<p>Hey everyone. I have been doing some research but I can't seem to find if Tulane does anything about laptops. My older sisters schools either gave her a laptop or told her which kind to buy so that the school could service it. What is Tulane's situation?</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>You definitely have to buy your own. I gave a link at this thread: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/tulane-university/894371-laptops.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/tulane-university/894371-laptops.html</a></p>
<p>yea I saw that, i guess I’m just being thorough with my research. I wanna make sure that i don’t buy a laptop and realize that they only support a certain kind.</p>
<p>thanks for the help</p>
<p>I think that link specifies what they support. You can also call the tech help center and speak with them person. I just saw this section of the web site that has some details about a wide range of services offered. [Tulane</a> University - Technology Commons](<a href=“http://tulane.edu/tsweb/services/tech_commons.cfm]Tulane”>http://tulane.edu/tsweb/services/tech_commons.cfm)</p>
<p>The other way to approach it is to pick out what you want, then call and ask if it is supported before you make the purchase.</p>
<p>Heres the new Tulane Computer store on campus [Tulane</a> University - Technology Connection](<a href=“http://tulane.edu/tsweb/TechConnect/]Tulane”>http://tulane.edu/tsweb/TechConnect/) There is also the apple college discount available as well. My s had an Apple his first year. Then after he accidentally soaked teh keyboard (he washed dishes over xmas break-- yes, I repeat, he WASHED DISHES) anyway, he ended up decidign to go back to a mac. Then he got the Apple fixed and sold it to a friend. Ahh, the little entrepreneur.</p>
<p>Here’s another link to IT resources at Tulane <a href=“http://tulane.edu/tsweb/upload/Student-_IT_Guide_2009.pdf[/url]”>http://tulane.edu/tsweb/upload/Student-_IT_Guide_2009.pdf</a></p>
<p>While I was at the honors weekend, I asked our tour guide about laptops. She said you can pretty much get anything, unless you’re a business major. She said they recommend a pc, as opposed to a mac, if you’re a business major.</p>
<p>The recommendation of a PC over a Mac for business makes absolutely no sense. Macs can run far more software than can PCs including all Windows applications (with the addition of the Windows OS) and can take advantage of software simply not really available for PCs (iLife & iWork software) without the need for virus or malware software. Our business is shifting to Mac from PC. The cost of ownership (maintenance, repair, support, etc) is simply less over time.</p>
<p>I really didn’t question it much, since I am most definitely not going to major in business.</p>
<p>this is another thing i wanted to bring up to the group:</p>
<p>A few of my teachers are trying to convince people to purchase an iPad as a primary computer for college. They make some good arguments but I don’t think I would actually ever do it.</p>
<p>any thoughts on that?</p>
<p>Too early in the technology IMO. I would wait until it has been around a while and see how things shake out. I thought I saw something the other day that HP might have a competitive product. That might bring the price down, cause improvements, any number of things could happen. There will always be changes and improvements of course, but being an early adopter has its risks, and I am not yet convinced the rewards of this device are sufficient to justify that. Of course that’s just me, I don’t know how to quantitate the “cool” factor of this one.</p>
<p>Agreed. Wait til the next generation comes out. Current one is still missing several bells and whistles.</p>
<p>yea i agree… although the “cool” factor is tempting.</p>
<p>That’s what Stevie is counting on.</p>
<p>also, one more question about laptops. on top of the comment gabby116 made about macs, are there any other reasons why a mac wouldn’t be a good idea?</p>
<p>I am a big fan of the iPad and have the 3G version on order. It is not, however, a replacement (yet) for a notebook computer. It is best considered as an extension to one’s computer. First the iPad requires another computer with iTunes installed to set it up, sync with, and back-up to. Second, as of now, though there are hints this will change in the fall, there is no way to print from within an application. One has to send the document to another computer to print. </p>
<p>If one can afford to have both (many are not upgrading their computer and getting an iPad instead), the iPad is ideal for in-class note-taking, research, textbook replacement (students will be be able to rent most of their texts as far cheaper prices), Internet connectivity, and Apps. With the new OS 4 that was announced on Thursday, the power of the device, with the Apps that will be available, will be greatly extended and not available elsewhere. Very few bells and whistles are now absent.</p>
<p>I am considering getting one for S2 to go along with his current MacBook C2D rather than upgrading his notebook as I originally intended. I will let him use mine for a bit and see what he thinks.</p>
<p>S1 dropped his computer and broke the display. Though it works with an external monitor, it is no longer portable. Instead of upgrading, or replacing the display on his 3+ y/o MacBook Pro, he purchased an iPad today. I will report on how he finds it for school work after a week or so of use.</p>
<p>An ipad would make it more difficult to facebook in class without true multitasking ;)</p>
<p>I was counting on that! The problem is Apple announced multitasking on the iPad coming this fall so S2 won’t be deterred if he ends up with one. :(</p>
<p>Haha.
While on the tech subject, I have to admit I somehow ended up a non-Apple fan. I had an ipod (several), but now I’m using a Palm Pre and a Zune, both of which I would never give up (well, the Pre - yes. WebOS - No)</p>
<p>Back to laptops, I use an Asus, which I really really love:</p>
<p>[ASUS</a> UL30A - Review of the ASUS UL30A](<a href=“http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/asus-ul30a.aspx]ASUS”>ASUS UL30A - Review of the ASUS UL30A | Laptop Mag)</p>
<p>It doesn’t have a disc drive, but otherwise it’s a perfect college laptop. Great size, weight, and battery life (on the lowest settings, I can get at least 9-10 hours). I highly highly recommend it. And it also comes at a great price.</p>
<p>Also, I actually really want an iPad, but I’ve learned not to be an early adopter. The hardware is only going to get better, and the price is only going to go down. And AT&T blows in my area. The Slate is looking pretty good too.</p>