<p>definitely wait and see what the school says -- but macs are very popular, so it might be a good option.</p>
<p>princess dad -- we bought MS office products so it would be easier for him to send and recieve docs on his mac, but he does like the mac programs better. We haven't had to try running windows on the mac -- older son doesn't play games and there isn't any software he needs that runs on windows only, but it is good to know that it is possible (I just won't tell my gamefreak son about it).</p>
<p>Knowing nothing about MACs, can you fill me in on any possible limitations that MAC users encounter? For example, Stanford EPGY classes now work with MAC, but they didn't used to. I have this lingering fear that my daughter may get a macbook, and then run into situations where she cannot use it. Do I have justification for this reticence, or was it true at one time but no longer the case?</p>
<p>Ryanone
Last week I was at a US Air Club in Charlotte and over 60% of the laptops in use were Macs. Major change from several years ago. The major limitation used to be in corporate situations where some programs were made for pcs. This no longer matters as the Mac can do both. As seen by the change at the air club, it is easier to use, does not get viruses. It is better at writing when you want to paste pictures into the paper, etc.</p>
<p>So, without a doubt, I would get a Mac.</p>
<p>The only question then remains whether to get MS Office software or the Mac office software. There is a nice comparison in this month's Mac magazine. I use Office because I have for years and am used to it. If the school likes "electronic papers" (which none of the ones I looked at did), I would check with them which to get. As several of the schools I looked at, the faculty were all using Macs, but then I think Deerfield gives out IBM pcs.</p>
<p>Bottom line. Your d will not run into any situation where she cannot use a mac.</p>
<p>My daughter has a Toshiba tablet PC and loves it. The ability to take notes on it with an electronic pen in class has her hooked. Comes with a built in webcam, microphone, the works. Super reliable too. Not cheap.</p>
<p>Scrocks and Ryanone, this picture tells a thousand words: Cult</a> of Mac Blog Archive College Kids Like Macs
For hard core gaming enthusiasts, PCs still have the edge. For most education uses, Macs are an excellent, durable, choice. My D's school (St Andrew's Delaware) suggested but did not require Macs.</p>
<p>I am also considering the new air mac. For a student, it cannot be beat as it is extremely light. The drawback is that it has no dvd slot in order to keep it light. That is not a drawback for her student usage, but maybe for her relaxation usage. But, if there is an Apple store near you, check it out.</p>
<p>Best Buy also has the Air Mac in the store -- very cool! I am strongly considering purchasing one for my personal use (my old HP is just about dead).</p>
<p>I don't really ever use the DVD player on my current laptop -- so I don't think that will be a big issue. I understand that I could download a movie or two on the AirMac to watch while flying, so if I really wanted to do that I could.</p>
<p>I love how light it is -- although there are quite a few other lightweight PC laptops out there, including a Dell and the sony vaio. I like the look and feel of the airmac best -- I am just concerned that it will conflict with some critical software or internet connection or something.</p>
<p>hsmom.
It will not conflict with the internet (I have used it both hardwired and wireless on a demo) and it works great.</p>
<p>Again, of the software your child needs in college (word processing, excell, powerpoint, art programs) it will exceed the pcs. In the corporate world, there may be a differance.</p>
<p>You might have to buy an external floppy drive if they require floppy discs, but most are now using the USB memory discs for which you can get at Sams cheap.</p>
<p>my school has everyone on fujitsu tablets we used to have macs, but changed because they're better</p>
<p>tablets are good if the whole school uses them like mine. they go well with smartboards and are great for making pictures on notes for classes like science. certain teachers only allow the tablet function in their class, so they can make sure you're not surfing the internet. also teachers and students can make really nice notes and post them online for others to save and edit</p>
<p>my current school uses macbooks, and i find them very inconvenient when trying to talk, or send things outside of the school, or to windows. They do work perfectly within the school though.</p>
<p>Not sure this is the right dorm computer...think about the very limited number of USB ports...and the amount of things you want to plug in: ethernet, speakers, printer, ipod...Air has only one USB. Yes, you can get a hub, but.....</p>
<p>Also, unless you are technically facile, the best computer for boarding school is the one offered by/supported by the IT department.</p>
<p>Rightwing.
That may be a problem with the school's firewall. That is not a mac problem for sending (sometimes receiving an attachment done in a windows zip will be a problem until you get software for it).</p>
<p>Balto,
Why do you really need more than one USP port? For class work you don't need any. For printing either bluetooth or wireless. Bluetooth speakers. Built in camera. Wireless for internet (airport express).</p>
<p>I am really trying to decide this for D and I cannot find any negs (don't think yours are, please explain more). And it is lightweight and great tracpad...</p>
<p>I was at 5 schools and the all said the IT supported macs, including the ones that gave out thinkpads.</p>
<p>all depends on how much of your time you want your kid troubleshooting problems the IT department can fix in a second.....and how much money you want to invest in your kids own data center. sure.. if you want to set up a wl network that will minimize some of the connectivity hassles. but I am not aware of a school that sells/supports wireless printers. Bluetooth speakers are more expensive, etc. Don't get me wrong I am a big apple fan (typing on a macbook pro, connected thru a time capsule), I just think that for the vast majority of students going with the (yes rather mundane) choices offered by the school is the best way.</p>
<p>balto.
All of the schools have wireless printers (they are on their system and you print to the library, etc). At the apple store yesterday, they said a bluetooth printer was one of the free ones that come with a mac. $100 for the airport express which I think is a necessity anyway (my daughter does her homework on her bed, not her desk). Plus Balto, if you are an apple fan, you know that there is no tech needed to fix it. But, I agree with you on IT, but again, the five places I went to including one that gave thinkpads all supported macs.
(can i get commissions?)</p>
<p>mom, thanks. I don't know anything about the wireless hubs. I would check with apple.</p>
<p>"Also, unless you are technically facile, the best computer for boarding school is the one offered by/supported by the IT department."</p>
<p>Exeter gave us no real preference when we called IT. Does anyone know what the students prefer at Exeter? Is there an overwhelming choice among the students?</p>
<p>nmh says that they don't particularly encourage either mac or windows but which one is more common and convenient for use at NMH? is either one significantly better? I'm just having trouble deciding... I got a mac quite a few years ago but seldom used it (hardly ever for school) because I never got the hang of it (i didn't install windows or convert anything) so I'm worried that this may happen again. I see that the majority of CC supports mac so I want to give it a try...</p>