<p>What type of laptop is best? Are there certain specs students are supposed to have? Does Cornell give us any guidelines? Any suggestions would be great!</p>
<p>If you have the money, I would get a MacBook Pro.</p>
<p>If you have the money, GET a MacBook Pro (but wait until mid/end of summer because new MBs/MBPs are going to be coming out, and they will aesthetically look VERY different).</p>
<p>If you go to the CIT website...Computing</a> at Cornell Home Page and you will find a list of the minimums that Cornell recommends.</p>
<p>I agree with the above posters.....if you can afford it, buy a MacBook or MB Pro. I've had a PowerBook G4 for the past 4 years and it's been amazing. Now that Cornell has switched to a new course enrollment/info center there are no longer compatibility issues with Leopard. </p>
<p>If you can't afford a Mac, no worries. There are plenty of PCs out there that are just as good!</p>
<p>Also...you can purchase your new laptop through the Cornell Store (but you are not required to!). You will get a student discount (definitely with Mac...not sure about others) and your computer will be sure to match with Cornell's recommendations.</p>
<p>Is a regular MacBook fine??</p>
<p>I have a regular MacBook and I would strongly suggest that you get a MacBook Pro if you can afford it.</p>
<p>A MacBook is like a Toyota, and a MacBook Pro is like a Lexus.</p>
<p>They're both excellent machines nonetheless. But I'd STRONGLY RECOMMEND waiting to buy a MB/MBP until the end of summer before school starts. It's almost positive that drastic aesthetic changes are in store for both. About time too; the MBs look very similar all the way back from the iBook, and MBPs when they were PB G4s:</p>
<p>Take this advice as you will, but unless you need one NOW, I'd definitely wait.</p>
<p>lmao nice analogy. any idea what hardware upgrades are in store?</p>
<p>um i have a HP, it works perfectly, fast, it never freezes, games work fine, everything works fine. =D. it cost me 1280$ when i bought it a yr ago. now it costs like 1000 lol.</p>
<p>Computer Store Goods:</p>
<p>I would get an HP, they're really good.</p>
<p>I agree on the Mac thing, they're just the best computers out there. I'm using an HP now, and although it's nice and everything, my ages old Powerbook G4 was simply the best computer I've ever had and it gave me 4 years of exceptional performance (before taking a big tumble from a desk, sigh). </p>
<p>Also, I agree on waiting a little to get one: 1. The new models, and 2. Wait until you get your Cornell ID as you'll be able to get a discount on Mac products. Totally worth it, there's plenty of computers on campus to use if need be.</p>
<p>MACBOOK PRO</p>
<p>as i say, once you go MAC, you never go back! ahh i hate hate hate using PCs now!</p>
<p>Get something from TigerDirect.com</a> - Computers, Computer Parts, Computer Accessories, PC Components, & Electronics</p>
<p>Gomestar, I'm so disappointed: what are you using using an HP for? One thing I'm surprised is how many more HPs I've noticed on campus, compared to Dells. Interesting.</p>
<p>I totally agree about the PB G4s, though. Four years of flawless use, and as of last summer, chugging along just fine! I had to upgrade to my MacBook Pro the beginning of this school year though, as 17" is just too big to bring to classes, etc.</p>
<p>I <3 my PB G4....it's still chugging along despite numerous bumps and drops...I'm sad at the thought of replacing it, but I think the time is approaching :-(</p>
<p>Dell's XPS line uses very brand name components.</p>
<p>^I'm thinking about getting a Dell XPS, so what do you guys think about that? But since everyones recommeneding a MB Pro, I guess I'll have to rethink my decision.</p>
<p>Also which size notebook is the best? 17, 15, 14, 13? Also what about those tablet notebooks?</p>
<p>I have a 15" laptop....but I would prefer to have the 13" macbook. 17" is just too big...especially if you will be carrying your laptop around to class and such.</p>
<p>Tablets are notoriously unreliable. My two best friends both have them and they're horrible. The tablet feature really doesn't seem well-developed to me at all and the computers themselves are clunky and not practical.</p>