<p>What are the real advatages of buying a laptop? I know they're portable, but where would you actually take them? To class? Outside? Is a desktop better (and safer because of less theft)?</p>
<p>oh, and in addition to that, can anyone recommend a good laptop? - not something sooo expensive... or at least give us a good range of how much to spend on a laptop that we'll be taking to college??</p>
<p>We had the same question and it's not even close: laptop. D packs hers into a laptop backpack for traveling and it comes home with her on vacation, goes with her on field trips, etc. </p>
<p>Thefts are pretty rare at Smith, even less so if the item is not a bicycle upon occasion (and I'd guess that a lot of <em>that</em> might be townies).</p>
<p>Note: Smith offers purchases of both Mac and PC laptops through its IT department. She got a decent, if not outstanding, price for her Mac. But the kicker is that the IT department will service anything purchased through them, coming to your room if necessary. D's availed herself of this a couple of times and as it happens, at the moment her hard drive is being replaced...no fuss, no muss, free.</p>
<p>so then, would you recommend purchasing these laptops through Smith rather than by ourselves individually?</p>
<p>oh also, would it be worth bringing my bicycle to Smith? I thought it would be a better mode of transportation than walking...</p>
<p>I had asked the same question about a month or so ago and found that it is well worth the price to purchase the laptop through Smith IT. No doubt about it. Just as TD said, they will take care of all problems, and that my dear, is all she wrote!</p>
<p>A lot of people do have bikes. But there is a <em>lot</em> of walking. It's not like UCSB, where the bike paths can jam up like the San Diego Freeway at rush hour. At any given moment, I would probably see 8-10 people walking for every one on a bike.</p>
<p>So...the bike is nice but not required.</p>
<p>We also got D's laptop through Smith. Definately worth having on-campus free repair, she has used it a few times. She also has a bike, which is useful, you just need to lock it.
I strongly recommend a laptop, though our D did get a wireless mouse and keyboard to use when she is in her room.</p>
<p>Thanks. Also, are there any compatibilty problems with Macs?</p>
<p>Thanks. Also, are there any compatibility problems with Macs?}</p>
<p>No. None. Macs look way cooler too.</p>
<p>The only issue I can think of is software availability. But with so many programs are now being written for Macs, I wouldnt let that dissuade me.</p>
<p>oh also, would it be worth bringing my bicycle to Smith?}}</p>
<p>Not a good one. I cycled all over Moho and Amherst for years. The issue isn't getting your bike stolen but the components. If you have middle to top of the line Shimano or Campy shifters, derailers, crank and wheels etc, the local scum and gangs who come up from Springfield will strip the components off the bike in minutes and leave nothing but the frame. I witnessed what was left after a gang did their work at one of the houses a few years ago. The poor girls had nothing left. Every bike out front of their house was striped bare. If you're really set on having a nice road or dirt bike bring it into the house each night.</p>
<p>Fwiw- Ive have ridden road bikes in almost every part of the country, but the Pioneer Valley is still one of my fact areas to ride, except on Friday afternoon by Umass after cocktail hour</p>
<p>RLT...are these "gangs" from Springfield around often? I have known NoHo to be a very safe community, but these comments have me a bit tense. Please explain.</p>
<p>Should a student bring a printer with her to Smith?</p>
<p>I'll agree with the laptop purchased through Smith. My daughter has used their free repair several times and was pleased.</p>
<p>She has her printer at school and uses it quite frequently. It's handy for her to have it there since she finds studying anywhere but her room too distracting.</p>
<p>Nor to worry bjm8...Im not referring to gangs like the Crips Theres just bunch of punk kids who steal when given the chance. Many come up from Springfield. If you look around Noho, theres graffiti the <em>gangs</em> have left to mark their presence, but theyre harmless. It started about 10 yeas ago but the local police have been brutal towards the punks and they know better than to hang around Noho. Ive walked around the streets at 3:00 AM (dont ask, birthday) and felt perfectly safe. My daughter very often goes to town at night or DD and never has had an issue with anything</p>
<p>Bjm8, you can have bikes etc .stolen in locked communities in Greenwich. All Im trying to say is even in the best neighborhoods, you need to be careful. Kids steal parts to resell</p>
<p>A few years ago there was a gang of kids that would go to Loon or Waterville (ski resorts) with orders of particular skis or snowboard others wanted. Steal to order if you will.</p>
<p>While waiting for a tow truck to fix a flat tire in a jackless rental car, I spoke with a public safety officer at Smith. He said that duty at Smith was very much on the quiet & boring side, much more so than about any place he was familiar with. Said he'd send his daugheters there in an instant.</p>