<p>Which laptop should I get? Which will be best for the Harvard campus?</p>
<p>Currently, the 13" Apple MacBook Pro is usually the most popular option among entering college students. The most recent updates on the MacBook Pro were completed approximately two weeks ago, while MacBooks, the less expensive alternative, will receive updates sometime over the summer. Macs are basically far more prevalent on college campuses, which is mostly due to their greater ease of operation along with a greater system stability.</p>
<p>From what I have seen, Mac does appear to be dominant on the H campus. When we asked the same question of Dr. Georgi in the physics department last year for my D he replied that either is fine and to get what you want. We got her a MacBook Pro for the reasons that mifune mentioned and she has been happy with it. I can imagine that one advantage of a PC is that it would be much easier to identify amongst the sea of Macs on the tables of the dining halls and libraries when one is studying.</p>
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<p>:) Given the popularity of Macs, that is certainly true.</p>
<p>Moreover, if the need presents itself, many Macs have the capability of running on the Windows operating system. The only inconvenience is a basic reboot.</p>
<p>The tech staffs at various campuses often tend to be Mac-oriented or PC-oriented. Harvard seems to have a strong Mac preference, and a good deal of Mac support. </p>
<p>I think that the prevalence of MacBook Pros may be due in part to the fact that if Harvard frosh can generate an extra $2,500 in outside scholarships beyond what it takes to cover the student contribution in the aid package, Harvard allows them to put up to $2500 toward a computer, printer and supplies. The $2,500 will accommodate the cost of a 15" MacBook Pro and printer, so that’s what we got our first daughter. She found it too heavy to carry around very often however, and tended to use it more as a desktop. Two years later, her younger sister went there, got a regular 13" MacBook and used the balance of her $2,500 computer money to buy a 20" Mac display to which she connects the MacBook when she gets to her room. In her junior year, D1 gave us her original MacBook Pro and got herself a 13" MacBook too, which suits her much better.</p>
<p>Macs are more common, but for the same reason that Ipods are so common. It’s a current “trend” among college students so people buy into it. Anyone who actually comes out and says that macs are “better” or “easier to use” doesn’t know what they’re talking about, or has never actually used a Mac for more than a year. They are pretty much equal in all respects, except perhaps that Macs are sleeker looking and more expensive.</p>
<p>Just get whichever is your preference.</p>
<p>You also get an educational discount for buying Mac which includes software and warranty extention to three years. You also don’t have to worry about virus protection.</p>
<p>I personally say PC. Any Mac, even the entry-level version, is expensive. Sure, computers are an investment, but for the rough, not so delicate college life, PCs are favorable. There are always great PC brands on sale at better bargains than Macs (so the investment is never really lost). I also felt the PCs are much easier to use and Macbooks have a faulty cap-locks button which impacts computing efficiency. </p>
<p>With PC, though, the downside yes is definitely virus protection (rather lack thereof).</p>
<p>if you’re using your laptop for primarily educational stuff, linux is probably the best choice. You don’t need to be able to run games, nobody bothers to write linux viruses, its much cheaper than Macs, and it forces you to learn basic computer literacy.</p>
<p>With a Mac if there is a problem all you have to do is take it to an Apple store. With a PC you have to ship it off and wait. Not that familar with Linux, but if you have a paper due and you are working on it, quick service is much better.</p>
<p>Unless you’re a geek, don’t get Linux. It’ll make your life hell.</p>
<p>Definitely go with a Mac. They’re more reliable and are generally a better experience. Plus, you can always run Windows if you need to.</p>
<p>@Messiah - A lot of the engineering/CS folks run Linux (although it seems like OS X had become more popular). Linux is still (still!) not ready for non-techies though.</p>
<p>I’m partial to apple laptops - really great build quality + I love OS X. If you do get a PC laptop, I would strongly suggest <em>not</em> getting a $400 junker. Those types of machines typically cut corners when it comes to weight + battery life - two things that are incredibly important when your laptop becomes your life as it inevitably does.</p>
<p>(You could also get a netbook for ~$400 which wouldn’t have weight/battery life concerns. I think netbooks (or iPads!) are great for toting around, but I wouldn’t want to crank out a research paper on one. Maybe if you were willing to hunker down in a computer lab for big projects…)</p>
<p>I personally want a Mac, but the price is a little expensive for my tastes. How are the discounts that Harvard offers?</p>
<p>It’s usually $50-$100 off. You can check out the discount now, just go to [Education</a> Transfer - Apple Store (U.S.)](<a href=“http://store.apple.com/us/findyourschool/transfer/950027]Education”>http://store.apple.com/us/findyourschool/transfer/950027) and then choose the “Take me to the standard apple store” link. There’s a “special” Harvard store - but I’ve never noticed the discounts to be really better than the standard store.</p>
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<p>I have to disagree. I do think Macs are better and easier to use. But that’s an opinion, of course… The operating system was designed to be simpler and more intuitive, and to me, it is. It’s not susceptible to a lot of the bugs that PCs constantly deal with. I’ve had a macbook for 2.5 years now that has been running perfectly since day 1. After many years of PCs, I have to say that switching was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for multiple reasons. I had two PC laptops before this; both pooped out within about a year (one’s hard drive even failed the day before I had a final paper due), and they were just general pains in the butt when they weren’t completely pooping out. When I switched to Mac, all my computer troubles instantly ended.</p>
<p>I know this sounds dramatic, but this is just my experience. Of course, some people do have problems with Macs. I had a roommate one year whose brand new Mac’s hard drive failed right after she bought it. But that’s the exception. And there are plenty of people who get by just fine with their PCs. But so long as you don’t need a gaming computer, I find that Mac serves all my needs better than a PC without any of the hassles of keeping a PC running smoothly.</p>
<p>All of that said, DwightEisenhower is right that you should still get what you prefer. 
Some people (as mentioned on this thread) find Windows easier to use and probably don’t have problems like I did with my old computers. Either one will do everything you need it to do on campus.</p>
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<p>Fair enough, although there is no such thing as a “PC hard drive.” The caveat with PCs is that you have to pay a little bit more attention to the brands of the components themselves.</p>
<p>True…also fair enough.</p>
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<p>In some locations, the discount received at your regional Mac/PC dealer may actually exceed the deduction offered by the college. I happen to be affiliated with another university currently as a means of supplementing my high school coursework, and I received a $200 college student discount locally (and a free printer as part of a store promotion).</p>
<p>no offense, but I kinda hate that “I like Macs because Apple will fix them for you” argument. Apple designs its stuff so that you can’t just open them up and fix them yourself. Instead you have to pay its extortion (yes extortion) fees for repairs. Most of this stuff isn’t hard at all. Google is your friend.</p>
<p>Apple is designed for a very broad, casual market (i.e. people who can’t fix computers themselves). Most people would just send their computer to Apple to fix the problem instead of trying to do it themselves, even if Apple allowed users to fix the computers by having removable components.</p>