<p>How would you advise a new student in this area? MAC vs PC? Is one better supported than the other at BU? Need for the student to have his own printer? Assume this student does not have easy access to a computer center. Does BU have a service one can subscribe to for troubleshooting on campus? Does BU offer discounts on computers purchased through the university? If so, how much?</p>
<p>The prices at University Computers (the BU computer store) are very competitive, we thought. BU supports both the Mac and PC platforms. DS found it was easier and more convenient to have a small printer in his dorm room. Some majors are specific about the computer you should get...e.g. the music kids almost all have Mac due to the audio software they use. Ditto the art kids. You might want to check and see if you kiddo's intended major specifies a preferred platform. AND just fyi, our kid went with a used old desktop (small) computer we had in the house here and we bought him a flat screen monitor. It worked just fine.</p>
<p>according to Mac users, Macs are easier.. but i was always fine with PCs and don't want to switch. it's just my preference.</p>
<p>i just checked all your posts.. your daughter's in COM but i'm not sure which field. Macs are better for media, like film, tv, advertising, and photojournalism. it still depends on whether your daughter plans to actually use media programs on her laptop. i'm in film but i plan on using COM's computers whenever i need to do editing.</p>
<p>as for printing.. every major dorm complex has a computer station with printers. every semester, BU gives your daughter a $50 quota for printing.. most pages are 5 or 10 cents. it's more than enough.. and if she runs out, she can request an increase. the stations usually open at noon and close at around 1 AM. there's also a 24/7 station (111 cummington) behind warren towers.</p>
<p>the only thing inconvenient is if she ever needs to print something random at a random time. then again, it's also inconvenient to lug a printer back and forth.. not to mention how it takes up precious dorm space. it depends how often your daughter prints things.. and it depends on where u live, how easy it is to travel with it, and whether her roommate will bring one and is willing to share.</p>
<p>there's free technical help for all BU students: <a href="http://www.bu.edu/pcsc/%5B/url%5D">http://www.bu.edu/pcsc/</a></p>
<p>BU's computer sales: <a href="http://www.universitycomputers.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.universitycomputers.com/</a></p>
<p>We bought one of the computer bundle packages from University Computers and were pleased. There was NO WAY I was shlepping any more than I had to from California! It was very convenient to pick it up at UC.</p>
<p>We too bought the laptop "bundle" from university computers for our s. Its right there on Comm. Ave. so thats one less item you need to bring with you. Because of the location it is easy to bring it for any repairs so I'd recommend you check it out. Perhaps they have a web site so you can compare.</p>
<p>As far as the printer-- you don't need one but we bought one. I'd suggest you wait until room assignments since it may be that one kid brings a printer for both to use while the other brings/gets a TV or mini-fridge. They wil give you his/he phone no. and emal address so you can email each other about it during the summer.</p>
<p>Nathansc - I read in your post about what COM students would prefer.</p>
<p>My question (to anyone) is if I plan to major in Broadcast Journalism, is there a distinct preference between a Mac or a PC (Dell) laptop?</p>
<p>Question: Are the items at University Computers cheaper or more expensive than stores such as Circuit City, Best Buy, etc.?</p>
<p>Price: you get an academic discount, good now that you're admitted, from Apple. Runs $200 on their more expensive machines, less on the cheaper ones. You can see the Apple education pricing at the Apple store - store.apple.com and follow the links to education. You can buy 1 laptop, 1 desktop, 1 mini, 1 ipod from each ipod family, etc. every year. </p>
<p>Mac v. PC: there is no reason to buy a PC anymore. You can either boot your Mac into Windows (or Linux) now or run Windows (or Linux) as a virtual machine. Apple has a simple program called Boot Camp which allows you to choose which OS you'll run - if you want to run a particular PC program, you'll have to restart the computer and use Windows. A company called parallels (parallels.com) has released a beta of its virtualization software. It allows you run Windows on your Mac without rebooting. Even in beta, the performance for everything but games is terrific - about 95% of full. Running a Mac means you can avoid viruses, trojans and spyware while still having access to your PC programs.</p>
<p>First of all, PCs are generally cheaper than Macs in the first place, and even with the academic discount for Macs you can usually get an equivalent PC for much less than you would have to pay for a Mac. Macs are only made by their own company; the PC market is filled with competitors.</p>
