confused computer question

<p>Ok...I hear that you can get a dell or gateway coming into Elon, but they tend to get a lot of viruses. So, when we were there people told us to get a Mac. We have never used a Mac, but are told if we should get that because of no viruses, and is good if you want to do some marketing. He is undecided about his major and is leaning toward business....which computer would you suggest and why?</p>

<p>I can't answer your question, but maybe I could add to the confusion :)
We were told that Elon will honor "warranty work" on Gateway and Apples, but not any other brands. But that the help desk will support and assist with any brand. I <em>guess</em> that means that if you have a computer problem that requires an equipment replacement or repair you can have it done directly with Elon for Gateway and Apples, but for other brands you would have to work through the manufacturer's warranty maze and possibly ship the computer back, etc. </p>

<p>It was about as clear as mud when I talked to them, probably because I am a computer idiot and they were waaay above my head. I also note that in the last few weeks, Dell has been removed from Elon's technology website as a "student discount" vendor -- now it appears that only Gateway and Apple offer Elon student discounts. So I really don't know what's up. </p>

<p>We're going with an H-P Pavilion, probably. My wife has had one for the last 6 years and it has given us not one minute of trouble, still chugging along. I think as long as your choice meets Elon's recommended specs, you should be fine. And always get the best anti-virus/anti-spyware software you can find, don't just rely on what comes packaged with the computer. I'm currently using the Zone Alarm Security Suite and it's working great -- a little finicky to set up, but once I got it up and running I'm not seeing any problems (running a Dell desktop with a cable modem connection, so I'm fairly virus prone). </p>

<p><a href="http://www.elon.edu/technology/suprt-purComp.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.elon.edu/technology/suprt-purComp.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>dell is your best bet. get a reliable virus program and you'll be fine. in fact, macs get just as many if not more virus' than pcs, there are just not the programs to detect it. </p>

<p>go onto the dell website, and find the best deals. i got a 2300 dollar system for 1400, which includes a 4 year all inclusive warranty. the keyboard on my laptop broke, i called dell up and two days later a dell rep came to my dorm and replaced the entire keyboard.</p>

<p>one more piece of advice, get 20GB of hard-drive space in addition to what you think you need. you can never have too much of it</p>

<p>PM me if you want help with this, i put a lot of time into deciding what computer to get and i feel i know a lot about it at this point.</p>

<p>So grantb you think that the dell is better than the HP too?
What major are you? Do you do any graphics? He is definitely more comfortable in the Dell world than in the mac world. Why is Elon not supporting Dell anymore...as stated above..it is off the web site.
So, what exactly did you get and what antivirus software?
THANKS!!</p>

<p>I would say dell is by far and away the best option, if only because of their customer service. I got the inspirion e1505 with an upgraded card, 80GB hard drive at 7200 speed and 1gb of memory, with an entire slot open, and a cd/dvd burner and upgraded wireless card.
I am a Economics major. For graphics I use a program called paint.NET, which is offered for free on the internet (just google it) and adobe photoshop (expensive, but I got a free copy from my father's work).
For anti-virus, my parents had bought norton antivirus corporate edition, so it can be used on any computer any of use get, legally. Finally, I have three anti-spyware programs. these are called spybot search and destroy, adaware, and windows defender. I update and run scans with all of these programs once a week (thursdays) and I have not had any serious problems.
My guess as to why Elon and Dell do not have a partnership anymore would be because Dell likes to do special promotion offers each week. Yes, they do change that often, so keep an eye on the deals.</p>

<p>CT, I've discovered that even though Elon has removed its Dell link, if you go to <a href="http://www.dell.com/elon%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.dell.com/elon&lt;/a> you can still get an "Elon Discount". They no longer offer recommended bundles, but you can shop the catalog and still get a substantial discount at checkout (you will NOT see the discounted price until you add it to your cart). Grant is right, the savings are substantial. I priced out an E1505 system similar to Grant's, and the net price after discount was ~$1700. List price was ~2400. And that's with a lot of bells and whistles, including a docking station, the 4 year platinum level warranty, 2 GB of RAM, 120 GB HD, etc. I was pretty impressed -- the price was a good $500 less than the very similar HP system I was looking at. I need to think some more. It's a little heavier than the HP (6.8 lbs v. 6.1, but that doesn't seem like too big of a deal)</p>

