I'm a JPA scholar and will be pursuing either Bachelors of Environments in University of Melbourne, or Bachelor of Design Studies in University of Adelaide, or in Deakin University.

I've passed the entry requirements for those 3 universities, but it's up to JPA now.

Anyway, I haven't yet bought a laptop of my own. Would it make sense for me to get the latest Macbook Pro 15" (the cheaper one), or should I just get something similar but way cheaper (though I'm not sure which one to get)?

And what softwares should I equip my future new laptop with?

where do architecture students get their materials? Drawing board and such, where's the cheapest place to shop? in Klang valley. preferably in PJ area?

Over here in Australia, there are a number of student-run organizations which do volunteering work etc.

Is it a merit to add those kind of activities in our CV as a future architect? I mean, it wouldn't do any extra help right?