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and I could see some problems and equations taking many pages and edits (screw ups) to complete in the higher echelons of mathematics.

You use LaTeX, it can handle this stuff, and is what the rest of the world uses for serious mathematics.
 
As opposed to spending $2-3 on a pen and a pad of paper, maybe $80 on a good calculator. Of course I only went through calculus, and I could see some problems and equations taking many pages and edits (screw ups) to complete in the higher echelons of mathematics. I just do not see the rational in requiring a Tablet computer when for the several hundred years students managed without, rather it should be strongly suggested with a thorough explanation.

I completely agree with this. I'm an Actuarial Science major going into my senior year right now. Not a whole lot of people know what an Actuary does, or what the major entails. But to make it brief, and LOT of higher level mathematics, finance, and economics. I can't understand why someone would rather do anything math related on a tablet/laptop, as opposed to the trusty old pencil/paper/nice calculator combo.

Doing things in Excel or Maple is a whole different matter however. But for notes and class exercises, I just don't see it. But to each his own.
 
I completely agree with this. I'm an Actuarial Science major going into my senior year right now. Not a whole lot of people know what an Actuary does, or what the major entails. But to make it brief, and LOT of higher level mathematics, finance, and economics. I can't understand why someone would rather do anything math related on a tablet/laptop, as opposed to the trusty old pencil/paper/nice calculator combo.

Doing things in Excel or Maple is a whole different matter however. But for notes and class exercises, I just don't see it. But to each his own.

An actuary? I'm actually looking into that. How do you like it? And are macs used there at all?
 
An actuary? I'm actually looking into that. How do you like it? And are macs used there at all?

I really do like it. In fact, I'm interning for one of the top 3 personal lines insurers in the US right now. It's great if you like lots of math and finance, and like to problem solve. The only thing that sucks about it is the exams, you have to put in a lot of time. I don't know how much you've looked into it or if you know about the exam structure, but you can look into that at http://www.beanactuary.com/ . But in the end I think it'll be worth it. Actuaries are very well compensated and there is tremendous room for advancement, and many different areas you can work in.

Macs could be used, a lot of the work is in excel, access, or propriety systems (windows based) depending on the firm you work for. My experience is that due to corporate security protocols, you don't really get to choose your computer. As far as the work you do in school, you don't really need a computer, just lots of paper and a few different calculators.

I do encourage you to look into it. For someone who was interested in computers, math, and finance, it's turned out to be a great fit!
 
Let's see:
- I can't wait to buy my first mac (15" mbp)
- $1500 is coming in the mail from Uncle Sam
- The back-to-school deal is supposed to be great
- I can get the education discount

Everything's perfect, eh?

One other problem - the economic stimulus check is only $600 a person or $1200 if married. OR I guess if you have kids under 17 then you get an extra $300 per kid.

But then good luck spending all that money on yourself without your wife or kids wanting a piece of it.;)

BTW: Amazon has a pretty good selection of "turnable" tablets for around a thousand.
 
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How much is it to rent one? I say get whatever you want. and rent their s***ty tablet, if you can afford it that is.
 
wait until after WWDC '08

mac tablet has been due for quite some time


*breaks out laughing inside*


but seriously, yeah, rent it from them and get yourself a kickass mac laptop
 
I really do like it (... )
I do encourage you to look into it. For someone who was interested in computers, math, and finance, it's turned out to be a great fit!
Thanks for the info! You wouldn't happen do be studying at ISU would you?
One other problem - the economic stimulus check is only $600 a person or $1200 if married. OR I guess if you have kids under 17 then you get an extra $300 per kid.

But then good luck spending all that money on yourself without your wife or kids wanting a piece of it.;)

BTW: Amazon has a pretty good selection of "turnable" tablets for around a thousand.

Wife and children. lol. This tablet is for high school. XD

How much is it to rent one? I say get whatever you want. and rent their s***ty tablet, if you can afford it that is.

I don't think they let you rent one if you're not on welfare.
 
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I know this is off-topic, but you should check t0 make sure you're getting $1500, if any money at all. Especially if this is for HS, as your parents are probably still claiming you. Which means no stimulus check...
 
I know this is off-topic, but you should check t0 make sure you're getting $1500, if any money at all. Especially if this is for HS, as your parents are probably still claiming you. Which means no stimulus check...
I've already talked to them about how we're spending it, so that's not an issue.
Nope, I go the University of Central Missouri. I do work with quite a few people that go to ISU though (assuming you mean Illinois).
It's just that one of the professors from ISU is the one that got me interested and according to him they have the largest actuarial program there, so I figured you could have been going there.
 
