Computer for College: Buy Now or Wait?

[Nawlins]

I have enough money saved to buy a 12" or 15" Powerbook for college in the fall -- starts in August -- but am unsure if I should purchase one now or closer to the start of school.

I have used IBM-compatible PC's for most of my life, but am ready to switch :) (I have some nightmare stories about Windows). I am pretty familar with computers, but will need some time to get used to a new OS. Plus, I've never had a computer of my own - will a Mac take some getting used to?

Buy now or later on?

[me_94501]

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you, only I'm still saving. I would say that you should hold off a little. Apple will be demoing the next version of OS X later this month, and if Apple follows their typical release pattern, it will likely be released in late August/early September of this year. If your desparate to get out of Windows and are OK with 10.2, I'd say go ahead and buy now. Otherwise, wait.

btw. What types of Windows nightmares are we talking about?Annoying wizards? The alphabet soup names for disks? (Which drive is the CD burner? D? E? F? AIGH!) Registry disasters? Unrelenting Blue Screens of Death?

[Nawlins]

I use Windows ME at home, and some of my PC-savvy friends tell me ME is the worst Windows OS, and that I should just buy a laptop with XP and my troubles will be solved. I figure I'm going to have to learn a new OS regardless of whether I buy a Mac or PC, and I find Macs really easy to use, so I'm willing to take a chance on them.

I've had a lot of screen-freeze problems with my desktop at home (Compaq Presario pentium 3, 933 mHz processor, 128 mb RAM, 60 GB hard drive - my family's had it for about 2 years now, I think), which could be related to the OS, or the low memory. Either way, the problems have been persisting for months, and the Blue Screen of Death is not uncommon. I don't get it anymore -- it just seems like so many people work and struggle to understand their PC's, but using a Mac seems intuitive and friendly.

[Nawlins]

Plus, I'm a huge music fan, and am sick of Kazaa - Steve Jobs is right when he talks about the disparities in sound quality found on it. Paying a buck a song makes sense, and seems easy to use -- I can't wait to use the iTunes Music Store.

[Computer_Phreak]

Definately wait until the 24th of June, the Apple WWDC convention. Apple is expected to release new hardware and software. Don't buy yet.

[WannabeSQ]

also, the notebook and iPod $200 rebate is good until sometime in august, if that makes any different. the iPod is the perfect companion for the iTunes music service. So yeah, wait at least until WWDC.

[ZildjianKX]

Originally posted by Nawlins
I use Windows ME at home, and some of my PC-savvy friends tell me ME is the worst Windows OS, and that I should just buy a laptop with XP and my troubles will be solved. I figure I'm going to have to learn a new OS regardless of whether I buy a Mac or PC, and I find Macs really easy to use, so I'm willing to take a chance on them.

I've had a lot of screen-freeze problems with my desktop at home (Compaq Presario pentium 3, 933 mHz processor, 128 mb RAM, 60 GB hard drive - my family's had it for about 2 years now, I think), which could be related to the OS, or the low memory. Either way, the problems have been persisting for months, and the Blue Screen of Death is not uncommon. I don't get it anymore -- it just seems like so many people work and struggle to understand their PC's, but using a Mac seems intuitive and friendly.

Dude, just go to the store, buy a copy of Windows XP upgrade, and all your computer problems will be solved.

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=477484/search=windows%2520XP%2520Home/ut=43706cfd0256ef23

Don't listen to what everyone says... Windows XP is a very stable OS, and I've only had two blue screens ever (both related to my videocard drivers when XP came out)... and I've really been running it for over 2 years.

Edit, and put another 128 to 256 megs of RAM in your system and your system performance will way jump, you don't have a slow computer... and format your drive first to get all that Compaq slow crap off the PC.

[shadowfax]

as long as you aren't a super-gamer, i would recommend OS X as a fun OS to mess around in and to work in. it will take you some time to get used to, but you will always have us here for just about any problem you can possibly conceive of to give you advice and help you fix any problems. i suppose you could find that with windows though.

i would definitely wait till july to make your decision, and keep an eye on apples. if you get a PC, get a centrino laptop, they sound like they might be worth the money moreso than intel's other blah processors (not to say that apple is used to good processors lately). but hopefully the new stuff will knock your socks off. also, consider the student discount you will get when in college. you may want to wait till you are eligible for that.

