<p>Talk to me, Redpride11! I want to hear about it.</p>
<p>If a new Windows computer is going to be purchased -- whether for the student or as a replacement for a parent who gives her older XP laptop to a parent -- it's going to come preinstalled with Vista, like it or not. So I'd like to hear the good news about Vista as the bad news that I've heard -- largely software compatibility and the cost of getting all new packages (in addition to Office 2007, the Adobe Acrobat has to be upgraded, etc.) -- doesn't outweigh the benefits I've read about (like the dashboard feature).</p>
<p>If I have to get a new OS for a computer, I'd just as soon get a Mac, I'm thinking. Of course, price is a factor. And if Vista's not all that bad and is being updated and improved -- with software being adapted to it as well -- perhaps the migration won't be as vexing as I've been led to believe and maybe that's the way to go. So testify, Redpride11!</p>
<p>(EDIT: Oh, another feature that's a bummer about Vista, is accessibility to printers. A friend of mine says he can't print anything on his home network HP printer because Vista doesn't recognize the printer. Ugh. He's a doctorate in computer science and travels the world consulting on mainframe computer systems, so he's not an expert in the PC industry but he's hardly computer illiterate.)</p>
<p>This is so interesting that everyone is saying laptop. We need to get a new computer for my son because one of his friends spilled a ton of water on his laptop last weekend.</p>
<p>That's a big expense for a water spill. Something to think about with a laptop. If you spill water on a regular keyboard you just replace the keyboard. Maybe unless you really need to take computers to class a desktop is more sensible.</p>
<p>Great thread. We are facing the same issue with a son who's going away to BS. Interesting that as parents we were leaning towards getting him a desktop. I personally dislike laptops. Don't like having to worry about recharging batteries. Don't like crappy chicklet keyboards. Don't like absence of a mouse. Don't like smaller screens.</p>
<p>But it seems as if most of the student posters feel that laptops are more useful. This is one issue where I'm really interested to hear what the younger side of this board has to say. Do you guys really find having a laptop more USEFUL (rather than simply being more fun).</p>
<p>Also, MAC vs. Windows is an interesting question. Our whole family's experience is exclusively with Windows. Our kids grew up with it. Know very little about MAC. Will there be much of a learning curve if our son switches over?</p>
<p>Finally, concerns about cost. I suspect we can purchase a pretty good re-furbished laptop directly from Dell for about $400-$500. Desktop would be even cheaper. If we go with a MAC will I be looking at approx. double that? </p>
<p>BTW - His BS supports both platforms, so that shouldn't make a difference.</p>
<p>goaliedad's point about the flash drive overcomes one of my two reasons for thinking a laptop works: portability of data over recesses. The remaining issue is the reduced footprint in a cramped dorm room. Which probably isn't worth the added expense (as I don't have to live with it and clothes on the floor can be picked up if he needs more space badly enough).</p>
<p>prpdd is right. What this thread needs is experiential and practical comments from current BS students who can speak to the laptop v. desktop debate. Some schools require laptops as students have to cart them to class. I reckon that some students like the portability so they can do work in other rooms or in common areas...perhaps while traveling to sporting events (though I'd cringe to learn my S's laptop was on the team bus!) </p>
<p>But how I imagine laptops would be beneficial is no substitute for the reality check that BS students can share here!</p>
<p>I don't think that I know anyone who has a desktop at school. I really do think that a laptop is useful. Many kids not only take their laptop to the library, but quite a few also study in Starbucks or other places downtown. I think the mobility that a laptop offers is definitely worth even if it's only going to the library or a friend's room. Many schools now offer wireless, which is great for people who don't want to study in the dorm.
Since I have to fly to school a laptop is much more sensible. It's also nice because my desk is a lot cleaner since I don't have cords everywhere and I can just move it somewhere else if I need the space.
