When I started at MIT, I knew I needed a computer. I decided I should get a desktop, because I was afraid of losing a laptop (because I'm careless like that sometimes). Anyway, now, I kinda wish I had a laptop. They just seem so convenient. Plus, it's something I can play with (er, I mean, work with) on my commute, or if I want to work somewhere else (which often times is the case). I've noticed the hardest place for me to get work done is in my room . So, I want to get a laptop. But I have no idea what I want. I mean, I have basic wants/need in terms of specs and such. I figure I want
- relatively cheap (i.e. not much more than $1000
- light enough to carry around campus and such
- wireless
- Decent sized hard drive (30GB is fine, I can still use my desktop
- wireless
Yeah, I know, theres not a lot to that list. And I kinda think I want to try an Apple computer, but I've got a Dell desktop. I've been looking at all sorts of websites, but I think it's confusing me more than anything. I do know that MIT has recomended specs and discounts on certain computers, and a lot more at their Hardware website.
I guess I'm just a very indecisive person, and any advice is welcomed. As for advice I can give to you about computers for school: get what you want, but be aware of MIT recommendations. You need to be able to connect to the MIT ethernet, so either have a way to plug it in or connect to their wireless. Laptops are crappy for watching movies, unless you're traveling, then it's okay. But, if you want to watch a DVD, most dorms have decent TVs and DVD players (though VCRs are getting rarer and rarers). In fact, Next House has a fantastic big screen TV, DVD player, and Surround Sound for our main lounge. It's pretty nice. but there are TVs and DVD players in all our lounges (though you can definitley take over the lounge and study in there, on your laptop, with your wireless!!) I like having a desktop because I can watch stuff on there when I want to be in my room, withough having to deal with weird angles that cause the screen to look weird, like with laptops. But I definitley want a laptop now, because, well, I've wanted one for a while. Lots of times, people want to meet somewhere, on campus or wherever, and if a computer would make things easier, people will have their laptops. Although you can definitley work in an Athena Cluster, but there are a lot of things that are just easier on your own computer. Wow. Well, I've kinda started to just ramble incoherently. If you have any suggestions, or questions, let me know.
Thanks for reading!
-Stephanie