[jefhatfield]

whatever you get for college, now or in august, will not last you four full years...the operating system on it, and the machine's ram limit will be ancient by then...maybe even the top rated graphics card you can get in today's machine may not even be able to handle the most rudimentary graphics program in four years

but for best results, wait until the next mac os comes out really soon and plan on buying another machine in 30 months or so

my ibook was touted as being the second fastest computer laptop in the world 42 months ago when i got it and benched better on some things than the 333 mhz powerbook (which was the world's fastest laptop at the time)

now neither machine, with its 320 or 160 mb ram limit, would be fun trying to run jaguar with two programs open at the same time

now the only thing my rev a ibook would be good for in a college setting nowadays would be simple tasks, but never any higher level languages in programming or any sort of current graphics like the latest photoshop or illustrator

the days of relatively slow moving computer technology and any single computer lasting thru four years comfortably/reasonably are over...unfortunately

[sparks9]

Originally posted by jefhatfield
whatever you get for college, now or in august, will not last you four full years...the operating system on it, and the machine's ram limit will be ancient by then...maybe even the top rated graphics card you can get in today's machine may not even be able to handle the most rudimentary graphics program in four years

:eek: :eek:

of course it will...!

If you are not playing the newest 3d games, there is no need to get a new computer often...we are past that time thankfully.

[solvs]

Even if you are able to take the PC with you, adding XP and RAM will not make your computer problems go away. It won't be as bad, but I've still had a ton of problems with XP (running 2000 on my PC, lesser of the evils). If you can wait for WWDC in a few weeks, there are new Macs rumors to be released (Lap- and Desk-tops, which I'm sure you already know, but I'll reiterate). The 15" hasn't been updated in awhile, and the 12' had a big price cut, so they both look pretty likely to be updated soon.

Even if they aren't, you can buy one of them at current prices (or lower) by the time you need them. Or, if new ones do come out, the "old" ones at a huge discount. You can always buy a new Desktop, too. Easier to upgrade and hopefully new 970 CPUs ( :D ). Same principal. Lots of options. If you can wait, wait.

Once OS X.3 (Pather) is demoed, any computer you buy after that will either have it installed or come as a cheap upgrade. Based on what you've said so far, I think you will enjoy 10.3. Slight learning curve, but get AppleCare (and maybe a book with hints for the new OS) and with a little playing, you should be fine. Plus, if you have a problem, you can always come back here for some help.

If you do go with a Laptop, you'll enjoy the power and longer battery life and lighter weight and style and... well, you get the idea.

You do know that you can get a student discount right? Apple's Education Store. Or an even bigger discount with Student ADC membership?

Any questions, feel free to ask. Enjoy.

[solvs]

And if you're worried, my Mom's old 400 MHz G3 runs 10.2 just fine.

You should be good with 10.3 for awhile, and if you want to upgrade to 10.whatever later, you shouldn't have too much of a hassle for awhile (even if IBM comes out with Muti-ULtra-Giga-Hertz CPU). Plus, with AppleCare, if your computer dies in the next 3 years, they'll give you a new one.

Keep those reciepts!!!

[springscansing]

Originally posted by jefhatfield
whatever you get for college, now or in august, will not last you four full years...the operating system on it, and the machine's ram limit will be ancient by then...

My father's 7600/132 is still hauling ass.

Of course it has a ATI Nexus and a 500mhz G4 in there... but still.

And btw, it holds 2GB of RAM if I am not mistaken.

[Wardofsky]

Wait until after WWDC, June 26th.

[Abstract]

Get one by mid-July, but no later. You need free time to play around with it when you first get a Mac. Plus, what if something goes wrong, and you need to ship it to Apple because of an immediate defect? Things take time, so make sure you have your laptop ready for September.

[jxyama]

unless you need a computer now, wait, for three reasons:

1) the longer you wait, better and/or cheaper machines will be
2) once you are enrolled, your college may have an even better edu. deal
3) you may want to test out the campus computing scene before deciding. you'll be ok for the first few weeks just using campus sites.

the only downside i can think of waiting until the school starts is possible shortage...

in the meantime, go to a local public library, get some books on OS X...

[Abstract]

But there will always be better machines coming soon, and there will always be some type of discount somewhere.

Its a good point about the Educational discount, but can s/he get the discount once his/her student card is received. Can you not take advantage of the discount in July if you get your student card gets to you by July? :confused:

Sorry, I don't know how it works in the US.

[jxyama]

from my experience (undergrad and grad), i didn't get a student ID until the orientation. in fact, getting an id was one of the first thing i did once i got on campus. i don't think you are technically a student until you are enrolled and start paying the tuition. :D

i'm now at michigan and the computer store here got a better deal than online Apple store, even the education section.

