<p>So I got a letter from Hartt today that said something about requiring Macbooks for fine art majors? I was just wondering if this was typical of all MT schools, and if so which one is the best to get? I maybe completely wrong on this, but I feel like i remember someone from OCU saying that Macbooks were required.. any help would be appreciated!</p>
<p>OCU requires Macs as well.</p>
<p>I don’t know if it’s typical; it’s just something a school can do (partner) to save money or receive equipment.</p>
<p>A student of mine needed a particular (expensive) computer for UArts last year. I think it is typical for schools to require computers with certain operating systems to accomodate their classes. The good news for Hartt students this year is that the MT and Acting students only need the 13" Macbook at $995 instead of last years requirement of the Macbook Pro at $2700 (this year that went down to $2300)</p>
<p>The Apple store also gives student discounts on all their computers so make sure you let them know. You either have to bring in your college ID or show them proof of admission. I believe it is $100 off regular Macbooks and $200 off Macbook Pros. I also recommend getting the 3 year extended Apple Care warranty, it proves to be very useful and you also get this at a student discount.</p>
<p>Here’s what UArts is requiring for MT freshmen entering in the Fall 2009:</p>
<p>MacBook, 13-inch, Aluminum
Specifications
2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x1GB
250GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Keyboard (English) / User’s Guide
iWork '09 preinstalled
Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter
Accessory kit
System also includes:
AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook Air/MacBook - Auto-enroll
LaCie 320GB Rugged Hard Disk
Incase Neoprene Sleeve for 13-inch MacBook
Belkin RJ45 High-Performance Category 6 UTP Patch Cable (14 Ft., Black)</p>
<p>Cost is $1785 directly from Apple through UArts portal to Apple Store
Students must also purchase own hazard insurance policy to get benefit of full UArts tech support and loaner policy. More extensively configured systems, including MacBook Pros with 15 or 17 inch screen are available but the above is the minimum package required for MT’s.</p>
<p>This is a change from the past where the school provided the computers (15" MacBook Pros, fully configured and with insurance) and added an $800/year fee per year to the tuition costs.</p>
<p>Since the set-up for UArts is posted, I figured I’d post the set-up required by the Bass School of Music at OCU. This is for ALL music students - MT, VP, et cetera!</p>
<p>Students are required to purchase the following minimum technology package:</p>
<pre><code>* MacBook 13"/1.6 GHz/Superdrive/1GB RAM/100GB HD
- Mac OS 10.5 or later (Maintenance 36 mo)
- AppleCare for MacBook
- iLife '08 or later (Maintenance 36 mo)
- Quicktime 7 Pro or later
- iPod 30GB video
- iPod Applecare
- Vital Source KEY with personal portable library (access to digital textbooks)
</code></pre>
<p>The University and Bass School of Music will provide the following:</p>
<pre><code>* MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook)
- Sibelius
- Finale
- SmartMusic
- Logic Express
- Atomic Learning (on line technology tutorials)
- Space to archive your digitally created materials
- Wired and wireless environment
</code></pre>
<p>Kids at NYU Tisch can have whatever computer they want or think they need. A lot seem to have Macbooks.</p>
<p>While not exactly on topic, I thought I’d add that S has found having a Mac for recording CD and DVD audition material very helpful. Just a word on the basic Mac, though: it can’t burn the DVD without an additional (external) piece of equipment and some additional software. These are easy enough to acquire and the combined cost is well below the Powerbook Mac but some may prefer to get the more expensive Mac to handle this function.</p>
<p>There is no greater joy than using Skype or IChat and chatting and seeing your child on your computer screen as if she was across the table from you while she is across the country. Showing you the new monologue she just learned. Singing the new song she learned. Priceless!</p>
<p>My D loves her Mac, but it has crashed 3 times in 3 years. Be sure to purchase the warranty. I don’t know which Mac she has.</p>
<p>We are buying a Macbook for our D. I don’t think her schools dicate it, but all her friends swear by it. Musicmom… I think that is an unusual situation you have there…but I always believe in warranties.</p>
<p>musicmom- mine has done it once and i’ve had it for a year, and my friend’s has done it 3 times. luckily, i had the warranty as well!</p>
<p>word of advice for everyone make sure you continually back everything up. the macbook is the best computer i have ever had, though. i love it. and it can’t get viruses!</p>
<p>musicmom–D has had 2 and they have both been lemons. Nonetheless, S wants one for college.</p>
<p>another bit of info. if your macbook has to be sent in for the same issues, once it hits the 3rd time, they are supposed to give you a BRAND NEW MACBOOK. So if this happens to anyone make sure you push that because it is one of their policies. And make sure you understand your warranty because there is many things it does not cover that Apple tends to get around, most of them are not a big deal but some things can be a pain, especially when the laptop is already so pricey.</p>
<p>Like I said, my D loves hers, but it certainly is temperamental! The logic board (?) went first and then the hard drive…twice.</p>
<p>I’m iMac at work, PC at home. My one suggestion is to start looking now, but maybe wait until closer to the start of school to buy. Last fall, the MacStore ran a special that you got a free iTouch w/MacBook purchase. Sometimes, it’s a free printer, etc. My understanding is that usually the price doesn’t change much, but there are extra added incentives that might be worth waiting for. I would suggest NOT loading MS Office or other additional programs through MacStore. Some schools (through a special licensing agreement) will provide that for a cost of $8-10 - if not, there are special student deals available - same programs, deep discounts.</p>
<p>Both daughters have Macbooks (black not Pro) and love them. But first D did have hard drive crash after 14 months. We have the Applecare plan, and she brought it to a local store near Elon and was able to have it repaired on the spot I think because they took pity on her since it was the night before Thanksgiving break and she was leaving for her oldest brother’s wedding in NYC and had much work to do since finals were rapidly approaching. Anyway, we bought her an external hard drive after that little incident, since she lost everything in her computer. She does love the ability to record videos on her computer and music directly into it, which is very useful for an MT major. Has also made several IMovies for presentations for various classes.
Yes, I’d advise to wait for the deals to buy. We got free Nano and printer with first D in 2007 and free Touch and printer with second D in 2008. Still very pricey though compared to my Gateway laptop. But at least they don’t have to worry about viruses.
Oh and both schools, Elon and University at Buffalo, provided the necessary software free of charge, so check with your school about that.</p>
<p>I second HoosierMom…videochatting with your kid is wonderful! I’m a PC, my D is a Mac and we chat through Skype. So while you are at the computer store outfitting your kid, pick up a webcam for yourself.</p>
<p>As a former Mac Specialist, I strongly recommend purchasing the second level of the macbook. Not only will you get the superdrive which will allow you to burn dvds, you also get a substantial amount of RAM. </p>
<p>I own a baseline macbook, and wish I had paid the extra 200 bucks for the upgraded version.</p>
<p>Gosh… my brother is an architect and swears by them and has never had any problems…</p>