<p>So Penn’s offering us 7 different laptops to choose from.
For Macs, we have the Macbook, the Macbook Pro (2.0 GHz), or the Macbook Pro (2.16 GHz).
For PCs, we have the Dell Latitude D620, the Dell Latitude D820, the IBM Thinkpad T60 Mainstream System, and the IBM Thinkpad T60 Professional System.</p>
<p>Basically, it’s the Macbook vs the Dell Latitude vs the IBM Thinkpad.</p>
<p>This is really more of a question for people already at Penn, but which computer do you guys think would work best? My older sister, who goes to a different college, uses a PC and says that everyone at her school with a Mac is in love with it, and the PC owners envy them (herself included).</p>
<p>People say Macs are more sturdy (they don’t break if you drop them) and they don’t have viruses.</p>
<p>However, I’m used to a PC, as I’m sure most people are. PCs are much more mainstream, and most programs are written for them.</p>
<p>Any opinions on which of the 3 computers to buy, or even just a Mac vs. PC opinion, would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>i'm really annoyed at the specs for the Dell D620 because i want that laptop but it is just too "low-end" for what i want. i will be customizing my own through the Dell website with Penn's discount (12%!!!)</p>
<p>did penn send out info about the discount?</p>
<p>Can anyone post the configurations and prices available for penn students? I still did not receive my penn setud code to create my pennkey...</p>
<p>Here are the computers (If I don't say it's a desktop, it's a laptop)</p>
<p>PCs:
Dell OptiPlex GX620 Desktop System $1099 (desktop)
Dell Latitude D620 Mainstream System $1099
IBM ThinkPad T60 All-Purpose System $1429
IBM ThinkPad T60 Professional System $1799
Dell Latitude D820 Performance System $1899</p>
<p>Macs:
iMac 17" Intel Core Duo $1360 (desktop)
iMac 20" Intel Core Duo $1775 (desktop)
MacBook (White or Black) $1482
MacBook Pro (2.0GHz) $2039
MacBook Pro (2.16GHz) $2388</p>
<p>I wanna get a tablet PC.</p>
<p>I don't think it really matters all too much. You guys should keep an eye out on the bargain websites like slickdeals.net, bensbargains.net, or fatwallet.net (a lot of the time they post the same deals). Sometimes they post great deals on computers, and it might be just what you're looking for</p>
<p>Dell currently has a 35% discount on their website if you get a select Insperion Notebook. I just got this discount and got a great computer.</p>
<p>Same here. $625 off the normal price.</p>
<p>Mine was like $1000 off</p>
<p>my mom would only let me spend a certain amount...the one i picked first was like 1100 off and she was like, "no no that's too much" even though it turned out to only be like 350 more than the one i got, in the end. parents don't make any sense sometimes</p>
<p>I have the Thinkpad, and I'm fine with it, but I hear Macs never crash/freeze/etc. so if thats one of ur worries, u should probably get a Mac.</p>
<p>Mac's definitely crash/freeze. I used a really, really good one to do my school's yearbook and it still had it's moments. There's even something like the Windows Ctrl+Alt+Del. I think that if you're proficient with a computer than you can prevent most freezes and crashes and if you aren't too great with them than the Mac probably wouldn't help much.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if the printers and other devices at penn are bluetooth capable? I'm thinking about adding it on to my laptop and want to know if it is necessary.</p>
<p>you all know that you dont have to stick solely to what penn offers through computer connection. as long as you have wireless internet compatibility a newer processor and windows xp you will be fine. most people come to school with a variety of brands. you just want a laptop your comfortable with and that meets your needs; more or less hi-tech as that may be.</p>
<p>No, Penn's printers are not Bluetooth capable. However I'd still get it as it's very handy for, say, synching with your cell phone.</p>
<p>Granted, I'm the Apple Campus rep and it is literally my job to say this, but I honestly think a Mac would be better--especially now that they can run Windows should you need it for some unfortunate reason.</p>
<p>MacBooks are very sturdy beause Apple designs their notebooks in a matter resembling that of an exoskeleton. The structural integrity is not with internal braces a la PCs but in the hard case itself which means fewer assembled parts to break and greater amount of material to absorb shocks. Apple is also careful not to design the MacBooks so that there are any protruding portions that could easily break. The whole thing is completely flush when closed. Heck there isn't even a latch to break anymore, as Apple has replaced it with a nifty magnetic latch with 0 moving parts.</p>
<p>If anyone wants to use filesharing apps on their computers, a Mac is by far the better machine.</p>
<p>Spyware/adware will wreak havoc on your PCs while Macs (from what I have seen) are resistant to these threats, even without antivirus software. Even if you don't use filesharing software, you will probably be online all the time thanks to broadband. Always being connected will open the door for more malware to get on your system.</p>
<p>If you know what you are doing, you will mostly not get crap on your computer. Learn what a firewall does (there are a lot of free ones, like zone alarm), install the antivirus that penn gives you, get adaware / spybot, and don't download useless / illegal crap. If you follow these basic rules you will be largely adware/virus free</p>
<p>Very true MJ but using a Mac is much more hassle free, from my experience at least.</p>
<p>Using a mac is only hasslefree if you're not terribly computer literate. Not that there aren't great reasons to use a mac, but they're just friendlier if you need friendliness.</p>