<p>When we went to admit weekend at Stanford the IT guys were handing out flyers that said 'Stanford recommends Macs'. Now that we bought my D a Macbook I don't think we will ever get her back to Windows.</p>
<p>rick</p>
<p>I love my MacBook! My daughter, who used only Windows until right before college, loves hers as well. She said she can't imagine returning to the Windows platform now that she has a Mac.</p>
<p>We are considering a Mac but know NOTHING about them. D's school offers cheap software bundles. Your students' schools might offer something similar.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Microsoft Personal Use Software Program
Full and part-time Ohio State students can purchase some of Microsoft's most popular desktop computer software and Windows 32- or 64-bit operating system upgrade at significant discounts under a new agreement called the Microsoft Personal Use Program. Software products include the license and CDs, but do not include support, documentation, or version upgrades. Standard Microsoft product use and licensing restrictions apply.
What software at what price?
Office Enterprise 2007 -- $99.95
Office Professional Plus 2007 -- $79.95
Office Standard 2007 -- $63.95
Office 2004 for Mac Professional Edition -- $79.95
Office SharePoint Designer 2007 -- $57.95
Office OneNote 2007 -- $19.95
Office Project Professional 2007 with 1 Project Sever CAL -- $133.95
Office Visio Professional 2007 -- $78.95
Windows Vista Business Upgrade* -- $77.95
*Upgrade license only; not a full license. Students who want the Windows Vista Business Upgrade license through the Microsoft Personal Use Program first must have licensed a qualifying operating system for their personal computer or workstation. For a list of qualifying operating systems, refer to <a href="http://www.microsoftvolumelicensing.com/userights%5B/url%5D">www.microsoftvolumelicensing.com/userights</a>.
All prices are subject to change without notice.
Who can purchase software?
Students currently enrolled in a credit course offered by The Ohio State University.
Where do I purchase the Microsoft Personal Use software?
Main (Columbus) campus: go to UniPrint at Tuttle Park Place, 2055 Millikin Way (ground floor of Tuttle Parking Garage).
Regional campuses: contact UniPrint at 614-292-2000 or <a href="mailto:uniprintcustserv@osu.edu">uniprintcustserv@osu.edu</a> to order these products.
You must show your BuckID or a picture ID and either a class schedule, paid fee slip, or letter of acceptance when purchasing software. You will need to sign a license agreement when purchasing the software. Cash, check, credit card, and BuckID are accepted.
FAQ Regarding Microsoft Personal Use Software [pdf]
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I had similar concerns because my son is attending a school with specific requirements for engineering students, including purchasing a laptop with XP. However, I noticed that the date on the recommendations was June 2006, so I emailed the IT department to ask if there would be any changes. They told me that although they were not formally changing the recommendation yet, they have so far had no compatibility problems with Vista, and if he (the IT guy) were going to purchase a computer for an incoming freshman, he would go ahead and buy one with Vista, because they'll be transitioning to Vista in the near future. So that's what we're going to do.</p>
<p>i agree with the person who suggested getting a mac. i got a dell desktop freshman year, had it for 2 years and was tired of it freezing up, crashing, etc; plus i wanted a laptop. so i got a macbook-- 1 year in, and i've had no problems. i love it. i'm hoping (and assuming) it will last me long into my post-grad life!</p>
<p>D's college was very clear about preferring Macs -- it offers free user support and runs an authorized Apple service center. If you bring a PC to school, you'll have to take it somewhere else for even minor service. Apparently Macs also make it easier to network iTunes, iPhoto, etc., with your dormies.</p>
<p>We have no choice, we HAVE to buy the computer through the school or the student cannot access their server or internet connection. It is a Dell with Vista and the IT dept will service it or have Dell there within 24 hours. They also supply a loaner, if needed. They will be given out on move in day.</p>
<p>This has been a very useful thread. :) With all this talk, I think I'm gonna get a white macbook for college. Hopefully I'll be able to figure out how to use it without too much trouble. . I looked on the apple website, and with the free ipod and free printer, it seems like a good deal hopefully.</p>
<p>If possible, get the one with the super drive and get the full 2GB or RAM. You will love it. It comes to about $1375. It is also good to get the full 3 year protection plan, but apple gives you a year to sign up, so you can put off the cost until next year since it comes with a one year warranty as is.</p>
<p>What's the difference between a MacBook and a MacBook Pro? Is it worth it to get the Pro?</p>
<p>The MacBook Pro has a very nice graphics card, runs a chip set that is faster in communicating with the rest of the computer, has a slightly higher CPU clock speed (both have intel core 2 duo processors), more options one can purchase, has a slot for an external card (e.g. for cellular data plan card, etc.), a keyboard that senses the ambient light and illuminates the keys from underneath to make them visible in low light, and in the 15 inch screen model (the MacBook is 13.3 inches), the display has LED backlighting which makes for a very bright evenly lit display and removes all mercury from the display, making it more environmentally friendly, and it comes standard with 2 GB or RAM. All this comes at a price of about $500 more than the mid range MacBook quoted earlier. (One can get a less expensive MacBook with 1 GB or RAM for $1199.</p>
