<p>My parents are hooking me up with a laptop for my hi school graduation, so i wondering what type to get. I've never had macbook before, but it seems like most college students use one. </p>
<p>Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Check with the computer technology office at the college you plan to attend. They may have specific recommendations or requirements. If not, get what you want.</p>
<p>Also check with the college computer services to see if you can get discounts on your new computer. </p>
<p>Apple offers education discounts for college students both if you order online or if you purchase in person at Apple stores. You'll need to provide proof of college acceptance/attendance either with a school ID or letter of acceptance. Some PC manufacturers also offer student discount. Dell used to--though I haven't check recently.</p>
<p>I would definitely check out Dell, especially the XPS series notebooks. </p>
<p>Once you get your university e-mail address and/or Student ID number, you can register for the DellUniversity Program. This program allows you to shop with extremely generous discounts on their desktop and notebook computers. I signed up for it this year, and when I purchased my Dell XPS M1330, I got $850 off the regular price instantly, and I got an additional $300 off as well because there was a promotion going on. Thats $1150 off the list price, which was around $2600. </p>
<p>If you are eligible for the program now, there is a Memorial Day promotion going on for a limited time. All you need to do is go to the Dell Homepage, and then click on "Solutions For --> Government, Education, Health Care & Life Sciences", and then click on "Student Personal Purchases" under Higher Education. Sign up for a Dell Premier Account and you're all set. </p>
<p>Again, I highly recommend Dell, especially the XPS series. High quality computers with quite possibly the best technical support around that is specifically for the XPS line.</p>
<p>don't give any money to apple, o please god no.....</p>
<p>Get this: VoodooPC</a> Gaming PCs, Luxury PCs, Notebook PCs, and Entertainment PCs</p>
<p>whats wrong with apple?</p>
<p>Thinkpad or a tablet.</p>
<p>macbookkk education discount~ bootcamp~</p>
<p>nothing is wrong with apple... ask the kids who don't get macs and have to get a 2nd computer before they graduate b/c theirs didn't last.</p>
<p>Thinkpad baby.</p>
<p>(1) Check to see if the institution you're attending in the Fall has a laptop program and/or discounts with manufacturers</p>
<p>(2) Check out Newegg and this amazing ASUS laptop (ASUS is a huge and reliable manufacturer of computer equipment -- motherboards, graphics cards, so forth): </p>
<p>(3) If you just want to snag a decent deal on a major "store" brand computer, check out the Thinkpads.</p>
<p>(4) I would stay away from Dells. Dell computers used to be good, but I've a lot of personal experience and anecdotal evidence from friends that Dell laptops are the bottom rung of the bunch nowadays.</p>
<p>My edge? Total computer geek; though mostly on the programming side, I've been a computer nerd since elementary school. :P</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>@Jahn1012</p>
<p>Dells are much better now believe me, but personally I wouldn't get any Dell that wasn't an XPS. I've used Sony and Toshiba computers as well and their tech support is not nearly as good as Dell XPS. I think its even better than Alienware now that it is no longer independent. </p>
<p>I've seen that ASUS model before as well and that is a good recommendation.</p>
<p>to poster #3
Well the higher the price the higher discount
I just checked out the cheapest Dell available and discount was like max $10. I'll wait for back to school sales to see what I can find.</p>
<p>We got a MacBook last year and would do it again in a flash! If you are going that route, wait a couple of days or so, because the education discounts, which may already be in effect, could include a free iPod (whoo whoo). We bought our laptop about four days before that kicked in. Even though we already have them, it would have been a cool thing.. :)</p>
<p>Dells are great computers, but they have the unfortunate handicap of running Windows-- probably Vista at this point. If you feel the need to get a Windows computer, get one running XP professional. Here are the pros and cons that I've come up with as a computer person at a school:
Windows (XP-- not Vista) pluses: more software runs on it, two button mouse is a nice touch
minuses: if your car ran the way this operating system runs, you'd drive it off a cliff.<br>
Vista - Not many programs run on it yet. I don't know anyone-- users or techs-- who don't complain bitterly about Vista. It's still quite buggy.
Mac OS - pluses: reliable, designed to be easy to use, best of all - if you do multimedia stuff, the multimedia programs are fully integrated with each other making them ridiculously easy to use. And they're all on the computer when you buy it, so you don't have to research or download anything to get what you need, or get things that are compatible. And you don't need to learn to use 20 different programs. If you're not into multimedia, you're paying extra for software you're not going to use.
minuses: no two button mouse; ardent windows users hate them, more programs run on them now than in the past, but there's still a way to go.</p>
<p>No matter which computer you choose, you will probably need to purchase Office, though you can easily get away with using Google Docs or Zoho, both of which are free online.
I have worked in a number of organizations with both Macs and PCs. My experience has been that the PCs require constant care and attention and the Macs require none. My last school was 95% Mac, yet the PCs required 95% of my time.<br>
In terms of cost, if you get a Dell that is comparable to a Mac (Windows professional, machine speed, multimedia software), the Dell will cost as much, if not more.
One last Dell pro: their extended warranty/service coverage can include drop and break coverage for an additional charge. This is HUGE since tech problems with computers usually happen in the first year (during warranty coverage), but dropping and breaking a laptop happens all the time. Apple does not include drop and break coverage. On the other hand, I have seen many a closed Mac dropped and they come out just fine. Dells, HPs, Compaqs don't weather drops as well. This coverage can add $400 to cost of your computer for 3 years of coverage.
Hope this helps!</p>