<p>D is starting FSU this summer and needs a laptop. Any suggestions on what would be ideal for her? Appreciate the info.</p>
<p>Definitely check out the FSU computer store for the deals for incoming freshman. They will have stand alone laptops and packages. They have Macs, Dell, Sony, HP etc and we found the student discounts to be as good or better than the ones on the computer manufacturers site. And you can have your student get an inexpensive policy that covers repairs there, including repairs from drops. Mac warranties and repairs have to be through Apple though. I will look for a link. They will post the new bundles and systems usually about April. We purchased the small Macbook last year as a graduation present for D. She very much wanted a Mac. So did mom, but I settled on a $500 Dell instead.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.fsucs.com/2009_Bundles.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.fsucs.com/2009_Bundles.html</a>
<a href="http://www.fsucs.com/2009_SCI.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.fsucs.com/2009_SCI.html</a>
<a href="http://www.fsucs.com/2009_Overview.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.fsucs.com/2009_Overview.html</a>
<a href="http://www.fsucs.com/2009_Accepted.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.fsucs.com/2009_Accepted.html</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.fsucs.com/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.fsucs.com/index.html</a> Home page</p>
<p>You can purchase online or at the store, and you can look them over in person at orientation. My D went summer also, so orientation was early, and I purchased one while she was in sessions and surprised her for graduation.</p>
<p>I've always wondered if tablet laptops would really be useful and practical to use in college. I know they are a little more expensive. The idea of handwriting notes on screen that would convert to text sounds useful. Haven't seen anyone using at school. Anyone have any experience with a tablet, good or bad?</p>
<p>I don't have a tablet, and I've never, ever seen anyone around campus with one.</p>
<p>I think they're more useful for art majors, or graphic design majors, and stuff like that. Still, I've never seen anyone with one...Personally, I feel that if you prefer taking handwritten notes, why even get a laptop?</p>
<p>Any thoughts about MacBooks? My s wants one. We have always been a PC family. I am concerned that the switch to Mac might be tough to handle during his first semester (Summer).</p>
<p>Any thoughts on the switch?</p>
<p>As mentioned above, my D got a Macbook for graduation and started summer term. She LOVES it. We are a PC/Windows family. She had no trouble adjusting at all. She had no regrets.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>Tablet laptops dont really write notes that well. If you could think of a Credit card pad you sign at a store, thats kind of what they're like.</p>
<p>My son had to have a macbook pro. We started shopping and I was shocked at the price difference to a pc. We found a great deal online at the Apple store in the refurbished link. All the refurbished items have the same warranty as the new ones. His refurbished macbook pro cost around $400 less than a new one and it was in perfect like-new condition. The units are posted as they become available, so what you see today may be gone tomorrow. He has had his laptop since last June without any problems.</p>
<p>I suggest putting out a significant amount of $ and buying something that is really top-notch now (as in, its specs are the best you can get (but also AFFORD) ) so that you won't have to buy another laptop any time soon.</p>
<p>A $1000 laptop lasting over 4 years is much better than a $600 one lasting just 2. But i'm sure with student discounts you won't have to spend $1000 for a great computer.</p>