DCI computers

<p>You should probably comparison shop for printers...The HP's listed on the CavComp site are lots cheaper at CompUSA for instance.</p>

<p>ITs perfect....there cant be a better deal</p>

<p>Regarding printers...I saw the same one at Circuit City for almost $100 LESS!</p>

<p>DCI is a ripoff. If you spend like 5-10 minutes on sites like the one previously mentioned or at techbargains.com you'll get the same stuff for better prices.</p>

<p>But you can't get a four year warranty for your computer except from Cavalier Computers. The most you can get from Apple is 3 years. So isn't it a good idea to get 4?</p>

<p>Uhh, not everyone is a doofus who spills beer on their computer or drops it from the top shelf of their closet. And not every computer breaks. Chances are, if a computer breaks, it will break within the first year or so of ownership. And most computers come with at least a year long parts & labor warranty. And if it does break, chances are it will be the hard drive that goes - something easily replaced. I got a laptop for $900 that was very, very similar to a model being offered by Cavalier Computers for $2000. Mine was a $1650 configuration that I got with a $750 off coupon from notebookforums.com. It has a one year warranty. If I only get two years out of it (and, odds are it will last all 4 years), I'll be able to get a better one for the same price or less, and still have paid less than the $2000 DCI computer. But I guess if you don't feel like comparison shopping or you think you're going to spill beer all over your precious lappy or you'll drop it at some point, then by all means, blow $2k on a $1k computer. On a side note, the Apple prices aren't that bad, and it looks like they dropped the bundled iPod this year. Last year they were trying to bundle a "free" ipod with every mac...right.</p>

<p>So then what do u think Cavalier, the macbook looks pretty good from Cav-Comp right?</p>

<p>jmlbrads, I looked at both of the macbook configurations on apple.com and on cavalier computers. The black one on apple.com came out to $1672, with a 3 year warranty. The black on on Cavalier Computers is $1985 - - $313 more with only a year more of warranty coverage. The white one came out to $1472 on apple.com, and on Cavalier Computers it is $1799. The difference is $327, for an additional year of coverage. </p>

<p>You know what I would do if I were you, and I wanted to Macbook? I'd get the model all the way on the left</p>

<p><a href="http://store.apple.com/AppleStore/WebObjects/EducationIndividualCustom.woa/6084005/wo/lr3any7QZGZ52UM9Cnq1mHVb3OR/0.PSLID?mco=E044BFB4&nclm=MacBook%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://store.apple.com/AppleStore/WebObjects/EducationIndividualCustom.woa/6084005/wo/lr3any7QZGZ52UM9Cnq1mHVb3OR/0.PSLID?mco=E044BFB4&nclm=MacBook&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>and upgrade to an 80gb HD and 1gb of ram. Then I guess I'd add the three year warranty. The price? $1367. If your daughter is like 95% of computer users (particularly girls), then that computer will meet and exceed her needs. Hell, it would handily exceed mine.</p>

<p>This may seem like a stupid question....If you purchase a computer elsewhere, do you have to load special UVA software? If so, how do u get it and how much is it? Sorry, this is all new to me. On Cav-Comp's site it lists their stuff preloaded so....ready to go. so what do u do if you purchase elsewhere?</p>

<p>There's nothing you need to purchase elsewhere. UVA's ITC provides a number of free programs for download here:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.itc.virginia.edu/central/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.itc.virginia.edu/central/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>The only other stuff you'd need to download would be the digital certificates for signing onto the university network and onto the wireless network. That process can be finicky sometimes, but it always works out. In my suite, only a few people bought their computer from the school. The others bought theirs separately and had no problems whatsoever. I'd go with that macbook from apple.com that I suggested...</p>

<p>Cav302, the one on the left you refer to doesn't have the Super Drive that allows you to burn DVD's...so if you're into making videos, etc., you might need to step up.</p>

<p>Then so be it. I got a DVD burner on my computer but I've never used it.</p>

<p>yeah, studious mom, I was thinking the same thing. my d is into movies and music so I was thinking of going with the high end. Another thing, with Cav-comp you get a case and I don't think you get one with Apple.com also you get a surge protector and it also mentioned the cable and lock. Do kids really use those locks I wonder?</p>

<p>I bought a computer case and a surge protector for $25 and $10 respectively, jmlbrads. Oh, and the best lock is never taking your eye off your computer...</p>

<p>Yeah, all these Super things and what not are just small points, which can easily be circumvented, to the overall value of the computer. I don't even know what a laptop lock looks like, which shows how rarely they are used from what I can tell.</p>

<p>Yes, it all boils down to the PC vs. Mac debate...Those of us who use Macs can't help but be genuinely loyal...You get what you pay for.</p>

<p>? I'm not sure what this has to do with 'PC v. Mac'. It seems to mainly be about DCI v. good deals</p>

<p>You're right, sv3a.</p>

<p>which model Dell would you guys go for between the Latitude which DCI provides and the Inspiron? Or if any other model is better which one? I think Im gonna go with a Dell, but should I reconsider? I've had a Dell desktop comp for 3 years and it works pretty good, any suggestions?</p>

<p>Also around what time do the best laptop offers come out around? Or: when would be the best time in terms of deals and pricing to buy my college laptop..still doing my comparison pricing search</p>