[sjjordan]

I certainly wouldn't buy one now. First of all, it seems pretty sure that the 970's are coming out at the end of June. Don't buy before then. There'll probably be a rush on them, in which case the current G4 models will be cheap.

wait for that. I'd even wait till Panther comes out. That way you won't have to upgrade later.

Good luck

[Nawlins]

I've figuring out the potential savings buying it through the store of my school (Loyola University-New Orleans) through Apple's website - I'd save about $150. Although I do not have a student ID and am not taking classes there, I am a registered student, so I can take advantage of the college store.

I don't want to wait until Panther comes out in August/September to buy the computer - Is it going to be substantially different from OS X?

Has there been any solid info on when the 970's will be released?

Thanks for the help everyone :)

[Nawlins]

One other question - I don't do any digital video editing, so my only use for a SuperDrive would be if I could download full-length movies and then burn them to DVD's. I know this is possible on PC's with Kazaa and other file-sharing software; Is it possible on the Mac?

I wish there was a version of the iTunes Music Store for movies - now THAT would be cool.

Also, it's interesting comparing the 2 different 15" Powerbook models. If you try customizing the SuperDrive version on Apple's site, and select a ComboDrive instead of the SuperDrive, upgrade the RAM, and leave most of the other settings the same, you'll have a much more powerful computer than a full-featured version of the Powerbook with the standard ComboDrive. Kind of interesting.

[Schiffi]

I was in the same boat, though I went ahead and got a pBook on credit during that 2weeks or so when they had the 6 months same as cash. I figured in 6 months I would have an on-campus job to pay for the thing so I'll be a'ight. Personally I'll be in the Fine Arts division so I'll be using Photoshop and Illustrator. I do work with video as a hobby, but still, I'm expecting this computer purchase to last me the 4 years at college. Sure the thing will be extremely outdated, but since you cannot really advance image editing I doubt there will be a need for me to upgrade. Though if I were you I'd still wait for the WWDC. Then you could think about whether OS9 booting or OSX 10.3 is better (with the 15 that is).

[Dont Hurt Me]

Originally posted by Wardofsky
Wait until after WWDC, June 26th. Nice post.

[jefhatfield]

Originally posted by sparks9
:eek: :eek:

of course it will...!

If you are not playing the newest 3d games, there is no need to get a new computer often...we are past that time thankfully.

let's say i enrolled in college in september, 1999...when the rev a ibook came out...there were very few things faster on the mobile end at the time, and the rev a ibook had 4 mb ram graphics...and mobile agp to boot...quite nice for the time and for the price of $1599 usd... a nicer pc laptop would have cost well over 2 grand at the time

now, four years later i would be finishing up in june of 2003 where a comparably priced ibook for $1599 has a larger screen, eight times the video ram, more than three times the speed in benchmark tests, and a hard drive which would be ten times the size...could you see me using a 300 mhz, 160 mb ram, 4 mb ram agp graphics card, 3 gb hard drive rev a ibook now as i was finishing up college?

no laptop can reasonably last any student four years of college without being painfully outdated for the student in the last 1 1/2 to 2 years, depending on if the student engages in any high level programming languages, graphics, or scientific computing calculations

[ZildjianKX]

I think we are past that time with new computers in the PC world... but not yet in the mac world. If MUCH faster mac processors come out, then I'd agree.

[CrzyCanuck72]

Originally posted by Nawlins
One other question - I don't do any digital video editing, so my only use for a SuperDrive would be if I could download full-length movies and then burn them to DVD's. I know this is possible on PC's with Kazaa and other file-sharing software; Is it possible on the Mac?

I wish there was a version of the iTunes Music Store for movies - now THAT would be cool.

Also, it's interesting comparing the 2 different 15" Powerbook models. If you try customizing the SuperDrive version on Apple's site, and select a ComboDrive instead of the SuperDrive, upgrade the RAM, and leave most of the other settings the same, you'll have a much more powerful computer than a full-featured version of the Powerbook with the standard ComboDrive. Kind of interesting.

as far as I know, if you download a bootleg off Limewire (the Mac KaZaA, less popups) and you have a superdrive, you can burn it to a DVD. Playing it on a regular DVD player depends on the specific player though, so I'd research it a bit

[Gymnut]

Don't listen to what everyone says... Windows XP is a very stable OS, and I've only had two blue screens ever (both related to my videocard drivers when XP came out)... and I've really been running it for over 2 years.

Edit, and put another 128 to 256 megs of RAM in your system and your system performance will way jump, you don't have a slow computer... and format your drive first to get all that Compaq slow crap off the PC. [/B][/QUOTE]


I guess meaning "don't listen to what everyone says" means, uhmm you too. Last time I checked this site was Mac rumors.

