Computers at MIT

omareduardo13 · 05-13-2006, 02:04 PM

I am just wondering, how crucial will it be to have a computer with me at all times. It's just that I am planning to go to MIT without any laptop computer and buy one once I'm there. The thing is that I don't know if I might need a computer badly since the beggining or it is OK to go laptopless for a few days or even weeks.

Also, I wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions for laptops. I really want a stable machine and I was thinking of getting a new MacBook Pro for MIT. What do you think of that? Do you consider I might customize anything in order to have a good machine for MIT?

Any help might be appreciated

molliebatmit · 05-13-2006, 03:58 PM

Actually, you won't have internet access until you move into your permanent room -- I think perhaps you can't register until then, or something along those lines. So you'd probably have to survive on Athena for the first week or so anyway.

Incidentally (for anyone who's debating laptop vs. desktop), I don't have a laptop and I get along okay. You can always check your email during the day on an Athena computer if you can't go an entire day without checking it (which I can't).

lowofo · 05-13-2006, 04:15 PM

I've actually been debating this as well:

Since most of the classes that we will be taking will be math and science related, how valuable would a laptop be anyway? I know they are superb for humanities classes (since you write in English), but it is rather difficult to "type out" formulas and stuff on a keyboard.

Which brings up tablet computers, which are either relatively on the heavy side (Toshiba), or command a $800 premium over similar non-tablet laptops (IBM/Lenovo).

While we're on the discussion, here's a few other questions:

1.) How do you go about getting education discounts (which I hear can be as high as a grand for laptops)? Can MIT students get big discounts on software, too, like Windows or Adobe apps?

2.) Is it at all necessary to get a laptop that is EVDO or some similar wide-area broadband-like connection capable? Does the MIT wireless network work everywhere (as in outside, in all the dorms, etc.)?

sidssana · 05-13-2006, 06:09 PM

For information about buying a computer, you can check out MIT's Computer Buying Advice. I think some of the suggested systems are out of date, so you might want to wait until later in the summer when they'll update the page for incoming students. Or you could call the Computing Help Desk and talk to Presales Consulting. You can also find links to where to buy computers with MIT's discount.

As for whether you need a computer right away or not, its quite possible to survive without a computer. There are computers all over campus that you can log onto using your kerberos username and password (what you set up for your email). I think most dorms have some Athena computers as well.

The Wireless Network Coverage map shows that most of the campus has wireless access, including all of the dorms. When you get on campus and your computer connects to the MIT network, you'll just have to register your computer and you'll be good to go.

lowofo · 05-13-2006, 06:17 PM

sidssana:

Damn, I was hoping they'd have external antennas for use while you're outside or something.

Those specs are somewhat outdated, but those are pretty much the models and manufacturers you would be looking at for laptops, I guess.

As for desktops, this is MIT right? Build your own!

vu_preuss_06 · 05-13-2006, 06:30 PM

I think you can get a visitors pass for 5 days or so from what I remember. To the OP, I was thinking about getting a macbook pro too but right now it's not compatible with matlab or some of the programs that MIT uses heavily. There IS boot camp, but I have to see how stable that is before making such an investment. I'll probably be getting a cheap desktop or bringing mines over just to have something that can handle heavy loads.

omareduardo13 · 05-13-2006, 06:42 PM

Oh well, I don't know... lol, it's just that I had the idea of buying a new laptop for MIT since a long time ago, but well, I guess I'll hold that a little longer, just to know which one I can afford that fulfill my expectations

lowofo · 05-13-2006, 07:31 PM

vu_preuss_06:

Funny thing is everything runs slower on Boot Camp Windows, which is surprising since there is absolutely no emulation needed.

Kellas · 05-14-2006, 02:29 AM

Just thinking bout computers, I have an Apple PowerBook and its reasonably new (4/5 month old) so I wasn't gonna bother buying a new laptop before uni...but looking at the MIT recommended Laptops, they say that some MIT stuff won't work on apple stuff. So I was just wondering though if this actually makes a real difference, would have an apple laptop actually cause any major problems?

56forceout · 05-14-2006, 06:22 AM

lowofo, my son has a Lenovo Tablet and is happy with it. He also has a docking station connected to a keyboard, speakers, mouse and full size monitor. When he gets to his room he just sets the tablet in the docking station and has a desktop setup.

lowofo · 05-14-2006, 11:49 AM

56forceout:

That's great to know. Still, what concerns me at this point is that the tablets aren't using the Core Duo processors yet, while the X-series ultramobiles are. Sure, I don't need Core Duo, since this computer will just be for notes and web surfing, but it's just nice to have. Maybe I'll just have to wait till later this summer?:

Hamster · 05-14-2006, 01:51 PM

I've been looking at the lenovo T43's... 2 GHz is all the computer I need, I think. I've been using a 1.5 Ghz 512 MB RAM Dell computer since the seventh grade and it's never let me down. (I'm not a gamer, and that's the only reason I think most people need top of the line home PCs.)

So I'm mostly concerned with durability, keyboard quality, etc. Everything I've read says thinkpads are the way to go if you want a quality machine in this regard.

lowofo · 05-14-2006, 02:45 PM

Hamster:

I'd still recommend 1GB of RAM as the bare minimum for new PCs. It seems like for non-gaming applications, RAM is the biggest bottleneck (as anything beyond a 1.5GHz processor probably could run everything). With Windows Vista just around the corner, if you want to upgrade, the OS itself has pretty high hardware reqs.

I agree, I am leaning heavily on the ThinkPad; I don't care about graphics at all, since I'm probably gonna haul over my current desktop.

Hamster · 05-14-2006, 06:48 PM

Yeah lowofo, I hear you on the RAM. I was only describing my old computer's configuration.

Spartan Pho3nix · 05-14-2006, 06:51 PM

I guess the real question that has to be addresses is: how essential is a laptop. How much internet browsing and stuff is done/needs to be done outside of your room? And how much is the portability worth?