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Anyone an architecture major? what laptop?

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wintersway
Posts: 5115 - Karma: 128
im wondering what kind of laptop any architecture major's are using and such... im going to school for architecture next year and am going to be needing a decent laptop that can run programs like CAD without lag

under $1500
Feb 18 2009 10:25PM
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dguay13
Posts: 372 - Karma: 14
I have a MacBook Pro and im a first year architecture mmajor
Feb 18 2009 10:26PM
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wintersway
Posts: 5115 - Karma: 128
i was thinking about a macbook pro, but i talked to the professor at norwich and he said pc's are recommended, and so did the masters student that gave the tour of the department.

and i can customize a sony or lenovo with just about everything the macbook has, without the crap i dont need and either of those would be about $1400-$1500
Feb 18 2009 10:44PM
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Lineskiah11
Posts: 2029 - Karma: 21
all my arc friends have mac's but if u go mac make sure that you get xp because there are some programs that you will need to run on windows
Feb 18 2009 10:48PM
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wintersway
Posts: 5115 - Karma: 128
id rather not dish out the extra money for the macbook pro
$2100 base model... or $1400 for a customized pc and a 2 year warranty that covers everything

its still in the list, since im not paying for it, but i doubt my dad will pay for a mb pro just because it has dual boot, and the the greatness of a mac
Feb 18 2009 11:02PM
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Schmidnj
Posts: 387 - Karma: 10
the new MB pros are pretty sick but i dont know if they are worth the $$
Feb 18 2009 11:07PM
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chapz
Posts: 10182 - Karma: 66
get a sony vaio fw series.
Feb 18 2009 11:11PM
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wintersway
Posts: 5115 - Karma: 128
well for the first year at least, ill just have the laptop. so i definitely need a decent screen like 16 or 17 inches
Feb 18 2009 11:13PM
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*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
what programs are you going to be running? Rhino? Auto Cad?
Feb 18 2009 11:21PM
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wintersway
Posts: 5115 - Karma: 128
definitely autoCAD, not really sure what else. just want a fast laptop that can handle anything i throw at it.

and as posted above, the vaio fw is a top choice
Feb 19 2009 2:14AM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
You'll probably end up using most programs that aren't autocad (depending on that school), rather more programs like adobe shit (illustrator, photoshop, indesign). Regardless, you don't need to shell out a ton for a laptop, since most new models have sufficient hardware to run it. But memory is your friend, so load up, whatever brand the computer may be.

In the end, I'd avoid macs. While they are good computers, there are some computability issues (namely with something like rhino) that really bites ya in the ass. Not to mention they cost a shitton, and you'll probably end up buying quite a few programs before you're done. Something to keep in mind.
Feb 19 2009 2:25AM
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seward
Posts: 5233 - Karma: 2,174
im taking architectural engineering and i use the school computers cause thats what their fuckin there for.
i dont think anyone in my class has a laptop, just a external hard drive or usb stick to transfer files.

and when i do work at home i use a mac mini dual core that cost me $350 on craigslist.

$2000
- $350
= $1650 savings

your welcome
Feb 19 2009 4:55PM
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*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
go for a laptop thats has a really nice graphics card. something in the 9000 series from nvidea and your set.
Feb 20 2009 3:42PM
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An10a_Eng
Posts: 2505 - Karma: 26
a notmac also know as a dell alienware or lenovo
Feb 20 2009 4:36PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
i use a 2.4 ghz macbook that you can get for 1500 with the college education discount. i have that hooked up to an acer 22" lcd flatscreen monitor that i got for 200, ideal setup
Feb 20 2009 4:41PM
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Kajex
Posts: 1069 - Karma: 178
hmm well im a third year architecture major and most people here dont use laptops... everyone is required to buy the same pc freshman year, and what a beast it is.  4 gigs ram , dual 3.2 processor... and we keep them in our studios ( lockable desk, etc.)  i know a lot of the time i use autocad, 3dmax , illustrator, firefox, photoshop, etc.   at the same time... so watever u get make sure it can not only just run each program, try and get something that can run multiple so you arent constantly switching around and shit. 
Feb 20 2009 4:44PM
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