<p>Hello everyone!</p>
<p>I would like to know which one is better at Brown: Mac or Windows? I have an Apple laptop right now and was thinking of getting a new notebook (or desktop, it depends…) later just for Brown. Which do you think will be best or most compatible on the Brown campus?</p>
<p>It doens't matter. Pick what you like.....there is no 'best or most compatible on the Brown campus,' you should have no problems with either.</p>
<p>Like everywhere, most people use Windows, but a number of people use mac. Get what's best for you.</p>
<p>definitely get a laptop unless you are an engineering major, in which case a desktop would be best. </p>
<p>but get which ever you prefer.</p>
<p>I love my desktop, but also have a laptop.</p>
<p>I use the desktop 98% of the time.</p>
<p>Get the Mac. You can spend less time worrying about viruses and spyware and more time actually getting stuff done. College networks are even worse a spawning ground for Windows hackery than the Internet at large.</p>
<p>Yeah...I love my Mac right now...I definitely need to upgrade some stuff...I think I'll probably bring my Apple there :-) Thanks!</p>
<p>my dorm was definitely mac dominated.</p>
<p>You can get some sweet Apple discounts through Brown after you get there. Wait 'til then to upgrade</p>
<p>are the discounts different than offered at the education store on the apple website?</p>
<p>No it's the same education discount, don't worry about waiting.</p>
<p>modest melody--
what type of laptop do you recommend mac or pc?
also what can be obtained to minimize likelihood of theft? thanks so much.</p>
<p>drnacie -- Once you get here, you can get your laptop engraved with your name to prevent theft (the University does this for free). I'd also recommend getting a lock thingee. Depending on what kind of laptop you have, you'll have to look into different brands, but they're basically like a bike lock. They attach directly to your laptop, and then you can loop them around something stationary to prevent theft, and lock it with a combination. I use mine if I'm not taking my laptop with me on vacation, or if I'm in the library and want to go to the bathroom without bringing all my stuff with me, etc.</p>
<p>Everything ILoveBrown is dead on, but the truth is, the most important thing is locking your actual room door though that can be a problem depending on roommate so other precautions are good.</p>
<p>I am a rather high end computer user, so my suggestions should be taken with a grain of salt. What is your major? If it's a science, I suggest an IBM convertable (converts to tablet, great for note taking in classes like orgo or physics). If not, I'd still either go the IBM Thinkpad or the MacBook Pro. The MacBook fully upgrade is probably enough as well, and may be preferred because it's smaller, but I know that I could only get one of the smaller laptops if I had a desktop to back up with the power.</p>
<p>Main things to definitely get though are Intel Core Duo processor, at least 1gb of RAM, hopefully more, and the smallest harddrive possible. It's a laptop, buy an external harddrive you dont need all your files all the time and external price per GB is usually cheaper or close to the same price as laptop prices per GB and is far more useful that way.</p>
<p>I'd like to second what modestmelody says -- the most important thing for the security of your computer is to lock your room, always. This is something you and your roommate need to get in the habit of doing right away. This is a conversation you two should have during orientation, to make sure you can trust each other to keep the room safe.</p>
<p>thanks so much. this is very helpful. </p>
<p>unfortunately, it won't be me needing the laptop! I am a Brown alum, but I was writing for my son who will be in 2010!</p>
<p>Congrats to you and your son! Sorry for making assumptions.</p>
<p>why would a desktop be good for a student in engineering? (rather than a laptop)</p>
<p>Engineering, or other sciences that benefit from the use of comptuers can require quite a bit of computing power to run certain tasks. I assume they basically are referring to this.</p>
<p>the front bus speed for a laptop will always be slower than a desktop. Plus, laptops normally have smaller video cards.</p>