Time for a new 'puter

Since I've reentered the scholastic community I have discovered the need for an upgraded computer. I was wondering what you guys thought as I am a little lost with my specific requirements and the fact that I have been quite anti-technology for many years.
I am a student and my scholarship is willing to buy me one computer for my entire scholastic experience. This is unfortunate as my final degree is still about 6 years away, but I figured if I buy fairly high-end and am gentle I can make this last for a while. If it doesn't make it all six years (I really dont think it will) I will figure out something else when that time comes. One advantage I have is that they are giving me $2400 for this purchase, but that also has to include printer, mouse, software, etc.
So I am looking for a windows-based, desktop replacement laptop with plenty of everything. I have access to student discounts on OS and other software, so whatever it comes with doesn't matter, but I do want Windows 7 as many of my class programs require it. I am a little confused for processor, I am leaning towards i7, but not set. Large harddrive is essential, I am not fully confident in surface-mount technology as it is still unreliable in the long run because the manufacturing is poor. I am also looking into external HD for a backup system, not that it matters at this point. I also want a computer with plenty of usb ports, larger kayboard for my huge hands and I am unsure of the need for bluetooth.
For the printer I am looking wireless, reliable and with inexpensive run costs. I understand that some cartridges are more expensive, but they produce way more pages. I am also looking into a trackball because I love them and have one in mind, but am wondering what suggestions you all come up with.
Any help will be greatly appreciated and sorry for the long post.

Is windows based a necessity?

If not you can always get a Mac and run windows off if it.

I only say Mac because they last long and are very user friendly.

They are a bit more expensive but they are great machines and since I got mine I am loving it.

I have tried a program from one of my classes on a Mac running windows and it wouldn't work. When I contacted the prof. she said that it will not work and that I should just run it on a proper PC. I am not an anti-Mac guy I just need a PC for my application. Thank you for the suggestion though. Actually I was originally searching for a Mac, until that issue, as my university has an Apple store in the bookstore. That being said they were all at the higher end of my price range even with a student discount.

You know, it's not a laptop but for $2400 you could build one heck of a desktop...

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Originally Posted by BKratchmer

You know, it's not a laptop but for $2400 you could build one heck of a desktop...

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Yes, I know I kind of wish I could figure out a way to make a desktop work. I need a laptop as I take it from my house to my parents now and then. I also have the habit of working all over the house rather than just at my desk.

Check out this link. It may help you narrow down your choice.

Laptop Review, Notebook Reviews, Best Laptop Computer

DO not go mac for a windows based machine, I assume as an academic windows is a necessity, and a mac may well run superbly, but with windows there is no guarantee this will continue to be the case, if you're going for a laptop an i3 would be a good bet with as high a ram limit as you could get, if you're going for a premade I would say sony or HP but don't discount acer or asus, I could help so much more if i knew what you were using it for.

Geek

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Originally Posted by TheGeek

DO not go mac for a windows based machine, I assume as an academic windows is a necessity, and a mac may well run superbly, but with windows there is no guarantee this will continue to be the case, if you're going for a laptop an i3 would be a good bet with as high a ram limit as you could get, if you're going for a premade I would say sony or HP but don't discount acer or asus, I could help so much more if i knew what you were using it for.

Geek

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I won't go mac. Windows is necessary. Why an i3 rather than i5 or i7? I will be using the standard education tools, but add in a little autocad and some mechanical testing platforms including reactionary and theoretical testing. I am not against a custom, but unsure of cost or where to go. As of right now i have been avoiding sony for a lack of consistency in their quality control and longevity. I currently have one less than a year old that was given to me and it is unable to unplug during use even across the room to another receptacle.

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Originally Posted by deighaingeal

I won't go mac. Windows is necessary. Why an i3 rather than i5 or i7? I will be using the standard education tools, but add in a little autocad and some mechanical testing platforms including reactionary and theoretical testing. I am not against a custom, but unsure of cost or where to go. As of right now i have been avoiding sony for a lack of consistency in their quality control and longevity. I currently have one less than a year old that was given to me and it is unable to unplug during use even across the room to another receptacle.

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What are you studying and how much CAD work and mechanical testing are you thinking about doing? That right there might dictate the type of machine you should get, as CAD is quite graphics-intensive.

I order the Dell Precision workstations (M6400) for the engineers where I work -- they all use our CAD system and some run finite element analysis software in addition. They're 17" notebooks and quite heavy, as I tend to get the high end CPU and video cards. We spec them out just under $3k and that includes the port replicator and external monitor.

I can't recommend anything but laser for printer but understand that good ones are still comparatively pricey. Inkjet uses the same business model as Gillette; cheap hardware with ridiculously marked-up components.

You can get a 1TB external drive powered through USB, and I usually go with Western Digital. Backups always matter.

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Originally Posted by commiecat

What are you studying and how much CAD work and mechanical testing are you thinking about doing? That right there might dictate the type of machine you should get, as CAD is quite graphics-intensive.

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I am unsure to the amount of cad work. I am going for Occupational Therapy with a specialty of prosthetology and biokenetics. The OT section I believe to be easy computer work, but the specialties will be more involved. I do know that during many of my classes I will find myself running multiple programs, but to what level I don't know. What I do know is that if I need to do computations further than what my computer is able I could always utilize my brother's computer as he is an engineer and has a desktop that can handle more than I need.

I have computers that are over 6 years old and I can still use them, but I run Linux. In the world of windows you will be quite outdated few years from now. That doesn't mean you wouldn't be able to do your work though.
Sounds like you should talk to the IT dpt. at the place you're studying at. They have the best chance to have a good perspective on what is important for your program and what will get you most mileage out of your money.

Other than that the general idea is to get the biggest processor and video card you can afford, as well as get a machine with ability for memory expansion. Chances are that in few years you can buy 8-16GB of memory, for $50-$100 or replace the hard drive with a much better one for $100, which will give you a nice boost and be well worth even if it comes out of your pocket (at the moment these will likely blow your budget).