Programs that you will need for first year is as follows:
Eng 1C03: Autodesk Inventor 2011, MapleSim 5
Eng 1D04: Python 2.7 using the Idle IDE
Math 1ZA3, 1ZB3, 1ZC3: Maple 14 or later, Matlab (unless they changed this, you still need Matlab for later years regardless)

will windows XP home edition be good enough to run all the software or should i get windows 7? I think my brother is getting a pc and i might be able to just download his windows 7 on my mac.

Originally Posted by mel369

will windows XP home edition be good enough to run all the software or should i get windows 7? I think my brother is getting a pc and i might be able to just download his windows 7 on my mac.

Either is fine.

Originally Posted by mel369

will windows XP home edition be good enough to run all the software or should i get windows 7? I think my brother is getting a pc and i might be able to just download his windows 7 on my mac.

Autodesk lists system requirements here: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id =15402497&linkID=9242 018#section2

I would recommend Windows 7 Professional 64-bit. Stop holding back innovation and upgrade!

What do you guys think of Sony Vaio F Series with i7-2630QM, 6GB RAM, 640GB HDD, FHD 16"Display

Originally Posted by taranv

What do you guys think of Sony Vaio F Series with i7-2630QM, 6GB RAM, 640GB HDD, FHD 16"Display

Too lazy to google. Link pl0x.

Originally Posted by kldv

Hi Mel,
Generally, you're best to reserve a minimum 20 GB of space for Windows.

More than that if you plan on installing Autodesk Inventor for Eng 1C03.



As for the OP: I know lots of people that did just fine with Macbooks, and they didn't install any Windows emulating programs. The truth is, that even though you get a letter saying you need Inventor, you personally don't need it. All of the computers on campus will have the program, and it's not hard to get ahold of one.

As for Python for 1D04, it works for Macs.
http://www.python.org/download/

http://store.sony.ca/webapp/wcs/stor...9216663422 15

How's That? Anything better for same price range?

Originally Posted by taranv

http://store.sony.ca/webapp/wcs/stor...9216663422 15

How's That? Anything better for same price range?

http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/...id= xps-l502x

Dell XPS 15

Intel i7-2630 2.0Ghz up to 2.9Ghz
8GB DDR3 @ 1333Mhz
Nvidia GeForce GT 525 1GB GDDR3 with Optimus
56Whr battery (I recommend upping this to the 90Whr for 50 bucks - gives 7-9 hours battery life)
750GB 7200RPM HDD
Still has HDMI out and all the usual media ports

For only $899 CDN right now because of sale price. If you upgrade it with a better video card, full HD screen, processor, and battery, you could far outpace the Vaio for the same price. Not to mention the battery life of Vaio's is like 3 hours at best. I have the 17" version of this laptop (don't go for that), and the battery is around 7 hours with moderate use.

So the Dell Upgraded to FHD Screen and Blu-Ray OR Sony Vaio ?? Which Company is better? Dell with those two upgrades costs a bit more (not an issue) and Sony is supposed to have a 5 hour battery life. Which manufacturer is better?