<p>Secondly, you have been able to have a dual boot with Mac OS (Or Linux, or whatever else you want) for years on a PC. You press the button to turn on your computer and it asks you what OS you want to boot, simple as that.</p>
<p>Finally, it is a very common misconception that Macs are more "virus proof" than PCs. This is completely false. The only reason that Mac users usually don't get viruses is because the people who write viruses are attempting to affect as many users or companies as possible. Considering that only 16% of computer users use Macs, they usually don't bother writing viruses for Macs. However, some viruses have recently been written to affect Mac users such as those listed here</p>
<p>and here:</p>
<p>Whether you're running a PC or a Mac and you properly use a firewall, run antivirus software, and don't download untrustworthy files, you shouldn't have any problems with viruses.</p>
<p>Overall, I don't have any major problem with Macs, and I believe that there are some situations for which they are properly suited. However, I also believe that PCs are cheaper, more efficient, and more versatile than Macs. Anyways, make the decision for yourself, but I thought I should at least step in to provide an argument for the other side.</p>
<p>MrMetJet, i'm not sure about broadcast journalism.</p>
<p>i know nothing about the field and its courses, but my guess.. i doubt you'd be doing much with your own computer for the field. if u have a laptop right now that works fine, i wouldn't switch. but if you're buying a new one, i'd recommend asking some people more informed than me.</p>
<p>I personally like pc's better; although nowadays mac's can boot to windows, it is just an extra hassle i really don't wanna bother with. Plus there are so many programs that are not yet readily available to mac's in general. But as everyone said above, if you do work with a lot of media, mac's are definitely recommended. (I'm on yearbook for my hs and know for sure that mac offer a great environment to work with loads of pictures & programs simultaneously)</p>
<p>And... If anyone is looking into purchasing a good laptop, I just ordered one from Dell.com at a REALLY good price (up to 34% off the original price & memory upgrade)... they seem to on HUGE sale, with free shipping too! I assume they're clearing out inventories for maybe a new line of product? but go check out the site! just wanted to share the good news, since it is time to start thinking about computers ;]</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Mac versus PC prices. The difference for somewhat different machines is now $200 from University Computers. The Mac has a larger screen and also comes with significantly different (and to my mind very useful and good) software.</p></li>
<li><p>Anyone who argues the Mac is as susceptible to viruses is not in computers and doesn't understand operating system architecture. Macs use Unix, which is inherently more secure by design. Unix has been tested and refined for generations. The new Windows Vista will impose a new security architecture on all users - it looks far better but the implementation looks annoying and intrusive. Just as important, the point is not what might be if only but what is real. The reality is any Windows machine connected to a network will be hit by multiple viruses and spyware. Maybe, just maybe, Macs might one day have real virus and spyware problems but now they don't and that will not change for the forseeable future.</p></li>
<li><p>The point about dual (or triple) booting is you get to run any operating system you want on one machine. If you need to work with people who have Macs, like creative types, then you can work as a Mac. If you want to use Windows, you can run Windows. You can run Linux if you want. Beyond multiple booting, you can run also virtualization software which allows you to run Windows or Linux without re-starting your Mac. You might say you don't need that but it's a real feature that has value.</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li><p>There is ONE Mac notebook from University Computers that has a 17 inch screen. That notebook costs $300 more than the most expensive PC notebook (the cheapest apple notebook costs $250 more than the cheapest PC notebook) University Computers sells. The only reason for that is that IBM doesn't make widescreen notebooks. Personally, I would get a Dell, Sony, Toshiba, or other laptop from outside of University Computers (all of which sell wide screen notebooks if you really want one), and for less than the IBMs they have.</p></li>
<li><p>I never said Macs are as susceptible to viruses as PCs are. I said that they are not virus proof. I also said that if you properly handle your anti-virus software and other preventative measures you shouldn't have any major problems with viruses.</p></li>
