2006-06-09 14:44:27 · 17 answers · asked by Jane L 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
I'd have to side with the person who said "It depends what you plan on doing." - As the other person said, ram (or system memory) will greatly help you in terms of performance. I would consider 512MB minimum, 1GB comfortable and 2GB high-end.
As for HD space. It depends what your going to be doing. The big thing here is to think ahead! Don't think about what you'll be doing with it right now, think down the road. Upgrading a laptop isn't easy or cheep. So better to get a decent size HD now, and not live to regret it in the future. The way manufactures are now a days, I couldn't take anything smaller than a 80GB. If money is a concern than google search dell coupons. Be patient and check every day, and it's only a matter of time before you'll land a great deal. :)
2006-06-09 14:58:07 · answer #1 · answered by tech7696 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is probably more important to upgrade the ram. You should probably upgrade to a gig of ram; more will probably be not necesary unless you are planning on using the comp for really high demand programs. For the hard drive the speed and type matters more than the space. For example a hard drive that is going into a new comp now that is 60 gig is much better than a 60 gig from 3 years ago. You should make sure that the hard drive is 7200 rpm, much better than the 5400 rpm. Don't forget that the graphics card is VERY, VERY, important, you should have at least 128 meg.
Hope this helps
P.S. Buy a Dell
2006-06-09 16:10:38 · answer #2 · answered by Jefrey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since files are loaded into RAM in order for you to work on them, RAM is an important item. If your machine does not have adequate RAM then your system will slow down because it will get tied up doing disk fetches to and from the hard drive via the page/swap file. With so may options nowadays for external, off-line storage, disk drive space is practically a secondary consideration. Just be sure that you determine up front what applications you intend to run so you can obtain a machine with enough hard disk space to install them and the OS.
2006-06-09 17:29:28 · answer #3 · answered by cptdrinian 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out your engineering courses and see what type of software applications they want you to use. The applications will typically have Minimum Systems Requirements. It is possible both might be important. More RAM means that multiple programs or RAM hungry applications can run faster. A large Hard Drive might be important if you need to store lots of lots of data or have very large graphics files. Some CAD-CAM applications can be very demanding of RAM, HD size and want a very fast CPU or even a graphics chip. I suspect that there are systems at school that you can use for these type needs, so a normal amount of RAM 128MB or 256MB or a 20 or 30GB HD might work well for browsing the web, sending messages, spreadsheets, taking notes, IM or other similar business or personal related applications.
2006-06-09 15:12:39 · answer #4 · answered by oldlaptops 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
RAM - Try and get a laptop with a lot of RAM. This would help load applications faster and run faster. If you want to upgrade at a later stage it may be tricky to install.
If you require more hard disk space, simply consider an external hard drive. Works just as well and you will only be limited by your budget. You dont have to limit your self to 2.5 inch laptop hard drive. The 3.5inch hard drives used in Desktop PCs can be used.
2006-06-09 21:09:00 · answer #5 · answered by JonT774 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What do you want to do? Do you want to (1) run a lot of Engineering applications or (2) write spreadsheets and tables without the need for mathematical formulas to manipulate these spreadsheets and tables?
If the answer is (1) then you need a lot of both. If the answer is (2) then your need for RAM is less urgent than your need for hard disk capacity.
2006-06-10 00:29:34 · answer #6 · answered by azizjaman 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if you are a Graphics Engineer , then you need more RAM as your graphics VRAM is shared with the RAM. If you are Thinking of using somekind of Simulator software that simulates circuits working realtime or machines working, or even physics engine that simulates a car crash test or modeling then you also need more RAM.
2006-06-10 05:36:13 · answer #7 · answered by GearSpec™ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
CPU and hard disk are most impotent RAM random access memory dose not matter ram dose not effect the speed of your computer.your CPU Central processing unit is what counts
2006-06-09 14:54:15 · answer #8 · answered by Christopher R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
RAM is of more importance than hard disk as it will determine the speed of ur system. A higher Ghz with a high RAM memory will enhance the performance of ur pc/notebook. 80GB hard disk is enough. Partition is recommended. Thanks!
2006-06-09 14:48:33 · answer #9 · answered by Alpha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
RAM is more important, get at least 512 MB, but I recommend over 1 gig for CAD or large image work.
2006-06-09 15:33:28 · answer #10 · answered by Fire Halo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