Would it be wise to purchase a laptop from Dell with their on-site warranty?
I understand there is campus support for laptops, but It's not clear to me whether there is a fee for standard support, or how quickly they are able to respond. I suppose there may be a difference between a situation with minor issues vs. a complete computer failure. I saw somewhere that when the campus support people need to perform services in which there is a fee, it is very expensive.
Also, does anybody know if the laptops offered at Attronica (campus affilliated store), are a good way to go. I believe they offer Toshiba computers, if going with an Intel based system. I guess another question...would it be wise to consider an Apple? At least at this point, my daughter is planning on studying Business.
ksabbo, a word of caution about Dell's on-site warranty. I'm a big fan of Dell and my son had a Dell laptop that we bought thru Case Western BUT it sounds great in concept but the students usually can't schedule the repair work because Dell wants a 4 hour minimum block of time during the week so it doesn't work with class schedule. My son ended up getting parts shipped to him several times and took his computer apart himself. The instructions are usually good enough and they will walk you through the process over the phone. FYI, the deal we had with Dell had US support and a special support phone number which was truly fabulous. Don't know if we can somehow get it again for daughter.
Other than that, I'd love someone else to answer your questions because I've got the same ones.
sabbo, I never had any major computer issues, so I never paid a fee (I wasn't even aware that any of the services required a fee), but the people that do the work are quick (they know we need our computers) and did good work. I had a desktop, so having to lug it over to them wasn't the most practical thing in the world, but it's doable too if you don't want to go the laptop route.
Our daughter has a Mac (and so do I ) and we have never had a single problem with either one in the 2 1/2 years we have owned them. On the other hand, my husband has a dell laptop and has constant problems! She'll be a spider in the fall, joining yours!
Hmmmm, To Mac, or not to Mac? I owned a Mac years ago and loved it.....soooo easy to use. On the other hand, my daughter has never used a Mac before.
Also, I'm not all that current on computer technology.....Is the Mac REALLY all that compatible with Windows based application software?
Spiders05: It never occured to me to consider a desktop computer. Don't you find a need for portability? I know there are pros and cons to a laptop...i.e. speed (desktop is faster), portability (laptop rules), etc. What happens on breaks when you go home? Do you just use the family computer(s), or is there proprietary software on your college computer that is necessary?
Ksabbo, Spiders05 did graduate in 2005, and back then (we're talking being a freshman in 2001, right?) technology was a lot more limited. Nobody has a desktop now, but I'm sure a lot did then. (Not trying to call you old, Spiders, just putting it into perspective )
Hi! I am the computer Help Desk Manager. My name is Scott Tilghman. We do support student laptops and there is never a fee. We are open 8:30 am to 9pm during the semester.
We purchase our computers through Attroncia computers and they have an on site store across the hallway from the Computer Help Desk.
We purchase Lenovo computers. we find them a little more durable than the average laptop. Most students bring laptops.
We support Macs as well. We have Mac certified technicans, as does Attronica computers. If warrenty work is needed on Mac there is a APPLE store about 8 miles from campus. All other warrenty work can be done either at the Help Desk or at Attronica.
Dell will send a technician to the Help Desk to do onsite work for your laptop. They (dell)are pretty good about it, but sometimes it takes a while for parts to arrive. The up side is you do not have to play tag with them and miss any classes. Dell contacts my staff directly and we are open all day long so they come as quick as their work load allows.
We look forward to seeing you all in the fall, stop by Jepson Hall G19 and ask to speak to me, I will be here!
I hope the info was helpful..
Admissions alerted me to this thread. They are looking out for the new arrivals..
Scott
Back in the day...very few had laptops, and they were still pretty pricey compared to the performance. Now with the wireless access across campus, Starbucks meetings, affordable performance, etc. I wouldn't want to go without a laptop at school (I'm hoping to be back on campus in Fall 2010).
ksabbo, one more thought. We both have, on our Macs, Windows for Mac, and we have Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and One Note (I don't use the latter). I also have the equivalent on the mac (which comes with I Life) which is Pages (word), Numbers (Excel), and Keynote (powerpoint) and they are very similar. The best part is I can type in Word Mac or Pages and save it to a doc. file and it is compatible. Never had an issue at all. It is seamless. Also, the ease of use is a huge plus. And, the graphics.....photography.....outstanding!
? I owned a Mac years ago and loved it.....soooo easy to use. On the other hand, my daughter has never used a Mac before.
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