Looking for Pros and Cons of each one and an overall recommendation for an Entering Freshman Engineering Student. Thanks!

We got the 5510 mainly because it is lighter than the HP. It arrived with Windows 7 installed and a Windows 10 DVD. Only problem is that the laptop doesn't have a DVD drive! We called Dell to ask if there was a download option and they said no, to access the W10 that was included in the purchase price we had to buy an external DVD drive. Not much else to report yet as we are trying to get it updated to W10 before installing anything else. Right now we are trying to put the iso file on a bootable usb drive to see we can update that way.

Thanks for your input.

For Engineering students we were told the computers need to have Windows 7 rather than 10 because the suite of software A&M puts on the computers is all checked out with 7 rather than 10. I think the software is all downloaded online so you don't strictly "need" the internal CD drive for that but I don't see much in the way of downside in having one other than perhaps it adds to the price. We were also told to buy it without any software as the A&M download includes any MS Office or other software that the student will need.

Anyone else have any pros and cons on the computers or any related advice with regard to where/how to buy the computer?

My second son is in his sophomore year in aerospace engineering. There are many cheaper and more powerful lap tops that run the engineering student software. My son uses an MSI Leopard Pro. It has an Intel Core I-7, CD/DVD drive, 8 gig memory, 1 terabyte HD. It was $999.00

His buddy is also aerospace and he uses the Lenova Think Pad 350. Again, it just needs to have the capacity to run the software.

My first son graduated in computer science and works in College Station. He is the one that recommended son #2 get the MSI Leopard Pro.

Son #1 highly recommends newegg.com for purchasing computers, electronics and components.

Thank you Sir . That's some excellent info right there. Didn't know Son # 2 was an Engrng Student at Aggieland. JW is an entering freshman.