[ZildjianKX]

Originally posted by Gymnut
Don't listen to what everyone says... Windows XP is a very stable OS, and I've only had two blue screens ever (both related to my videocard drivers when XP came out)... and I've really been running it for over 2 years.

Edit, and put another 128 to 256 megs of RAM in your system and your system performance will way jump, you don't have a slow computer... and format your drive first to get all that Compaq slow crap off the PC. [//QUOTE]


I guess meaning "don't listen to what everyone says" means, uhmm you too. Last time I checked this site was Mac rumors. [/B]

Umm... thanks for the misquote and worthless reply...

[Nawlins]

Originally posted by CrzyCanuck72
as far as I know, if you download a bootleg off Limewire (the Mac KaZaA, less popups) and you have a superdrive, you can burn it to a DVD. Playing it on a regular DVD player depends on the specific player though, so I'd research it a bit

SuperDrive compatibility with regular DVD players is great, according to Apple's website - I think compatibility depends more on the software and burner, not the actual movie itself. I'm not 100% sure about this, though.

[me_94501]

Originally posted by jefhatfield
whatever you get for college, now or in august, will not last you four full years...the operating system on it, and the machine's ram limit will be ancient by then...maybe even the top rated graphics card you can get in today's machine may not even be able to handle the most rudimentary graphics program in four years

but for best results, wait until the next mac os comes out really soon and plan on buying another machine in 30 months or so

my ibook was touted as being the second fastest computer laptop in the world 42 months ago when i got it and benched better on some things than the 333 mhz powerbook (which was the world's fastest laptop at the time)

now neither machine, with its 320 or 160 mb ram limit, would be fun trying to run jaguar with two programs open at the same time

now the only thing my rev a ibook would be good for in a college setting nowadays would be simple tasks, but never any higher level languages in programming or any sort of current graphics like the latest photoshop or illustrator

the days of relatively slow moving computer technology and any single computer lasting thru four years comfortably/reasonably are over...unfortunately

Generally, Macs have longer useful lives than PCs (I said "generally"-your mileage may vary). I have heard stories of people running 10.2 on 300 MHz G3 Macs well. I'm running a 500 MHz iMac G3 right now (320 MB RAM) and it runs X fine. I can haave 12 or 13 apps open at a time with no noticable slowdowns. It's not the fastest but it's not horrible either. Besides, unless you're running high-powered 3D games or Photoshop, a 4-year-old Mac should be enough to get work done.

[frescies]

Originally posted by me_94501
Generally, Macs have longer useful lives than PCs (I said "generally"-your mileage may vary). I have heard stories of people running 10.2 on 300 MHz G3 Macs well. I'm running a 500 MHz iMac G3 right now (320 MB RAM) and it runs X fine. I can haave 12 or 13 apps open at a time with no noticable slowdowns. It's not the fastest but it's not horrible either. Besides, unless you're running high-powered 3D games or Photoshop, a 4-year-old Mac should be enough to get work done.


I just got a new 12inch Ibook 900. I also have one of the first generation (800mhz) G4 Imacs. I'm a college student and aside from zipping through the finder I perform:

Heavy Photoshop editing,
Adobe After Effects stuff,
DreamWeaver stuff,
Internet,
Word processing,
Ftp hosting,
Fear and Loathing (you mythheads will know...),
Itunes running in the backround constantly,
CD burning,
and
DVD burning.

And I play moderately 3d intensive games (Myth 2 and 3.... but I can also run RtCW and Quake just fine.)


I use Mac os X and occasionally 9.
I find that both of these computers excell in these applications. I have not slowdowns whatsoever. As long as I have plenty of Ram these two computers blaze thought the stuff that I do. Its to the point where a new computer would only free up one or 2 seconds here and there in photoshop stuff, a split second here and there in finding files, and maybe a few seconds in 3d stuff. I would probably wait until June, if I were you (you probably have more will power than I). But if you don't wait, and you get something now, you should be just fine if you are doing stuff thats relatively similar to what I do.

I must say that the Altivec on the Imac makes a hell of a difference sometimes... but again that helluva difference is usually just a couple seconds.

[me_94501]

Originally posted by frescies
I just got a new 12inch Ibook 900. I also have one of the first generation (800mhz) G4 Imacs. I'm a college student and aside from zipping through the finder I perform:

Heavy Photoshop editing,
Adobe After Effects stuff,
DreamWeaver stuff,
Internet,
Word processing,
Ftp hosting,
Fear and Loathing (you mythheads will know...),
Itunes running in the backround constantly,
CD burning,
and
DVD burning.

