<p>Went to visit an Apple store today. The clerk told me that if they are an authorized Apple dealer the DC store should also be able to give the $100 student discount, $50 rebate on a printer and the Touch ($199 rebate) at the same time. Here they recommended the HP 4680 for $100 (net $50 with the mail in rebate). I don’t know what added costs for the DC configuration, but I assume the additional 3 year Applecare warranty cost is tacked on. My son is going to ask around to see if the Mac is acceptable for Astonomy/Physics majors…</p>
<p>I don’t see why a Mac wouldn’t be OK. There is a 15" model with and i7 processor and you can get 8 GBs of RAM. Maybe a software issue?</p>
<p>I talked to the DC computer store folks on D’s behalf last week. I was inquiring about the ability to configure a Macbook Pro with the 2.4Ghz processor in order to save $300 off of their standard Macbook Pro package. The answer was ‘yes’. In addition, I was told they will configure pretty much anything you want. D will order in August for pickup on campus in Sept.</p>
<p>Did anybody who requested shipping from Dartmouth get a shipping confirmation yet? They said they would begin shipping last week and I haven’t gotten anything.</p>
<p>^^^Nope. I was expecting to receive the software we ordered by now, too. They haven’t even processed our credit card payment so I imagine they are behind.</p>
<p>My MacBook Pro arrived! 
</p>
<p>Surprisingly they never emailed me a shipping confirmation or tracking number. The UPS guy just showed up with the package.</p>
<p>In case you are curious, the $100 software is Microsoft Office and a Dartmouth software package that includes Symantic Antivirus, Blitzmail, and a list of browser bookmarks to useful Dartmouth sites.</p>
<p>Thanks, that is very helpful. We will look into ordering one through DC for a campus pickup in September.</p>
<p>Does anyone know which computer is preferable for an engineering major (likely biomedical)? S has only used PC and is comfortable with but wondering whether Mac would be better for Dartmouth engineering…</p>