iBook or PowerBook for College This Fall??

<p>Hey everybody I have recently decided to buy a mac laptop(I am presently a pc user, but i'll risk it) which one do you feel is better ibook or powerbook, and easier to use for a new convert to the mac system? Plus does the waranty on these laptops cover all damage, including accidental or just defects?. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Hey J,</p>

<p>Are you purchasing your computer through Dartmouth? What are this year's options?</p>

<p>Daughter was a long time PC user and purchased the G4 12 inch powerbook. She absolutely loves it. She picked it up on move in day and everything was pretty much set up for her. She just plugged it in, set up her passwords and was on her way. What she loves about the 12 inch is that it weighs about 4 lbs so it is easy to carry and it is easy or her to slip in to her bag. </p>

<p>She recently had a problem with her mac(did not really go into detail) to it to to tech support on campus (htere is an authorized Dell and Apple service center on campus). She said they were very helpful in baking up her stuff, forwarding her current papers to her mail so that she could retreive them. they fixed it for about $75 (labor) She got a loaner for for the week which she paid $10/day. She got it back and all was well.</p>

<p>Yes, I am most definitely purchasing my computer through dartmouth Sybbie, and from what I understand from the computing website is that I don't think the 09's choices are that much different from last years, but then again I have yet to receive my big packet. Personally I don't want to do a dell again(present computer is dell), and I would love to try a mac so I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to try a new operating system.</p>

<p>is it mandatory to buy a laptop through dartmouth? i heard that it's covered in the financial aid, but i seriously got no financial aid from dartmouth. i really want to buy a different brand of notebooks. any comments would be helpful</p>

<p>When I was at Dimensions, this is what I was told while on a tour: it is not mandatory to buy a laptop through Dartmouth, but if you decide to do so, it can make your life much easier. The laptops you purchase through Dartmouth come preloaded with various programs you will need while at Dartmouth, and Dell and Macs are fully supported, whereas with other brands, it might be more difficult to get repairs, etc. done.</p>

<p>No it is not madatory to get your computer through Dartmouth. However your computer must meet the school's specification requirements.</p>

<p>Your computer is not exactly covered in financial aid what Dartmouth does is give you a loan through the office of financial aid to purchase your computer.</p>

<p>Supported hardware,</p>

<p><a href="http://www.dartmouth.edu/comp/about/policies/software/supported.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.dartmouth.edu/comp/about/policies/software/supported.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Link for computer distribution at Orientation (2004)</p>

<p><a href="http://www.dartmouth.edu/comp/support/library/start/orientation/index.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.dartmouth.edu/comp/support/library/start/orientation/index.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Sybbie, the second link says that if we order a computer from Dartmouth, we can't pick it up until Orientation, is this right? Do most people order through Dartmouth and pick up their computers at this time? I kind of wanted to fool around with my computer before I left home. If I order a Dartmouth suggested computer, but order it earlier, will there be someone at this tent to show me what to load, etc. to get my computer all up to date? (I'm terrible with computers, and so are my parents, so I would really need someone to help me.)</p>

<p>If you order your computer through Dartmouth they probably take advantage of ordering at a bulk educational rate in addtion to having no sales tax in NH. </p>

<p>We are not tech savvy which is the main reason D got her computer through Dartmouth. All computers ordered through Dartmouth are delivered to the school. Remember when the computers come in they Dartmouth configures them, sets up your blitz, wireless now phone and TV and has you connected to printers. When you pick up your computer you will not have to load anything you simply plug it in there about 4 lines of instructions that you must follow and you are done.</p>

<p>Sybbie, I was also looking at the whole GreenPrint system and I noticed that the printing stations are kinda few and far between, so I think I might buy a printer or go on half on one with my roomate or something, would you advise this, or is greenprint sufficient?</p>

<p>I brought my daughter's printer home with me last weekend when I was in Hanover picking up the bulk of her stuff. She told me that I could have it as she would not be needing it and probably will not bring it back next year. </p>

<p>In the beginning she used her printer a lot from her room. As the term went by and her study habits changed (spending more time in the library because it is quiet, she uses the printers there). In the end it is a matter of personal choice. </p>

<p>Printers are not expensive, you can order the printer the same time you order your computer. I ended up ordering her a printer for $79 from Compusa after schoool started and had it shipped to Hanover.</p>

<p>Thanks Sybbie! Guess I will most likely be waiting until Orientation.</p>

<p>Mucho gracias Sybbie, I think Im leaning toward the 12' Powerbook now.</p>

<p>Just to inform you, Dartmouth's prices are a ripoff. Last year I bought a top of the line Inspiron 9100 for the same cost as a Latitude D600 sold through Dartmouth. With that said, most people will be fine getting a laptop that is already preloaded with Dartmouth software so it still isn't a bad idea to get one through the school.</p>

<p>Xanatos, I think thats what I like most about buying my laptop through Dartmouth is the fact that its alreadly preloaded with the Dartmouth software because frankly I am not the most tech savvy person and I prefer something that I can plug up and just go.</p>

<p>Xanatos, Latitude is made for mobility. That's y it is sometimes more expensive. I'm looking at Dell 700M b/c its super light. I want it just for working and carrying around. I'm also looking to build myself a top of the line Desktop. Do most kids have desktops/notebooks/both? Any suggestions?</p>

<p>Does anyone know if dartmouth's mac computers will run the new OS? I think it's code name is Tiger.</p>

<p>I just bought a Dell 700M....It's super light =p and I'm very happy with it.</p>

<p>IvyH20 I think so, because I think the macs are updated every 6 months or something from what I heard.</p>

<p>lemmethink - if you have some outside scholarships, likely Dartmouth will let you apply those toward the computer rather than require that they be applied toward tuition.</p>

<p>thanks for the input, ohmadre, you rock my socks</p>