<p>Is this a good idea? What advantages are there buying a computer through the school? Will you get it over the summer or do they give it to you during orientation?</p>
<p>It has the right components which include the network version of Windows 7 and extra memory plus the programs and apps they require. At least that’s my understanding. Did you get the email this morning? The one with the entire class of 2014 email addresses displayed!</p>
<p>^haha, i hadn’t noticed the names!</p>
<p>The college definitely recommends that we buy through their store but I’m not sure if it’s the most cost-efficient option. I can’t say much until the mail gets heeerree</p>
<p>What about using a Mac at Dartmouth? Couldn’t that be bought at an Apple store?</p>
<p>^^Sure. Just make sure you have the right version of the OS. This is listed in the info they sent (or will send). Might be a couple of other details.</p>
<p>In the short run, it might cost more to go through Dartmouth, particularly if you have a good, fairly recent machine. The advantages are (a) they’ll preconfigure it with the recommended software, and (b) they’ll support it for the four years, which might come in very handy down the road (like, for example, if your hard disk crashes around final paper time sometime in your sophomore year).</p>
<p>Don’t forget that there is no sales tax in New Hampshire! And, when you compare online alternatives, remember to add MS-Office + the extended warranties.</p>
<p>The email from the Computer Store was kinda fail cause of no BCC and the inaccessible link. Does anyone know if Dartmouth has the buy a Mac, get a free iPod deal?</p>
<p>
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<p>they have for at least the last four years, assume it will continue as long as Apple supports it…</p>
<p>Yes, they do. If you log onto the Student Information System, click on Undergraduate Prematriculation Menu and then Computer Selection, it mentions the free iPod touch deal.</p>
<p>The free IPod is listed on the Dartmouth store website.</p>
<p>Does anyone know the software that comes with a Mac purchase from Dartmouth? I’m guessing Microsoft Office is one of them, hopefully.</p>
<p>You will pick up your Mac on move in day, it willcome out of the box ready to use with everything you need (including microsoft office).</p>
<p>I’m also planning to buy my computer through Dartmouth. Do you think the basic mac is good enough if I’m not gonna be a computer science or design major?</p>
<p>starry, I think the white Macbook is good enough.</p>
<p>Did anybody order yet? Can you tell me the shipping cost is? I don’t need the laptop over the summer per say but if shipping is like $20 it might be worth paying so I can fiddle around with it earlier.</p>
<p>The prices seem a little high, although the point about no sales tax is a good one. Beyond that I’m not sure what the advantage is. The Dartmouth specific software is on a disc that they give you; they say they support Macs whether you buy them there or not; the “free” iPod deal is availble there and at Apple stores; the 3 year warranty is available from Apple stores, too. The basic MacBook they offer is not the newest–it has a 2.26 processor, smaller hard drive and slightly less battery life than the one released last month (or April). I emailled them about that and they say they are trying to get the newest model as part of their “recommended models” and will know in a couple of days, but even if they don’t you can special order it at a slight increase in price. So, still thinking.</p>
<p>What are most students using there, Macs or PCs?</p>
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<p>pretty evenly split, i think lately there has been a bit of Mac bias, but really just get whatever you’re more comfortable with/like better …</p>
<p>Did anybody order it from Dartmouth and request shipping? Any news on when they ship?</p>
<p>I spoke to them today. They say they are shipping at the end of next week.</p>