So I am looking for some advice on a computer that will be used for college. I will be studying Computer Science. The computer will be used for every day use like all the usual email, surfing web, watching videos, etc. Though it will also be my primary computer to do my programming on; programming class projects and personal projects.

I have been thinking of what exactly I want and I have come to two options. A pretty nice desktop with some good specs as my primary development computer plus also getting a cheap bottom of the line laptop to take with me to class. Though the second option would be to get a pretty high spec laptop to take to class but also get a monitor to dock the laptop too while I am in my apartment working on my projects. The docking monitor would be able to give me the screen estate needed for programming and having some quick reference material up.

To help with the advice I may get, I am interested in different aspects of programming. While I will be working on game development and will be working on a personal game projects I also am interested in regular software programming.

Any advice is welcome. Should I get a cheap laptop and a dedicated desktop? Should I just get a "high spec" laptop and an external monitor to dock it too? Which specs should I be looking into for any of these? Suggestions? I'll take any advice.

My budget is around $1500.

Thanks to all suggestions and advice!

I'd get a middle of the road laptop. A good number of games are playable on middle of the road machines these days, and for college portability>almost everything else. As nice as having a desktop can be, college is one scenario where I would recommend it least. It's just so nice having all of your work for all of your classes with you all of the time. Not to mention it doesn't keep you tied to home if you have time between classes and want to work on/play something.

You don't need top of the line hardware for programming.

You can get some decent laptops for $1500. The new Macbook Pro is $2200, and that has a REALLY good spec. The 13-inch Macbook Air is $1200 and has a decent spec.

Obviously, you'd also use this for gaming even though you didn't specify it. If you really want the 60fps 1080p with maxed settings of the most recent games, then certainly you'd need a desktop.

Get a laptop.

In my opinion you should avoid getting a mac. From what I've seen they are about $500+ more expensive than a comparable PC. If you plan on getting into any high-performance computing try getting something with an i5 tier processor. If you want to use it for graphics programming or gaming I would also suggest getting a laptop with a dedicated video card. If you want to do any gpu-tessellation stuff one with shader model 5 compatibility (more expensive).

I would say ~$1,000 is a good price range to shoot for.

ex.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152349

I went for the second option, laptop + monitor at home and I don't regret it. I was worried it would become a pain, but it's actually worked great. Just place the laptop on my desk, plug in the HDMI and usb for my keyboard and mouse and I'm good to go. My monitor even has an aux out so I can plug in my speakers straight in there. Plus, I can easily take the laptop with me wherever I want.The whole set up cost me around $1200. $900 for an i5 with 4gb ram and an Nvidia dedicated video card, and around $300 for the monitor.I can pretty much run anything I want on it, maybe not on max settings, but mid to high.

+1 for the new mac book pro with retina display. If you are going to be developing on your laptop on the go and what not, you should atleast try to get a laptop with HD display, very few windows laptops have this but you can try the new Zenbooks.

Another thing is go with an ultra book, carryinga big bulky laptop with a small battery life will defintly take its toll on you. Try to get something light weight, with a good battery life and good resolution (<= 900 verticle pixels is way to small for my taste).


[Edit] Im a windows user 100% but I have to admit that apple really did their thing with the new mac book pro retina, I would honestly buy that laptop, install parrallels on it with a full install of windows 7 so i can still develop on windows, and with the specs of that machine it would easily handle both OS's

+1 for the new mac book pro with retina display

His budget is $1500, the new macbook is $700 more than he needs. I agree that he can dual-boot, but for the price range, it is (to me) a terrible choice. You can even dual-boot a Mac OS on a custom built PC, http://tipsotto.blogspot.com/p/dual-boot-mac-os-x-windows-7.html.
The only redeeming quality I can think of would be the ability to program for iOS.

I like the OS, and I can understand the higher price on a 'prettier' product, but if you want it to program for many disciplines, a Windows (or Linux) laptop is a good choice.

[quote name='The_Neverending_Loop' timestamp='1341346423' post='4955437']
+1 for the new mac book pro with retina display

His budget is $1500, the new macbook is $700 more than he needs. I agree that he can dual-boot, but for the price range, it is (to me) a terrible choice. You can even dual-boot a Mac OS on a custom built PC, http://tipsotto.blog...-windows-7.html.
The only redeeming quality I can think of would be the ability to program for iOS.

I like the OS, and I can understand the higher price on a 'prettier' product, but if you want it to program for many disciplines, a Windows (or Linux) laptop is a good choice.
[/quote]

Thats why I also suggested the new HD Zenbooks since they go to 1080P. But he can actually get the new MacBook Pro Retina for 2k with education pricing, and hoenstly I have searched long and wide for a comparable windows machine and nothing I've seen gives me everything I would like myself other than the retina (Im in the market for a laptop myself).

1. It has a solid state drive, which is great for laptops since you dont have to worry about the disk jumping and it boots up faster, and if your on the go these two things alone are worth their weight in gold.
   
2. It is small in size and weight for being a 15inch screen, I travel alot with my old laptop and it was around 5lbs and 13 inches needless to say this takes its toll on you.
   
3. It has 8 gigs of ram standard, 4gigs now aday is like the bare minimum so that it has 4 extra gigs is another ++
   
4. Quad core ivy bridge processor, even tho I havent used it yet I've heard alot of great things from it.
   
5. 7 hour battery life, so you dont have to constantly be plugged in.
   
6. Great graphics card on a laptop.
   
7. New design makes this laptop alot quieter so if hes pulling late night sessions he/roomates/classmates dont have to hear an annoying whirring sound.
   

I'm by no means an Apple user, but honestly with all those features that laptop is a deal at 2k.

But again if thats pushing the envelope too much go with one of the new HD Zenbooks, the only other laptops that I can think of that go to true HD display and are small are some of the sony viaos, but those will set you back almost 3k.

I'd just pick up a Clevo laptop if I were you. It falls into your price range. You can check out a Clevo reseller online like Malibal, Sager, or XoticPC among others. They have 15" and 17" versions of the newest ones. Very powerful hardware and solid warranties.

Thanks everyone for the replies. I was at first looking at the new Macbook Pro Retina Display. While I do agree it is up their in price I also did quite a bit of searing and just nothing really struck me as being a much better deal. I've always been a huge fan of most of Apples computers and while I do agree they are pricey I can actually deal with that most of the time. I fully believe you get what you pay for and I can buy Apple and be fine with it. I've had nothing but absolutely great experiences with Apple products and the Apple store (replacing my iPhone 4 FOR FREE when it was out of warranty and no Apple Care, right there on the stop no questions asked!?). Though 2k is just pushing my college budget too much at this time I believe. I did look at a 13" too. I am a fan of OSX (though also a fan of Windows 7) and would not mind learning iOS development down the road but that isn't top priority for me which is why I am not stuck on getting a Mac Book.

I will be looking at the Zenbooks. Thanks for the suggestions.

EDIT: I do like the laptop Nick gave a link too.

I love ultrabooks but honestly how heavy something might be doesn't really bother me. Mostly because the University I will be attending has their own campus/building off the main campus that they use for all their Computer Science needs. Almost all my time and classes will be spent on that campus with me only being on the main campus for a semester or two for a couple classes. So walking from building to building doesn't really bother me. Though I sure do love the looks of most ultra books. lol.