<p>I saw this question on another board and thought I would ask it here...</p>
<p>I know that all mids have a computer, but is this computer school supplied or are the mids required to buy their own? Is it a laptop or a desktop? And finally, if a plebe comes in with a laptop are they allowed to keep it?</p>
<p>Computers are supplied by the school (aka the money comes automatically out of your pay). It used to be that if you had your own computer that you could hook it up to the network, however they made a rule a few years ago that any non issued computer that was already hooked up could remain there, but no one else could hook up their own computers. The class of '08 is probably the last class with anyone using non-issued computers</p>
<p>Are these computers laptops or desktops?</p>
<p>Each year there is speculation as to what computers will be issued. Each year, there is disappointment expressed--by applicants--about the quality, features of the computers. Each year, mids will get issued the computers that they are issued.</p>
<p>It is my understanding that, sometime prior to 2005, mids were issued laptops in a one or two year experiment.
That experiment apparently did not work out to the Academy's satisfaction. </p>
<p>You may or may not be issued a laptop or a desktop come next year. As of this year, desktops are the standard issue.</p>
<p>Strictly speaking, the "mids [are] required to buy" the computer that is "school supplied." </p>
<p>This may be a good time to distinguish the fact that, for the most part, mids pay for just about everything which they consume during their four years at the Academy. </p>
<p>With the exception of tuition [oh, that's right, this is not a college so perhaps this is better said that one does not pay any fees for attending classes], room, and meals, a mid pays for everything else which they use, e.g. books, supplies, uniforms, etc.</p>
<p>But everything that you mentioned is deducted from the pay right?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The class of 2011 was issued Dell OptiPlex 740 mini-towers.</p>
<p>AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+
2 GB RAM
250 GB HD
16x DVD RW
Radeon X1300
19" LCD</p>
<p>As of this summer, the Naval Academy did not have a wireless network, (well at least I couldn't find one with my wi-fi equipped cell phone) so having a laptop would be rather pointless.</p>
<p>And the desktops they give you are really pretty dang nice.</p>
<p>The cost of your computer comes out of your initial payment to the Academy (about $2,500). Everything else is deducted from your pay. Questions were asked this year during parent briefings about wireless. From the answers (they have looked at it) it sounded like there may be some security concerns with a wireless system. You will need a printer which, in the past, has not been part of the computer issue. Check the computer specs on the Academy web site when it gets close to I-Day. The Mid Store has printers but they can run out during the I-Day rush. You will not get to use the computer until September so you will have plenty of time after PPW to get the printer before classes start.</p>
<p>We have two there - one in '10, and one in '11. On both PPW's in August, we hit the Mid Store early on the Friday of PPW and bought the printer and iron and ironing board that Plebes need. The advantage of buying your printer at USNA is that they will stock the printer ink cartridges you need. Don't forget the paper... ;)</p>
<p>
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so having a laptop would be rather pointless
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</p>
<p>wifi aside having the ability to work on homework/course material using a computer without having to run back to your room inbetween classes can be an advantage, especially if your room is on 4th deck towards the back of Bancroft. Our son uses his laptop in that way; during shorter breaks in his day and when he is in another Plebe's room for example tutoring or getting help himself. You certainly don't need one to get by, if you already have one you may want to consider bringing it along, or just wait until the academic year starts and decide. Good luck.</p>
<p>On the other hand . . .
We bought a laser printer, copier, fax machine [he doesn't really use the fax machine] for our son and a high-capacity cartridge on PPW. I think he has just now replaced the cartridge after two years.
Just my bias against ink-jet printers.</p>