Laptop recommendations

I'll be starting university this September. I'll be studying architecture. Due to mobility issues, the university recommends I get a laptop. And my understanding is that architectural programs are quite memory intensive. So if I do get a laptop, it'll have to be quite powerful. I was actually thinking of getting a weaker laptop, and building a powerful desktop, to keep at my apartment. But I'm not sure how well that'll work, whatwith my reduced mobility and such. Maybe when I get more money going, I'll build a desktop for rendering or something. But for now, I'm sticking with getting a powerful laptop.

I've never owned a laptop before, so I have no idea what's good and what's bad and such.

[b]Here are the requirements the school has given me.[/b]
- Intel Core i7 2.4+ GHz Processor (sounds damn ridiculous for this to be a minimum requirement IMO, but meh)
- 1440 x 900 minimum display, 15" minimum screen size
- >8 GB RAM
- >1 TB HDD/storage space. They recommend a separate drive for the OS. Why, idk.
- Wireless 'b/g or n' type (?)
- DVD-RW or CD-RW drive.
- >1 GB Video Card
- Ethernet port.

Aside from this architecture stuff, I'll probably be using the laptop for very light applications (music, internet, word processing etc.) and very, very light gaming (if any). I would also prefer if it used a Windows OS (7 or 8, 7 preferably, because the older architecture students are saying that some programs may not work properly on 8). This is based purely on preference and my experiences with Windows 7, 8, XP, VS. Mac OS X (Snow Leopard and Lion), and Mac OS 9. I just prefer Windows, advantages and disadvantages aside. Furthermore, the more senior architecture students say that most of the programs work better on Windows. I would also like this laptop to last at least 5 years, without "dying," so to speak.

My budget is fairly large (I think); $3 500 CAD, exclusive of the programs needed for architecture.
So please, throw me some recommendations. And even if you don't or can't recommend a specific model, please tell me what companies/makes to look at and to avoid. Because, as I've said before, I've never owned a laptop, and are therefore completely new to them.

July 28, 2013

17 Comments • Newest first

ClementZ

Alright, so I'm reviving this thread, because I've been looking (a bit more seriously), at some laptops.

[url=http://www.razerzone.com/store/razer-blade-pro]My mom was suggesting this, though she admittedly doesn't know much about computers. I was looking at it, and can see nothing wrong with it (aside from a small hard-drive, which I can fix with a few externals).[/url]
[url=http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/asus-asus-17-3-laptop-black-intel-core-i7-3630qm-256gb-ssd-500gb-hdd-16gb-ram-windows-8-english-g75vx-dh72-ca/10243106.aspx?path=b2fdc66d13221a1373a265e5423e2fc8en02]I was looking at this semi-seriously, and aside from the size (which may be heavy - I don't know what 4kg feels like), I can see nothing wrong with it.[/url]

Anymore suggestions?

Reply August 7, 2013

ClementZ

[quote=Irony]You do not need that good of a laptop for [i]architectural studies[/i] LMFAO

gl getting a job i guess[/quote]

Architecture has a 3.9% unemployment rate in Canada.
Well below our national average (7.1%)
I think I'll do just fine.

Reply July 29, 2013 - edited

ElCheez

Just don't get a DELL, for the love of all things holy.

I've seen some new Sony computers, basically a beefed up version of the VAIO series, that look attractive, with at least the minimum specs you've listed, discrete graphics, the works. Look up the 'VAIO Fit 15 Touch'. It runs about $1700 USD, which is about the same as CAD these days. I would advise not spending in excess of $2000 unless you absolutely MUST have a particular model. In my experience, you don't get that much more for your money past $1500 or so. [url=http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666556927]Link to Sony[/url]

Reply July 29, 2013 - edited

Irony

You do not need that good of a laptop for [i]architectural studies[/i] LMFAO

gl getting a job i guess

Reply July 29, 2013 - edited

demonicrack

GGGEEEEEEEEEZZZ 8GB of RAM! That seems excessive. But yeah i would go with above. I personally like toshiba but i dont think it can withstand your requirements

Reply July 29, 2013 - edited

TheForeigner

Alienware maybe?

Reply July 29, 2013 - edited

NoobCake

[quote=ClementZ]Both, though I am preferring to get something in store. I haven't really started looking yet, and probably won't buy until nearer to the end of August (back to school sales, amirite?).[/quote]

I'll do some research for you on amazon and newegg. I don't think the school sales will be a drastic differences cause they're usually notebooks or laptop with lower specs to run Microsoft Word and basic browsing.

People saying that he's gonna spend $2000 are crazy and probably buy the first laptop they see without any actual research.

Reply July 29, 2013 - edited

ClementZ

[quote=NoobCake]~$2000 for those specs? Are you insane? My laptop is nearly as good as that and it was like ~$600 after tax (a year ago, so it would definitely be cheaper now). I'd say maximum he'd spend is about $1000 and that's only if he gets something better than the requirement, otherwise he'll be spending $700-$800 for those recommended requirements.

@ClementZ, are you searching in retail stores or online? I can find you something online (eg. newegg or amazon) but if it's retail then you gotta link us some laptops you've been looking at.[/quote]

Both, though I am preferring to get something in store. I haven't really started looking yet, and probably won't buy until nearer to the end of August (back to school sales, amirite?).

Reply July 29, 2013 - edited

aznseal

If I had a 3.5k budget, I'd buy a mac.