<p>Most college students find the the MacBook readily meets their needs. It is very fast, very durable, and very portable. Both the MacBook and the MacBook Pro comes with the free iPod etc.</p>
<p>The apple.com has special prices if you are a college student. It's $100 off a macbook. I haven't checked the macbook pro prices.</p>
<p>Our family has 4 nanos so that doesn't entice us. I didn't see a free printer. Where is that?</p>
<p>My biggest mac question is regarding the new operating system that will be released soon. Will the new macs be eligible for a free upgrade and will there be problems?</p>
<p>Where is this "free iPod" deal people are talking about? I can't seem to find it on the website.</p>
<p>My D switched from all PC to Mac when she went to college 2 years ago, and she probably won't go back. She has found the reliability for the non-hardware savvy to be great.</p>
<p>I just posted this on the laptop thread...</p>
<p>Passing it along from the College Life threads last year...check for coupons online and remember that Dell negotiates. </p>
<p>My S had a Dell custom built last year at significant savings. It was much cheaper than the student discount through the college, and he built a far superior machine. Took him several days of negotiating and included many upgrades and free extras like comprehensive 4yr extended wty.</p>
<p>I'll second 3Ks comments. I worked for a major research University (known for its CS dept) that offered "discounts and deals" through Dell. I found I could create better for less on my own at Dell. </p>
<p>If we didn't need to be fully and easily compatible with our employer's software, however, I'd buy a Mac. I'll probably recommend a Mac to our son.</p>
<p>I've had my HP Vista machine for four days, now. (It arrived unexpectedly early on Tuesday, shipped from China on Monday morning. What a world.)</p>
<p>There has been some gnashing of teeth: Vista sometimes has trouble 'finding' other computers on the network. Okay, I lost my temper and broke the phone headset at one point. That's when wife and kids left the house...</p>
<p>Bottom line: after an extended session with HP's online help/chat service, I'm up and running with a Vista machine. It sees all my existing computers, I can surf the net, and I'm typing this on the Vista machine. I believe that, while there are problems with Vista (and I have more adventures ahead), most support techies have seen them already and have a fix in hand. </p>
<p>It's amazing how many different recommendations from colleges are posted on this thread. I would be the last to actually recommend Vista/Office 2007. But, I've found the new MS products can be made operational, and the good outweighs the bad. My worst fears were not realized. My worst fears?
- Bloatware that drags down the computer to the point it is slower than existing computers.
- Security "helping hands" that degrade performance more than the viruses they're meant to protect me from.
- Software and driver incompatibilities that would force me to buy even more hardware or software.
None of those things have happened. And, I got the expected improvements, such as new features and neat new inventions. In the end, it was a net plus. And, now I have a machine that is only at the beginning of its obsolescence cycle instead of the end.</p>
<p>I'll also report quickly on my Vista experience. I've got a Dell Inspiron 1501 that came loaded with Windows Vista Home Basic. It, too, came unexpectedly on Tuesday. I was working for a guy doing yard work and when I got home, my mom told me she thought my computer had come. A box from Dell had arrived. Sure enough, I was so excited. I was hungry from working all morning outside, but I busted out that package and starting working immediately.</p>
<p>I have found I'm not a huge fan of the IE with the tabs so they have already been disabled. I like when switching from program to program that I can get to the desktop. Not a fan of Windows Live Messenger. Also, the Google programs are not needed in my opinion. They should let me download those if that's what I want. I was hesitant the other night to buy a PC game, but I did anyway and was presently surprised when Age of Empires installed correctly and plays well. The next big question will be installing Office 2003 and installing a printer and whether those will work correctly. </p>
<p>I downloaded Ad-Aware Tuesday night and ran it Thursday evening. I already had 38 items that it picked up on!!!</p>
<p>Overall, I'm pleased with my new computer and the Windows Vista. We'll see how I continue to like it.</p>
<p>while I'm a big Mac fan, don't forget that 90+% of businesses use a PC platform.....</p>
<p>macs actually run Linux as well as mac os and windows ( I know many people who only use Macs- especially in the sciences and graphic/music professionals)
Windows</a>, Linux, and more side-by-side with Mac OS X on any Intel-powered Mac, without rebooting</p>
<p>D worked in computer user services for three years as a t-watcher( last two years of college and during her year off when needed) they do know a lot more about Macs- but they will help you with your windows computer.</p>
<p>I would also mention that not only you can save with the education discount through the Apple website, but I usually buy refurbished notebooks, and they are covered by the same warranty.
( I also think the 17 inch ones are way too big- go with as much ram as you can, but most people don't need the Pro)</p>
<p>Also Re the Free Printer?
Oftentimes the cost of the ink makes the choice more expensive in long run- so research.</p>