<p>I was thinking of getting a non-CCI computer for when I go to UNC next year. Is this a bad idea? I know that it has to match the specifications of the computers the university sells, but has anyone ever had terrible problems with having a different type of computer?</p>
<p>The CCI computers are a ripoff. If you are short of cash, just spend $300 on an used laptop. Except in certain limited circumstances, there is no need for the CCI specs.</p>
<p>The CCI computers are not a complete rip-off, especially if you do happen to qualify for a laptop grant. The tech support you get, along with the 4 year warranty is a pretty good deal.</p>
<p>That being said, you can definitely bring other computers instead. I have a Dell, and have had no issues, and all my friends with macs are perfectly happy too. The only time it has been an issue is using certain science programs, chemdraw and datatudio. They tend to prefer windows for some reason. Must be a conspiracy. :-P</p>
<p>As far as the specs go, it would be hard to find a computer that doesn’t meet the specs I would imagine.</p>
<p>You’re right about the tech support + no questions replacement, that is nice.</p>
<p>Though if you just spend $3-400 on a cheap laptop it would work out cheaper even if you have to replace it.</p>
<p>Thanks! </p>
<p>If I did happen to get one, would I not be able to get it earlier than when I go to CTOPs? the website seems to imply that that’s the only time I could pick it up.</p>
<p>Personally, from what I have seen, I believe it is a rip-off as far as cost goes. I don’t understand why they don’t offer a better price consider a couple of thousand students will need computers. My daughter prefers her Mac and plans on taking it if she goes to UNC-CH. I guess if she has problems with certain programs will address it at that time.</p>
<p>Four years worth of warranty…for essentially any problem and loaner laptops while being repaired are worth their weight in gold especially today when many laptops have such high rates of “incidents” or the infamous “blue screens of death.” </p>
<p>My S was skeptical as well but his CCI laptop took a typical college student’s beating and lasted all four years with only one or two times in the shop…having a loaner made a huge difference to someone who took all his notes on his laptop.</p>
<p>I don’t have a laptop grant so I am bringing my Macbook. Besides the loaner thing applecare is pretty much as good as the CCI warranty. In any case (no matter the computer) you should back up your work weekly to a external hardrive, particularly if you have a big assignment on it.</p>
<p>My daughter did not get one of the CCI computers and everything worked out fine. She took her computer with her to CTOPS and dropped it by the IT office and they done a couple of things to it…has worked great. My daughter does like the CCI computers though, and sometimes wishes she had purchased one, but they are pretty ugly.</p>
<p>can get ur own lost cost high specs notebook plus squaretrade.com 3 year warranty for an extra 10% of the cost. total 500</p>
<p>lenovo thinkpad 1300</p>
<p>How strict is UNC on the minimum specs? Will they put their foot down on a laptop that does not completely meet them?</p>
<p>They never even check. Why would they?</p>
<p>The guy that always responds to my emails is quite adamant. He acts like it’s some life or death situation, and sometimes he is pretty short and short with me. lol. I just don’t see the point of shelling out for a $1300 laptop that only has 2 gb of ram. That nice processor they put in it can’t even be used to its full potential with that small amount of ram. I want to configure my own.</p>
<p>Just ignore it. Buy whatever computer you want. I would never dream of using one of the CCI ones: though the care plan is nice, the computer I had in my first year was 1/4 the cost.</p>
<p>If I were starting out now, I might buy a netbook ($250, incredibly light) for portability, and use the library computers for writing etc. </p>
<p>When I walk around the libraries or in class, over half the people on laptops are using facebook. They are a colossal distraction.</p>