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My college computer

discomandavis said:
im not saying im never gonna get a macbook. i jsut dont have the money right now to buy two new compouters. my plan is to buy the imac now for two semesters save up some more money and get a macbook. i just am trying to save money and if i do it all at once that is a bad idea. i could do it but then i'd be broke. lol but i will eventually own a macbook as well.
also on the project statement. considering that at lease 70% of kids at college have a laptop i will just have them come to my apartment to do the projects
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If you only have the money for one computer, get the macbook for sure. It's a much better value overall because it has nearly the same power as the iMac, but it is portable. Trust me, if you try to go for the next two semesters without a notebook, you're going to be disappointed.
 
CalBoy said:
If you only have the money for one computer, get the macbook for sure. It's a much better value overall because it has nearly the same power as the iMac, but it is portable. Trust me, if you try to go for the next two semesters without a notebook, you're going to be disappointed.
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I've been 4 years without one. :p
 
Eidorian said:
I've been 4 years without one. :p
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:eek: My god:eek: :p Personally, I can't imagine not having a notebook. They're just so easy to take with you.

OP, keep in mind that the macbook can do almost anything the iMac can, and it's basically in the same price range. For the portability gains and the fact that it will require less overall storage/desk space, the macbook is really your friend.
 
CalBoy said:
:eek: My god:eek: :p Personally, I can't imagine not having a notebook. They're just so easy to take with you.
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It's quite easy when there are computer labs all over campus or in my office.

I'm only buying a laptop now since it's better then a mini and more portable then an iMac.

I'll do my gaming an such on my minitower.
 
Eidorian said:
It's quite easy when there are computer labs all over campus or in my office.
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Yeah they're around, but I just prefer my own computer you know? For some reason it just makes things easier (all my docs, bookmarks, etc are there).
I'm only buying a laptop now since it's better then a mini and more portable then an iMac.
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Which is why I suggest the OP go for a macbook over the iMac. At the moment, the macbook is the better bet for someone who doesn't have a computer.
 
CalBoy said:
Yeah they're around, but I just prefer my own computer you know? For some reason it just makes things easier (all my docs, bookmarks, etc are there).
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Network mounting home directories over SMB or NFS make this irrelevant. Your profile roams with you in a lab.

CalBoy said:
Which is why I suggest the OP go for a macbook over the iMac. At the moment, the macbook is the better bet for someone who doesn't have a computer.
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It makes sense to me too. For me the low end iMac and midrange MacBook are the same price.
 
I can't imagine not having a laptop either. I type faster and clearer (my handwritin SUCKS) then I can write and found it really useful to take notes and... more importantly... WORK ON PROJECTS. It has been very good to be able to bring it to a partners house or to a cafe to work out of the dorm etc.

Havin two computers is also a pain too. I had a windows box and a powerbook for the first few years of school before making the intel switch and one computer is just SOOOO much easier (I needed windows for some 3d modeling software) If you get two computers you will end up using one less just because it's too much of a hassle to move things. YOu will probably find a laptop MOST useful during your first few years too, especially if you are in the dorms. Being able to move yourself out of your dorm room when your roommate is being loud or sleeping... and moving it to the lounge to finish working on something will be invaluble.

Get the midrange macbook and then get a decently priced LCD (I have an acer.. the 19inch model is only like 140.. and you can find the 22 for well under 200.. they aren't super great as far as quality and color correctness, but they are bright and clear and are really great for the price.

A 22 inch for about 200 plus a midrange macbook with student discount won't run you much, probably the same or less (if you go with the last gen refurb macbook) then the imac and it will take care of all your needs fine, give you the extra realstate when in your dorm room, but still allow you that all important portability to move your studying to a friends room, project group meeting or away from a sleeping roomie.. or even into your bed to get some last minute essay writing done :)

Trust most of the people in this forum. Macbook + external (if you want the space) = good for school.... you can always get the imac later if you want more harddrive space and graphics card power later.. but i doubt you'll need it.
 
