College Student (Time for a new Laptop)

[nsbio]

MBA as a second computer

MBA is best if you have more than one computer at your disposal. With MBA, it is impossible to perform a simple task of staying online through ethernet and communicating with a flash drive, without using a USB dongle. In my (personal) experience, using USB dongles with a laptop becomes tired very quickly. Oh, and do not forget to buy yourself an external firewire HD for backups .

Macbook would be a much better solution here, Pro if you can stomach a few extra Franklins for it.

 

[gooddeal]

With MBA, it is impossible to perform a simple task of staying online through ethernet and communicating with a flash drive, without using a USB dongle.

I don't understand why people rather use ethernet port instead of wireless connection when they use laptops...b/c they don't want to be portable? I never need to use my ethernet port on my laptops for the past 3 years.

Also, how many things do you want to connect via USB port? The only thing I ever connect to the USB port is the flash memory.
...mouse, keyboard? I think the multi-touch pad is a lot nicer and easier to use than any other mouses out there.

 

[nsbio]

I don't understand why people rather use ethernet port instead of wireless connection when they use laptops...b/c they don't want to be portable? I never need to use my ethernet port on my laptops for the past 3 years.

Because for the thread starter, WIFI is NOT allowed on campus. Therefore, ethernet connection is the only option for him. (Yes, there are still places where wireless can not be used, alas.) Incidentally, the place I work at also does NOT allow WIFI and ethernet is the only means to connect to the network.

Also, how many things do you want to connect via USB port? The only thing I ever connect to the USB port is the flash memory.
...mouse, keyboard? I think the multi-touch pad is a lot nicer and easier to use than any other mouses out there.

Let's see... External keyboard (I do not want to have batteries in a keyboard), iPod, flash drive (sometimes two). Occasionally a scanner. Very occasionally a couple other devices such as GPS or voice recorder. Two built-in USB ports is the bare minimum for me and I am sure I am not alone in this respect.

 

[gooddeal]

Because for the thread starter, WIFI is NOT allowed on campus. Therefore, ethernet connection is the only option for him. (Yes, there are still places where wireless can not be used, alas.) Incidentally, the place I work at also does NOT allow WIFI and ethernet is the only means to connect to the network.

Wow, I can understand if they restrict WIFI access in a certain workplace ...but at schools? I think most schools are competing to be the WIRELESS school. If I'm a freshman, I wouldn't go to a school with no WIFI access.

 

[gooddeal]

Let's see... External keyboard (I do not want to have batteries in a keyboard), iPod, flash drive (sometimes two). Occasionally a scanner. Very occasionally a couple other devices such as GPS or voice recorder. Two built-in USB ports is the bare minimum for me and I am sure I am not alone in this respect.

Haha, after you connect all of those devices, a laptop is not a laptop anymore...it's a DESKTOP. I use my laptop when I travel or when I'm on my lazy chair (or bed) watching TV.

 

[nsbio]

Haha, after you connect all of those devices, a laptop is not a laptop anymore...it's a DESKTOP. I use my laptop when I travel or when I'm on my lazy chair (or bed) watching TV.

Oh, I use those maybe a couple hours each day. The rest of the time my laptop is a laptop. Still, needing two USB ports for an hour each day means that I need two

 

[avigalante]

For those of you that complain about the lack of USB ports on the MBA - I recently purchased the Griffin Simplifi, which seems to remedy my USB needs.

It's essentially an iPod/iPhone dock with extra USB ports (along the back) and card readers (along the front). I find this to be quite useful as it automatically eliminates the need for dedicated USB ports with regards to iPods/iPhones and card-readers alike. Also, it's made as a universal dock - so it'll play nice with all types of iPod/iPhones if you have the given dock adapter.

In my contention, it's an absolute must have for any MBA user.

(I picked one up at Buy.com Marketplace for ~$43-shipped with use of $10-off from Google-Checkout).

Hope this helps.

 

[zotes24]

For those of you that complain about the lack of USB ports on the MBA - I recently purchased the Griffin Simplifi, which seems to remedy my USB needs.

It's essentially an iPod/iPhone dock with extra USB ports (along the back) and card readers (along the front). I find this to be quite useful as it automatically eliminates the need for dedicated USB ports with regards to iPhones and card-readers. Also, it's made as a universal dock - so it'll play nice with all types of iPod/iPhones if you have the given dock adapter.

In my contention, it's an absolute must have for any MBA user.

(I picked one up at Buy.com Marketplace for ~$43-shipped with use of $10-off from Google-Checkout).

Hope this helps.

yea i am definatley buying this even if i get the macbook!

 

[Cubytus]

For those arguing over iWork or MS Office price, there's an equivalent, free solution in the software of Open Office 3 beta. Although it's still a beta, it's not a Microsoft Beta, so it's really usable now. And it doesn't cost a single dime.