Question about Macbook and college?

Macsforcollege? · May 23, 2008

So i have had windows forever and i decided im going to get a macbook for college. use it for the basics, research, papers, aim, music, msn....on the school site they said they sell macbooks and dells. so i assume those are ones they prefer?? and do most schools have good wireless connections with macbooks??
thanks

h0e0h · May 23, 2008

Macsforcollege? said:
So i have had windows forever and i decided im going to get a macbook for college. use it for the basics, research, papers, aim, music, msn....on the school site they said they sell macbooks and dells. so i assume those are ones they prefer?? and do most schools have good wireless connections with macbooks??
thanks

Some schools prefer the Mac, some do not. My university has no preference. As far as a Wi-Fi signal, its actually pretty crappy on my campus, or at least that's what all my friends say. My macbook picks up the signal flawlessly, way farther away than theirs will. Pick up a copy of MS Office (and try to find out what office suite, specifically Word, they're using (2003 or 2007)) and the free app Adium for your IM needs and you'll be great with it!

Macsforcollege? · May 23, 2008

can i download AIM on the macbook? Can i use Ichat instead? is that good?
I will need AIm and Msn messneger, so do i download both or do i use ichat??? i hear about other programs, but idk y Aim wouldnt work...

bstreiff · May 23, 2008

iChat is an AIM client distributed with OS X. (Or is it just with iLife? Either way, it would come with your MacBook.)

Adium is a free multiprotocol IM client (supporting AIM and MSN, among many others) that would let you connect to both AIM and MSN at the same time. I recommend it.

Macsforcollege? · May 23, 2008

i will keep adium in mind.. does that slow down the computer after downloading it??

h0e0h · May 23, 2008

I've got Adium running on my iMac and on my MB and have seen no problems what so ever. You're probably thinkin still in the windows-based world. Rarely do small aps (I'm counting Adium as a small app, especially when compared to like Photoshop or something) slow down OS X... matter of fact i've never encountered it.

Macsforcollege? · May 23, 2008

good to hear. yeah im probably going to get it next month. but im worried. but im sure i will love it.... as long as it works well and i have no problems... i just dont want any programs to slow down the macbook.. so even if i had iwork and office on it, it should slow down?
idk if i need office, i think the school reccomends it so il put it on and iword seems good to since it has a powerpoint and word.

SFStateStudent · May 23, 2008

Your college or university should have free WiFi, and if your school is anything like mine, you can be across the street or a block away and still pick-up their WiFi. In some classrooms it can be spotty, but the MB always seems to pick-up the signal better than my fellow student's PC. Connecting to the WiFi for the first time requires a username and password, and your school's website should have that information or just contact the IT folks.

ebutka · May 23, 2008

I use my macbook for college and I love it. I have a 2.4 Blackbook and its great. Although I go to college for photo and my college pushes mac, its a great computer. Upgraded to 4GB and its perfect. You will love it!

ki2594 · May 23, 2008

well you don't neccisarly need to buy ms office. I have it cuz my dad got it and it works on 3 macs but i also have iwork which i think has better, faster software and you can export as a word document. I've tried it and opened it on a windows machine easily. So i prefer iwork unless you need the extra stuff office has like entorauge or w.e

randomdata · May 23, 2008

Do you think if the macbooks become aluminum, that it will affect the connection to a college's wireless network. There seems to be some discussion as to whether aluminum casing hinders Wi-Fi reception.

26139 · May 23, 2008

What?

Macsforcollege? said:
i will keep adium in mind.. does that slow down the computer after downloading it??

Dude, you need to do some serious research in how computers work before you go much further in life.

26139 · May 23, 2008

Yep

h0e0h said:
Some schools prefer the Mac, some do not. My university has no preference. As far as a Wi-Fi signal, its actually pretty crappy on my campus, or at least that's what all my friends say. My macbook picks up the signal flawlessly, way farther away than theirs will. Pick up a copy of MS Office (and try to find out what office suite, specifically Word, they're using (2003 or 2007)) and the free app Adium for your IM needs and you'll be great with it!

If you have a Mac you'd need 2004 or 2008. 2003 and 2007 are Windows-only.

I bet you can get a copy of Student MS Office 2008 for double digits. $149 at the most.

daneoni · May 23, 2008

appleretailguy said:
Dude, you need to do some serious research in how computers work before you go much further in life.

