electronics

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

<p>Cell phones: Which services have the best reception in the Boston/Cambridge area? I'm looking for a cheap cell phone (preferably less than $50 per month, incl. taxes) with talk+text that has good coverage. So far, I'm considering Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. Any suggestions?</p>

<p>I'm also looking for a new laptop. What kind of computer would you recommend bringing to MIT? Does it matter if it's hp or Apple? I'm thinking of getting something small and light (not a mini, but small enough to fit in a backpack), probably with Windows 7. Are there any special features I should look for? Compatibility with certain programs?</p>

2

<p>Verizon has the best reception around Boston.</p>

<p>Macs, Dells, and Lenovos can get serviced by IS&T on site, this may matter to you or it may not.</p>

3

<p>I used AT&T during CPW and it wasn’t that good there</p>

4

<p>This same question pops up every year in the MIT forum; do a search. Verizon seems to be the winner.</p>

5

<p>ok, great! thanks!</p>

6

<p>Yeah Verizon has the best reception at MIT - there are certain pockets on campus (in different parts of Simmons, for example), where I will be the only person in a group of friends using different carriers to get reception.</p>

7

<p>Apple, Mac, and Lenovo computers are not only serviced by IS&T, they are also available to MIT students at a discount.</p>

<p>You can see recommended laptop configurations here:
[Recommended</a> Laptops | IS&T](<a href=“http://ist.mit.edu/services/hardware/laptops]Recommended”>http://ist.mit.edu/services/hardware/laptops)
There is also a phone number you can call to talk to some very friendly people at IS&T for advice.</p>

8

<p>I didn’t find that the discounts were actually all that good - I got a different model on sale with similar specs for a lot cheaper.</p>

9

<p>Don’t worry too much about compatability with hard-core programs. Often those programs will be on Athena computers. Also, IS&T has a laptop loaner program which will loan you a laptop for a semester to run software for a class (if you own personal laptop can’t run it for some reason).</p>

10

<p>[Laptop</a> Loaner Program | IS&T](<a href=“http://ist.mit.edu/services/hardware/lcp]Laptop”>http://ist.mit.edu/services/hardware/lcp)</p>

<p>I would definitely not rely on the laptop loaner program. Athena clusters, however, are great and accessible in many convenient locations around campus.</p>

11

<p>Yeah, loaner laptops are only really provided in specific situations. Also, in addition to Athena clusters, most majors have their own computer labs with course-specific software installed. (You gain access to these labs when you join that department by declaring it as your major.) Nearly everyone has their own laptop, but if money is an issue, don’t be afraid to get a small, simple one and rely on desktop computers on campus to run more advanced software needed for coursework.</p>