Computers and Vista for College

Marian · 06-03-2007, 03:43 PM

Many new college students -- especially those who share computers with other family members at home -- will need to get a new computer for college.

But right now is an awkward time for computer buying because most of the new computers have Windows Vista on them, but much of the world -- including some colleges -- is not yet ready for Vista.

If your child needs to get a new computer for college, how is your family handling this situation?

(Just a suggestion, but perhaps this thread may be more readable if people who believe that no new college student should ever buy a new computer under any circumstances and those who believe that college students should not own computers at all would post those thoughts in a different thread. We have had other threads recently where people who had already decided to do something and who were seeking guidance on how best to accomplish it (ship bicycles to college, buy winter boots out of season, etc.) were inundated with posts from those who think that nobody should ever do the thing in question. The OP's question tends to get lost in threads of that sort.)

oaklandmom · 06-03-2007, 04:24 PM

Marian,
my DS's computer crashed during spring break of this year. Its a long saga, but it was decided that we'd buy him a new laptop to finish up his freshman year since repairs could take up to 6 weeks. So he went back with a new laptop running Vista. It did create problems for him as many programs he was required to use were not yet supported by Vista. So he's hobbled together a working system, using school computers when he has to, but he's able to write papers, do on line stuff etc on his own laptop. I understand that really computer savy students run dual operating systems. I don't know if my DS figured out how to run dual opertaing systems but he knew it was an option. (He'll be home at the end of the week and I can update you further on how its worked for him - I don't want to bother him now cuz he seems really stressed by finals). When he first returned to school his biggest disappointment was that Itunes would not work with Vista. I'm not sure if that issue has been solved.

Marian · 06-03-2007, 04:34 PM

oaklandmom, thanks for replying.

You've confirmed my impression that there really are some issues here.

sueinphilly · 06-03-2007, 04:48 PM

Dell will build you a new XP machine.

I just ordered a refurbished (1 yr old) HP NX7400 from the small business section of the company.

I got a 3 yr warranty, mouse, case, upgraded batter and extra ac adapter for $950 delivered (tomorrow) to my door, and it's vista capable.

Personally, I wouldn't use vista until after service pack 1 is released. They don't even know all the bugs yet.

drizzit · 06-03-2007, 04:50 PM

I had my sons check with their new schools. Both will be vista ready by this fall when they enter. Dell still sells computers with XP installed if you really need that.

One son is very literate and has his MacBook running XP, Linux, and Mac OS. GEEZ. Dang engineers LOL

WasOnceMellowMom · 06-03-2007, 05:01 PM

We just bought a new laptop running XP for our daughter. There are still good ones out there, but I have noticed that there are not as many as there were a few weeks ago. So, if you have decided on XP and do not want to be limited to Dell, I would purchase sooner rather then later.

Marian · 06-03-2007, 05:02 PM

Quote:

One son is very literate and has his MacBook running XP, Linux, and Mac OS.

I am suitably impressed.

drizzit · 06-03-2007, 05:08 PM

BTW don't buy Virus software for the new XP or Vista machine without checking with the college. USC provides Norton/Symantec free to students to download. Might save you $40 there.

weenie · 06-03-2007, 05:10 PM

Maybe you should check with the college to see when they are upgrading to Vista. I know for a fact many are doing so this summer...

Marian · 06-03-2007, 05:19 PM

That's a good point, weenie.

We have checked, and they say they are upgrading "within the next few months." No commitment has been made as to whether the upgrade will be completed before the new students arrive. It seems that an attempt at upgrading has already been made, but that Vista won't work with certain crucial applications (like the course enrollment application). My husband is convinced that the college will be ready by the start of fall semester -- primarily because the college store is selling kids computers with Vista on them, and that's one heck of a hint.

I think we will get the Vista-equipped laptop since there is an old non-Vista desktop available that my daughter could take with her if necessary. But I really don't want to send that desktop with her because it will take up so much room in the car that we will have to ship some of her other possessions to her at considerable expense. Also, she really doesn't want to be trapped in her room by a desktop, which is a reasonable concern.

anxiousmom · 06-03-2007, 05:33 PM

My son just bought a macbook, sweet little laptop w/two GIG ram. We didn't find it to be significantly more expensive than PC laptops, and the Vista problem will not be applicable.

snowball · 06-03-2007, 05:33 PM

From one LAC's website:
At this time, ITS is recommending that you NOT install Vista on your personal/home computers. In addition, ITS will NOT be installing Windows Vista on institutional computers for the fall of 2007.

ITS has been testing Vista extensively since last fall in order to develop a support model and to fully test compatibility with hardware and software used on campus. We, and other colleges, have found issues. Because this is a major upgrade to the operating system, bugs and incompatibilities are inevitable. Once sufficient testing is complete, recommendations will be developed to provide the best user experience.

They then go on to tell you what to do if you do have Vista on your computer.

weenie · 06-03-2007, 06:08 PM

Oddly, I work for a large community college, and they're upgrading in June!

(AND I don't want to learn anything NEW!!!

)

Marian · 06-03-2007, 06:16 PM

Quote:

(AND I don't want to learn anything NEW!!! )

Me neither. I'm a freelance editor with several clients, none of whom has asked me to switch to Vista yet. But they will eventually, and I don't wanna switch. WAAAAAAH!!!

patsmom · 06-03-2007, 06:35 PM

We wrestled with this problem here, too. S (and the rest of the family, for that matter) has only ever used PCs and he was eager to try out Vista, but we were worried about compatibility with his existing software and some hardware, as well as whether his college would be up and running with Vista by the fall. We ended up taking the plunge and buying him a MacBook and he loves it! I worried about whether he'd have trouble with an OS that he wasn't used to, but the learning curve wasn't steep and he is enjoying discovering new features. The higher cost was a concern but I think we made the right decision. I'm even considering switching to a Mac myself!