One of my best friends went (just graduated) from ISU and got an Actuarial Science degree and just took his 3rd exam (he started at ISU as a junior because of credits and it crazy smart, so he really only needed two years, but picked up an extra major in finance to hang around for two years on scholarship) and is now working for farmers.

I think he really likes it. It seemed to be a perfect fit for him. They do indeed have a great program there, i'd look into it after IMSA.

I had a few friends that went to IMSA... and a few that got accepted but decided to not go because of a variety of reasons (some prefered honors/AP classes in public school, but then again our district was the best in the state)

Either way, this was back in 1999/2000 when i was in HS, but it was before the tablet pc rule. This is sorta nuts.

Couldn't you get one of those handwriting recognition tablets to take notes on and just transfer them to your computer later or something? Bleh.

And yes, his parents are probably using the 1200 they get + the 300 they get for each dependent child = 1500 to spend.

Get the tablet refurb or second hand, use it just for class and pick up a macbook for the rest of your time there. Maybe after a bit of convincing you won't need the tablet after all. Do they care if you buy it through them? I'm sure some people might already have tablet pc who won't be buying one.

I say go refurb. Not like you need a lot of processor for one note - use the mac for everything else.

IMSA is a pain in the neck with their rules, it's like starting college early, but with less freedom and more neck pain.

Aside from just getting you parents to move to district 204 so you can go to a public school with an excellent program (ab and bc calc as well as an option to take calc 3 - for the last 4 years - good program), I have not much more advice then above.

Good luck dude :)
 
Couldn't you get one of those handwriting recognition tablets to take notes on and just transfer them to your computer later or something? Bleh.
Do you mean like a stand alone PDA kind of thing or like a Wacom tablet? They've already said no to the latter.
And yes, his parents are probably using the 1200 they get + the 300 they get for each dependent child = 1500 to spend.
Bingo
Do they care if you buy it through them? I'm sure some people might already have tablet pc who won't be buying one.
They "strongly recommend it." Pretty much they install all the required software (Office, One Note, Norton, etc), and give you a decent accident protection plan with repairs done on-site, since they already have spare parts and whatnot.
I say go refurb. Not like you need a lot of processor for one note - use the mac for everything else.
Now if only I could find a good refurb from a respectable vendor...
IMSA is a pain in the neck with their rules (...) but with less freedom and more neck pain.
Oh noes! Could you elaborate on that? Do I even want to know??
Good luck dude :)
Thanks. It sounds like I'll need a lot of it.
 
I meant something like this:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/29/aipteks-mynote-for-tablet-pc-lovers-on-a-budget/

and perhaps get a program like this to transfer your notes over to one-note (if they realllly want you to use it) on your mac (running windows too) later.

http://www.blueeuclid.com/

There are plenty of different ones to look into as well, some with support for one note already.

G-Note 7100, http://www.jr.com/adesso/pe/AEO_CYBERPADA4/, http://www.finalsense.com/news/it/notebook_pocketpc/d_note.htm,
look around at reviews and such. It seems aiptek or adesso is the way to go but who knows.


Those pen and paper tablets have better battery life and are lighter then hoisting a computer around, can be expanded with an SD card AND They can also function as rudimentary graphics tablets when you aren't using them for notes... and only run about 150.

You could get a nice macbook plus one of those and some software and probably stay near the same price as that stupid 1600+ tablet PC. And still be takin notes long after your friends computer's batteries have died.

Edit: or maybe even something like this http://www.nexconcepts.com/products/mobile_notetaker/

They are all compatible with one note for the most part and I think are a completely viable solution that I'd try. It's not like they will kick you out if you have a different way of doing things and can still run their programs. :)

besides, this way you get paper copies of your notes too, it's always good to have backups! :)
 
I never even knew that kind of device existed. Thanks for the info! Anyhow, I emailed the CIO regarding the Adesso model, since it's the closest to their original requirements. Hopefully they'll like it, but I'm still pretty much screwed with the Intel delay and the new 'books, considering that the tablets have to bought and delivered by August 1st (I believe they "check them in" then).
 
The current books are great though. Plenty for your needs, and hey, if you like the new designs you can use your current one until a rev b comes out of anything new and upgrade in a year or so for just a few hundred (apples hold their value pretty well) if you get some holiday/birthday money or make some from a job next summer or something... and while everyone else is stuck wth their crappy tablets - you can have a pen/paper/lighter solution and be getting new hardware down the line if you deem it neccessary - and then you can laugh.

But either way, the current macbook line is great - you'll love it for sure.

Hey - if i am succesful with the macbook tablet mod i'm about to embark on, i'll let you know :)
 
Hehe good luck with that. How are you planning on converting the screen hinge?
 
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