Give the guy a break

, he's coming from windows where most apps are badly written with abilities to bring a system to its knees

Macsforcollege? · May 23, 2008

sorry.. but for me. it seems when i download something, my computer slows down. when i downloaded a anti virus, my computer would slow down. so i dont want to download new software on the mac and have it slow down... sorry if i dont make sense... im trying to learn more about this stuff. if you have any advice, feel free to tell me!
thanks for your help!

MacHappytjg · May 23, 2008

Macsforcollege? said:
sorry.. but for me. it seems when i download something, my computer slows down. when i downloaded a anti virus, my computer would slow down. so i dont want to download new software on the mac and have it slow down... sorry if i dont make sense... im trying to learn more about this stuff. if you have any advice, feel free to tell me!
thanks for your help!

these are macs remember no anti virse and your pc were slowing down probably because virus'. i told u once ill tell u again get the macbook and i use the ichat simple easy to switch pics and easy for web cam if u want

oh and i use msn messenger 7 unfortinitly its not the greatest not much sopport

jstntm89 · May 24, 2008

I'm having the same issue. The college I will be attending this fall recommends both Macs and PCs, but they state the following:

*Avoid if possible a computer that makes use of shared
system memory for video memory. In the Macintosh product
line, the MacBook computers use integrated Intel graphics
processors while the MacBook Pro line offers the dedicated
NVIDIA graphics cards. We recommend that if you are going
to purchase a Macintosh that you purchase a model from the
MacBook Pro line.

I really don't think I will personally need the extra features of the MBP.
Thoughts.. comments??

h0e0h · May 24, 2008

jstntm89 said:
I'm having the same issue. The college I will be attending this fall recommends both Macs and PCs, but they state the following:

*Avoid if possible a computer that makes use of shared
system memory for video memory. In the Macintosh product
line, the MacBook computers use integrated Intel graphics
processors while the MacBook Pro line offers the dedicated
NVIDIA graphics cards. We recommend that if you are going
to purchase a Macintosh that you purchase a model from the
MacBook Pro line.

I really don't think I will personally need the extra features of the MBP.
Thoughts.. comments??

What will you be studying?

Holmes89 · May 24, 2008

appleretailguy said:
If you have a Mac you'd need 2004 or 2008. 2003 and 2007 are Windows-only.

I bet you can get a copy of Student MS Office 2008 for double digits. $149 at the most.

Check with your college, maybe you can get it at a lower discount or free. I checked at my university and I get Windows and Office for free. So check before you buy.

Where are you going by chance?

StuBeck · May 24, 2008

daneoni said:
Give the guy a break , he's coming from windows where most apps are badly written with abilities to bring a system to its knees

No, he's just unknowledgable about computers, although I agree with giving him a break. Most apps on a PC are not going to bring the machine to its knees.

And jstntm89, ignore what your school says. If you need a computer without a built in graphics card, your school should have labs where you can use specific computers with the power needed. A MBP is a huge overkill for most people, and gives you less upgrade options then a MB too.

Holmes89 · May 24, 2008

StuBeck said:
No, he's just unknowledgable about computers, although I agree with giving him a break. Most apps on a PC are not going to bring the machine to its knees.

And jstntm89, ignore what your school says. If you need a computer without a built in graphics card, your school should have labs where you can use specific computers with the power needed. A MBP is a huge overkill for most people, and gives you less upgrade options then a MB too.

Um I know this may be off topic but I think you guys are forgetting that forums are supposed to be places to learn and share not to diss people for their computer knowledge.

I think we need to know what his major is before we can help him with his decision, you never know what he might need, if he is going to architecture or graphic design he may need a pro. Now if he is an English major I would suggest a Macbook.

StuBeck · May 24, 2008

Holmes89 said:
Um I know this may be off topic but I think you guys are forgetting that forums are supposed to be places to learn and share not to diss people for their computer knowledge.

I am not "dissing" him for his lack of computer knowledge. I am stating a fact, which is that he is unknowledgeable about computers. I am not saying he is a raging idiot or anything, just stating the fact. That is why after that I gave helpful knowledge.

jstntm89 · May 24, 2008

h0e0h, as of now I will be studying engineering.... however I am really not 100% sure that this will stay my major throughout the course of my undergrad years.

Holmes89 · May 24, 2008

jstntm89 said:
h0e0h, as of now I will be studying engineering.... however I am really not 100% sure that this will stay my major throughout the course of my undergrad years.

You may be fine getting a regular Macbook and if you need something really intensive you could always go to a computer lab.

EmptyCalm · May 24, 2008

If I bought my MacBook right now and the next week would I be eligible for the student loan discount? What's the time frame for the loan?

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