Hi everyone,
I'm thrilled to have received an offer from Melbourne University. Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Design.
Assuming I choose Bachelor of Design, and the associated programs I'll need to use, can anyone recommend a good laptop, please (at least 15")?
Any thoughts as to whether I really need one? I'm saving to buy a house and I'm extremely careful with my money and generally only buy things I need.
Thanks in advance.
Good advice. I should have thought of that but I'm over-excited :) Thanks!
Having a laptop would be extremely useful.
Using the lab computers doesn’t work if you need to work at weekends unless you have a decent computer st home.. Also most of the time finding a free library computer to study at can be impossible during the semester.
As others have said though, wait till your first lecture. Some courses require you to have your own laptop.
Keep an eye on sales(dell outlet, eBay etc) I know Apple has their usual back to Uni sale on as well.
Thanks for the advice. I spoke to Apple last year and learned about student pricing. Will the sale you mention make them even cheaper?
It’s not cheaper but you get a free pair of beats headphones.
Yes, I noticed that offer on this website and on the Unidays or StudentEdge website. Cheers.
"I'm extremely careful with my money and generally only buy things I need."
Pick a degree that'll land you a job.
I'll do my best! :)
Any other offers pending?
No, I only had two choices from the one Institution. I might consider some other options but I'm happy with my offers.
Not really sure how you can do a degree without having your own PC.
The cost of the laptop will pale into insignificance against the cost of the degree.
I have a PC but it's below average. I'm just trying to be cautious because saving for a house is hugely important to me. It looks like I'll have to spend some of my savings on a decent laptop. Would love to buy an iMac and a MacBook Pro… iMac Pro would be brilliant but $6500? Yikes! Wouldn't it be nice… Maybe I'll sell some of my collectables to get a laptop without affecting my savings too much.
If you buy a Mac, I believe you are automatically banned from Ozbargain. Although the T&Cs of this site may have changed.
LOL :)
Yeah, I wasn't thinking about $6,500. While I can't speak for any specific requirements you might have with a Bachelor of Design degree, i.e. higher PC specs to run system hungry software, you can get a more than adequate laptop for general purpose use (MS Office suite, etc.) for a grand.
Thank you. Any laptops (or even PCs) in particular? Perhaps I can use them as a baseline.
@surroundedbymaniacs: There is some good discussion on this page OzB that's just come up this morning.
Thanks again, much appreciated.
Still needing laptop recommendations for Design-based studies, please… Even if school provides recommendations of their own, I'd still like to know of any bargains on appropriate laptops (and even PCs).
If it’s design based perhaps a higher resolution or ultra wide monitor will help. I’m not too tech savvy myself but I’ve had archetiture friends back at uni that used Retina display MacBook pros (yes Apple) and it served them well. You can pick up 4K monitors at decent price but that will also mean an upgraded computer = higher cost. I’d say go for a decent laptop or MacBook. Congrats on getting the degree and good luck with your future studies :)
Edit: could you give us a budget on what you would spend on the machine?
Thanks so much. It's been a dream of mine to go to Melb Uni. I can't believe it.
I'm definitely considering a MacBook Pro. A monitor and PC are an option but a laptop might be best in terms of portability and classroom use.
I'd say my budget is around $3K.
A 15" laptop will be way too big for lectures.
True, but it'll come in handy outside of class so it'd be worth it.
See if the university has any deals with computer companies e.g. apple, as they get a bulk discount typically depending on how many devices are bought over the year
Thanks, I'll definitely look into that.
Perhaps wait until orientation week to find what other students have/unit suggestions?
Thanks. That's an excellent suggestion.
Maybe contact the university and confirm exactly what you will need before you start shopping? Don't want to spend more money then neccesary