Eidorian said:
Network mounting home directories over SMB or NFS make this irrelevant. Your profile roams with you in a lab.
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Ok fair enough. However, you won't ever convince ME to give up the convenience of a notebook;):p
It makes sense to me too. For me the low end iMac and midrange MacBook are the same price.
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So shall we keep going back and forth over something we both agree on? :p
 
Eidorian said:
Labs are free and access to files off campus can be as simple as SMB.
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Haha, I meant what I said before. The only way you'd ever be able to convince me that a notebook is not a good idea is if it was found to cause some dreaded disease like cancer.
 
CalBoy said:
Haha, I meant what I said before. The only way you'd ever be able to convince me that a notebook is not a good idea is if it was found to cause some dreaded disease like cancer.
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Well when you work in Windows XP, OS X, and in Solaris with network mounting home directories across all platforms it doesn't really matter to me that I don't have a laptop on campus.

In fact I have a department laptop right now and it has only moved from my desk at home twice.

Now that I'm going to have my MacBook, it should show up on campus more often.

I guess I'm resourceful enough on campus to live in any lab and it saved me money for other things. :rolleyes:
 
CalBoy said:
I can type much faster than I can write by hand, but I still prefer pen and paper. It's weird. :eek:
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I agree with this. Pen and paper works best. Everything goes well until the professor start jumping around, then you can quickly become disoriented in your notes when trying to type. Making diagrams can also be a total pain.

Anyway...I had a laptop all through college. Because I had a laptop, I would often volunteer to bring it to group projects on campus to use. Basically, if I didn't have the laptop, I wouldn't have needed to bring it to campus to work on homework, however, because I had it, it made things easier in the long run (just more convenient was all).
 
Eidorian said:
$500 already set aside for it.
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Well for me gaming isn't a big deal (not at all) so I "divert" such funds into my notebook funds :cool:

Alright, time for me to finish my work. I have to be up at 7am, and that will be here quite soon. :eek:
 
CalBoy said:
If you only have the money for one computer, get the macbook for sure. It's a much better value overall because it has nearly the same power as the iMac, but it is portable. Trust me, if you try to go for the next two semesters without a notebook, you're going to be disappointed.
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definitly agree with this.
I am a junior in college, if that counts for anything.

Ever since I started college I have used my Apple laptops continuously and do not know what I would do with out them.

I said before in this thread it was very distracting during class... but I still manage to get done what needs to get done.

If you cannot handle having one in class do not bring it... but trust me and trust Calboy, you WILL regret not getting a portable computer. It will be used in so many more instances that you can imagine. Get the desktop second!
 
CalBoy said:
Well for me gaming isn't a big deal (not at all) so I "divert" such funds into my notebook funds :cool:

Alright, time for me to finish my work. I have to be up at 7am, and that will be here quite soon. :eek:
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For me it was cheaper then a Mac Pro. I get a laptop as well.

I have the self control to know that note taking for me is on paper.
 
thats the problem right there. if i had a laptop i would say "i'll just leave it at home during the lecture" then the procastinator in me would say. no take it you need it for notes. you would have to know me to know that a laptop is not a good idea right now. im just too distracted. im hoping that with a couple years my ADD will get more under control and i can bring a MacBook to class. Thats why i plan on buying a macbook to use alongside my imac in a couple of years.
 
There would be absolutely nothing wrong with buying a $100 clamshell just to take notes on. It would work perfectly fine. Heck the older ones you could watch a DVD on too!

If you don't want any distraction, get a powerbook 1400. Best feeling keyboard. Unless you're really into Civ or oregon trail. There would be no distractions.
 
Is it just me, or is the Clamshell notebook among the ugliest notebooks ever?


It's just horrendous. God, at least get a regular styled G3 ibook. The clamshells look like those V-Tech crappy computers for kids. *shudders*

I'd point and laugh at you if you brought that thing into class lol.


Though performance wise I'd try to avoid both. At the very least get a G4 ibook.
 
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