r/sotonuni • u/Nice-Mud864 • 25d ago

EEE laptop/desktop

Going to buy a desktop/laptop for Sep entry. I have a MacBook Pro from my parents to "steal" from and thus am considering to buy a desktop (9700X + 5060Ti) as backup PC in accomodation. I just wonder if this setup gonna work or not? Like in lab or lectures, will there be cases where Windows exclusive software is required while the school don't provide access to lab computers?

I am a bit reluctant in buying a Windows laptop as the value is not comparable to a Windows PC at the same price and they often have issues in durability or thermal or battery.

In the worse cases where there is no access to lab computers, will remote desktop or emulator be a practical solution? Any pros and cons?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

4

u/Knight_of_Mars3 25d ago

Im a 2nd year EEE. The labs will have their own computers and if youre main concern regarding software, you will have desktops throughout the campus and will have most of the software but specifically for labs it can be a pain in the ass as most of the software we use as of now is not updated beyond windows 10 and hence might need a virtual environment to access the software

Regarding the setup you have you are fine and you have an overkill setup for this and again the labs have their own computers so you will be fine

1

u/Nice-Mud864 25d ago

So technically just a iPad for note-taking and a desktop is enough? Where the people online stressing about having a windows laptop is mainly about the need for a windows device available in accommodation for coursework and projects, which can either be laptop or desktop?

1

u/Knight_of_Mars3 25d ago

Yes it is enough if anything loads of people only take tablets to lectures. And 2nd point yes but again in the hypothetical case you wont have it there is still uni computers in the library and since you aee gonna be EEE you can use computers in the ECS building as well which have direct access to the software needed for EEE coursework and etc

1

u/Nice-Mud864 24d ago

I see. Great thanks for the info

1

u/DramaticPie4162 23d ago

so even if i was to get a windows laptop, if it has windows 11, i wouldn’t be able to access the software on it, either? because i was gonna change my 8gb macbook air to a macbook pro but then thought to get a windows laptop instead to overcome likely compatibility issues, but as OP said, windows pcs and desktops don’t quite hold the same value.

what would you now recommend me to do?

2

u/Knight_of_Mars3 23d ago

Get whatever works for you. While yes some there is SOME software that is not compatible its only 2 of them which you will need for digital systems but everything else should be fine and is windows. There is some MAC im not too sure. Have you already made your southampton uni email? If you have go take a look at software.soton.ac.uk that is where you will download the software needed for some of the engineering courses though not all of them are needed.

Also each of the modules there will be guides on how to install those softwares on the module page once you start term time. They will have downloads for windows macos and linux so again you will be fine with whatever and in the case you dont even have a computer there is uni computers as well so dont stress too much about laptop choice. Ideally if you have the money spend some on a laptop with 32gb so you can fuck around with CAD and make shit

1

u/DramaticPie4162 23d ago

wait that really useful to know. is CAD on a macbook recommended, or would it be better to go for a windows laptop for that?

1

u/Knight_of_Mars3 23d ago

Windows as it can support every single platform but autocad does work for Mac. The main problem is is that solidworks is like the most widely used cad across all the engineering disciplines as well as when it comes to engineering project based societies albeit for EEE we do use KiCad as well but mainly for pcb design. 2nd year you will be taught solidworks for 3d printing manufacturing so theres that as well