<li><p>I am fully aware of what dual booting is, as it has been available for PCs since Windows 95. PCs can be multi-booted with any OS a Mac can be, and it can also use visualization as Macs do. Finally, considering that Macs are trying harder and harder to emulate PCs (using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) transferring files between the two platforms has become much easier. Therefore you shouldn't have such a hard time working with those "creative types", since we all know PC users are bland and uncreative (<a href="http://www.neatorama.com/case-mod/%5B/url%5D">http://www.neatorama.com/case-mod/</a>), that use Macs</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li><p>You cannot run Mac OSX effectively in Windows. You cannot install Mac OSX on a Windows PC so you can't dual boot it. There are horribly kludgy options but only a Mac can run Windows, Linux and Mac OSX.</p></li>
<li><p>Apple has two notebook lines. The Pro line is slightly more expensive with an educational discount than the equivalent Dell, not counting how one values software, etc. and with slightly different technical specs (such as a 15+ inch screen versus 14.1", different graphics options, etc.). It is expected that Apple will introduce an update to its iBook line - perhaps the MacBook but no one knows - by the end of the month of May. Those notebooks will be cheaper. If Apple's pricing follows history, those will be slightly more expensive than cheap Windows notebooks but with specs more like a midrange notebook. My recommendation is that anyone interested in a Mac notebook wait to see what those look like since they are more than enough machine.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>CrazedChimp,</p>
<p>Considering the bus speeds and overall quality of the build on the MacBook Pro, you're actually not paying that much more when you compare the system to other laptops with similar build qualities.</p>
<p>Don't just look at the AMOUNT of things, like say RAM, and then make a conclusion. There is a fairly significant performance difference between 667 DDR2 and 553 DDR2. Nevermind the difference a quality north and southbridge can make in communication between components, stability, and utilization of resources. What good is having fast DDR2 RAM or a fast SATA HD if your chipset is bottlenecking it?</p>
<p>Also consider the "little extras" that make a computing experience more enjoyable. Lenovos are known for having some of the best keyboards and biz-end user features on the market. And the build quality is superb.</p>
<p>So again, just looking at a system and saying, "Wow, look at all that RAM!" doesn't mean that it's actually a better computer. What good is all that RAM if it fails a burn-in test?</p>
<p>Besides, Mac OS could previously only be run on x86 architecture using emulators like PearPC, which were dodgy at best.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>It is true, that the Mac OSes do not allow for them to be installed on a PC chipset, only because the Max OS is less versatile and can only really work on Mac chipsets. There are emulators for PCs that allow Mac OS to be run on a PC, but the efficiency of these emulators is unclear, and as I have never tried any (or all) of them (and I doubt that either of you have either), I think it will be futile to debate the functionality of those emulators.</p></li>
<li><p>Apple has two notebook lines, great. The truth is that Macs come no where near providing as much variety or cost efficiency as PCs do. If you really want to wait until later this year to see if Apple will release a new notebook that is far cheaper than any PC, then feel free, but I can almost guarantee that they won't. Currently, the cheapest Apple notebook is $1000 dollars. Toshiba is currently selling a notebook
<a href="http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c...HHO&coid=-30599%5B/url%5D">http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c...HHO&coid=-30599</a>
for $600 that has less, but faster RAM (so much for Macs having "higher quality components"), a much bigger screen, a more powerful graphics card, a faster processor, the same hard drive, and a few other differences that arent directly comparable, than the $1000 Mac. There are also hundreds of other notebooks for under $1000; this was just the first one I checked. The cheapest desktop Mac sells costs $600. Dell sells a desktop for $300. PCs have been cheaper than Macs for years and likely always will be.</p></li>
<li><p>As I showed before, the "quality" of components most definitely depends on the notebook itself. Look around apples website. They, just like any other notebook company, make notebooks with RAM of all different speeds and amounts. Nearly all higher end PC notebooks will have 667 DDR2 RAM just as nearly all of the higher end apple notebooks will have 667 DDR2 RAM. Even with that considered, PCs are almost always cheaper/more powerful.</p></li>
