<p>Many many mids I talked with at my CVW said that the c/o 2011 will likely receive laptops...anyone know for sure?</p>
<p>Same rumor at the same cvw last year! Still the class of 2010 got desktops! Until you actually get the computer I wouldn't hold your breath. Last year the system was not announced until well into April and even then plebes to be were confused as what was shown on the spec page was for a discontinued Dell.</p>
<p>Actually, I have the ultimate gouge on this, from deep within the Administration itself.</p>
<p>It has been determined that the Academy wants Midshipmen to have a computer that is portable and yet supremely reliable. They want something the Mid can carry away from the Academy and use in the Fleet, and which will be able to survive in the hostile marine environment. Due to budget pressures, it also needed to be as inexpensive as possible.</p>
<p>Fortunately, it has a beautiful wide-screen display that can be rotated to portrait or landscape, and has a tablet-type input interface for ease of use. It also has a near infinite battery life, but the life of the input stylus is dependant upon the severity and length of its use. This thing is so tough it doesn't even need a carrying case!</p>
<p>Here's a pic:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.crystalinks.com/slates.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://www.crystalinks.com/slates.jpg</a></p>
<p>Do you feel it coming, folks?</p>
<p>I guess I've gotta look at the gouge. :confused: </p>
<p>Put on your night goggles. :cool:</p>
<p>USAFA issues their doolies top of the line lap-tops. I think we should level on this one.</p>
<p>I wish...
2010 got brand new tablets!...which are about as good as 3 year old desktops. :( They got all hyped about tablets, but very few people use the tablet feature and the specs had to be reduced to get tablets.</p>
<p>Here is the ACTUAL computer they will be getting.</p>
<p>I concur with Profmom2....believe what kind of computer when your Plebe actually SEES it....either way it will be a very NICE unit and no it's not FREE...it's deducated from their base pay. And most parents opt to buy the Printer over PPW...We purchased a model in the Mid Store that weekend and helped carry it up to our daughter's room during our visit to the room, so she didn't have to cart it up herself.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Here is the ACTUAL computer they will be getting.</p>
[/quote]
</a></p>
<p>LOL! :D</p>
<p>I really do miss mine. I had an almost identical setup (my printer was different). :(</p>
<p>Like Peskemon said most parents do opt to buy the printer. The midstore will have a model that is a printer, copier and scanner all together. The good thing about staying with the one from the midstore is that they will be able to purchase ink in the midstore and not have to worry about getting to one of the office chains to buy ink. (Paper due end of the week and run out of ink on Monday would be a huge problem for a Plebe!)</p>
<p>Do they carry laser instead?</p>
<p>The Class of 2011 will be getting a cutting edge computer:</p>
<p>The Class of 1980 was the last class to be issued this handy calculator:</p>
<p>We were also required to purchase an electronic calculator on our own from the Mid Store.</p>
<p>Like it! Easy to carry, quite portable, and the printer is cheap....your own hands!</p>
<p>Hey, my husband still has his slide rules! </p>
<p>Really, though, do they carry laser printers instead of the ink ones? Can you order it from the mid-store before you come out, so they have enough? Or do they anticipate the need and stock accordingly?</p>
<p>You will not beleive the piles of printers! They certainly have enough. Mine thought he wanted laser and then over Plebe summer decided that the three in one was the way to go. (three in one laser are $$$$ and I don't remember seeing any at the midstore)</p>
<p>They are also issued a calculator and a jump drive.</p>
<p>haha, so basically it's a joke to guess what I'll be issued...you see the problem is this, I'm in the market for a laptop because I am selling my desktop to my parents. The idea was that I'd use the laptop at USNA when I went on leave, etc, but of course, if I will be issued one anyway...I don't want to have two!</p>
<p>I'd hold off on buying anything. No point.</p>
<p>^^^^^
Ditto Z-man's post. Anyway, since the technology changes so fast that you are better off waiting.</p>
<p>I still think they'll be inserting mother board chips in their necks or arms. Easy to track to the 22 mile marker with GPS. Epitome of Tron comes to USNA. (didn't we just do this post? I'm sure I've read/written this stuff before...)
Seriously, they'll get whatever they get, and they'll like it... No sense in fussing on this one. Only question is the printer they should be getting. And, is it appropriate for us (as parents) to send print cartridges in care packages? (now, THERE's a pricey proposition, depending on the printer...)</p>
<p>When you say $$$$, can you suggest a round figure?</p>
<p>Quote:I'm in the market for a laptop because I am selling my desktop to my parents. </p>
<p>You sound like a peach. :D</p>