Approaching Stanford (literally) - Page 2

ngolsh314 · 07-05-2009, 07:59 PM

mac makes good solid hardware, just overpriced. we were an all mac high school, so i know my way around the OS. i just don't really like it- personal preference. Ubuntu or the upcoming Windows 7 is most likely what i would go with if I had a macbook.
this may interest you, though, if you decide to run windows: http://www.microsoft.com/student/dis...s/default.aspx

Baten · 07-05-2009, 08:32 PM

thanks for the link!! i found this through the stanford bookstore website: JourneyEd.com - Academic Software Discounts!

so software isn't really a problem. its just the computer itself. i think my mom has just discovered lenovos and so she wants me to look into that as well now. even though we have the macbook already, i haven't really set it up or anything so i can still get a different computer. the reason why i'm being so cautious is because i'll 2500 miles away and i just want something i can use and something that won't give me too many problems. my resources will be limited to campus. for everything - not just my computer. and that makes what i buy, ship, and bring very important.

ngolsh314 · 07-06-2009, 11:23 PM

well here's the lenovo i got.
Newegg.com - lenovo IdeaPad Y530-7343U NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo P7450(2.13GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 4GB Memory DDR2 667 320GB HDD 5400rpm Dual layer DVD Burner Intel GMA 4500MHD - Laptops / Notebooks
its a really good machine- decent processor, 4GB of DDR3 ram (that beats a macbook), 320GB HDD... i'm going to be a comp sci guy and i was comfortable with its capability, if that means anything. the only thing it lacks is a serious graphics card, but that will only affect you if you're a serious gamer, which i'm not. you can't beat the price.

i'm actually coming from about the same distance, i'm from central PA.

ngolsh314 · 07-06-2009, 11:47 PM

if you want to look at more lenovo machines, this is the best place to buy. Newegg has amazing prices and their customer service is phenomenal:
Newegg.com - PCs & Laptops,Laptops, Notebooks & Netbooks,Laptops / Notebooks,Lenovo

Baten · 07-07-2009, 11:39 AM

ooo. thanks for the site!! the lenovos look good. they have great specs but they're a bit too big. the ones that are the right size (12 or 13 inch) have a smaller hard drive and memory than the macbook i have now which is the same size.

but since you're coming from the same are (PA is a half hour drive from where I live) how are you getting your stuff to stanford? shipping? packing? getting a bike?

ngolsh314 · 07-07-2009, 12:12 PM

12 or 13 inch is too small for a college laptop, at least in my opinion. nearly everyone has 14 inch or bigger. 15 inch is about perfect.

i'm shipping my bike via the bike shop, because i have a decent one that i want to take, so that will be waiting for me when i get there. I'm taking just one parent with me, and i'll pack everything i need in the four allotted checked bags (they're going to be huge). my mom will pack in a carry on, parents aren't staying long anyway. I'm looking for a ticket with as few layovers as possible, hopefully to San Jose or San Fran so i can take the caltrain directly to the Palo Alto station. That station is right in front of campus, so that way the only bus i have to deal with is the Marguerite shuttle that runs from the station into campus.

gladmom · 07-07-2009, 06:14 PM

ngolsh, you might want to consider taking the SUPERSHUTTLE - Airport Shuttle Transportation. It isn't too expensive, and you get on a van at the airport and it takes you straight to your dorm. That's convenient, especially when you are schlepping lots of luggage. Public transportation from SFO includes 4 different trains and a bus. Caltrain is great for going to downtown San Francisco, but not to the airport when you have lots of bags.

Quote:

To Stanford
Take AirTrain to the International terminal, and board BART to San Bruno. At San Bruno, transfer to a Millbrae bound BART train. At Millbrae, exit the BART system, and board a southbound Caltrain to the Palo Alto Transit Center. Take the free Stanford Marguerite Shuttle to your campus destination (weekdays with limited weekend/holiday service).

ngolsh314 · 07-08-2009, 02:47 PM

I just booked my flight. Both my mom and my younger sister are coming along- since the flights are cheap we figured we'd bring my sister to see the school. We found flights with one layover in chicago for 220, and the one-way ticket for me was exactly half price, which was nice. we're flying into San Fran on Saturday. We're going to stay in a hotel somewhere north of Palo Alto, within walking distance of a caltrain station.

This site is amazing, it shows you all the hotels within walking distance of each station: Hotels near by CalTrain stations - HotelsByCalTrain.com

We're going to spend Sunday and Monday exploring San Fran and buying things like shelves, storage, etc. or whatever i decide not to bring in my luggage.

whylion · 07-08-2009, 06:25 PM

nglosh - remember to weigh your 4 huge bags before you go to the airport. They will charge you $125.00 for each one over 50lbs.

Baten · 07-08-2009, 07:59 PM

thanks so much for the warning about the luggage!! its been a long time since i've had to take more than a carry on.

as for my laptop size, 14 or 15 inch just seems too large to me. it's the size my brother has and i just prefer for my laptop to be smaller.

supershuttle may not work since like ngolish, i'm flying in a few days early.

gladmom · 07-09-2009, 09:45 AM

Supershuttle will take you anywhere.

ngolsh314 · 07-09-2009, 10:25 AM

@gladmom
supershuttle may be convenient, yeah, but why waste the money when good public transportation is available? Taking the train is greener anyway. Plus this way i'll get to know the caltrain system, which i will undoubtedly have to use at some point.

hpfan018 · 07-09-2009, 11:30 AM

Got my ticket yesterday! Yay! I think I'll take the Supershuttle though. While I would really prefer to save the money by taking the train, I'd rather not do it while I'm dragging suitcases behind me. lol

gladmom · 07-09-2009, 04:44 PM

ngolsh, I admire your desire to "not waste money when good public transportation is available", and believe me, I am very frugal and love public trans, including BART. And I am sure YOU can easily do whatever is necessary to get your luggage to your destination. I am, however, thinking about your Mom. It isn't easy to carry luggage (especially the large kind that you bring for move-in), and it can be tricky getting it into and out of train cars, and you will have 4 train cars to negotiate from SFO. If you do this, I hope you have wheeled bags.

My family went via SFO for move-in and took the airtrain to the car rental place. We also were there earlier in the summer for a backpacking trip, when we each had a large backpack, a big bag and carry-on items. We used airport carts to carry this stuff, and without them, I don't know how we would have managed even just getting to the car rental place. I can deal with one big bag, but not two, and you probably won't want to make multiple trips. I don't shirk from physical challenges, as you can see by our trip in the Sierras where I hiked 75 miles, going over mountain passes, and carrying a 40 pound pack on a 15 day trip. But, as a Mom, I wouldn't want to do what you are planning. It isn't that much cheaper, either, since Caltrain for 3 is $7.50, Bart is $7.50, for a total of $15.00, and the Super Shuttle for 3 would be $36 (a special rate through 9/15).

Anyway, I'm not trying to be pushy, but am just pointing things out. I'm sure you'll get there, and will have a great trip, but ... think of your Mom!

You can learn the public trans system on your own, carrying nothing.

Sly Si · 07-09-2009, 05:51 PM

My advice is NOT to take public transportation when first arriving. Consider it for later when you're not carrying as much stuff, maybe, but not on move-in day. If you do, you will arrive at your dorm and feel like collapsing. Super Shuttle also gets you there in about half the time.