lydia423

I am trying to take advantage of Harvard's computer reimbursement program and buy a laptop this summer, but I really don't know much about computers, so I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions as to what I should get.

-I don't want a Mac.
-I have up to $2500 for a laptop and printer, so cost is not an issue.

My main concern is quality. I want a computer that's quick, has lots of memory, and that will last me all 4 years. I will be studying Engineering and Government.

Thanks in advance!

guitars101

Can you please explain the computer reimbursement program? Is it on a brochure that we rec'vd?

gadad

Guitars - It's in the Financial Aid booklet that came with the award letter (p. 8?). The first $4,000 of a student's outside scholarships go to replace the student work expectation of their award. If students have additional outside scholarships for their first year, Harvard's FAO will allow them to apply up to $2,500 of them toward a one-time purchase of a computer, printer, software, and justifiable (non-iPod :-) peripherals. The student buys their stuff (usually using the Harvard higher ed discount that they'll mail you about) and sends in the receipts to the FAO to be reimbursed by check.

gadad

Lydia - My D1 didn't want a Mac, got talked into it, and now can't tolerate anything else. Frankly, today there's no reason to have anything but a Duo-Core Mac, since it will run both the Mac operating system and Windows, and you can allocate your memory in any percentage (50/50, 80/20, 95/5) between Windows or Mac OS and go back and forth between them. You do have to buy the Windows software separately if you're going to load it onto a Mac.

thecount

Oh My God how did I miss that!? I was able to secure $2000 more than what they let you put towards the self help expectation. Now I can put that towards a new computer. Thank you gadad!

As repayment lemme break it down for you guys.

Macs are:
- more expensive. You are going to get lesser performance for the same amount of money. High performance is only important if you intend to do gaming or use professional end graphics/video software.
- much more sleek and stylish cases, especially the desktop macs.
- easier to use, simpler interface
- safer / less prone to viruses (Keep in mind this is partly just because hackers target the PCs larger install base, as more people buy macs the threat will increase.)

PCs are:
- less expensive / more bang for the buck. Again performance is not important if you just plan to do basic office, school or A/V tasks.
- usually clunkier looking.
- Windows is more complicated and less intuitive, but as long as you don't mind spending a little bit more time figuring things out you should be fine. (There's also Linux, but you're not ready for the Linux. :P)
- You have to be extra vigilent in keeping your system updated. Fortunately the process can be automated for you.
- There is overall more software available for PC, particularly in the games department.

So if you want the job done in style, and a bit easier and safer, get a mac. If you like more options, and want more value, get a PC. (And yes, you can run windows on a mac, but if you're going to be doing that often it's probably more cost effective to just buy a PC.)

For the OP: I looked at this Technology Services : University Information Systems and it seems like they offer deals on lenovo computers. These are a continuation of the IBM Thinkpad brand, which were known for their high quality. Look into it.

The Harvard Crimson :: Opinion :: Bad Apples here's a write-up in the crimson I found, but be warned it's a bit more ridiculous/funny than anything else.

"The Macintosh computer is the emasculated plaything of the effete, limp-wristed parlor liberals who have too much money and too little sense. Hopefully, when reality hits, it will go the way of POG caps, Beanie Babies, and Pokémon. Sure, it’s cute. It is, after all, just a very expensive paperweight."

Jen98

Personally, I'm buying myself a MacBook Pro with this reimbursement come September. But if you've already made the decision not to go Mac, I doubt that much will change your mind at this point. (Not a derogatory statement; I was the same way for all of my life until now. :P)

So the one bit of advice that I have for you is to stay away from "special deals" for certain models. For Christmas one year, my parents found one such deal for some HP Compaq Presario laptops, so they got one for both of my brothers and me, and my brother's girlfriend and her brother ended up getting them, too. Realize, this was only a year and a half ago. Of those five laptops, one of the trackpads has become fully non-functional, most of the other trackpads are sketchy, one had faulty screen hinges so the screen kept popping off, and they all had weird nuances about them. Of those five, four have already had to be replaced, and I'm converting mine into a test system once I get my MBP. (Computer Science major here.) So just be careful around such "specials".

thecount

Since Windows is the most widely used platform you might have to spend some time with it as a Comp Sci major. However if you have an old windows system and don't mind spending the extra cash on a new mac, all the more power to ya.

Lydia: I'm pretty sure the link I provided are just student discounts, not what Jen's talking about. So don't worry 'bout that. Looks like they offer discounts on macs too, if you're interested now.

Jen98

Oh yeah, sorry, I wasn't clear. I meant, avoid discounts when they're all, "Buy this certain type of laptop and we'll give you lots of money back!" Blanket specials are all fine and dandy in my book.

And yeah, I'll be keeping my Windows system in addition to the MBP, but from speaking with a Harvard Comp Sci professor, it sounds like they work almost exclusively with Unix anyway. More reason to go Mac.

thecount

Just out of curiousity, what kind of computer experience do you have? Most of mine is in repair and service (I had a job doing it), so I don't have a whole lot of experience in programming. I do know how to attach a RJ-45 connector on a cat5e ethernet cable and run it to a OSI layer 3 switch, though. :P

Jen98

I'm just the opposite. Most of my experience is in programming and design. I've taught myself a handful of programming languages and took comp sci in high school. I also work on a small-traffic website, plus my brother builds the website for his news company, so I sometimes give him a hand there.

Hardware, though, no. I can make a network work (most of the time...), I can install RAM, and I know what my ports are, but I probably couldn't tell a graphics card from a CPU without looking twice. :P

just_forget_me

Comp Crimson IT this fall!

cc2

I got a Dell Latitude laptop recently with the fastest CPU and hard drive I can get. 4GB ram and Vista business. After many years using Dell, this is the first big disappointment I have had with Dell laptops. First, I don't feel it is faster at all than some of the older laptop with slower CPU. Second, from time to time, it freezes up for a number of minutes with hard drive spinning until I get mad and the pull the power and battery to shut it down. Not sure it is the machine or Vista, I have not had time to figure it out. Probably I should start with lenovo now.

Jen98

Haha, I actually am comping Crimson IT this fall. :P

Hamman

just a tip, Dell computers are great, except for their laptops. Don't get laptops from Dell

thecount

Tell me more about this "Crimson IT" you speak of.

cc2: Is the hard drive spinning making loud or weird sounds? Do you have it on a flat, well ventilated surface? Are you doing anything particular when it freezes?