I think that either a Mac or PC is fine. I know plenty of people who use each one. A Dell is much cheaper than a Mac. Some schools offer laptop buying programs as well. If your child is a music/movie/tv show person I would recommend getting speakers for a Mac since they are very quiet compared to others.</p>
<p>This is a valuable thread as I am sure that many of us next-year parents and students are pondering a computer purchase for school in September. On revisit days .. saw only 1-2 laptops in class (both macs). Seems like a heavy load to drag around in addition to all the textbooks ... but is an invaluable tool to have when you need to write papers, etc. in more than one sitting and internet research. I just hope that D uses it for more than IM!</p>
<p>I think that some good advice would be to contact the school's technical staff for some suggestions. Find out about wireless options, and software requirements for using their network. Parental control options??? I know that at my daughter's school, they bring down internet connection at a certain time to prevent late night "surfing". </p>
<p>For PC's ... Vista is inevitable. Eventually we will all take the plunge ... not sure if discount XP units are still available in stores. For what it is worth, I have told D that this is the one item that she needs to work, save for, select (with my help), and pay for before school starts. Dell has entry level laptops in the $600 range.</p>
<p>The other thing that makes a laptop preferable to most of the kids is that they can bring their music with them to school and home for breaks. Unfortunately, it seems that most kids have more music than thumb drive. Plus it seems like they are always wanting to add something to their ipod.</p>
<p>With us it is about moving the machine. We've got a Mazda van and with goaliegirl's equipment (she also carries skater's stuff) and all the other stuff she brought up there, we had the van filled to about 9" from the roof with only 3 seats in the car (goaliemom, goaliegirl, and me) for the trip north. Adding in a desktop and monitor and cords is something I'd rather not do.</p>
<p>drnancie,</p>
<p>I'm quite surprised to hear that a simple glass of H20 killed you son's laptop. I guess it would be bad if it were running and something shorted or water got into the hard drive, but this is all low voltage, so shorting is generally not a serious problem. </p>
<p>I've had a few friends spill drinks in their laptops and have lived to use them again. A lot of it is patience with a blow drier after taking the unit apart and letting it air out for a week or 2.</p>
<p>I'm not sure why the roommate had water near your son's laptop, but I guess your son may have learned a valuable life lesson (losing access to his stuff) about having backups and securing his environment. My condolences to him.</p>
<p>That is a very good reason to send the USED laptop with the child.</p>
<p>goaliedad--- this actually happened at our house. and it was really my husbands laptop. it was running at the time. the boys were using the laptop to record music- not doing anything bad. the other boy's dad has called us and offered to buy our son a new laptop, but we feel strongly it was a true accident. </p>
<p>how do I locate a good used laptop? my son really needs one- he has dysgraphia and has been typing everything since third grade (used to use an alphasmart). Thanks for any help with this!</p>
<p>I did also just email the technology person at his bs for next year.</p>
<p>I had a friend in another state who was a pharm rep whose company upgraded their laptops every other year and would allow them to buy their old equipment for personal use (I think they were leased machines, so there was a preset buyout amount). </p>
<p>If you can't find a used laptop, consider a Best Buy $400 special. They do pop up every so often. You do have to get in there very early on Sunday (first day of ad) to find the 1/2 dozen or so in stock, but I've been able to do it. My D's Toshiba was a day after Thanksgiving $400 special.</p>
<p>Too bad you husband's machine is inoperable. Did you ever find out what was damaged. About the only things that are mechanical are the hard drive and fan. Everything else should work after drying out. Oh, well.</p>
<p>BTW, my Asperger's son (now 17) still uses an alphasmart in class and transfers his work to a PC in study hall for printing and saving at public school. He also has poor fine motor skills (very common).</p>
<p>And from what I've been told many students have spilt water on their alphasmarts without failure. They are well-engineered.</p>
<p>As I said, my laptop (Mac powerbook) has taken a BEATING. I have spilled stuf fon it, dropped it who-knows-how-many times, etc., and the only wear you can see is that the "PowerBook G4" logo is half-worn off. I don't reccomend pouring water on it of course, and my laptop has yet to be totally submerged, but in terms of spilling a drink here and there, it seems fine. Macs are really well made computers, inside and out. My only complaint is that the charger can't take a similar beating.</p>
<p>In terms of cost, yes, Macs are expensive, but you get what you pay for. We have a PC desktop (w/ XP, ~1 year old) for office work that we never use, yet it takes more time to open a window than it would take for me to walk to the library, get some work done, and then come back. Documents mysteriously disappear on it as well.</p>
<p>I just checked eBay and a laptop similar to mine (yet w/ minimal use) is selling for $580 and is ending in a few minutes. (There are more as well, but this one is extra cheap; the others are selling around $800.) The new MacBook Pro's are going for around $1700... which is only $300 cheaper, but hey, they just came out. The thing w/ Macs is that they really last - the outside, the inside, and the style. The iBook g3's, which are like 6 years old, still look modern and the software is applicable to 2007. I guess when you buy a Mac you should divide the price by the number of years you will use it.</p>
<p>Drnancie - If you're looking to save some $$$ (aren't we all after dealing with BS tuition) you might try looking at factory refurbished laptops. I know Dell sells these on their website for a discount. I would guess Gateway may have a similar program. </p>
<p>Obviously E-Bay is another alternative, although riskier. </p>
<p>Sometimes schools themselves have made an arrangement for discounts with mfg. I know this is the case with some colleges. Maybe BS as well?</p>
<p>You can get the Student-Teacher edition of MS Office 2007 for about $150...and it comes with three licenses. What my friend tells me is that Vista only works with Office 2007 apps. But documents saved in the Office 2007 formats cannot be read by users who are still using Office 2003 apps. So you have to upgrade to Office 2007 to make it work with Vista and then revert your saved documents back to Office 2003 formats so they can be shared with most of the world.</p>
<p>Eventually, we'll all break down and make the transition. It just sucks to be on the leading edge of the change as the bugs and the burdens of innovation (and planned obsolescence) fall on your shoulders. You'll pay for that new version...but you just don't want to have to do it now when having the new software comes bundled with a set of hassles that Microsoft should be paying you to deal with.</p>
<p>Hey well im going to college this fall as well and i am still unsure I just bought a laptop this week which is cool but still would like to take a desktop. I am a big computer geek and love online games and would like a desktop to hold all my movies, music and games. I can hook it up to my tv so it would be like an extra thing which i think is wat im going to do and build more of a media computer than a desktop. </p>
<p>On the mac vs windows subject is, i have always preferred windows. I get really angry when peopel say macs are better but more expensive. but that on cheap windows computer it takes for ever to load anything. Well comn people its common sense that if you buy a cheap windows computer for like 500 bucks at walmart its going to suck compared to a $2000 mac like DUH lol. I prefer windows i think its a great OS and i ahve tried mac and just cant get used to it. do not see why its better. Just do not complain if your computer sucks but you skimped on it. </p>