And I play moderately 3d intensive games (Myth 2 and 3.... but I can also run RtCW and Quake just fine.)


I use Mac os X and occasionally 9.
I find that both of these computers excell in these applications. I have not slowdowns whatsoever. As long as I have plenty of Ram these two computers blaze thought the stuff that I do. Its to the point where a new computer would only free up one or 2 seconds here and there in photoshop stuff, a split second here and there in finding files, and maybe a few seconds in 3d stuff. I would probably wait until June, if I were you (you probably have more will power than I). But if you don't wait, and you get something now, you should be just fine if you are doing stuff thats relatively similar to what I do.

I must say that the Altivec on the Imac makes a hell of a difference sometimes... but again that helluva difference is usually just a couple seconds.

I use my iMac for word processing, internet, maintaining my personal website (useing BBEdit Lite 6), some light Photoshop work (still using Photoshop 4!), some games, iTunes, iPhoto, and iMovie. Photoshop works ok in classic, then again it's ancient, but it gets the job done. iMovie 3's a little sluggish, but I'm 200 MHz below what Apple recomends.

[beefcake]

I am in the exact same position as you, Nawlins. On the one hand I want to wait and see what happens with the 970/G5 and not rush into spending a lot of money on what could be deemed yesterday's technology. On the other hand, I'm reluctant to buy "Rev A" hardware from Apple and have a feeling that if the 15" Powerbook gets updated it'll bump it high out of my already streched price range. I also want to give myself enough time to learn the new (to me) OS and don't want to lose the free printer by not buying before the end of the month (though I'm sure next month there will be another offer so I'm not too concerned about that).

[jefhatfield]

G5s are out at 1.6 ghz at the slightly high price of $1999 usd...but if you want to spend more you can get a dual 2 ghz machine and load it up with 8 GBs of RAM which should fill your need, hopefully, for 4 years of school...that is unless the software world comes up with some excrutiatingly RAM hungry titles

but also, the G4 single 1.25 ghz tower is $1299 usd which is still not a bad price for a proven machine

[Nawlins]

*bump*

[Schiffi]

Originally posted by Nawlins
SuperDrive compatibility with regular DVD players is great, according to Apple's website - I think compatibility depends more on the software and burner, not the actual movie itself. I'm not 100% sure about this, though.

Yeah compatiblity is a totally software/burner issue. I burned a DVD on a Sony DVD+R drive on a PC and it wasn't compatible with any settop DVD players. My Superdrive and iDVD burned dvds that have all worked.

I haven't burned any DVDs from downloaded videos, but as long as you have 3ivx* (http://www.3ivx.com/) you should be able to open iDVD and drag-n-drop the video file into the iDVD window.

Since the WWDC is over, you might want to get the computer in my sig ($3909 with shoulder bag, Office v.X, and Wacom Tablet) or a 12" will work perfectly fine too. SuperDrives are Super fine.

*3ivx is the Mac version of Divx, which is what most downloaded movies are. You might also want to download VLC (www.videolan.org) which has better divx playing as opposed to Quicktime.

[tazo]

Originally posted by jefhatfield
G5s are out at 1.6 ghz at the slightly high price of $1999 usd...but if you want to spend more you can get a dual 2 ghz machine and load it up with 8 GBs of RAM which should fill your need, hopefully, for 4 years of school...that is unless the software world comes up with some excrutiatingly RAM hungry titles

but also, the G4 single 1.25 ghz tower is $1299 usd which is still not a bad price for a proven machine

are there any appications that even need *2 gigs* of ram, as opposed to a fullblown 8 gigs? And considering the rest of the world is stuck at 4 gigs basically..

[Schiffi]

forgot that DVD-Rs at most can fit 90 minutes on them. So opening iMovie and splitting a movie into 2 should work (haven't used iMovie with a 3ivx movie though).

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by tazo
are there any appications that even need *2 gigs* of ram, as opposed to a fullblown 8 gigs? And considering the rest of the world is stuck at 4 gigs basically.. rest assured, if you have 8 GB of RAM, you will use it. it won't always help much, but you will use it. and there are a lot of server and science apps that will fill that up like nothing.

[Schiffi]

Of course this thread is about Nawils and mac he'll use in college. I doubt a G5 with 8 gigs of ram'll help him any.

[tazo]

Originally posted by Schiffi
Of course this thread is about Nawils and mac he'll use in college. I doubt a G5 with 8 gigs of ram'll help him any.

