<p>[1] Should I bring a laptop or a desktop to Yale?</p>
<p>[2] How is the wireless network at Yale??</p>
<p>[3] What percentage of students bring laptops to class?</p>
<p>I would bring a laptop because you can cart it anywhere. Wireless is pretty much all over the campus....even local eateries have a wireless modems so you can do your work. I would say it's pretty much a necessity. That's just my opinion though.</p>
<p>Are there any particularly good laptops on the market these days? (minus apples... i'm too in love with pc's to do the switch, though many insist i should)</p>
<p>I actually just got an apple (mac mini) and I love it. If you want an inexpensive laptop, get a dell. I think I'd like to bring my mac mini to yale as well as get a laptop for mobility. Maybe that's overkill though.</p>
<p>mcortex, I would suggest a laptop</p>
<p>If I got to Yale I will do practically the same thing as newt. I will bring my IBook and get a 15" iMac (the ones with just the panel as the whole comp). That way by having a smaller sized desktop you still have the stability a desktop provides and you will still have some space.</p>
<p>A lot of the kids over the summer had the Dell Inspiron things....</p>
<p>Yale uses IBM computers extensively. A friend of mine does IT work at Yale and thats all they use, and issue to people who dont have money.</p>
<p>Wait before you buy anything. Yale students get some sort of discount with Dell and Apple. For example, I know they get 10% off iPods.</p>
<p>Dell laptops are actually pretty bad. Nothing compared to their desktops, and a lot of them are heavy to lug around. </p>
<p>IBM Thinkbooks are very practical (they're not the prettiest things around but they're light and very functional). </p>
<p>I was also considering switching to mac just because they're SO beautiful, but I don't know if I can make that commitment...I've been a PC person my whole life! But ahh those powerbooks are so sexy.</p>
<p>Zante, IBM's are certainly great computers, and they are built better than dell's. However, they are a lot more expensive.</p>
<p>You should get the mac! I've wanted one for a long time, but didn't get one because they are expensive. I just got the mac mini, and its amazing. OS X is so nice to work with. The only reason I would stick with windows is if you are a heavy gamer. Otherwise, get the powerbook.</p>
<p>I'm not a heavy gamer. I actually think I could get along fine with a mac, I just go online, use itunes and microsoft word lol. I've just been bred to be against macs.
Well I still have a while to shop around, but I will consider the sexy sexy powerbook mmm</p>
<p>Go for the powerbook!!! What you do is minimal and the Powerbooks are definitely very sexy and there isn't any reason not to.</p>
<p>zante- i have the exact same problem. my school uses mac's and i've had such a negative experience with them - though asthetically they're the best. and i currently have a dell inspiron which is AWFUL - it crashes 24/7. i was considering the ibm - but what about fujitsu or sony viaos? any feelings on other non-mac comps?</p>
<p>Sony vaios and Toshiba laptops are all very aeshetically pleasing--and they're good laptops, but they tend to be on the expensive end. </p>
<p>Another warning, DON'T get a compaq, they are awful. They are so heavy and not that reliable. My dad has one and he doesn't ever carry it around, it just stays at home! What's the use of a laptop then?</p>
<p>I agree with zante: compaqs are awful. Basically, don't buy a computer from a store like best buy or comp usa. Configure one and order it online from dell/ibm/sony/APPLE</p>
<p>Don't let a bad experience with Macs at school turn you off. Unfortunately, IT guys at school tend to have no idea what to do with Macs, and they end up being neglected. They were probably running OS 9, with 64 megs of RAM, etc.</p>
<p>Go to the local Apple store and see if that changes your opinion.</p>
<p>As llamapyjamas noted, Yale does provide students arranged discounts from vendors - in particular Dell, IBM, and Apple. You can usually get at least a 10% discount, so unless you find a better deal with another vendor (which is possible given some big sales that go on), I wouldn't recommend CDWG since their prices usually aren't competitive. It has definitely been a while, but I think that admissions letters come out in less than a month, eh? So for you future Elis, surf on over to Student Computing at <a href="http://www.yale.edu/sc/%5B/url%5D">http://www.yale.edu/sc/</a> and save yourself a few bucks :).</p>
<p>Also, please note that Computing Assistant (CA) college coordinators are all certified Dell technicians, so they will be able to fix Dell computers and order new parts right on campus. CAs can't do this for other brands, but we are able to do anything short of voiding your warranty.</p>