<p>I'll be a freshman at IU next fall, and I've got a few questions about laptops. First, is it cheaper to buy a laptop at orientation/through IU or on your own at Best Buy/Apple, etc?</p>
<p>Second, I'm a Kelley DA - does Kelley have any requirements for laptops? I was thinking about a macbook, but if anyone has any advice that would be great.</p>
<p>The discount you get through Apple will be the same (or about the same) as at IU. Do it online and click education store on the left in the store, then select IU.</p>
<p>You’d be fine with a macbook. I am also a DA and I ordered a Macbook Pro last week. You can buy Windows at the bookstore for $20 and run it through boot camp or parallels/fusion in case there are Windows programs we need.</p>
<p>Same, I was thinking of getting my self a macbook pro and an iPad when I get to the US.</p>
<p>I would go for a PC, but if you love macs then you could use bootcamp (but I have known people whose excel models would freeze up at start acting weird at the worst time). </p>
<p>The IU discounts were not very good and I didn’t use any of them for the laptop I got.</p>
<p>Any particular reason you’d go for a PC over a mac maxellis?</p>
<p>Call Kelley and ask if they have a preference. Certain majors will require certain types of laptops, (this is especially true in engineering and certain statistical packages where there may be no Apple equivalent). Most business applications have Apple friendly versions, but there is an outside chance that Kelley may use a software package that is PC-only. While bootcamp works, it doesn’t always work well. Occasionally bootcamp run PC-apps function more slowly and from time to time there are formatting issues, (I know because I have a Mac at home but my office uses PCs).</p>
<p>Macs have a better user interface and are superior for graphics/media applications. But, Apple fanboys aside, the business world is predominantly PC because of Microsoft Office, Outlook and products spun off or supporting them. Walk into most office buildings and you’ll be hard pressed to find more than 10% Macs and usually far less. Walk through an airport and scope out which laptops business travelers are using, it will be overwhelmingly PC.</p>
<p>That said, it is unlikely that the differences will affect you very much at Kelley. When you get a job, you’ll be given a computer for your desk and/or you’ll be handed a laptop; in other words, you won’t have a say in the matter.</p>
<p>Finally, you may want to consider the “Apple Tax”. The fact remains that for similar specs Apples just cost more, sometimes 15% more. The offset to this is that Apples are less susceptible to viruses and generally more stable, (though Safari is a POS - download Firefox day 1). Additionally, there are fewer options for accessories and as a result those also tend to cost more. It’s not a lot of money, but I just find it aggravating. I like Macs, this post was written on a Mac, but you should be aware that once you’re out in the real business world you’re probably going to be pecking away at a PC.</p>
<p>I found this on the RPS website, I think it will help most of us-</p>
<p>[ComputerGuide:</a> Deals by vendor](<a href=“http://uits.iu.edu/page/antj]ComputerGuide:”>http://uits.iu.edu/page/antj)</p>
<p>I have had people in my X201 group who would run some projects on their mac and it would freeze up/couldn’t handle the simulations. Also for my stats class, the software wouldn’t run on macs and for the homework those students would have to do it on certain school computers.</p>
<p>On a similar note, should I bring a printer? Are the printers in the dorm convenient enough and would I have space for a printer in my dorm? I know I get a 650 page allotment, so if I can use the school’s ink, I’d rather do that.</p>
<p>I already have a printer in my room, so it would not be an added expense (except for the ink).</p>
<p>The printers in the dorm were convenient enough. Do the project on your computer, email it to yourself, take the elevator/stairs down to the corm’s computer lab and print. 650 pages are enough (I went over last semester, but that was because I printed out a textbook to save money).</p>
<p>get a mac. i just go into boot camp if i need to do macros or simulations in excel. macs last longer and it’ll be worth the investment. I’d wait until end of summer/before school starts if you’re going to purchase a Mac since Apple has a tendency to update their stuff over the summer. </p>
<p>I think Vinceh said it perfectly, it really won’t matter whether you get a PC or Mac for Kelley.</p>
<p>Also, if you do have to use school computers, its not bad at all. Nearly everyone uses them during the school day at the library, business school, classes, etc.</p>
<p>you need to use excel for a LOT of business stuff, so i’d definitely recommend getting a pc!!!</p>
<p>Yes, Windows programs can run on a Mac, but not as effectively.</p>
<p>I got a Sony Vaio, and loved it, I plan to use it for the next 3 years at least.</p>
<p>Do not get a mac…Period</p>
<p>Everyone I talked to in the dorms would always say “I love my mac!” but then when K201 and X201 came around they would all be ****ed because they would. </p>
<p>1) Have to walk to the a computer lab
or
2) Have boot camp freeze on them every 20 minutes.</p>
<p>I was a peer tutor for k201 so I have heard my fair share of complaints. Personally, I got a great deal on a T500 from lenovo outlet for less than HALF the price of a Macbook Pro with similar specs. Then I spent an extra 300 bucks on the computer in warranties so I know it will last me till senior year. <a href=“Discounted & Clearance Lenovo Laptops | Outlet | Lenovo US Outlet”>Discounted & Clearance Lenovo Laptops | Outlet | Lenovo US Outlet;
<p>[Slickdeals.net:</a> The best coupons, deals and bargains to save you money!](<a href=“http://www.slickdeals.net%5DSlickdeals.net:”>http://www.slickdeals.net) find anything that is 14.1 inches and lightweight. You don’t need a macbook pro or any “performance laptop”. Its just excel ! Get something you can carry around easily and buy a desktop as your main PC.</p>