Well it would, just not on any cost-effective level ;)

[jefhatfield]

Originally posted by Shadowfax
rest assured, if you have 8 GB of RAM, you will use it. it won't always help much, but you will use it. and there are a lot of server and science apps that will fill that up like nothing.

server apps - yes, but not for an undergrad student...more like for an enterprise level business corporation

science apps - what type of science? nothing they will teach him on that basic level

but for young male, 20 y.o. or so, and computer games as a way to skip homework with no parents around to supervise...not that's another thing:p

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by jefhatfield
server apps - yes, but not for an undergrad student...more like for an enterprise level business corporation

science apps - what type of science? nothing they will teach him on that basic level

but for young male, 20 y.o. or so, and computer games as a way to skip homework with no parents around to supervise...not that's another thing:p heh. try double clicking on my pictures folder--open it all in adobe photoshop, and then open the entire apps folder. 8 GB will get used at some point :D

[saabmp3]

Originally posted by Shadowfax
heh. try double clicking on my pictures folder--open it all in adobe photoshop, and then open the entire apps folder. 8 GB will get used at some point :D

8GB's????

Maybe apple has gone too far and givne it's users too much this time. No, that probably won't open that much. I've had 30 files open in photoshop with my gig of RAM and it's been fine. I mean, yeah, you could possibly use 8 gigs that way, but maybe it's time to rethink this a little.

BEN

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by saabmp3
8GB's????

Maybe apple has gone too far and givne it's users too much this time. No, that probably won't open that much. I've had 30 files open in photoshop with my gig of RAM and it's been fine. I mean, yeah, you could possibly use 8 gigs that way, but maybe it's time to rethink this a little.

BEN yes, your system should never be using more RAM than you put on it. that wasn't my point, but rather that the system would end up using it. apple hasn't given its users too much, 8 GB is an option. it would be foolish, very foolish, for the average user to buy all 8 GB of RAM. naturally. they put 512 MB for the average user, and i think that for most going to 1 GB would be worth the money. 8 GB is for people, like i said, who use heavy duty apps that will use it to good purpose, not just use it because it's there, like i was saying. just joking around hey.

[MacRAND]

NAWLINS, If you haven't purchased a new Mac yet, the advice you have been given about Student Discount, waiting until the G5 are actually being sold, etc. are all excellent. Prices keep going down each month you wait. Also, look for Apple guarantee of free upgrade to Panther - saves $130.

BUY as high as you can - G5 if possible.
FACT - G3 is absolutely obsolete :(, and G4 is on the way out:(...in a matter of weeks. Do not buy obsolete technology, you will regret it in a matter of months.

You need to consider how mobile or portable you need your computer to be - with the obvious choice being a PowerBook G4 or G5. I like my year old iBook G3 but do NOT recommend it because G3 is slow and obsolete.
You MAY NOT need a G5 but I'd definately recommend the 4X SuperDrive - Apple will soon drop ComboDrive except maybe as a downgrade option.
The new iSight AV :) webcam is excellent and a great price for the quality Apple builds into it.
Take whatever FREE printer Apple or authorized dealer gives away, but look at Canon i70 mobile printer $250 plus $99 for battery & dock, and the $79 Canoscan LiDE 30.
And YES, whatever deal you can get on iPod 15 or 30 GB, do it.
Regardless, you will love OS X since Jaguar 10.2 has come out, and Panther is even better, and all the iApps. By the end of college, you will be editing your own iMovies and burning iDVD discs for friends (especially the other gender) and family (Parents need proof their money is not going to waste), unless you opted for a ComboDrive.
If a laptop in class or hauling it home over breaks is NOT important, a low end G5 DESKTOP would be killer and easier to UPGRADE as the years go by. For a couple hundred bucks you can get a descent 19" CRTn if a 20" Apple Studio Display is out of the question.
Regardless, go APPLE and read all the MacAddict.com and Macworld.com issues you can get your hands on - go online and get a FREE issue from each, then read the articles online all you want.
I wish computers were available when I went to college and lawschool, all I had was an IBM Selectric, which was rare in it self.
Good luck in college and enjoy your Apple to the core, every byte.

[Nawlins]

I went to the Apple Store in Schaumburg, IL (in Woodfield Mall) last night, and am now leaning towards a 12" Powerbook. After actually seeing and playing with it for awhile, I can say I will be truly happy to be a switcher. OS X rocks. The dock is genius. I'm so pumped. I love the weight of the 12" PB - 4 pounds really is pretty good. The staff I encountered at the Apple Store were very informative and helpful, which was nice. They were able to explain a lot of the PB's features to my dad, who doesn't know anything about computers, much less about Macs. Overall, I was pretty impressed.

