Originally Posted by dmzz

I have a question regarding engineering. In first year we have ENG 1D04. It is a C# programming course. I have been told we also dabble in the linux kernel, and install unix/linux OS's while customizing the kernel. Is this correct?

Whoever told that to you was lying, lol, or weren't talking about 1D04. 1D04 is strictly for learning the basics of programming in C# and is really designed for anyone who's never even touched programming before.

In second year software engineering, however, I believe there is a course where you learn how to do procedural programming and learn how to screw around with the Unix operating system a little bit.

And to whoever asked if their computer is compatible with Unix; if your computer is capable of computing, it will be able to run Unix. Unix can run on virtually every computer processor.

Originally Posted by goelk

i wasn't talking about the tablet pcs...i am talking about the normal laptops...for tablet pcs hp or lenovo are probably the best...but build wise definitely dell is much much better!!

I don't even think those are too bad. My friend has an ordinary HP laptop, and it seems to work fine. The only thing I find weird about HP is their obsession with blue lights. There has got to be at least 10 super bright LED lights on my tablet pc...

i was talking about hp when compared to dell or macbook...but fine i guess everyone has there own point of view...so...peace!

Originally Posted by Ownaginatios

The only thing I find weird about HP is their obsession with blue lights. There has got to be at least 10 super bright LED lights on my tablet pc...

Yeah, In sleep mode that thing can illuminate a dark room.

As for my HP Laptop, it does what its supposed to and I've had it for a year. No complaints except that when i'm running like 20 applications on vista with graphics settings maxed out, it gets a little too hot for comfort.

Get a Dell Mini 9. Those things are excellent and super cheap. You won't even notice the lack of a DVD drive...

Originally Posted by a-max

Yeah, In sleep mode that thing can illuminate a dark room.

SO annoying, especially when your room mate leaves his laptop on 24/7 and you never get complete darkness to sleep in.

I have a macbook pro and it's fantastic. The gesture controls make things so fast and easy it's great. And of course you can dual boot windows with it as well. Best of both worlds really. Yeah you do have to pay more, but I definitely think it is worth it.
I don't know what the fuss about right clicking is about, pretty sure apple has had that for several years now. On a macbook it'll be two fingers on the trackpad and a click of the button simultaneously.

Originally Posted by goelk

i was talking about hp when compared to dell or macbook...but fine i guess everyone has there own point of view...so...peace!

I would hardly call Dell better quality than HP. Everyone I know who owns the XPS isn't very pleased with it. Most dell laptops I've encountered also feel very loosely put together when you pick them up. And everyone knows, they throw in the cheapest parts to keep the price down :p.

As for MacBooks, those new ones look quite nice; especially the pro. The fact that it has a non-user replaceable battery kind of puts me off though...

Originally Posted by Ownaginatios

As for MacBooks, those new ones look quite nice; especially the pro. The fact that it has a non-user replaceable battery kind of puts me off though...

I work for Apple, as second level tech support. I was worried about that too at first. I thought to myself "Great. now instead of shipping a battery, ill have to set up repairs". But in the 4 months since the new MacBook Pros have come out, I have yet to get a call about any failed batteries on these models. Im sure they fail, but not like the previous models.

Originally Posted by Ownaginatios

I would hardly call Dell better quality than HP. Everyone I know who owns the XPS isn't very pleased with it. Most dell laptops I've encountered also feel very loosely put together when you pick them up. And everyone knows, they throw in the cheapest parts to keep the price down :p.

As for MacBooks, those new ones look quite nice; especially the pro. The fact that it has a non-user replaceable battery kind of puts me off though...

well apple says tht their battery can be recharged about a 1000 times which they claim can run for 4 years or so....anyways macbook pro backup is amazing giving upto 5 hours of backup...

Originally Posted by reeves

I work for Apple, as second level tech support. I was worried about that too at first. I thought to myself "Great. now instead of shipping a battery, ill have to set up repairs". But in the 4 months since the new MacBook Pros have come out, I have yet to get a call about any failed batteries on these models. Im sure they fail, but not like the previous models.

Ya, but what about when the battery just starts to suck? It says that it can take 1000 charge cycles, but only a certain amount of those cycles are going to hold 5 hours of power.

I don't like the idea of apple just assuming "Oh who cares about the battery... when it wares out, nobody will be using this computer anyway".

There taking this "lets make the computer simple!" a little too far in my opinion...

yeah...i guess thts one of the major cons of the new macbook pro apart from its super glossy screen!!

Originally Posted by Ownaginatios

Ya, but what about when the battery just starts to suck? It says that it can take 1000 charge cycles, but only a certain amount of those cycles are going to hold 5 hours of power.

I don't like the idea of apple just assuming "Oh who cares about the battery... when it wares out, nobody will be using this computer anyway".

There taking this "lets make the computer simple!" a little too far in my opinion...

True, Im just saying that so far, they're off to a much better start than the user replaceable ones.

I have a new Macbook Pro and I really enjoy it.
It's taking me a while to learn but I find that I already consider the system more reliable than Windows.
In terms of price, if you budget your money you can walk away with a Macbook Pro and iPod Touch for roughly $1500 after rebate.
You could buy a Macbook or refurbished Book for much less I assume.
If you watch the tutorials and read the books you'll be fine with a Mac

wat abt its battery backup? how much do u get when just surfing the net?

I have my screen on minimum brightness to conserve battery life and because my eyes can't take the contrast. The glossiness is only a factor depending on if you don't adjust your screen properly. When you're reclining back you may find it more beneficial to tilt the screen too or you may find it fine to sit with it at a 90 degree angle to the keyboard

but how many hours backup does it give u?