<p>And Grant, my S is planning on majoring in economics so your comments were especially appreciated. Thanks.</p>

<p>Thanks to both of you! I really appreciate the feedback. He feels much more comfortable with the dell than the mac to start with and this feedback is what we needed.
thanks again!</p>

<p>We're thinking we'll go for a Dell Inspiron similar to what Grantb ordered. We've had four Dell's among the family, over the last 8 years, with very good luck. </p>

<p>Questions:</p>

<p>Should we opt for the Vista Basic Office or stick with XP?</p>

<p>Is Microsoft Small Office and Student adequate or should we start with more, like one of the Business programs (you can change/add later but it's cheapest to start with the program you'll probably need)?</p>

<p>My D is an incoming freshman who plans on majoring in business/economics. Does anyone have any other computer/software suggestions before she shows up? She's thinking about bringing her desktop (loaded with music) with her too. is that really useful or should she download it on a new notebook? If she opts to move the old Dell desktop, should I be buying a docking station?</p>

<p>Advice is welcome. Thanks.</p>

<p>elon gives every incoming student a copy of microsoft office, so don't pay for any of that</p>

<p>i'm running on XP, but that's just because vista wasn't out when i ordered. i'm sure either would work. the only thing that you might have to worry about is finding software that works with vista. i don't know how windows has gone about compatibility, but it's always possible that it will be a problem.</p>

<p>I would recommend getting extra hard drive space and moving all her music to the laptop. that said, she shouldn't delete it off the desktop unless she backs it up on an external hard-drive. it's nice being able to take home my laptop with all of my music on it.</p>

<p>as far as software goes, i have many many suggestions.
these include, but are no limited to:
windows defender
ad-aware
spybot search and destroy
norton anti-virus
objectdock
windowsblinds 5.00
post-it notes lite
paint.net
adobe photoshop
deadAIM
mozilla firefox/thunderbird*
this said, you can get most of these for free one place or another, and if you can't find any that you want, feel free to ask. i have a lot of shareware, but full, versions of most of these. it really comes down to what your D really wants to do with her computer. I wouldn't recommend buying any software through dell other than the cheapest (but most inclusive) windows package it provides especially since elon provides you with all of the essentials. in fact, dell puts a lot of software onto its computers that you'll want to take off anyway.</p>

<p>I got a docking station and stand, and i use it everyday at school. i have everything plugged into my computer through the station, including my external HD, speakers, ethernet connection, mouse and keyboard, etc etc. most people don't have them, but i am definitely glad i got mine.</p>

<p>finally, i can't stress this enough, but get the 4 year all inclusive next day service support. my dell has had a couple of problems, but they always come to me and fix them next day. it's definitely worth the extra money.</p>

<p>Went with the HP dv6000t -- brand loyalty won out, and the price ended up being almost identical to Dell since HP also offers an academic pricing option (but it took forever to find it). Basically, same configuration as the Dell. Docking station, 4 year Next Business Day extended coverage, Vista Business, Core 2 Duo processor, 2 GB Ram, 120 GB hard drive, etc. </p>

<p>Plus a Laserjet printer -- that was a whole 'nother debate with myself over color inkjet vs. monochrome Laserjet.</p>

<p>laser is real nice, its great not having to worry about ink cartridges.</p>

<p>That was my thought. How convenient/inconvenient is it to print to a campus lab when you really need color?</p>

<p>it's easy enough. just get a jumpdrive. i have one that uses sd memory cards (as opposed to internal memory) because that way i can transfer my pictures from my camera through it as well. worst case scenario its always easy enough to email it to yourself.</p>

<p>by the way, i recommend letting people without their own printers use the printer as long as they provide paper. i went through the entire year without paying for any paper.</p>

<p>Just to provide some alternative thinking... I am an Elon Marketing major, and I use a Mac. To be specific, a 15.4" MacBook Pro. </p>

<p>From an academic standpoint, there is no advantage or disadvantage to getting a Windows based computer versus a Mac, as Tech services a) is very helpful with both and b) gives you MS Office for either system. Many students have the smaller MacBook.</p>