A few concerns: I'm concerned that if I buy a 12" G4 PB, it will become outdated once the PB chips are upgraded sometime in Quarter 3. I wish more than 256 MB of RAM came standard on it - upgrading to 640 MB costs $200. I wish Keynote came standard on new Macs instead of costing $100 extra - though I like it a lot.

I only played around with Keynote for a few mins, and am wondering if it is possible to import AAC songs from iTunes into a presentation on Keynote? That would be cool.

Alex

[Sweetfeld28]

First off, if you are a college student or no someone that is attending a University, have them buy a copy of MS Windows 2000. Like someone else pointed out, the lesser of the two evils. Anyway, I attend Bowling Green State University, and my friend told me he bought Windows XP and Office XP for $20. Apparently, MS has deals with Universities to offer OEM Software to students for $10. I would look into for your PC; at least to hold you off.

Second, i would along with everyone else... Wait. I personally have been waiting for the G5, which i will hopfully get in the next month or so. But your sayk i would wait for... the new motorola chip that should it appear in the next release of the laptops. Maybe even G5 chips?

But, which ever you choose? Good Luck

Ryan:D

[MacRAND]

Nawlins - wait as long as you can.
I like the 12" too, but the new 15" PB should be coming out soon and it will have a screen size much improved over the postage stamp 12" and not so overwhelming and expensive as the 17".
However, you can always attach a large CRT or LCD display to a PB at home so the 12" may be perfect for you.
Look at adding a Kensington Expert Mouse track ball for fun and control.

Tolerating life on a PC :( for a short while may be painful, but the joy of a new Mac :) at just the right moment will be worth the wait.
Watch the DEALS being offered and how the prices move - they anticipate new stock.

Pay for AppleCare to cover your PB for extended warranty on the LCD screen, and you get 3 years of Customer Service and help with a real person when figuring out OS X.

Look at substantial discounts on software, etc. tied to the moment of purchase of your CPU.

Besides EDU discounts online, physically go to the Computer Shop at a college book store where you can buy at discount and talk to the sales people about their best deals on Macs and OS X software (Adobe Photoshop or Elements, and MS Office are key). Talk about special programs that are important for your intended major - science, math, media, language, etc.
Lots of iApps are free.

Ask about the importance of having a WiFi AirPort Extreme card on campus - ask about wireless reception at the Student Union, Library, Computer Lab, Dorms, etc. Where can you get high-speed internet access FREE, even if it's Ethernet TCP/IP ?

Talk to your Mac Buddies about what they have and are willing to share with a "student". Buy upgrades that you know are meaningful to you.

Yes, you will love OS X :) and a G4 or G5 Mac. Compare price of a PB to a new G5 Tower. Look at a high-end eMac, or the 17" iMac with a SuperDrive.
Be patient. Look at your budget.
Think about a printer, etc.

It's like falling in love, there comes a time to get married - and you are the only one who knows when that is right for you.
Remember, LOVE is a form of insanity.
Loving a Mac can turn you into a MacAddict, and that can be both obsessive and compulsive ;). Limit the time you spend playing games. Focus on homework and productivity first, then find time to play with friends with enthusiasm. On a date, don't talk Macs - iTunes is the exception; show 'em your iPod.
What a line - "Wanna play with my iPod?" but get a line splitter and a 2nd set of head or ear phones - share.:rolleyes::rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[tazo]

Originally posted by Nawlins
I went to the Apple Store in Schaumburg, IL (in Woodfield Mall) last night, and am now leaning towards a 12" Powerbook. After actually seeing and playing with it for awhile, I can say I will be truly happy to be a switcher. OS X rocks. The dock is genius. I'm so pumped. I love the weight of the 12" PB - 4 pounds really is pretty good. The staff I encountered at the Apple Store were very informative and helpful, which was nice. They were able to explain a lot of the PB's features to my dad, who doesn't know anything about computers, much less about Macs. Overall, I was pretty impressed.

A few concerns: I'm concerned that if I buy a 12" G4 PB, it will become outdated once the PB chips are upgraded sometime in Quarter 3. I wish more than 256 MB of RAM came standard on it - upgrading to 640 MB costs $200. I wish Keynote came standard on new Macs instead of costing $100 extra - though I like it a lot.

I only played around with Keynote for a few mins, and am wondering if it is possible to import AAC songs from iTunes into a presentation on Keynote? That would be cool.

Alex

man, don't buy ram from apple :)

a 512 stick of appropriate ram is around 100 dollars.

