Laptop for Science/Music Double Major

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

<p>It looks like DS may be heading for UM next fall and we are starting to think about laptop computers.</p>

<p>We are looking for recomendations from current UM students on a laptop purchase. DS may be starting out as a Neuroscience and Jazz Studies double major, so I think this complicates matters. My instincts would be that a Windows machine might be better in the science/math area and that a Mac might be better in the Music area (although I've never used a Mac).</p>

<p>Are there particular features that laptop should have to be compatible with the UM computer network? Are there good discounts for UM students?</p>

<p>Any suggestions? Thanks for your help.</p>

2

<p>College of Literature Science and the Arts
Computer Purchasing Recommendations:</p>

<p><a href="http://showcase.itcs.umich.edu/pages/recs/lsa.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://showcase.itcs.umich.edu/pages/recs/lsa.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

3

<p>What a great link, GoBlueMom, I had no idea there was a discount for students on software, Daughter needs MS Office on her new Mac and I think this is a good savings.</p>

4

<p>Yes, great link.</p>

<p>Anyone think it is imperative to have a Mac for School of Music?</p>

5

<p>SBDad, I don't know enough about it to say it would be mandatory, but the laptop we just got does seem very user-friendly for music applications. There is a program called Garageband that is unbelievable, allows you to record whatever you want and then put it on your ipod with no fuss. I'd say you should at least have your son check out what can be done before making the decision.</p>

6

<p>What did you get Fredmar?</p>

7

<p>
[quote]
Daughter needs MS Office on her new Mac and I think this is a good savings.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>U-M students can get the entire suite of Microsoft Office (word, excel, powerpoint, access, outlook, publisher) for $42. So yeah, good savings is an understatement.</p>

8

<p>So hoedown, PC or Mac, what's your preference?</p>

9

<p>We got the midlevel white ibook, don't know the particulars, but not the cheapest and not the most expensive</p>

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<p>i have a macbook, and it's amazing. i've had no compatibility issues around campus. a good portion of my friends have macbooks as well. it's a matter of personal preference i suppose, and if your d ever needs to use a pc there are more than enough around campus and in the dorm computer labs that she shouldn't have trouble finding one to use.</p>

11

<p>SB, I use both; while in school at U-M my needs were somewhat different than that of an undergrad (especially one today, in the fields your son is considering) so I don't have useful input on which would be better.</p>

12

<p>I'd say get a mac, it's pretty light, and very flexible. And the best of all, is that it's small and powerful. </p>

<p>I have a PC laptop now at WMU, and plan to go to UMich next year, and I can see it being a big hassle for me as it's pretty heavy, but really powerful.</p>