someone

How did you use your iBook/PowerBook in university or did you find that a mac mini/eMac/iMac would have served you better?

skinnyman

I bought my laptop just before heading off to university thinking that I would use it to take notes in lecture. I never brought it in once. For me, there's really no replacement for a pen and some paper . Especially in the science and math courses, or any course where there are a lot of diagrams and stuff.

Will you be living on campus or really close to it? If you are, a desktop might suit you just fine. If not, a laptop might come in handy if you find yourself stuck on campus in between classes and want to get some work done. Though universities will also have hundreds and hundreds of computers (most likely with windows ) available for your use, though you may have to wait in line to use one.

I still have my laptop, but really, a mini would probably suit me better . For you, just ask yourself whether you need the portability or not.

jonmon

if you commute i would get a laptop

i saved so much time for working on assignments by not waiting in lines for public computers

mac_geek

Laptop all the way. You won't use if for notes in class.. but you may use it for working in groups, or hanging out at the local coffee bar.

And.. you can always lock it away (or take it with you).. keeping it from the grubby hands of potential room mates.

someone

Since I got a good deal on a 14in iBook, it makes little different whether I go with a mini or an iBook (~$100 difference). I got the iBook for the student union deal on top of the discounted price.

For me, the only time I would need the portability is during a presentation (I think you need your own computer for PPT presentations) or for researching in the library. I might need the portability more next year when I live off campus. Laptops are also good for avoiding file synchornizations between university account and home computer. However, I now feel that the security concern that comes with any portable computers outweights the benefits. I don't feel very safe using the iBook on the TTC subway.

Now, are library computers usually busy and lined up with students? Do they tend to be heavily locked down/infected with spyware?

someone

Fortuantely, all of the doors in my residence automatically lock when closed...

someone

I agree... Laptops are not so good when it comes to dealing with equations. I also believe that make point form notes/highlights on lecture handouts work better than typing the notes out on a laptop.

NewGuy

It might be part of the demographic, but laptops were out in full force in my MBA classes. One person had a Mac (not me as I'm a recent switcher) and that person did just fine with the exception of a stats plug-in for Excel.

Elias26

I use my PowerMac for school... Man nobody asks about us PowerMac users. PowerMacs are part of the Mac family too!

There is absolutely no love for the PowerMac on these forums. Always freaking iBook, PowerBook, Mac Mini, eMac, or iMac, but never the PowerMac.

Maybe it's jealousy I don't know but I hate the ignorance on this forum! Hmph!

We PowerMac users have feelings too! Infact I got my PM primarily for what I was taking in school. Webpage design and Maya (3D animation).

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Raj69er

i bought a 15inch powerbook just before i went to university through the cram and jam deal and im glad i did! I took my laptop to take notes to all applicable classes (doesn't work well for calculus or economics).

I would go laptop if you aren't paranoid about theft, and if you aren't commuting by car because otherwise things can become difficult. Also my university's (Guelph U) library is wireless so its way more convienant to have your own laptop than have to wait in line for one of the desktops or rent one of the laptops. The laptop rental late fees are ridiculous!!!

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