<p>Anyone know what kind we're getting? Its something dell, but thats about as far as I got</p>
<p>Here's the specs for the Class of 2009 laptop. I expect Class of 2010 should be similar. My son said the laptop was "sweet".</p>
<p>Dell Precision M70 laptop DELL,
DELL A922 Printer,
Iomega 160GB External HD, and Imation 1 GB USB Thumb Drive</p>
<p>Specifications - Dell Precision M70
Processor: Pentium M Dothan processor
Clock Speed: 2.0 GHz
Main Memory: 1 GB DDR2 533 RAM,
Disk: 60 GB HDD with 7,200 rpm spin rate
Video: 256 MB of video RAM (DDR), NVIDIA® Quadro® FX Go1400 PCIExpress card
DVD-ROM/CD-RW: DVD/CD-RW combo internal drive with buffer underrun prevention technology (speed: 8x24x24x24)
Monitor: 15.4 inch UXGA display capable of 1920 x 1200 x 16 million color resolution
Network/Modem - Integrated ethernet 10/100/1GB and modem
Hardware - Integrated 802.11a/b/g wireless antenna, USB ports x2 (v2), Firewire port (IEEE 1394) via PCMCIA card, IrDA infrared port (v1.1) BlueTooth
Battery: Spare LiOn battery
Docking: Advanced Port Replicator (allows connection of external devices while stationary at desk like keyboard, mouse, monitors, USB devices x4, parrallel, etc.)
Peripherals: External Keyboard (Dell quiet key), External Mouse (Logitech optical)
Operating System: Windows XP Professional</p>
<p>When I saw that about a week ago, I was very pleased. I can only imagine what we are getting. I believe we are getting a palm pilot as well. Too bad they couldn't throw in a DVD+/-RW (maybe they will). An iPod sounds nice as well, but something tells me they don't thinks that requisite.</p>
<p>...yep last years lap top has twice the specs of my PC rig here at home. your son is absolutely right, its "sweet."</p>
<p>You can see the rest of the computers, to get an idea of how much they improve each year.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information guys. I'm very excited for our brand spanking new laptops, but theres definetly other stuff I'm more excited about:</p>
<p>1) Actually being at West Point in 56 Days
2) Getting to actually be in the Army and do Army stuff
3) Football games and Army-Navy Week
4) Spirit Missions
5) Wearing white over greys and our new ACU's (I'm sure I will take that back)</p>
<p>P.S. Whats the deal with PDA's? Are they actually helpful? I've always thought they were really cool and everything but about as useful as one of those little one dollar mini notebooks for writing things down.</p>
<p>I think it would be nice if they issued those TabletPCs to us, though I do realize that those things aren't "desktop replacements" and don't do all that great with media and games.... </p>
<p>I'd rather be competing in Sandhurst or something than playing America's Army on the computer anyway.</p>
<p>Ah, America's Army. I have a long history with that game. Haven't played in a while, but it's my favorite :D</p>
<p>What a nerd :)</p>
<p>"about as useful as one of those little one dollar mini notebooks for writing things down."</p>
<p>those little notebooks are freakin lifesavers. ACU's are amazing, like wearing pajamas but wear out really fast. Are the other classes being issued ACUs? or is this just going to be another thing that will help identify prey from far-off</p>
<p>Mumford mentioned spirit missions, and i've heard that term a lot, but can someone please elaborate on these? What are they?</p>
<p>I hear from a source at West Point that the non-plebes are also getting ACU so we won't stick out so much. </p>
<p>And a spirit mission is a conducted operation to raise the morale of the corps (or demoralize a specific group of people). Spirit Missions can range from "shameing" someone when they are sleeping to putting a cannon on top of a clock tower. They are usually meant to be a fun activity to relieve some of the stress and get a laugh from everyone. At NMMI this year I participated in stealing the shower curtains from the entire corps except my troops. Also a couple of use put icy-hot on the toilet seats in a few bathrooms. The biggest one was placing a model horse on the commandants porch.</p>
<p>PDA's are actually terrific tools. I understand that they were issued a few years ago, but not really used by the cadets. They were then discontinued.</p>
<p>Every class since the class of 2004 was issued a PDA or similar electric organizer. The SOP was actually changed this year (a bit too late for me...) to prohibit cadets from selling the PDAs online. I understand that they are incorporated into the classroom, just as the laptops have been, much better for the classes of 08 and 09 than they were for 06.</p>
<p>09 was not issued PDAs.</p>
<p>The PDAs were useless. All plebes are required to get a USMA planner at book issue. GET IT. USE IT. That planner will be your life! And yes, the 2010 laptops are freaking awesome. I saw them at the bookstore yesterday.</p>
<p>really, they have the computer specs in for 2010. What are they?</p>
<p>what are ACUs?</p>
<p>army combat uniform... acu. its the new uniform replacing the bdu's battle dress uniform (the camo ones you've probably seen)</p>
<p>a step forward : 50polyester/50cotton
a step back : velco / zippers</p>
<p>i really like the velco and zippers.</p>
<p>I've seen mixed reviews from soldiers out in the field. In general, it seems like the naysayers are mostly not soldiers taking an overly critical view. Most soldiers that are actually using them seem to be giving good reviews because of the better functionality and like mrgreen said, the velcro and zippers make a lot of stuff a sinch.</p>
<p>I hate to break it to you, but the New Cadets WILL stick out for the first couple of weeks in their ACUs, particularly during ReOrgy Week. None of the upperclass are being issued them until next year, though some have already bought a pair.</p>
<p>I don't think you guys are getting issued a PDA--I'm pretty sure they stopped that with our class. We didn't get issued one.</p>