<p>Hey guys! I'm an '11 an am trying to decide on a laptop to bring to Dartmouth. I think I'm heading toward a major in engineering and thought that Tablet PCs seem really useful.
Do any of you guys use Tablet Pcs?
If not, are there any particular recommendations for notebooks?
Also, what type of specs should I be looking for in a notebook?</p>
<p>Thanks a lot,
Xerox</p>
<p>bump, im also curious about this as well, im thinking about getting a tablet PC and i would like to know the opinions of others at Dartmouth with one.</p>
<p>Im not in college... but im assuming you want speed. </p>
<p>Tablet PCs are ok at best, do you see yourself using the functionality of one? It seems ridiculously cool... ive thought about getting one. im a nerd when it comes to tech, but theyre just not functional enough. If you want cheap and pretty crappy get averatec, if you want slightly better go acer, if you want a solid one go dell's top of the line or toshiba's top of the line, except the qosimo its the size of my house.</p>
<p>You will want lots of RAM, so you can play some tunes, type your paper, browse the internet, chat online and stuff. Id get MINIMUM 1gb. </p>
<p>Hopefully you know what a hdd is lol, and you get one with enough space, you can only be the judge of that. </p>
<p>And for the processor, you will want a core 2 duo, because its the fastest and is 64 bit which will make it more future proof, although that never happens in the pc industry, but i wouldnt recommend getting just Core Duo (core 2 duo is the other one) because its 32 bit and in the LR will be slower. </p>
<p>You could get a macbook... there solid i have one, i also have a desktop PC, and i love em both.</p>
<p>All in all, tablets are a waste of money IMO. Why are you going to handwrite something on a screen when you can type it? If you reallllly need to draw diagrams or something alot, then maybe, but then pen and paper is best beacuse it is easier to erase and stuff.</p>
<p>My advice is to order a PC or Mac through Dartmouth. If I recall correctly, they offered four configurations (2 of each type) and are loaded with software you will need. In particular, they are set up to use Dartmouth's email system. They offer tech support on campus, and it's easier to get the support if you purchase your system through the school. My son recently had a hardware problem, which was repaired on campus since he purchased it through Dartmouth. If you bring your own computer to school, I think you'll end up doing your own trouble shooting if there is a problem.</p>
<p>Personally, i would fix my own computer, but if you are not computer savvy, consider ordering it through school</p>
<p>Most people cannot repair a failed hard drive. Unless you plan to ship the laptop back to the manufacturer, or wait for a them to ship you new hard drive and then install it yourself, it's easier to handle a hardware problem through tech support at Dartmouth.</p>
<p>sj,</p>
<p>I totally agree with you. My D had a hardway problem when she was on her FSP and could not even get it serviced. She brought it back to hanover and the problem was solved hassle free.</p>
<p>good luck to you son on finals this week ;)</p>
<p>I also recommend buying your laptop through dartmouth, or at least buying one of the laptops they recommend. They can only repair certain laptops. It doesn't matter if you bought it through them or not. But they can't repair anything else. Also, if you buy it through them it comes loaded with everything you need and you can always get help from them. You should wait to buy anything until they put up the list of what laptops they suggest, usually 2 dell and 2 macs.</p>
<p>Thanks, Sybbie! Good luck to your D also. I can't believe she's going to be a senior -- the time is just flying by....</p>
<p>thanks. she said it is friday night and baker is packed. She had 2 finals today and her last one is sunday but won't be home until mid month.</p>
<p>the other positive factor about ordering thru the College is the three-year extended warranty that comes with the dell/mac. My son's battery died prematurely, and Dell shipped one overnight no questions asked.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for responding.
I guess I don't really need a tablet pc, I was just really attracted to the whole writing thing. Maybe in a couple years when they get more powerful.</p>
<p>I think that I'll probably get my notebook from Dartmouth, espescially for the software (is Microsoft Office included?). </p>
<p>Thanks again for your insight, it really opened my eyes</p>
<p>when you order your computer through dartmouth, it comes fully loaded (microsoft office included). You take it out the box, hook it up and you are set.</p>
<p>I suppose the next big question is Mac or Dell.</p>
<p>It's a personal choice. Macs are less susceptible to viruses. D says it is about split on campus. After years of having only PCs in our house, D went with the Mac and is SOOOOO happy with it we are considering switching our PCs at home to Macs.</p>
<p>Macbooks have ridiculously small screens :-/ The lenovo t61 just came out, and reviewers are RAVING about it. Its considered the optimum laptop. I was pretty sure about buying a macbook till i found out about it.</p>