<li><p>You commented about stability and bottlenecking problems with PC notebooks. I have never seen or heard of a PC notebook that has bottlenecking problems if it was built by a decent company. Bottlenecking is really only a problem that happens when people build or upgrade a computer and don't know what they're doing. Seriously, any major computer company, and almost all of the smaller ones as well, will never sell a PC that has bottlenecking problems.</p></li>
<li><p>I think that most of those "little extras" you're talking about are a matter of personal preference. Toshiba is very well known for making the highest quality notebook screens in the market, but I think that it is really a matter of personal preference, and them same definitely goes for keyboards. Finally, quality is also dependent on the company.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>It is ridiculously irrational to say "Oh, well ALL PCs have lower build quality, lower component quality, and major bottlenecking problems." There are dozens and dozens of different PC companies. It is quite difficult to make one statement that is true for ALL of them.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>No, it has nothing to do with versatility. It has to do with the difference between x86 and PowerPC design. </p></li>
<li><p>I never said that all Macs have higher build quality.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, of course. But also consider that there are other things involved with build quality than just RAM speed. Like I said, not all RAM is equal. Two same-speed DIMMs can have fairly high performance differences, depending on the brand. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Plus, there's also the actual shell design, and little things like hard drive halting features (in case it drops), backlit/forward-lit keyboards (like on the Macs and Lenovos), etc. Notice how Lenovos are also more expensive than Dells or Toshibas.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>My current laptop (Toshiba), has a few bottlenecks. For example, it's a desktop processor on a laptop mobo, using a northbridge designed for a mobility chip. HUGE bottleneck on performance. </p></li>
<li><p>Yes, of course. But, in general, Lenovos are known for being the best keyboards in the industry. Almost every review I've read, and everyone I know who's owned one, agrees. Good keyboard? Biz-end usage? Lenovo.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>But you're gonna pay more for that.</p>
<p>When did I ever say:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Oh, well ALL PCs have lower build quality, lower component quality, and major bottlenecking problems.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Please. Show me.</p>
<p>I turned down BU for Georgia Tech, a markedly better school for engineering. That said, I'm kinda surprised that there's the age-old apple v. mac debate here rather than the Tech forums...</p>
<p>Just to contribute something, I'll probably buy a PC laptop since Macs offer very little value. I've used Windows since 3.1 and I've yet to have these so-called killer viruses. I guess if you do stupid things, then stupid things run into you. Just don't open the attachment from the Nigerian with $20 million in the bank or go to <a href="http://www.xxxbutcomeswithavirus.com%5B/url%5D">www.xxxbutcomeswithavirus.com</a> and you'll be fine. Antivirus is useful too.
Stability-wise, I've yet to see my sister's Macbook crash while my Windows PC crashes maybe once or twice a year to the point where I must reboot. But crying and raising hell over something that happens 2x a year is just silly. That's like saying you'll get a speeding ticket every day if you get a ticket one day.
Until Macs get cheaper and offer more bang for their buck, I'll stick to Windows. Unfortunately, Boot Camp doesn't seem to be very efficient in running Windows games, and Apple Games is pretty much an oxymoron.</p>
<p>Nov,</p>
<p>Actually, most of the benchmarking I see online shows Boot Camp being pretty good, despite its very rough and new nature.</p>
<p>Let me get something out of the way: I am by no means a Mac lover. But I am willing to see why people pay the premium for them, like Lenovos.</p>
<p>I don't hate or love Macs; in fact if they offered a little more value and usability, I'd get in line to buy one. I know Macs offer a world of conveniences that Windows does not, but I don't buy computers to use the operating system- it's a middleman for gaming, surfing, programing, etc. And I guess I'm willing to take a pretty medium sized hit in the convenience factor to get a PC that can run Age of Empires and Flight Sim. </p>
<p>By the way, I went to the Apple Store to see a demo of the Boot Camp. It took the guy like 5 minutes to switch between the two. Maybe he wa new, but that really turned me off. I'll wait until Apple makes a permanent solution. Til then, when's Vista coming out?</p>