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, Tue, 19 Nov 2002 21:06:52
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Hi good luck with MIT. I just started at Bryant College this fall. First I would check with the school to see if they have a computer program. Here at Bryant an IBM laptop was included with the cost of tuition. This is starting to become more and more popular with schools. MIT might just make your computer decision for you.
1) Mac vs. PC Your best bet is to talk with students at the school you’re going to. They will give you the best recommendations on what to get. Here at Bryant I haven’t seen a single Mac. There is little support for them on campus and no real reason to have one for basic schoolwork. But I have a friend who is studying design at Wentworth and because of the specialty software he has to use a Mac was almost essential. I personally have to recommend the PC; I worked with Macs at my job before I went to school and grew to despise them.
2) Laptop vs. desktop. Despite the fact I was already getting a Laptop from the school I also decided to get a Desktop. I have worked with laptops for extended periods of time and did not enjoy it at all. I didn’t like the small screen (I run a 21in on my desktop, viewing two full windows at one is great.) and the small keyboard. I also wanted to have something that I could upgrade and add to as my needs grew. My laptop only has a 30gig hard drive. I currently have about 20gigs of music on my desktop not to mention the amount of video files. The laptop just wouldn’t have cut it for me. Laptops are also mobile devices which means they have a much higher chance of breaking as they are always moving around. They also get stolen. Going without a computer while at school is going to be a huge pain in the a**. I decided to put together my own desktop it has only cost me about $800 including monitor. I went with a nice Intel board and P4 2.26 chip. I could have gotten by with less I just wanted a board and chip that would last a while. I don’t have any fancy video cards or sound card and am only running 256 Meg of ram. These are all things I can upgrade later.
I am very glad I spent the money on the desktop. I spend a lot of time on the computer and am glad I have it. What I have found is that I have yet to do anything on my laptop that has required any processing power. It’s mainly used for word processing, excel, and the internet. It is nice for group projects in the library, and depending on your roommate you might be doing all your paper writing in the library so a laptop will be a necessity. What I recommend is to put together a nice desktop and then get a cheap used or reconditioned laptop. Nothing fancy just something to word process and web browse with. Then if it breaks or gets stolen, your not out a lot of cash and have your desktop to continue to work on without any interruption.
As I disclaimer I will admit to enjoy working with computers and various gadgets ect. I’m not quite a full fledged nerd but getting close. There are plenty of people here at school that could care less about the computer they use.
Have you considered a PDA for school? After the 2 weeks of classes I went out and got one and it has been invaluable in keeping me organized.
Wow this sure is long. College definitely teaches you how to write. Hope this helps
Art
1995 900S
posted by 66.206.1...
, Tue, 19 Nov 2002 21:06:52, Wed, 20 Nov 2002 16:42:05, Wed, 20 Nov 2002 10:36:27
, Wed, 20 Nov 2002 00:23:38
, Wed, 20 Nov 2002 04:53:33
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