What laptop should I get for school work and running advanced programs?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around selecting a suitable laptop for school work and running advanced programs such as Wolfram Mathematica, MATLAB, AutoDesk Inventor, and PTC Creo. Participants share recommendations, experiences, and considerations regarding hardware specifications and software licensing.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their experience with a MacBook Pro and seeks suggestions for a replacement laptop after it was damaged.
  • Some participants recommend Asus and Toshiba laptops, providing links to specific models.
  • There is a discussion about the possibility of repairing the damaged MacBook, with suggestions on how to disassemble and clean it.
  • Concerns are raised about the difficulty of disassembling MacBooks compared to PCs, with differing opinions on the risks involved.
  • Another participant questions whether laptops with i3 processors would be sufficient for the required applications, suggesting that i5 or i7 processors would be better.
  • Participants discuss budget constraints, with one expressing a desire to find a laptop under $600.
  • There is a conversation about software licensing, particularly whether previously purchased applications like MATLAB would need to be repurchased for a new laptop.
  • Some participants mention the availability of student versions of software and suggest contacting companies for potential discounts.
  • Lenovo laptops are mentioned as a potential option, with one participant noting their positive experience with a Lenovo model.
  • Participants discuss how to ensure that purchases made through Amazon support the forum financially.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of opinions on laptop brands and specifications, with no clear consensus on the best choice. There are differing views on the feasibility of repairing the MacBook and the implications of software licensing.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention specific hardware requirements and budget limitations, but there is no resolution on the adequacy of i3 processors for the intended applications. The discussion includes assumptions about software licensing that remain unverified.

  • #31
Good choice and great, methodical way to go about it. The number one enemy of laptops, and frankly a more serious one for those like Apple that prefer aesthetics (compact, thin and light) is heat. Being able to properly clean or even modify for improved cooling improves performance (thermal throttling) and longevity. Even if you don't go that far the psychological aspect of truly owning your tech devices has great benefits. I'm looking forward to your adventure.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: _N3WTON_
Computer science news on Phys.org
  • #32
enorbet said:
Good choice and great, methodical way to go about it. The number one enemy of laptops, and frankly a more serious one for those like Apple that prefer aesthetics (compact, thin and light) is heat. Being able to properly clean or even modify for improved cooling improves performance (thermal throttling) and longevity. Even if you don't go that far the psychological aspect of truly owning your tech devices has great benefits. I'm looking forward to your adventure.
Yeah to be honest I'm pretty excited about taking everything apart and actually gaining a better understanding of how the machine works. After watching some videos of people taking apart/cleaning Macbooks it looks to me like removing the backlight/keyboard is the most difficult (or perhaps tedious) task. Apparently there are a total of 56 screws securing the keyboard, and losing one of them will result in the keyboard having a very noticeable depression :)
 
  • #33
Did you ever take it into the Apple Store to see how much a repair might cost? When the logic board went out on my 4-year-old MBP, Apple charged a flat $300 fee to repair everything wrong with the computer.
 
  • #34
vela said:
Did you ever take it into the Apple Store to see how much a repair might cost? When the logic board went out on my 4-year-old MBP, Apple charged a flat $300 fee to repair everything wrong with the computer.
I never took it to the Apple Store, but I did take it to a store nearby that does work on Mac stuff and their estimate was $650. Possibly it would have been cheaper at the Apple Store, IDK, but I felt like it was a better deal just to get a brand new laptop for $400. I do miss that MBP though,..
 
  • #35
I would use this advanced tool and retrieve the hard disk (supposing you are not an adept of the cloud yet). Not trying to revive the topic, just suggesting something you may want to do to restore (possibly) lost data.
 

Similar threads

What specs should I look for in a laptop
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Windows vs Mac for Engineering?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
91K
New CS student needs help choosing a laptop
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
19K
What computer should a Mechenaical Engineering Student Buy
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Programs How good is this applied math program?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
Should I get an MS in Computer Engineering after earning my BS in Physics?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
13K
Programs Been out of school and working for a few years, want to get PhD, need advice
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Programs 7 Keys to Success with a Physics Degree
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K