[PaperBoy]

I have firmed the uni to study Computer Science without a sandwich year (G400) from the upcoming September. I am wondering what sort of computer I need for the course? Will a basic computer be fine for the course?

Secondly, will I be able to change from G400 to G401 for the sandwich year after I started the course?

http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/undergrad/c...puter-science/

[Jack Lomas]

I'm in the same position as you and I was wondering the same thing :P
I currently have a simple Toshiba laptop running Windows 7 with a decent HDD size and processor.

[Luco]

Hi, I'm currently a Second Year Computer Science student at Aber - Hopefully I can give you some answers!

A good PC is not necessarily a requirement, within the department there is the 'Delphinium' and 'Solarium', dedicated computer rooms for your needs throughout your studies. However I would recommend a reasonably powerful PC, be it desktop or laptop. The majority of the software I have encountered (and this is different depending on your degree scheme but generally not incredibly different) has not required a ridiculous amount of power to run. So a fairly priced semi-decent PC will do fine.

As to Industrial Year (Sandwich Course placements) you can opt in and out up to second year when you begin to look for your placement, so if you are currently on the standard course you can switch to do a Year in Industry - Which is highly pushed and recommended in the department

Hope I've given you somewhat the answers you were looking for

[Freddoo]

hello!
i also applied for computer science in aber, still dont know if i wanna go there or hertfordshire yet.
im probably going to upgrade my mac to a newer model for uni, fast, reliable, and can run windows

also, what made you choose to study at aber?
i really cant decide.

[Luco]

Hi,

Good question about Aberystwyth and Hertfordshire, especially since I not only applied but come from Hertfordshire :P

I personally chose Aber because the computer science department is not only well known for international research, but also the fact I could learn by the beach. Also the statistics saying that Student Satisfaction is very high was a convincing factor

Best of luck with your decision!

[Wookie42]

CS fresher here. You don't need anything amazing, just something reliable. I've got friends who have top of the line Macbook Pro's, but also know people who run 5 year old laptops... Its nice to have the power to run everything nice and smoothly though, and you definitely don't want something so old it could die any second. Hope that helps, but at any rate I wouldn't advise splashing out on anything really expensive this side of enrolling - you'd be far better to wait until you've started modules

As for doing a placement year, I have nothing to say to you except.... DO A PLACEMENT YEAR. Even if you choose not to switch to that scheme immediately, you'll most likely end up doing so during your first year - most of this year's freshers have done so, simply because it almost guarantees you a job. Hope to see you in September!

[number_25]

Thanks to whoever asked the question, I wanted to know the same thing.

I'll still probably invest in a new computer as my current spec is feeling a bit sluggish and I quite fancy the new 3rd generation if Intel I processors. (3750k and overclock that badboy!)