<p>Hey guys. For everyone, especially people who go to BU or have kids at BU, what’re the best kind of laptops for us to get? I’ve heard PC’s from some, Macs from others, or that it depends on the school and the type of software that the school uses. So, can anyone help me out with this?? I’d totally appreciate it.</p>
<p>I'm taking my Dell Inspiron 8600 - It's great. I took it with me to summer school this past year, and it was fine.</p>
<p>i really want to get a mac. However, there is a page on BU's website that recommends PCs, God knows why. Let's keep this thread going.</p>
<p>Get the kind of computer that will meet your needs. Students in the College of Fine Arts find that Macs are better for the audio/video/graphics kinds of work they do. DS, a music major, is getting a Mac Power Book as are most of his friends.</p>
<p>There is a store right off campus called University Computers, in Kenmore Square right near B&N. My H checked prices at various places including on-line stores and they were competetive. The advantage was that we bought it there and could set it up in the dorm without having to take up van space from other "moving in" items. Also, if there is a computer problem you can bring it right there. I think they have an arrangement with BU but aren't owned by BU.</p>
<p>You can call or check if they have a web site and see what they carry. I think we picked it out when we were up during summer orientation and then picked the computer up on moving in day in Sept.</p>
<p>I'm bringing my windows desktop as a backup incase my mac powerbook has issues... it's not the most space efficient thing to do, but I just want a backup atleast for the first semester. </p>
<p>When I visited BU back in August I asked them about the whole PC versus Mac thing and BU actually supports both pretty evenly. While some schools might as well have a "buy Windows!" sign hanging from their walls, BU has more of a "up to you" motto.</p>
<p>I'm getting an HP dv4000. Represent.</p>
<p>Now all I need is $770.</p>
<p>@bruno: As TheIntellectual said, it's up to you. I heard that OSX is looked on favorably by the techies, but as far as I know, there's no official recommendation.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bu.edu/eng/2009/faq/computers/%5B/url%5D">http://www.bu.edu/eng/2009/faq/computers/</a></p>
<p>there's a line on this page that says PCs are preferred for consisitency and compatibility. i am all for macs, thinking to buy one too. when i saw this page, i got a tad confused, as you all might be too after reading that line!</p>
<p>Sure, Windows PCs are used in the College of Engineering. AutoCAD is Windows-only. It's fine for that college, or certain classes, to prefer one type of computer over another, but there is no university-level tech bias.</p>
<p>So does that mean BU is trying to say that for CoE students, PCs would be the better option?
I am sure the softwares used by engineering depts throughout the nation would be quite similar. so do engineering students who use macs face any sort of problem, like compatability issues?
i sure hope not coz i had started to get this inexplicable liking for macs, and then this BU page cropped up:(</p>
<p>@bruno: Yes, I think so, but you should call the College of Engineering to find out.</p>
<p>It turns out that I, a self-proclaimed technophile, will not be purchasing a new computer for college. I'm taking my 2.17 year old PC desktop (which, thanks to some cleverly chosen components, still cuts bleeding edge games like butter) and my mother's Pentium 3 based mobile paperweight; a Dell Inspiron from the dark ages (flint stone not included).</p>
<p>But now that I think about it. . . there's nothing wrong with that. Count me in as a cheapo-laptop advocate. Invest your money in a (PC) desktop and beat the recommended upgrade cycle into the ground.</p>
<p>2.17 yr old?!! what ever happened to 2 years, 2 months?! :D
i'll follow your advice nom. i am going to call the CoE and find out. and some good news for all BU students. University Computers is coming out with computer 'bundles' or packages that are both attractive to you and to your pocket. wait till june end before purchasing any new computer.</p>
<p>I say any laptop will do. I think laptops are good because you don't really know your roommates or your floormates all that well, and if it gets noisy, you will have a hard time carrying your PC to the study lounge, GSU, computer lab, friends house, or wherever it is you choose to work. I have a Dell Inspiron 1100. It is very handy. I think it is beneficial to get a PC that has wireless connectivity although it is supposedly restricted from dorms...people still use it regardless. However, places on campus offer wireless connectivity...GSU especially, so it can be handy.</p>
<p>Are there any advantages of buying a computer (laptop) from the University computer store rather than buying one and bringing it, besides actually haveing to transport it there?</p>