<p>I'm without a computer because my high school provides our laptops, and I was just stripped of mine a few days ago. I really want a laptop and already know which one I want and my parents approve, but my mom thinks that Penn might send us information at some point about it, or give us codes for a discount or something like that.</p>
<p>Is there a definite advantage to spending my summer sans a laptop? I'm capable of doing so... I just want to know, because I am itching to get my hands on a MacBook.</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard, they send you information about what to have technology-wise in June. In past years, they have suggested that kids, especially those attending Wharton, to get Windows based computers because the school is more geared to that software (which sucks, because everyone knows Mac > Windows). Luckily, Macs can support Windows.</p>
<p>As for your discounts inquiry, you can access the Apple Educational store with a student e-mail I believe… which gives you an automatic 20% discount off of everything. So, if your heart is set on a MacBook, I’d go that route… and either install Windows via bootcamp, or purchase Parallels. </p>
<p>The MacBook always has a constant price until the next model comes out. It means that if the product life is say 6 months, the technology will start to get old say 5 months after release, but will still cost the same. What this means is that it’s usually best to buy their products just after release. See the following website:</p>
<p>For the last several years running, Apple has run a great promo for college students in which they buy a Mac and can get a free iPod (a nice $300 value). Even if you don’t need the iPod, you can eBay it. Or you may want to take advantage of the opportunity to upgrade to an iPod touch and the wonderful world of the App Store! :)</p>
<p>The promo usually starts mid-summer so wait until then.</p>
<p>I received a letter from Penn yesterday regarding the purchase of computers/laptops through the Penn computer store. The sale starts after June 1st and orders can be placed online through Campus Express. The letter said that we would soon be receiving a brochure in the mail with a list of recommended pre-configured systems.</p>
<p>rorokoko: i have a friend who lived on my floor last year with macbook pro. he’s in M&T. he’s doing fine. he tells me all the time how much more productive he is with his fancy-schmancy mac than i am with my dell.</p>
<p>computersaavy: i suggest getting a laptop from staples or best buy rather than computer connection. those preconfigured models are relatively expensive and you can get some pretty good deals outside. i am typing this from my dell that i bought a year ago for 700 bucks; a comparable model from Penn comp connection was around 1200</p>
<p>If you don’t buy a system from Penn’s computer store, will IT still provide support? Is there any disadvantage to buying from Best Buy, Dell, etc.? If you buy a system from Penn, will they replace it on the spot if something breaks?</p>
<p>I don’t go to Penn but I think you could go over the summer and buy the laptop from the store. Make sure you do that as early as possible in order to avoid the thousdands of kids who want to buy. Go get a first pick. lol. And about the discount, all university stores either buy in bulk or are subsidized (not sure, which one) so they give you a 20-30% discount, depeding on the University.</p>
<p>personally, i got a really great deal on a dell laptop through a combination of fat wallet deals, rebates, and money off…I would just get a good computer from the store (if you can wait, with a not perfect computer, good deals come out in oct/nov), and then WAIT to buy the software (MS Office, etc, is heavily discounted on computer campuses)</p>