Computers for University studies

I'm looking for a laptop to use for university studies.  I will most likely major in some form of Engineering.  Minimum specs for my university are:

2.0GHz CPU
512MB RAM
Newest Microsoft Office
Windows OS - Vista preferred, XP accepted.

I don't know everything about computers, but I know enough to think that those specs will not last for more than a year at that level of study.  Which computers would be best suited to last 3 years (I doubt that's possible but it would be nice) for an Engineering major? If it's possible a computer on the less expensive (<$1200 before any warranties) side would be nice.

Newest Microsoft Office
Windows OS - Vista preferred, XP accepted.
By ``university'', do you mean ``community college''? Find a better one.

I don't know everything about computers, but I know enough to think that those specs will not last for more than a year at that level of study.
You're an idiot.

Oh, an ad hominem attack towards someone asking a question.  You're just a happy little person, aren't you?

"University" means "university", not "community college."  If I wanted to know the minimum specs for a CC computer, then I would really need to rethink my life.

Here's a direct copy from the university's website:

    *  2 Gigahertz P4 CPU with 512 Megabytes of RAM  (or of similar performance), 40 Gigabyte Hard Drive
    * CDRW
    * USB port(s)
    * 10/100 Ethernet Adapter for Broadband and/or 56K Data Modem for dialup network connection
    * WiFi 802.11 b or g. Wireless network adapter (Laptops only)
    * Sound card, and speakers or headphones
    * 1024 by 768 resolution monitor
    * Printer
    *  Windows XP or Windows Vista, including the latest updates
    * Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater, Netscape 7.0, or Mozilla 1.6, or a higher version of any of these browsers, depending on the operating system
    * Sun Java 1.5  (Java 1.6 is NOT supported in E-Learning)
    * CISCO VPN Client provided by university (use Beta client, found on the UF Software CD, for Windows Vista)
    * McAfee Antivirus 8.5i (set to auto update) provided by UF
    * Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007 (include 2003 compatability patch)
    * E-mail software -- Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird, Windows Mail or other IMAP email software may be useful for reading your GatorLink mailbox, but WebMail is also available
    * Networking utilities -- alternate e-mail clients, clients for ftp, chat, news and other internet services, file readers and other utilities

>>3
Oh, an ad hominem attack towards someone asking a question.
Look up what ``ad hominem'' actually means. Protip: it doesn't mean ``insult''.

Protip: Ad hominem means "to the person" or attacking a person instead of providing actual information to the table.  Calling someone an idiot equals attacking them.  If you have no information regarding the topic of this thread, then go somewhere else.

>>5
You're an ignorant moron. ``Ad hominem'' does mean ``to the man'', but it only means dismissing an argument because of some quality of the person making it while disregarding the argument itself. It does not apply to any given attack on a person.

It's sad classical education has fallen out of favor, if you are the best modern schools can do.

Colloquialism: learn it, use it.  Now shut your mouth unless you feel like helping me.

I agree with >>6,4,2.
So there.

>>7
Ignorance: admit to it. The fact that more than one uneducated moron makes a mistake does not mean it's not still a mistake.

What's the sound of one hand clapping? Just because you agree with yourself doesn't mean you are right.

Also, read "those who know least know loudest."  Similar principle: just because you keep repeating the same thing doesn't make it true.

Now, back to the reason of this thread, troll.  Why don't you use your self-proclaimed brilliance to do something positive, instead of filling your mom's basement with hot air?

>>10
You already got the best advice you could hope to get: find a better school.