[Mav451]

Regardless of whether you go Mac or PC, you will have to relearn. I think it "may" be easier to use Windows XP since it has such a wider user base and some common windows roots and would be more familiar to you.

If you want to take the plunge--of course go Mac. It is incredibly different from Windows...but since your're here i think this place wll help you along.

Regarding Windows ME -- yes it is one of the worst OSes, next to 98SE (if it was not tweaked) or old skl guaranteed BSOD windows 95 :)

If you are not really familiar with the whole Windows environment, but still want to give them a chance, i think XP could still work for you. As someone mentioned before, colleges offer that OS for INCREDIBLY cheap.

Laptops can go either way though--i personally dont' have much experience with laptops b/c i custom build all of my PC's since i was 16.

Many user errors in windows are linked with bad drivers or bad memory (some are not aware of this).

Random restarts and BSOD's are not necessarily always software.
Nonetheless, if you ARE tired of BSOD's, i think you should give the G5 a try--unfortunately you have to wait :(

ANd thus--i agree with Sweetfeld28 to wait and see...

When you install windows xp sp1 correctly (no outdated drivers) with a decent system behind it, all of your "compaq" problems will disappear. I'm surprised you actually put up with compaq's BSOD's as most users would have given up/swiftched to a dell (box pc's) or other pc.

but anyway, GL.

[Nawlins]

I don't know how to install the RAM, and paying someone to install it could easily cost $100.

[tazo]

Originally posted by Nawlins
I don't know how to install the RAM, and paying someone to install it could easily cost $100.

you take the ram, ok, and line it up with the slot. push the ram in all the way. then push the holder things into the sides of the ram :)

NOTE: Do not touch the contacts of the ram. only the sides.

[Mav451]

hmm one thing i learned about computers in general is that the only way to learn is YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES.

I broke my old PC's and it took a while to fix them, sure.

But now, i'm not afraid to go into my case and fiddle around with the heatsink/ram/videocard/hd's or whatever is causing my problem.

B/c of my own personal experience, i don't have to send it to a technician who will charge me 50 bucks for somethign i can ALREADY do in a few seconds of my own time.

Installing Ram is easy--line up the small gap in the middle with the arch found at the bottom of the ram dimms. Pretty straightforward. Push it down until both sides click down (the brackets will come down and lock onto the ram when its fully in place)

Btw, when you're at college, find some people who are experienced with computers--not only will computer headaches be easier to solve, but you will also be able to learn from them how to solve your own problems.

It is not good to get frustrated on a basic problem when an experienced computer user is right next door (benefits of living in dorms).

[therevolution]

Originally posted by Nawlins
I don't know how to install the RAM, and paying someone to install it could easily cost $100.

The documentation that will come with your computer gives you step-by-step instructions on installing RAM, with diagrams and everything. Installing RAM is meant to be easy enough to be done by the average Joe. Really, it's not very difficult.

If worst comes to worst, it won't cost $100 to install. At my work, we charge customers $25 to do that... just open the phone book and call some local computer repair shops. It really shouldn't come to that, however.

[solvs]

The 12" PBook would be a good choice. I'm hoping they release an upgraded model in the coming weeks with the ability to add more RAM. And yes, upgrading yourself can be harder, but it's much cheaper (and not that hard, even on a 'Book). You can always find someone to help. Just be sure to buy AppleCare.

And don't forget the student discount. The Apple Store I went to said to just bring in proof of the school I was going to and they'd deduct the discount at the register. So you could pick it up then and there.

Edu. discount pricing:

$1499 for the Combo 12" ($100 discount)
$143 for the 512 MB RAM upgrade
$47 for the 60 GB hd upgrade
$332 for Apple Care (or $262 from MacSolutions (http://www.macsolutions.com/homepage.html))

Good luck, and let us know how it went.

[jefhatfield]

Originally posted by Shadowfax
heh. try double clicking on my pictures folder--open it all in adobe photoshop, and then open the entire apps folder. 8 GB will get used at some point :D

i had a friend with 100s of showering college girls in a hidden camera website he belonged to, or hacked into, in some dorms open up on his windows machine at bootup and the thing needed tons of ram...i think he had a boring job and being all male programmers, they got away with such drivel at his workplace...his machine would always crash

the only thing i have when i bootup that is not regular with my pc is a somewhat large photo of a ship on my desktop and the booup time has increased 30 seconds because of it...i have my laptop maxed out at 160 MBs and i wish i had more ram for the machine

but for most normal computer users starting out at college, i think one gig of ram is more than enough