<p>I heard this from someone. And it sounds absolutely ludicrous but are Carolina students allowed to own Macintosh (apple) computers? This unnamed someone made it sound like you have to order from a certain company and it has to be a windows.</p>
<p>Dispel or explain this rumor?</p>
<p>Well....you can either buy a CCI (Carolina Computing Initiative) laptop (a lenovo laptop...this year's models you could buy were the R61, T61, and whatever tablet they had out) with some sort of software bundle (I'm not sure exactly what all that entails besides Symantec Antivirus, an Adobe Package, and Microsoft Office)...it's not the cheapest in the world, but you would save some money on the CCI packages versus buying another laptop and the software that comes on the CCI laptops. Also, on campus support and repair is offered for CCI laptops. As far as getting another computer, if you're on a personal vendetta against lenovo or you think you can find a better deal, you're more than welcome to (as long is it meets the specs outlined by CCI), it's just that the people on campus are better equipped to deal with IBM/lenovo laptop problems. And you're more than welcome to have a mac...there is support for macs here.</p>
<p>There is something called the Carolina Computing Initiative, which provides Lenovo Thinkpads that are supported by Campus Information and Technical Services. These computers are optimized(and in many cases, subsidized) by UNC. The main advantage of these computers is the on-site support, and the fact that they will give you a loaner computer if yours gets broken. It also comes with a 4-year warranty.</p>
<p>That being said, macs are a quite frequent sight on campus. I am a UNC student and I have a macbook pro and couldn't be happier. Many of my friends regret getting the CCI computers because they have windows vista(Which I think is terrible). You won't have any real problems having a mac, and ITS will help you with most problems, but be aware that they won't actually fix any of the hardware for you. That has to be done through apple. </p>
<p>Officially, UNC says that you should get a CCI Lenovo, but I personally would recommend a macbook.</p>
<p>I am not a UNC student(CLEARLY, if youve seen any of my other desperate posts) but I have a good friend down there with a macbook pro, and he said everything works just fine. Plus, that new line of MacBooks is just unreal. Onve you use one, you will never go back to a PC IMO.</p>
<p>UNC-Chapel Hill has a bulk purchasing agreement with Lenovo for laptops, and thus there are a lot of forms sent to students encouraging them to buy these systems.</p>
<p>But you are NOT required to purchase a Lenovo laptop. Many Chapel Hill students use Macs, and the only case where I can imagine that that might be a problem would be in an advanced science lab class that had specialized lab equipment that hooked up to a computer.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! Yeah, I've been raised on macs so school computers were always an issue for me haha. But it's good to know I'm not stuck with what they sell. (As far as fixing it if it gets broken..I'd expect to send it back to mac anywhere...I'm paranoid about my equipment)</p>
<p>But yeah. Thank you so much guys!</p>
<p>the one thing you just have to keep in mind is the amount of time you will be without a computer should you need to get it repaired.</p>
<p>I think we all taking having a computer available for granted these days.</p>
<p>Like the one poster stated. If you get the version they recommend, then you can get a loaner and just go about your business with little to no down time. You would likely be without your mac for a week or two if you should need to get it repaired.</p>
<p>I don't have any kids at carolina yet, but where my son is. When his fan died, it was so nice. He just went in, they took out his harddrive and put it in a loaner and he had zero downtime. Went back the next day and put his hard drive back in his repaired computer. So, just something to think about.</p>
<p>Haha. But they are windows..
and windows computers are the devil reincarnated
every
time
you
get
a
new
one</p>
<p>(Plus..I've inherited an old laptop that..while it's not the greatest thing ever would suffice for two weeks and i plan on taking it for backup)</p>
<p>I'm writing this message from my CCI laptop now, haha.</p>
<p>Basically, as a person who knows little about computers, the CCI is good enough for me. As any PC, it has its share of problems, but I guess growing up with PCs I've settled.</p>
<p>The good thing about the CCIs is that if you might have some trouble getting together the cash to buy a laptop (every student's got to have one) Carolina provides laptop grants. They'll let you know if you qualify. The grant is good for the most basic of the three laptop options that they sell through the school.</p>
<p>While PCs do have thier downsides (One of which the the 'blue screen of death' which magically appeared once or twice when I was trying to meet a lab deadline) the tech people at UNC are great. The loaners can be a life saver. </p>
<p>Don't get my wrong , there are plenty of times where I wish I had a Mac, but I think I'll wait till after college when there will be less wear and tear and (hopefully) when they are cheaper.</p>
<p>My daughter is a senior at UNC. She has a CCI computer (a lot are given if you fill out financial aid papers even if no other aid is given) and does not regret it since TWO of the computers bit the dust. The first was knocked off her desk accidentally, she went in and was given a loaner until the new one arrived. Number 2 we don't know how it happened but when she woke up it was not working.... so she is on number 3 and yes, someone at caribou tripped and dumped coffee all over it.....but this time repairable. She has a loaner and picks up her repaired computer when she returns this weekend. So, think about it. The 4 year warranty, onsite service, free repairs, multiple replacements etc.....and thinkpads are a good unit. Not the "popular" vogue computer right now maybe but they work well even with the complex computer programs that are used in the computer science classes.</p>
<p>It is so nice KNOWING that we did not have to BUY 3 computers....peace of mind and immediate assistance/loaners are worth it. THere are macs around but by far most students use the cci. despite the marketing of the mac/apple, vista is fine and i have used it for years....don't buy in to the hype.</p>
<p>Hey, good luck with what you use!</p>
<p>Get the Lenovo thinkpad through the CCI.</p>
<p>It is an amazing tool to have support on-site with free loaners. Trust me, if you buy a dell or something, it's not gonna be easy getting Dell Tech Support to help out.</p>
<p>If you are still adamant about getting a mac, then you should get one. But consider the options through Carolina's Ram Shop...I think they might offer mac repairs there too, but I don't know much about that.</p>