Going to Uni...

strudey

strudey

strudey

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4 Mar 2006
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Macclesfield
So I'm off to university in september, aberystwyth if you're interested. And I've got about £550-600 to spend on computer. Thing is I can't decide whether to turn my sugo sg01e into a medium gaming rig for the money, or get a laptop that cant really play modern games.

So who's at uni? Would it be an advantage to have a laptop that you can carry around or will I miss being able to play bioshock + crysis? Help!

Thanks :o

PS I need to buy within the next 2 weeks really
 
I would just stick with a desktop pc. I really don't see any need for a laptop at uni.

Desktops are much better value for money and i would only consider getting a laptop if they was a real important reason for it, like incredibly limited space or a course that required you to have one. ( What courses would i have no idea!)
 
Aberystwyth good choice :D

Laptop might be better, but if you want to play games you should be able to get a decent rig together with your budget.

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On my year out in industry at the moment, but have been at Uni (Nottingham) for 2 years before that. In my experience, nearly everyone has a laptop at uni, not because they take it with them to lectures etc but I guess just because they are easier to transport.

I don't know many mates that actually use their laptops on the move (Sometimes someone will take their one to the library during exam time, but this is normally for MSN!). Normally the battery life just dies on them because they leave the batteries in but keep them plugged into the mains all year!

If you're into gaming just get a normal tower, you won't need to move it around a lot (on campus I mean, most places on campus have computer access usually).

I got a shuttle before I went to Uni for this very reason. I would have got a normal tower but I sometimes get on the train with it to go to LANs so it's slightly easier.

hth,

aaazza
 
Are you doing a course where you actually have to do work or something where you will have all the time to be distracted by the latest computer games? :p

More serriously, Back when I was at Uni I liked having a laptop because it was easier to transport when i was moving in and out of places and traveling home every now and again. However, as you've said they are not really that good for gaming, and you cant upgrade them that easily. I suppose you could compromise and invest in a shuttle.

PK!
 
I was at uni until last Monday. :D And although I have both, I only got the laptop comparatively recently and it isn't even for uni. A desktop computer offers more options in terms of capability and it isn't as easy to walk off with as a laptop is - the chances are fairly slim that you will get stuff nicked unless you are unlucky/silly but it is a possibility.

Will_3rd has given you a good option if you already have a monitor, software and peripherals. However you do have to factor in transporting the machine I guess which might be more of an issue. :)
 
I'm doing modern history. So lots of time for gaming tbh :p

But that's what I wanted to hear! Well I already have a fairly small case which isn't too bad for lugging around. Thanks for the spec Will, I've changed it round to fit my case and better graphics, less space and I already have a cooler and dvd. What do you think of this -

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I did my first year at Uni with a desktop PC, and didn't really encounter any times when I felt I desperately needed a notebook.

That being said, I'm fortunate enough to have both (got my notebook around this time last year), and I've been using it a fair bit since Xmas. It's nice to be able to take my own machine in to the library or anywhere else, rather than mess about with the Uni machines which are always horribly slow. Will get even more use during Summer and in my third year when I'm doing my dissertation.

Don't think I'd want to ever use just a notebook though.
 
unless your doing graphics like me then i would stuck with a desktop (mac at uni), but I would wait till sep, you wont need it for a few weeks into ** course and by then you will get more for ** money.
 
when I was at uni I started with a pc in the first year, then bought a new pc in the second year due to dodgy pc company (I knew less then than I do now) and the fact that mine really could not cut it for my needs. Then at easter I was given a new laptop by the parents (cant remember why).

Mainly used the pc, the laptop usually went with me to the kitchen when I was cooking but apart from that I hardly used it.
 
Go with the desktop just for value for money. Being portable isn't really that usefull to be honest.

Most of my mates have laptops, and some of them really struggle with the work on our course (lots of 3d work, rendering an testing of games :D)
I'm glad I've got a high spec pc for my course, just wish I'd bought a Quad earlier due to how much time this semester I spent rendering!
 
get a

uni needs a laptop period. u wont be able to play games etc when your going to be doing assignments.
and trust there are many assignments coming your way.
and im sure u dont want to be booking or waiting for a computer to be avaliable in the library. when everyone is trying to do coursework.

i would recommend getting 12.1 inch laptop with around 6-7 hrs battery life

u can look at IBM thinkpad X series x60
or toshiba m300. which i have :D
 
I think computer avaliability depends on the university you go to, so just having a laptop so you can do work in the library isnt as important as sandman makes it sound. And libraries are great for actually letting you take some of the books home with you for a while! :p

Also, I think a good peice of advice would be to get your own printer, especially with some of the cheap deals avaliable on the high street. There is nothing more frustraighting than searching around finding a free uni computer so you can print off your assignment just before the deadline when everyone else is. Especially if its 6p a sheet like I had to put up with... :mad:

PK!
 
sandman06 said:
uni needs a laptop period. u wont be able to play games etc when your going to be doing assignments.
and trust there are many assignments coming your way.
Click to expand...

There is more to uni than doing assignments and playing computer games :) There are busy periods of work on most courses but I've found it is still very possible and desirable to have a social life.

misterPK said:
get your own printer
Click to expand...

Also recommend that one.

hth,

aaazza
 
You guys that are saying there's no time at uni for games.. have you actually done a degree? :confused:

I have a desktop PC for playing games, and a cheap ancient laptop for working away from the house. I've never missed not having a long battery life tbh - everywhere you could realistically work will have a power point anyway.
 
im at uni and ive yet felt the need for a laptop...if youre course requires a lot of essays to be written than maybe you should get a laptop so you can take it to the library or whatever...either way id still go for a regular pc its not like he's going to be working 24/7 anyway and we all know that during term time uni students spend more time in pubs or w/e as opposed to in the library until exam time where its non stop revision..

that being said my uni blocks most ports that allow you to play games online e.g. steam or irc wont work if you live in halls at my uni..luckily ive got my own connection so its all good
 
I've spent the majority of my first year at Stafford Playing LAN games and going out with mates. Only really done any work in the 2 weeks before the deadlines at Christmas and earlier the start of this month.
Back home now :)
The network was poor, couldnt really play games online most of the time, occasionaly you could if not many people were on resnet (ie just after it coming back from crashing - or after everyone else is home for easter etc)

Later years your not going to have so much time to chill, but it certainly ain't gonna be as bad as sandman is saying!
 
lemonkettaz said:
You wont be playing games at uni
Click to expand...
sandman06 said:
uni needs a laptop period. u wont be able to play games etc when your going to be doing assignments.
and trust there are many assignments coming your way.
Click to expand...

Of course there's time to play games. Granted, the priorities change, but he won't necessarily be going out or doing work 100% of the time. There's always those lazy weekends when people aren't really being very social because they're tired or bored or are busy with other stuff, and a few hours gaming fits perfectly. Besides, workload will depend entirely on what course he's doing.

If you are looking for a notebook, a Dell Inspiron 640m is perhaps a good place to start. Not expensive, decent spec, and as it's a 14.1" it's a bit lighter and smaller than most notebooks (which are generally 15.4"). Anything smaller than that starts to get stupidly expensive for no real gain other than the smaller size itself.
 
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