Is my notebook up to the job (computer science at university)

Im not sure if this is in the right section (it probably isnt) but i was wondering if my current notebook (specs below) will be up to the job for computer science at university im asking here in case anyone else has done computer science.

Notebook specs

Core 2 Duo T8100
3GB ram
250Gb HDD
Vista
Nvidia 8400m gt

i also have a desktop although id rather not have to take it with me cos i wouldnt want to leave it there when im not in uni but the desktops specs shoud be up to the job anyway

i will be using porgrams such as microsofts visual studio which i have a copy of now but i havent got a clue how to use it yet so wont be able to properly see how it runs

im also worried about relying on my notebook with its 8400m gt which has been going for a year and a half now ans idles at like 66C i dont really want to open up the notebook to apply thermal compound etc cos itll void the warrany which doesnt end until october

ps if this is in the wrong place can it be moved

 

T8100 will probably run Visual Studio just fine. In terms of performance, I don't think your notebook will have any problems with what you're doing, but I think your concern about the potential failure of the 8400M is a real one. If you're not going to game, you may want to consider selling it (while it still works well) and get something with an IGP and a multi-year warranty.

 

yeah i did consider selling it although i feel bad cos it was a birthday present. i am still in warranty as well with john lewis and they were very good when the power supply failed so maybe if the gpu failed i might get a replacent of money back. a friends compaq notebook just failed and he got a refund even though it was out of warranty because the gpu had an extended warranty.

im not sure if its the same case for sony as they have pretty useless customer service and only recently owned up to there being a problem with the chips and only listed a few models as being affected (the most expensive ones suprise suprise)

maybe ill wait for the summer becuase the warranty ends in october and then if it does fail i can return it cos i doubt id get much if i sold it anyway + i might be able to get a good deal on a new system in september with all the back to school stuff and that

 

Dont know if the GPU inside your Sony notebook is replaceable, but if it is you could check if its compatible with a more powerful GPU solution.
Just replaced a Nvidia Geforce 8400m G from a Acer Aspire with a awesome ATI Mobility HD 4570.
Now it can finally reach 60+ fps stable at 1400x900 in CSS & Team Fortress 2 at mediumish settings as long as shadow detail remains low.

 

I'd run it until it dies...... A new machine will cost you at least $600-, some people will insist that you simply must spend over $1000-.

You could take the precaution of opening up the laptop, removing the heatsink, cleaning out the old heat transfer goop, then reapplying quality goop to both the cpu & gpu and reassembling. That's kind a radical step though considering you're still in warranty.

 

Unless you are going to do research in Computer Graphics, which requires heavy 3D rendering, your machine is far more than enough. The only problem is the probability of 8400M failing at any time, because of the nVidia 8000 series thermal cycling problem.

 

You should run a Single Core Pentium 3 gives you an incentive to write more efficient software.

 

This is wrong for so many reasons.

wildman_33,

Your question is a very frequent one and it might be worthwhile searching NBR as well as the web for similar questions. The laptop is adequate FOR NOW. Say, good enough for the upcoming academic year. As long as you realize you'll probably have to replace it in 2011 (even if there are no probs with the 8400m), you're fine.

 

As long as you don't try any new games, you'll be fine. Windows 7 is way better than Vista, buy that can easily be changed. I manged just fine with my T7500 if that helps any.

 

i considered getting windows 7 cos i can get it cheap although sony dont gove drivers and my HDD is kinda crap and slow even after a reformat so i think ill ogve windows 7 a miss.

im running the notebbok completely standard right now whereas before the reformat i had new drivers for gaming etc. the sony drivers are awful and have given me a rise in temps to 66C. i think ill leave it like it is cos its more likely to fail and i can get a replacement in warranty with a differnet gpu or get a refund.

i cant be having too many problems with dust anyway cos my cpu idles below 30C and im always running in high performance mode