emilymom wrote:
I have a really basic question: Is a new laptop necessary?
I mean, in the big scheme of things what is another couple of thousand bucks, but on the other hand, I bought a decent ThinkPad early last year (T430??) and it works fine. It was only used lightly for internet surfing etc at home. I know next to nothing about computers, but I think it should meet the minimum requirements (although I haven't really checked). What am I going to do with an extra computer that works perfectly?
Any thoughts?
I think a lot of individuals, including myself, simply do not have a laptop that is suitable for a business school setting. Imagine yourself going through business school, going to and from different classes, networking events, group project meetings, informational interviews and etc. Having a portable laptop (under 3-4 pounds) with good battery life (8 hours) and strong processing power can make things a lot easier.
I think your T430 is an good choice. Thinkpads have a reputation for great battery life and good build quality. That said, there are options out there that could reduce the weight of your backpack by 1-2 pounds but it will cost you around $700-1000.
For me, I currently use a monstrous 17 inch gaming laptop that weighs around 10 pounds with only 1 hour battery life. It is simply not a good option.