<p>I'd prefer a Mac, but will the powerpoints and everything work for class?
And should I bring a printer?</p>
<p>Also, this is random, but how is the mail system? Someone recommended that I should get a box at the local post office, but I don't know if that would even be convenient or not.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Macs work well, as do Windows. Generally powerpoints and all Microsoft office software works well on either platform, regardless of what kind of computer is in the classroom (there’s a mix across campus though some classrooms have both platforms as well). One of things I’ve noticed is that sometimes images put into Powerpoint presentations (for example) don’t show up on Windows computers because of some sort of formatting – I think you have to format the image a different way for it to work. </p>
<p>People have both, and I could venture to say that Macs might be a bit more popular than Windows… though yay Windows :)</p>
<p>I like my printer. It’s easy and convenient, though if I have a super long reading to print I’ll go to a library for that. Black and white printing at Wellesley is also free <em>fingers crossed that they don’t change that for a long time</em>. There is a charge for color printing, which could be an incentive for getting your own printer if you want/need that.</p>
<p>This is actually a really different topic, but since you asked it in this thread, I’ll answer it here.</p>
<p>You do NOT need to get a PO Box at the local post office.</p>
<p>Every student at Wellesley gets their own unit box in the Campus Center. It’s a box with a combination on it and it’s available to you 24/7. You keep the same box all four years that you’re here, so it basically becomes your address away from home.</p>
<p>It’s large enough to fit all your letters, magazines, and some small boxes. If you get a larger package, you are emailed a notification through the Wellesley email system (First Class – though this is changing within the next academic year or so). All your boxes are stored at the campus center and you can come pick them up with valid identification (Wellesley ID). Mail Services is open Monday through Friday, 10am - 4:30pm for package pick-up.</p>
<p>You can also buy postage stamps and send packages there. The weight limit is 10 pounds, so if you want to send something heavier than that (ie. when/if you ship stuff home over summer break, going abroad, graduating), you will have to go to the post office in the ville. It’s really close to campus, just a few blocks down the main road.</p>
<p>I used a windows laptop for five semesters and a mac laptop or the final three. Wellesley is an extremely either/or campus- there is strong support for both types of computers, and both are easily found in public clusters.</p>
<p>Powerpoint compatibility is a problem because powerpoint between macs and pcs never shares well. Maybe later versions office make this better, but … I never bought Office for my mac. I survived on Openoffice.org and LaTeX and PDF presentations just fine.</p>
<p>Unless computing policies have changed since I graduated in 2008, don’t bring a printer. The free printing in the public clusters is more than adequate.</p>
<p>Welles10 is correct. A PO Box is unnecessary.</p>
<p>About printers:</p>
<p>Since 2008, residence halls no longer have public computers and printers. The mini-focus in the science center has also been condensed to three public computers, though the two printers are still available. </p>
<p>There are, however, an increased number of computers in the science library, but you obviously have to use them when the library is open.</p>
<p>The printer change did make it a bit harder for those of us without printers, but I still believe it isn’t necessary or particularly more convenient to have one. More and more my assignments can be emailed in, and when I do have to print it isn’t that much of an imposition to make the short walk or plan the printing trip into when I’m coming/going from class. Of course there is added convenience in being able to print at 4 am, or not having to make an extra trip before the library closes in 20 degree weather, but to me it would be balanced out by having to find the room for a printer and keep it up and running. Others are free to disagree, but I am financially able to buy a printer and choose not to, even after the change, so take that as you will.</p>
<p>Continuing the technology discussion, does Wellesley have wi-fi in its residence halls, or just Ethernet in each room? If the latter is the case, am I allowed to set up my own wireless network?</p>
<p>We have wifi in all the dorms now, and I must say that it generally works quite well. It is, of course, always smart to bring an ethernet cord with, just in case of a wireless breakdown (I’m currently abroad, and it took me approx. 36 hours to get my internet working, and I nearly had a breakdown in that small period of time).</p>
<p>If you are thinking about buying software, wait until you get your Wellesley e-mail address. With your official Wellesley e-mail address you will be able to get academic discounts on MS Office and Adobe programs. The MS Ofiice for Windows you get through the Wellesley software purchasing program is NOT the truncated Home and Student version. You will get complete Office with Word, Excel, PowerPoint AND Outlook, Access, Publisher, etc. - a very good deal.</p>
<p>[Wellesley</a> College Computer Purchase Program](<a href=“http://www.wellesley.edu/Computing/CPP/]Wellesley”>http://www.wellesley.edu/Computing/CPP/)</p>
<p>(scroll down to software section and keep clicking until you see products and pricing)</p>
<p>Yes, wifi is all over campus now (except possibly outside? lol). You cannot set up your own wireless network though; it messes up everyone else’s connection to the Wellesley network.</p>