Hey! Freshman Math Ed (6-12) major here! I start calculus next semester, and take it for the next 3 semesters. I can’t decide to buy the book ($325.00), which comes with an access code I have to have, or should I just buy the access code by itself (about $100)? The access codes are valid for two years, and it comes with an electronic copy of the book. Either way, I’m going to use it for the next 3 semesters (year & a half) then never use it again.
Another thing is I HAVE to buy a new computer for next semester. The one I’m using now has several major problems, and I had it inspected by a person in IT, and he said I really need to replace it ASAP. Right now, I can’t afford a computer above $500, so which one would be good for me?
ok, that covers the book, but what about a computer. Other than the calc book, that is the only other thing i have to buy. I already have the textbooks for other classes, because they are just a second part (i.e. Composition 2, Spanish 2, etc.). The most I can go up to is $500, but I don’t need anything fancy or expensive (NO CHROMEBOOKS, I’ve had bad experiences with those)
@Qwerty568 other than microsoft office, i don’t need any special programs (not til junior year, but its for education).
like i said, nothing fancy or over the top, but something new-ish. There are computers in the college library, but a lot of people use them, and I can’t rely on there being an open one anytime i want. There are also computers in the Math lab, but those are only programmed for the math software used in the upper-level classes.
My computer broke one year. I ended up buying a refurbished business laptop that was a few years old and it works fine and was well under your $500 budget. Type in the company and then “refurbished” and they should have a site selling refurbished laptops. Laptops are getting cheaper, so there are also good new ones for less than $500. Desktops are even cheaper if you’re OK with not having it portable.
You might be able to get Microsoft office cheap through school. If not, there are free alternatives that should be fine for most things, and you could use the school computers in that case.
Also, my school has laptop rentals through the library. They only last 3 days but they allow something like 15 renewals, which made the time between computers easier.
refurbished isn’t a bad idea, but I need something portable, because I can have a computer in class for notes and other activities the professor needs. Plus, I want to take my work anywhere i go, even when I go to my early field experience hours for teaching courses, starting sophomore year. As for Office, I’ve been using 365 for a couple years, and just renewed in August, so i’m good on that.
Now which company would be good to buy from? I need something that would last me a couple years (at least 2 years)
Sometimes groupon has good deals on computers (my S once bought a computer this way). Also stores like Best Buy are having holiday sales now. It should be a good time to shop.