<p>i just bought the 13" macbook pro a week ago, and it is awesome. In addition to the free ipod you get $100 off and the battery life is awesome. thoroughly recommend it.</p>
<p>We’re still thinking on the laptop decision.</p>
<p>This loosely related question on internet access is actually for me, during Orientation. Will I be able to get internet connection from the Parents dorm? If not, where would I go to get access? (I may need to access work emails, if problems arise while we are gone.)</p>
<p>There is no WiFi in the parent dorm. I’m not sure if you could get connectivity if you brought your own cable. I believe there is WiFi in common areas, like the student center. That may be your best bet.</p>
<p>If you are looking for portable laptops with good battery life, I’d look into getting one that uses an Ultra-low voltage processor like the Asus UL80VT or the HP dm3z. If your kid’s into gaming, you could look into the higher-end HP Envy 14’s or the Alienware m11x.</p>
<p>I’m an incoming computer engineering major and have spent loads of time researching each individual model this summer. It’s my nature to be a bit picky when it comes to purchasing something like this so I like to think that I’ve sorted them out pretty well.</p>
<p>If you were interested in getting academic discounts, both Dell and HP offer pretty generous deductions. You just need to google it.</p>
<p>I myself was able to purchase the Alienware m11x for $690 after discounts (original price was $799).</p>
<p>I also present these laptop choices as an alternative to the more expensive Macs and Macbook Pros. Although those laptops are viable choices as well, I feel like you can get the same computer for half as much money if you do enough research.</p>
<p>junefolds, i’m looking for a netbook that i’ll only be using to take notes & browse the internet a bit… i’m looking for something relatively cheap (under $300)
i would really appreciate if you shared any suggestions you have, in terms of what companies or brands to look at?
thanks!</p>
<p>junefolds - Thanks for the detailed info! I was leaning toward a Dell based on the campus warranty repair. Do you have any warranty advise on the other brands?</p>
<p>With the use of those coupons you could get a netbook for $186 as well as laptops on the cheap. Combined with a comprehensive protection plan, those computers will get you some reliable performance at a very low cost.</p>
<p>Actually I also had a dilemma with which laptop to buy. Ultimately I decided to get Macbook Pro 13". It’s portable, it’s fast enough for me, the battery life is great plus Macbooks are famous for their durability.</p>
<p>Envy14, as stated before, it’s awesome.
I got it a few weeks ago and it’s really good. Beats all of the Macs out there.
I’ll really enjoy having this in college.
Also, the Envy14 is configurable with LoJack, which helps against laptop thefts, which is VERY common in college apparently.</p>
<p>So I suggest you look up LoJack for your laptop as well</p>
<p>I ordered a dell studio 14, with a year of lojack If you get it through northeastern, they’ve got some good deals, and some models come with a dell gift card for later purchases. Plus at orientation they had some $50 off coupons as well.</p>
<p>I waited until August 20th last year to order mine, and it literally got delivered to me a few hours before I left my house to move-in (on September 3rd). I customized it a lot though and I think they were waiting on a particular customized part to come in, which is why it took so long.</p>
If you get it through northeastern, they’ve got some good deals, and some models come with a dell gift card for later purchases. Plus at orientation they had some $50 off coupons as well.</p>