Computers

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Does anyone know which type of computers we're supposed to bring? a specific type or model. I'm SEAS so I'm guessing we have a different requirement from CC. </p>

<p>For those computers nerds like me; a mroe specific question. I'm debating between an Intel Mac (so sweet to run Ubuntu, Tiger, and Vista natively on a single computer) or a Tablet PC. Specifically a Toshiba RC15 829. Or at some type of the R15. The tablet is going to be much more useful in class, but then again Tiger beckons. Any ideas or thoughts. </p>

<p>Also if anyone knows where online it shows our minimum requirements for laptops, or in our packets we got. I read it through carefully, but maybe I missed it.</p>

2

<p>Computers aren't required, and the school doesn't recommend any specific models (that I know of).</p>

3

<p>O, I see. Thanks for the response.</p>

4

<p>There are no requirements. I graduated 3 years ago (which wasn't exactly before computers were mainstream), but there were a few people that amazingly didn't have a computer and relied on the ones in the computer labs.</p>

<p>Bring whatever floats your boat, if you're a computer geek. For your classes, you'll just be using word processing, spreadsheets, web browsing, etc. Any fancy program you'll need for SEAS will have to be done in the engineering labs, rather than on your personal computer, anyway. Unless you plan on spending $10,000 to buy yourself a copy of some fancy CAD/modeling software.</p>

5

<p>How about calculators? Will a TI-83 Plus suffice, or should I invest in a better calculator? I'm going to be getting a new one anyway.</p>

6

<p>The TI-83 is good enough. You might as well buy the top of the line (is that still the TI-89?) if you're buying one now.</p>

7

<p>hmm 83 is better with graphs than 89 though, 89 has wicked solving capabilities but with stats/graphs/matrices I still like 83 better. if you already have 83 plus and going to take alot of calc class I suggest getting 89. if you are not going to be taking mass amount of calc/math classes 83'll do fine.</p>

8

<p>ti89=magic. but then we're not allowed to use calculators in calculus class (at least for some of the classes), you know that right?
SEAS students should definitely get the ti89.</p>

9

<p>Columbia has discount agreements with Dell and Apple, but you won't be able to use those until you get your network ID (columbiaspeak: 'UNI'). </p>

<p>You can find out more about the Columbia network (computer labs, wireless access, printer facilities etc.) here: <a href="http://www.columbia.edu/acis/access/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.columbia.edu/acis/access/&lt;/a> and about computing in general at <a href="http://www.columbia.edu/email_computing/index.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.columbia.edu/email_computing/index.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

10

<p>Hey thanks for the links... I've been looking for those pages for a while.</p>

11

<p>the columbia discounts are not significantly better than any normal discounts you might find out there so dont get too excited about them</p>

12

<p>Does Columbia use your social security number as your Columbia ID number?</p>

13

<p>No, they say they'll mail you your number, but they never mailed mine, so I had to call to get it.</p>

14

<p>No, there's some new privacy law, so colleges aren't supposed to be using your SSN for ID purposes.</p>

15

<p>Just because there's a law... </p>

<p><a href="http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/10/31/4365d23389bb5?in_archive=1%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/10/31/4365d23389bb5?in_archive=1&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>They've known about this problem for years. It's also why we can't use our swipe to buy stuff off campus. And won't be able to until at least 2008. Barnard is significantly ahead of the curve, having a much smaller system to deal with.</p>

16

<p>That was an interesting read. Thanks con.</p>

17

<p>Dell gives significant discounts at <a href="http://www.dell.com/columbia%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.dell.com/columbia&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

18

<p>the dell discounts r actually terrible</p>