<p>The reason I got the Mac is for the customer service. My MacBook has had a few problems, and has had to be shipped out once, but at all times the service has been friendly, prompt (very prompt) and at no cost to me (I have AppleCare). My battery fried twice (the first generation MPB had battery issues) and I had a new battery shipped from California to NC within 20 hours both times. When my power port failed, I had a new adapter next day. When the computer needed to be sent in for extensive repairs due to a fault with the hard drive, I was told to give Apple 7-10 days for repair. Returning from the Texas facility, it was in my hands after 4, and this includes a weekend period. </p>

<p>This is my first Mac, but it is brilliantly easy to use and learn-- after an hour or two playing around, you feel right at home. </p>

<p>Elon supports the Mac, and offers services for it through the Tech Office near Subway. </p>

<p>The cost to me (and I got a few upgrades) was $2300, including an extended warranty and education discount. More expensive for sure, but you can't really put a price on peace of mind!</p>

<p>I have no problem with someone opting to use a PC. Plenty of people do. However, you should do so with accurate information. It is simply not true that Macs get as many viruses as PCs. Macs, in fact, don't get viruses (reasons? better code and a smaller market share). I have used a mac at home and pc at work for many years. While my pc at work has network anti-virus software, I have been afflicted with viruses even though I download very little there. For the last ten years, I have have been downloading everything and anything from home on my mac with no antivirus software. I have never had a virus. I have many friends who have had the same experience. For that matter all the literature on the subject comes to the same conclusion. Also I much prefer the computing experience when using a mac The creativity possiblities and style are in my mind are not even close. However, that's an opinion that is subjective. As far as the virus issue goes -it is simply a fact. If you get a pc, viruses are an issue. If you get a mac, don't give it a thought.</p>

<p>In response to what Phillies said... </p>

<p>It IS statistically true that Macs get less viruses than PCs, however, you must be conscious of viruses with either system. Phillies gave two reasons why Macs get less viruses-- and both are valid. The third, and perhaps most important reason, though, is because what you load and download on to your computer is at your own will. What does that mean? It means if you screw up your Mac and it gets a virus, you have nobody but yourself to thank. </p>

<p>Macs are VERY susceptible to viruses, especially now that they are growing in popularity (and thus, more hackers are spending time trying to decode Macs) but they are still the minority when it comes to actual infections. </p>

<p>You need to be careful about who you download from and what you use online with either system, though. When downloading a program on a Mac, think twice before you enter your password (which gives the computer authorization to allow the download) and be sure that your source is safe and trusted. </p>

<p>Just my $0.02</p>

<p>I know this is not a computer forum, but I just don't understand the insistence on claiming that macs get viruses. There was a rumor about a year ago that there was a mac virus, but that turned out to be false. I am not saying that someday someone couldn't be successful in developing one, but to date it has never happened. Meanwhile, as those of us who at times use pcs know, viruses are rampant in the pc world. In fact, I remember, shaking my head over the fact that Vista viruses had been developed even before Vista was released. Frankly to get an accurate appraisal of Mac versus PC issues, I would urge any reader to consult a computercentric website - not this one. Or in the alternative ask a Mac user other than me if they have ever even heard of a virus messing with a Mac. I think for the purposes of this site, it is good enough to know that your school supports both Macs and PCs.</p>

<p>P.S. When I get a suspicious email at work on my pc that runs anti-virus software, I don't open it. Instead, I will forward it to my Mac at home which has no anti-virus software and I open it there. In ten years, no viruses on the Mac. For all my efforts I still have had viruses on my PC.</p>

<p>Phillies, to say that "it has never happened" is wrong. Macs are far less virus-prone. But never? No.
<a href="http://antivirus.about.com/od/macintoshresource/Macintosh_Viruses_and_Mac_Virus_Resources.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://antivirus.about.com/od/macintoshresource/Macintosh_Viruses_and_Mac_Virus_Resources.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Live and learn. I had no idea. Although the point is best stated in the link you provided, "Macs aren't immune to viruses, but they are very rare." I should also note that the problems that the website, which sells anti-virus software, noted are restricted to OS 6 and 7, which haven't been in use since the 1990s or worms. Nevertheless, touche. The bottom line - concerned about viruses, get a Mac and forget about it. I don't know anyone who even bothers with anti-virus software on a Mac. Concerning the fun and creativity of using one, I'll just refer you to the TV commercials. Like Homer Simpson would say, Their funny because its true.</p>