<p>I'm a dad of a ED-accepted student, class of 2011. What sort of laptop is the best for Tufts non-engineering students? Apple or PC? 15 inch screen or 17 inch screen? Portable printer? If it's a PC, should we wait for Vista or stick with Windows XP? IBM or Dell? Yeah, I'm probably over-thinking it, but curious if anyone, especially current students, have opinions... Thanks!</p>
<p>I switched to a Mac and have never gone back. Every now and then Tufts' technology team will send out a virus blocker/etc for PC students; but Mac students are never affected by system-wide viruses! Macs also are less likely to crash. The Tufts computer centers are 50% Macs, 50% PCs, if that says antyhing. I think Macs are more and more popular.</p>
<p>It doesnt' matter which size Mac you get.</p>
<p>You don't need ap ortable printer, as it will stay in your child's room. If they need to print something when they're not in the room, there are many printers they can use in the libraries, computer centers, etc.</p>
<p>Thanks lolabelle! Does everyone use Microsoft Office to write papers? Does it matter?</p>
<p>Yes. That was basically the deciding factor in my switching over. Microsoft Office is developed for Macs as well... and personally, that's the only thing PCs have going for them! Speed, design, virus-free <-- that's what Macs have going for them. Plus, there's a Microsoft Office just for them!</p>
<p>It really depends whether your son/daughter plans to bring his or her laptop to class. Macs have great interface and are generally smaller and easier to carry, but they also are almost 2 times the price of a similarly-speced PC.</p>
<p>However, most people, especially non-engineers, leave their laptops in their dorms the entire semester. So getting a cheaper and larger PC would be the more cost-effective thing to do. Go for the 17 inch screen, which could double as a TV. As for Vista, most laptops built in the past few months are Vista compatible, and some companies are even offering free upgrades when they come out. If you are planning to use Vista, make sure to get 2 GB of ram and built 256 MB vRam since it takes up a lot of your resources.</p>
<p>When I was choosing a computer, I liked Macs and Dells equally. I wanted something light, b/c I'm tiny and knew that for some classes I'd want to type notes. We ended up choosing a Dell because there's a 24-hour tech support service on campus for PCs. Even if, as lolabelle says, they may be more unreliable than Macs, we reasoned that if something happens, I can at any time go and get help from the people at ITS. I once spilled Snapple all over my keyboard, causing it to go crazy, and when I brought it to ITS they were like "No problem. We'll order you a new one, it'll be here today." I picked it up the next day, good as new!</p>
<p>You're good with either… as for the XP/Vista thing, most manufacturers are offering free upgrades, although you might want to wait until after Vista is released to buy.</p>
<p>If you buy a PC, don't buy anything except a Lenovo (formerly IBM) ThinkPad. No matter what you buy, get the extended warranty. Honestly, the quality you get with the Mac makes up for any price increase, especially considering that a Lenovo of EQUAL build quality will be about the same cost. It's just a matter of personal preference.</p>
<p>Can or should we purchase the laptop from the Tufts bookstore / ITS? I don't even know if that's possible, but it seems like if we bought it there, it might then get better service and/or be a standard "Tufts" configuration? Or should we buy it from the Apple / Dell / Lenovo web site and we'll still get fine service from ITS? Thanks.</p>
<p>Just show your Tufts acceptance letter when you buy a Mac and you get the student discount at any Apple Store. No Tufts configuration. Get the extended warranty no matter what you buy (PC or Mac). You get fine service from techies here no matter where you buy it from (they don't know).</p>
<p>Is there wireless internet in the dorms? or in the library? or in classrooms? or anywhere?</p>
<p>There's wireless on the quad, in Davis Square, in the libraries, and campus center. A few other places I'm missing, too, I'm sure. In your dorm room, there's Ethernet which is super reliable and fast.</p>
<p>I'll check with my husband who has a BSEE and MSEE from Tufts and see what he recommends. I know that he is not a fan of Macs, he always buys PCs.</p>
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Can or should we purchase the laptop from the Tufts bookstore / ITS? I don't even know if that's possible, but it seems like if we bought it there, it might then get better service and/or be a standard "Tufts" configuration? Or should we buy it from the Apple / Dell / Lenovo web site and we'll still get fine service from ITS? Thanks.
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<p>Yes, but it's not worth it. You get the 10% discount for Apple computers regardless of where you purchase it, and you might as well build it to a configuration that suits you the most.</p>
<p>The 10% discount for PCs is not worth it. You could get much better deals elsewhere.</p>
<p>Tufts ITS will help you to their fullest extent regardless of which computer you have and where you buy it.</p>
<p>Bring an ethernet cable with you: you'll need it to get internet access in your dorm room. Luckily, you can get wireless access in most places outside of your dorm room (and even unexpected ones like my dorm's common room).</p>
<p>I only take my laptop out of my room for a long study session in the library, campus center, or our common room, and it's worked out fine for me. I think it's worth it to get a larger laptop for a bigger screen and CD-ROM drive.</p>