<p>Any experiences, lessons learned, do's or dont's for purchasing a laptop for an incoming freshman? Son is in Biomedical Engineering. I see that you can purchase through UD and web site indicates this can be cheaper route. I would expect then he would have something that the local techs would be familiar with. Thanks for any info!</p>
<p>I get a supplier discount with several computer manufacturers (Windows OS) so I ordered my daughter’s graduation present laptop direct from a name brand manufacturer. We skipped the entry level models and opted for an upgraded processor, additional RAM and a large hard drive. To date, she has no complaints and has not mentioned anything about performance limitations. She’s running Windows 7 and has not experienced any problems interfacing with any systems at UD.</p>
<p>It’s not lightweight or small, but she rarely takes it to class.</p>
<p>Invariably, there will be faster processors and increased RAM machines available within a month of making your purchase. As long as you don’t opt for a stripped down model, you should be fine.</p>
<p>I won’t badmouth any other OS models - I just choose to support the folks that help keep me employed.</p>
<p>Can you elaborate on the UD purchase option? Is it through the bookstore or directly through UD?</p>
<p>I’m a PC person, but S wanted a MacBook for college. We bought it locally as his HS graduation gift, he’s now a junior, and it’s had only one problem (a faulty power supply), which was fixed for free at the Apple store on campus. He’s been very happy with it.</p>
<p>As delaware does not have sales tax, we bought a computer at orientation at the Apple store. Between the student discount and no sales tax, it was a good savings.</p>
<p>I am just getting started looking into the options at the UD Site below:
[Buy</a> Personal | Technology Purchase Consulting](<a href=“http://sites.udel.edu/computing-purchases/buy-personal/]Buy”>Buy Personal | Technology Purchase Consulting)</p>
<p>DON’T DO BME AT UD!!! If you compared UD’s curriculum to any of the top 50 BME programs in the nation, it doesn’'t compare. UD’s curriculum is watered down, but if your son really wants to do engineering at UD, he should do ChemE.</p>
<p>Applelover23, you are a ■■■■■ plain and simple. From your posts on this site, it’s easy to see that you chose to attend RPI. Good for you. As a high school senior, you don’t have any experience with UD’s curriculum so your comments are worthless.</p>
<p>Appleloser23…You’re a big loser.</p>
<p>Meh… more of a misguided student who feels that trashing schools she chose not to attend will make her feel better about her choice. She’ll get a huge wake up call once she enters the working world and finds out that talking down other people’s alma maters is unprofessional.</p>
<p>But back to computers… Is anyone fond of Windows 8? Personally, I’d rather be running XP or Windows 7.</p>
<p>Anybody have an (unbiased) opinion on Mac vs PC for biomedical engineering?</p>
<p>Take this unbiased opinion for what it’s worth. After completing freshman year, my daughter used her laptop for writing papers, making a few presentations, and accessing an on-line homework site for Chem. Based on those activities, Mac and PC are both adequate.</p>
<p>Some of her classmates us Apple laptops and are happy. Others us Windows-based laptops and they are also happy. To the best of my knowledge, no professor has warned either group that their laptop won’t be suitable for coursework in the remaining three years. I’ll get a definitive answer in a few days when I pick her up after finals.</p>
<p>As promised, here’s an update. Both Apple and Microsoft OS machines work just fine for just about every BME class. The exception was the Python computer class. Those with Apple computers needed to access a Windows-based machine for this class.</p>