Going to Uni in Sep 2010 - Advice Please (MacBook Pro, External Monitor, etc)

[psychjoe]

Currently it's a first generation and if past events have taught me anything then it's best to wait for at least the second generation.



On the website it says that if I can't access the website form within the university network that I can ring them and get the discount. Also are you sure the Warranty is for 3 years for education students?

Ok - I wasn't sure if you'd get the full discount or not that way - but cool if they'll give it to you.

Regarding the three year warranty, yes I'm 100 per cent sure. It's not the university that provides the extended warranty because they (in the UK) do not supply the item, you have to go through the Apple Store (for the larger discount - they give a discount in store, but it's not as big, and without the longer warranty I think).

I'm currently using a macbook without apple care that was bought with an educational discount.

I don't have telephone support because I don't have apple care, but I still have a three year warranty - and I've confirmed this by entering my serial number on the Apple support page on their website - it shows just under two years of warranty left but no telephone support.

BTW - not sure how much research literature you'll have to read as a dentist (as in journal articles) - but you might want to consider investing in a piece of software called Papers - it's also on the iPad which is my sole reason for buying one.

 

[ma3574]

(for the larger discount - they give a discount in store, but it's not as big, and without the longer warranty I think).

Sorry I'm a little confused . Should I get the MacBook in store and ask for the uni pricing? If I go in store do I not get the longer warranty? How do I get the longer warranty. Just a little unsure sorry.

Edit: After re-reading it. I think your saying it's best to go through the online store and the in store options do provide a discount but not as big a discount and possibly without the extended warranty. Sorry was just confusing myself.

BTW - not sure how much research literature you'll have to read as a dentist (as in journal articles) - but you might want to consider investing in a piece of software called Papers - it's also on the iPad which is my sole reason for buying one.

Lots and lots of it. I'll have a look into Papers. The website looks very promising. I'll have to wait till I get the mac to try it out though. . I do however like the simplicity and the ability to sync with iPhone and iPad. Good find psychjoe.

 

[xparaparafreakx]

1. Want to buy the newly released MacBook Pro 13" . Is this good enough for a Dentistry student? (Low end/High end??) (Strengths/Weaknesses??)

Depends on their requirments. Should be okay with a quick ram upgrade

2. I wish to get a large external monitor (Non Apple - Student budget) for when I'm back in the dorms. I hear Dell do a good one with DisplayPort. Any recommendations?

A monitor for only the computer or ones for playstation 3, xbox, and cable tv? I got one for almost everything throw at me, They got new ones for $250 that include almost all the jacks plus cable/ant.

3. Do you have any advice on any software that would be good for a Dentistry student or software that is good for university students in general?

Check your school requirments. Im going to assume the regular: office and bootcamp/vmware windows.

4. I'm waiting on the 'Back to School' promotion. Anyone know when that will begin? (Free iPod Touch?)

End of May or June.

5. Any other hardware you recommend I take?

Flash drive, head phones, laser printer, external hard drive. Partition that external hard drive with two of your restore disk so you can just boot off your extneral incase you need to.

External hard drive partition:
10GB, restore disc 1
10GB, restore disc 2
50GB, ntfs-3g
etc, HFS+

Install ntfs-3g drivers for your mac. Never know when your going to run into a ntfs drive and need to write on it.

 

[xparaparafreakx]

Edit: After re-reading it. I think your saying it's best to go through the online store and the in store options do provide a discount but not as big a discount and possibly without the extended warranty. Sorry was just confusing myself.

I have no idea how it is in your bookstore but our uni bookstore sells the applecare for cheap. The discount is just as good as instore apple retail. $199 for macbook pro last time I checked. Amazon also has good prices on them.

 

[ma3574]

Should be okay with a quick ram upgrade

All new Macbook Pro's come with 4GB as standard. Is 4GB not enough? I feel it is ample but am not aware of memory usage of applications etc on a Mac.

A monitor for only the computer or ones for playstation 3, xbox, and cable tv? I got one for almost everything throw at me, They got new ones for $250 that include almost all the jacks plus cable/ant.

Purely for the MacBook. Don't want to get carried away with the 360 and I have a TV tuner which is Mac compatible so can use that.

Flash drive, head phones, laser printer, external hard drive. Partition that external hard drive with two of your restore disk so you can just boot off your extneral incase you need to.

External hard drive partition:
10GB, restore disc 1
10GB, restore disc 2
50GB, ntfs-3g
etc, HFS+

Install ntfs-3g drivers for your mac. Never know when your going to run into a ntfs drive and need to write on it.

Definitely doing that. Probably going to run into ntfs a lot with other windows machines etc. Thanks

I have no idea how it is in your bookstore but our uni bookstore sells the applecare for cheap. The discount is just as good as instore apple retail. $199 for macbook pro last time I checked. Amazon also has good prices on them.

I'll look into it. Thanks for the info.