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AndMarmaladeSkies t1_ivcdss0 wrote

I have three kids in college. All their schools list recommended models. The engineering schools in particular seem to have strong recommendations. Their IT departments have on-site warranty service for certain makes/models.

Finally, if you won’t start college until next autumn: wait. Technology changes of course, but more importantly you probably want a warranty to span your entire time in college.

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Cold-Jackfruit6368 OP t1_ivceid4 wrote

This might be dumb questions so sorry. But model? Is that a specific computer or like brand?

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AndMarmaladeSkies t1_ivcerww wrote

Example: Dell is the manufacturer but Inspiron, Latitude, XPS, and Precision are some of their laptop model lines.

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Snuggledtoopieces t1_ivfeivm wrote

Surface pro, all the engineers I know love them.

The 9s nice makes sure you get the keyboard and stylus.

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Artaois t1_ivgb6xi wrote

That's a terrible choice.

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Snuggledtoopieces t1_ivgcu9j wrote

Really, literally 50+ mechanical engineers love them and have requested them through 4 generations.

So sorry you don’t like them.

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SecretConspirer t1_ivtctjw wrote

Depends on what you're doing with them. They're nice for taking notes and general coursework, I loved mine in Uni. But, they're not great for any actual processor or hard drive dependent heavy work.

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AbsurdOwl t1_iwiqeuj wrote

It sounds like you haven't used one in a few years. That was absolutely true 5-7 years ago. The Surface Pro 8 and 9 (Intel, not ARM) are extremely capable laptops. I just sold my 8 recently, not because it couldn't* serve as my main dev machine, but because I just didn't love the form factor. The keyboard was surprisingly solid, but the inability to pick it up easily with one hand is what finally pushed me back to a clamshell style laptop.

Hardware wise though, the Pro 8 was one of the best PCs I've had, and the 9 is supposed to be even better.

Edit: a word

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Brandon3541 t1_ivugz39 wrote

Not if they have to do any simulations / CAD / coding they won't.

2 in 1 laptops are pretty weak in general and are for little more than taking notes.

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AbsurdOwl t1_iwiqppy wrote

This isn't really accurate for the SP8 or 9. I used an 8 as my daily driver for dev work for 8 months, and it handled everything I threw at it, including building a monolithic repo I have to deal with at work with dozens of projects inside, something my Surface Laptop 3 struggled hard with.

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BornAgainSpecial t1_ivvbhm8 wrote

This is the "buy it for life" reddit, and you're telling someone to buy an extended warranty laptop you think will die within 4 years.

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deeleelee t1_iw0za0i wrote

same reason people recommend Darn Tough and Patagonia, warranty is part of what you buy.

if you think ANY laptop will last you for life, I don't know what else to tell you.

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