heavy into graphics processing, which you're not by your own admission, you really shouldn't worry about the difference between Intel and AMD. I recommend Intel atm just because right now the Intel Haswell processors in most new laptops are less draining on your battery (supposedly). A higher end dual core will meet your needs just as well as a quad core, but it'll probs just be easier for you to look for the cheaper option you can get with a quad core. That said, just look for an Intel i5 or something. You really don't need an i7. You'd probably be fine with an i3 too, but if you're anything like me you'll enjoy the bit of extra oomph even if you don't do much with it.

You definitely do not need more than 8 GBs of RAM. I currently run a desktop off 6 GBs of DDR2 RAM (old old old everything is DDR3 now), and I can run League, Starcraft II, many Chrome tabs, Skype, and music at the same time, with two 21" high res monitors. You're probably fine with just 4 GBs, but 6 is nice. Don't pay for much more, you don't need it.

I much prefer a dedicated graphics card too, but honestly, most people won't be able to tell the difference between a low grade dedicated graphics card and the integrated Intel ones. It'll be cheaper without an integrated one most of the time. Your movies won't notice that much difference and you're not a hardcore gamer. It'll also make the laptop heat up less.

Definitely agree with the true number pad. I'd say you might as well go to a 17" if you're gonna get a big one anyways, but just make sure you have a bag that can pack a big one.
 
polylux said:
To answer all your other questions lol...

You're probably fine with just 4 GBs, but 6 is nice. Don't pay for much more, you don't need it.
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I generally agree with most of what you said, but wholehearted disagree with this point here. With a default install of Windows, you will use more than 2GB of that at idle. As I sit here right now, with a very lean custom Windows 7 install, Steam, and one Chrome window open 2.90 GB of my 16 GB are in use. 4 GB with modern Windows versions will lead to out of RAM errors in many cases if you try to do too much because it only leaves you with 1 to 1.25GB of overhead. RAM is dirt cheap, you can get 8 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 (2x4GB) for ~$70, 6 GB (3x2 GB of the same) type is around $60-65. Its definitely worth the extra 5 or 10 dollars to get an extra 2 GB of RAM. There is really no rational reason to not get 8 GB. This sort of low-balling on initial builds is what has people constantly upgrading and wasting more money.
 
AM508 said:
I generally agree with most of what you said, but wholehearted disagree with this point here. With a default install of Windows, you will use more than 2GB of that at idle. As I sit here right now, with a very lean custom Windows 7 install, Steam, and one Chrome window open 2.90 GB of my 16 GB are in use. 4 GB with modern Windows versions will lead to out of RAM errors in many cases if you try to do too much because it only leaves you with 1 to 1.25GB of overhead. RAM is dirt cheap, you can get 8 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 (2x4GB) for ~$70, 6 GB (3x2 GB of the same) type is around $60-65. Its definitely worth the extra 5 or 10 dollars to get an extra 2 GB of RAM. There is really no rational reason to not get 8 GB. This sort of low-balling on initial builds is what has people constantly upgrading and wasting more money.
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4 gigs of ram is barely good enough to run YouTube, word, and another internet site. It only is useful if you never want to touch a game period.
 
AM508 said:
I generally agree with most of what you said, but wholehearted disagree with this point here. With a default install of Windows, you will use more than 2GB of that at idle. As I sit here right now, with a very lean custom Windows 7 install, Steam, and one Chrome window open 2.90 GB of my 16 GB are in use. 4 GB with modern Windows versions will lead to out of RAM errors in many cases if you try to do too much because it only leaves you with 1 to 1.25GB of overhead. RAM is dirt cheap, you can get 8 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 (2x4GB) for ~$70, 6 GB (3x2 GB of the same) type is around $60-65. Its definitely worth the extra 5 or 10 dollars to get an extra 2 GB of RAM. There is really no rational reason to not get 8 GB. This sort of low-balling on initial builds is what has people constantly upgrading and wasting more money.
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I agree that most people should just get the 8 GBs. But you definitely don't need more than that. But 4 GBs works pretty well for most people. Again: "I currently run a desktop off 6 GBs of DDR2 RAM (old old old everything is DDR3 now), and I can run League, Starcraft II, many Chrome tabs, Skype, and music at the same time, with two 21" high res monitors. You're probably fine with just 4 GBs, but 6 is nice. Don't pay for much more, you don't need it." I meant the "much more" to be like 16 GBs, which is definitely overkill. I think 8 is a good number. OP was the one who mentioned 6 in the first place and I provided him with an example of what I can do on 6, with modern Windows. So I actually don't think you disagreed with much of what I was saying at all.
 
Drrrrrr. Celty said:
4 gigs of ram is barely good enough to run YouTube, word, and another internet site. It only is useful if you never want to touch a game period.
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That's not true at all, I ran my desktop off 4 GBs for a while and I could still run games. They weren't run with the highest graphic settings, but they ran.
 
polylux said:
I agree that most people should just get the 8 GBs. But you definitely don't need more than that. But 4 GBs works pretty well for most people. Again: "I currently run a desktop off 6 GBs of DDR2 RAM (old old old everything is DDR3 now), and I can run League, Starcraft II, many Chrome tabs, Skype, and music at the same time, with two 21" high res monitors. You're probably fine with just 4 GBs, but 6 is nice. Don't pay for much more, you don't need it." I meant the "much more" to be like 16 GBs, which is definitely overkill. I think 8 is a good number. OP was the one who mentioned 6 in the first place and I provided him with an example of what I can do on 6, with modern Windows. So I actually don't think you disagreed with much of what I was saying at all.
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My main issue was with the "4GB is fine" part, nothing else (well we could argue about dual cores but that would be splitting hairs 😉)

polylux said:
That's not true at all, I ran my desktop off 4 GBs for a while and I could still run games. They weren't run with the highest graphic settings, but they ran.
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Well, what he said may have been a slight understatement but does illustrate the point that 4 GB is not going to get one much mileage. To illustrate this, with a install of Win 7 with many non- essential processes disabled, Steam, and 1 Chrome Window, I opened an instance of Minecraft. Usage is now at 3.93GB, if I only had 4GB of RAM, I would be in the danger zone of an OOM error. All it would take would be for the antivirus to do a real-time file scan or a couple of Windows processes to activate. This is why I wouldn't suggest to someone that they would be fine with 4 GB of RAM in a new computer when the cost is so low these days. They are setting themselves up for a costly upgrade in the very near future.

After a re-read of my post, I see that it may come across as a bit harsh. Its totally not meant that way at all.
 
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