<p>Would I be better off getting a computer at the college computer store or from my local Best Buy? I've heard the college ones are more expensive, but I honestly don't know.</p>
<p>Despite all the claims of "STUDENT DEALS!!!", I've never seen anything at the campus computer store you couldn't get cheaper elsewhere.</p>
<p>So definitely not from the campus place. If you're getting a windows computer, I'd suggest at least looking at configuring/ordering one online from Dell. If you're in no rush to get it, you can wait for a few good sales to coincide, and you can get exactly what you want/need. If you're going with a Mac or aren't sure about custom configuration, go with a place like Best Buy. (Unless Mac people know of better places to get them)</p>
<p>I would advise you to buy it as soon as possible and run it over the summer, resolve any problems, and set it up the way you want it. </p>
<p>If you buy a Mac from Apple on line, you can have it configured the way you want and they offer student discounts (last year they included an iPod and about $100 off on printers).</p>
<p>Yeah....as a general rule things are cheaper to get now than in the fall (computers, books etc)...so the more you can take care of now, the better.</p>
<p>KB</p>
<p>look for july 4th deals...that's how i got mine</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you're going with a Mac or aren't sure about custom configuration, go with a place like Best Buy. (Unless Mac people know of better places to get them)
[/quote]
Last I checked, Best Buy doesn't sell anything Apple, with the exceptions of the Mac Mini and the iPod. When it comes to Apple at retail there are really only two choices, at least where I live: the Apple store and CompUSA. Unless there is a major change in the product lineup neither will be selling anything for less than it normally goes for. If you're looking for special sales (disregarding the educational discounts for the moment) Amazon is really the only place to go, mainly because they have the size and the clout to set prices (comparable to Wal-Mart in the online shopping arena as far as that's concerned). Most retailers set their prices the way Apple tells them to, and Amazon's price cuts aren't all that deep, even.</p>
<p>That said, the educational discounts (although not always too spectacular on Apple kit) are generally the best discounts I've seen anywhere on current merchandise.</p>
<p>dilksy is right on the Dells. Some of the discounts they give from time to time are insane. We recently purchased a top-line desktop from Dell with a 24" widescreen monitor for about $1200. To put that in perspective, without the sale the monitor alone went for $1200.</p>
<p>I'm not sure about the IBMs, though.</p>
<p>For computer hardware, don't buy it at the campus stores. It's actaully fairly expensive. However, you can get software, like the academic versions of windows xp and microsoft office, for $15 each at campus computer stores. You can only purchase them one time, but you will save hundreds off of the retail price.</p>