fyi:laptops Technical Support

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==== Laptop Suggestions ====

The most important aspect of buying a laptop are your personal preferences and the price.

{{:fyi:mac.png?700 | Mac Laptops}}


=== MAC vs PC ===

An excellent gaming laptop are made by [[http://www.alienware.com/|Alienware]] (now owned by [[http://www.dell.ca/laptops |DELL]]). The Alienware laptops have top of the line components and they are PC-based.

<note>There is no PC or laptop requirement when you enter the gaming stream, if need be equipment will be available for gaming students via the gaming lab.</note>

{{  :fyi:macpc.jpg?400  | MAC vs PC  }}

Mac laptops are very popular as well and for good reason. Mac's are easy to use, known to be very stable, less susceptible to viruses and they look great. ((Be aware that MAC's typically run their own operating system and its not Microsoft Windows))

<note>All students in the Mobile Computing Stream must have a Mac laptop for COMP 1601 for Winter
2012 term only.  For COMP 2601, all students must have their own laptop but it can be either
a Mac or a PC.  Effective Fall 2012, students will no longer be required to have a Mac laptop
for COMP 1601. You will be able choose either a Mac or a PC laptop.</note>


Students that have a tighter budget may want to shop for HP, Acer, Dell, Lenovo, or Sony laptops.

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<note>Planning to enter the Robotics stream? A PC laptop will be the better choice!</note>

=== Intel vs AMD ===

The two most common processors found in laptops are Intel based or AMD based. Both processors have their strengths and weaknesses but overall they are comparable. AMD purchased graphics company ATI and therefore has good video-card support. A better video-card means greater power requirements which affects battery life. Do you want better video performance or is battery life more important to you? AMD and Intel are very competitive - you can't go wrong choosing either processor.

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=== Laptop Dimensions ===

{{:fyi:laptop.png?130 | Alienware Laptop}} 

When your looking to buy a new laptop size matters. The laptop size is defined by the display size and its width. Gaming students may prefer a laptop with a larger screen size, perhaps 16" or larger. 

Since laptops are meant to be portable check their weight too. Ultra portable laptop's have a small screen size 14 inches or less and are light and compact. 

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=== Performance ===

The performance of your laptop depends on the following factors:

  * CPU - Dual and Quad core processors are nice because they combines two and four independent cores respectively on a single package/die   
  * RAM - the more the better! 4GB or more is adequate.
  * Hard Disk - size 320 GB or more
  * Battery Life 

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=== Accessories ===

Make sure to get ((If you work on your laptop a lot an external mouse is useful.)):

  * integrated web-cam
  * wireless networking
  * carry-case
  * USB drive for backups!

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=== Software ===

{{:fyi:msdnaa_mark.gif  | MSDNAA  }}

Don't spend any money on the operating system, [[http://dreamspark.carleton.ca/|Dreamspark]] allows Computer Science students to download Microsoft Software free of charge. This can save you a considerable amount of money!

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fyi/laptops.1335536460.txt.gz · Last modified: 2012/04/27 10:21 by admin

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