Parents of the College Class of 2013

[sharonohio]

TheAnalyst, the XPS support is FAR better than the rest of the Dell support. Just make sure you call in through the XPS number. FYI, the computer we bought the upgraded video card for was an XPS and the rest of the Dell support staff are seriously clueless when it comes to supporting that machine. I just sent the video card they recommended back to them (wouldn't even fit in the motherboard!) First they said it would fit then they said it wouldn't then they said of course it would and then when I had the XPS apart and it wouldn't fit they said of course it didn't. Had to keep DH far from the phone! Then ordered a different card from them which they said wouldn't come for 4 weeks so tried to cancel the order but they said they had already shipped it even though it was still marked as in production and then it's supposed to come today but in the meantime I bought the same card elsewhere for much less so told Dell to give me another return number so I'll be returning theirs again. Really what's the point of buying from them if they won't even support installing the new product. Oh and that first video card came without a box or instructions or even video drivers.

Richmond recommends the Lenovo's for laptops so maybe we will go that route.

[ChiSquare]

The latest issue of Consumer Reports that arrived last week reviews laptops. Just thought I'd mention that in case anyone is interested.

We went to the MAC store & were told that they would be offering free iPods with a laptop purchase in June. Again, if anyone is interested!

[TheAnalyst]

sharon, does Richmond recommend a particular series from Lenovo? I got so spoiled looking a desktop specs that I'm still have trouble making the adjustment to laptops. My older son says the next laptop he will buy for himself will be a Lenovo based on what students are carrying. They appear to be well built.

[sharonohio]

TA, they don't actually recommend a specific model for students just capabilities.

PC Intel Core 2 Duo
4 GB memory
160 GB or higher drive
DVD RW
Ethernet modem V.90 56K/10/100/
Wireless card 802.11g compliant
Vista Business or Ultimate
FireShield surge protector with 750 joules rated 120v/15a is required by University Housing Department.

One other comment they make which makes a lot of sense to me. "If you are planning to spend time during the summer getting to know your new computer, purchase it early in the summer. Any savings or enhancements that take place over the summer will not be more valuable than the skills you acquire this way. You will arrive on campus with a computer that you know how to use and will be ready to use it regularly in your courses and recreation. On the other hand, if you are going to be too busy over the summer to use your computer, delay the purchase until August to ensure that you acquire the most current system available."

[Northernwoods]

We're in the market for a Mac as well. We've always had Macs at home. I was wondering when the Mac "deals" would be offered, thanks for the info, ChiSquare.

We were thinking to wait until as late as possible to purchase, with the thought that the ever-changing computer market would have something bigger and better to offer.

D major is definitely undecided, with a faint possibility it could be math, I'm hoping she won't have difficulties if that were to happen.

[JerseyShoreMom]

D wants a Mac. Can someone explain why they are more than twice as much as a Dell or HP?

[crm86]

I think we are planning to get S a Mac even though he is going the Engineering route. We'll have to do some more research, but the initial queries seem to have been met with the idea that either operating system was fine.

[JerseyShoreMom]

any more updates, post here:

Decisions - Class of 2013

[ChiSquare]

JSM - they're just cooler. Haven't you seen the MAC guy? Much more hip than the old PC guy.

[JerseyShoreMom]

Chi, that's what I thought. She wants to get the MacBook Air.

:rollseyes:

[Modadunn]

While you'll still have to probably buy microsoft office to truly make a mac compatible in the word department, I switched to a mac a few years ago and now wonder whatever took me so long. It is MUCH more intuitive and it seamlessly cooridnates on a lot of levels, including the ever-popular itunes. Plus the new models have that built in camera. And the bottom line? I have never had an issue mechanically with my Mac where I have lost information. In fact, when you do have service issues, the customer service at Mac is far and away the best.. both in learning the system and figuring out a host of other things. It seems that I get a new laptop and I there is no problem with passing down the old ones. My sister got a new one and gave her old one to the kids as well. They might not be as fast or have as much memory or what4ever, but when it comes to two people needing to write an english paper at the same time, we've never lost a computer yet.

[#theorymom]

Blinker
WPI does placement tests?
I thought they just took you AP credits (if you get a 4 or 5)
Guess I better go peruse the site again

S hands me a printout last night with the computer he wants -$3600!!!! No way

[#theorymom]

WPI recommends PCs over MACs - citing that most of the schools software will not run on a MAC - so those in engineering should definitely check with their school programs to see what software they run
S's dream computer appears to be the Dell XPS M1730 and the price I quoted was the subtotal BEFORE all his dream add-ons

[TheAnalyst]

theorymom, I think you can get a dell studio xps 16 for $1,299 ($403 instant savings) with Core 2 Duo, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB hard drive, HD 3670 512 MB video card, 3-year warranty, battery life of 3:41. At least, I saw this deal a day or so ago. That seems to meet the specs of most schools, although the video card isn't good enough for serious gaming.

[JerseyShoreMom]

Things are swiftly moving along. D received this notice about housing:

The room and roommate preference system is closed for summer 2009 and fall 2009. No more preferences can be accepted as we prepare room assignments