Laptops...I know!

<p>I know these questions get old, but I need some advice. Does UNC support Vista or does it have to XP? If so, does it have to be Vista Business? If Carolina does require Vista Business can you upgrade through Carolina in the fall. Also, can a student use the 2003 Microsoft office or do you have to get the 2007 Microsoft office. On one of UNC technology pages it says you can use Vista and 2003 Microsoft Office. If we had received a grant for a computer through UNC, we would have gladly taken it. Well, that didn't happen, so we want to save every cent we can by purchasing a computer ourselves. We can insure it by adding it to our homeowners policy for around $25 more dollars a year. I know everyone is going to say get a UNC laptop, but I would like advice from people who bought their own computer. Any help would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>I didn't buy my own computer (got a laptop grant), but I know a bunch of students who do technical support.</p>

<p>I think you'll be fine owning any version of Windows and/or Office (or a Mac for that matter; you might be on your own for Linux though, haha). As for support, ITS & your friendly neighborhood ResNet boy/gal will probably be able to solve whatever support issues you may have.</p>

<p>I think the only difference with owning a CCI laptop is that if your computer goes horribly wrong, they can wipe out your hard drive and re-install from scratch (they won't do this on a non-CCI laptop) and you might be able to get free updates for some things (e.g. this year all CCI laptop owners got a free upgrade from Office 2003 to 2007).</p>

<p>I don't know anyone who has had problems with a non-CCI laptop. So if by support you just mean technical support...you should have no problems: the wonderful UNC tech support people should have plenty of experience troubleshooting any version of Windows and Office. Most current students actually still have Office 2003 installed, some have upgraded to 2007, and some (like me) have it dual-installed. Almost all students have XP installed, but some ITS computers have Vista installed.</p>

<p>Thanks for the reply - we went to CTOPS the 21 & 22. I configured my daughter's computer before we went and we took it by the ITS desk to be checked out. It only took him about 5 or 10 minutes to look over everything. I was really impressed with the help at the ITS desk and her computer worked great while we were on compus.</p>