Do you want a desktop or Laptop?
I'd look at the iBook and the Mac Mini.
This is so nice. Having everyone together for my birthday. Of course, you could smash in all my toes with a hammer and it will still be the bestest Buffy Birthday Bash in a big long while.
Buffy ,'Potential'
Buffistechnology 2: You Made Her So She Growls?
Got a question about technology? Ask it here. Discussion of hardware, software, TiVos, multi-region DVDs, Windows, Macs, LINUX, hand-helds, iPods, anything tech related. Better than any helpdesk!
NoiseDesign - Aug 16, 2005 3:52:49 pm PDT #4042 of 10003
Our wings are not tired
Steph L. - Aug 16, 2005 4:03:04 pm PDT #4043 of 10003
I look more rad than Lutheranism
I was going to recommend a Mac also, but I'm biased as hell towards them. You can get a student discount on them, I know that. And if you're willing to buy a refurbished one -- and the refurbished ones come with a warranty, as well as the option to buy AppleCare for them -- the prices are pretty decent.
But -- oh! -- on the student discount with Apple -- you can get a free damn iPod depending on which computer you buy! No fair! (No fair to me, that is, since I got nothing free when I bought my iBook, which I still love with an unholy passion that rivals my love for my car.)
If it's a desktop you're looking for, we got a Mini at the office recently, and it kicks all kinds of ass. And it's $499. (That's w/o a monitor, keyboard, or mouse -- all of which you may already have, and if they're USB, you're set.)
Kate P. - Aug 16, 2005 4:10:18 pm PDT #4044 of 10003
That's the pain / That cuts a straight line down through the heart / We call it love
I'm pretty sure I want a laptop. (Whoops, I thought I mentioned that in the original post.)
Free iPod?? Uh, fuck yeah!
Edit: also, thanks for the advice. Steph, where would I go looking for a refurbished Mac?
NoiseDesign - Aug 16, 2005 4:21:13 pm PDT #4045 of 10003
Our wings are not tired
You can get the refurbs directly from the online Apple Store. On the right side of the page near the bottom is an option for special deals.
Kristen - Aug 16, 2005 4:21:58 pm PDT #4046 of 10003
Kate P. - Aug 16, 2005 4:23:57 pm PDT #4047 of 10003
That's the pain / That cuts a straight line down through the heart / We call it love
Thanks, ND. Ooh, I am DROOLING over the prospect of getting an iBook. But, okay, this may be a dumb question: I expect to be emailing documents (both Word and Excel, or their Mac equivalents) to people (professors, clients, whoever), many of whom will probably have PCs. Is that going to be a problem at all?
Kristen - Aug 16, 2005 4:34:58 pm PDT #4048 of 10003
Kate, I switch back and forth between pcs and macs on a daily basis and haven't had any problems.
DCJensen - Aug 16, 2005 5:13:25 pm PDT #4049 of 10003
All is well that ends in pizza.
Word and Excel are available on both Macs and PCs.
Also? you can get NeoOffice/J for free and have Word and Excel compatible documents. [link]
In most things, Macs do Windows connectivity better than vice-versa.
Oh, and budget to buy more RAM. We can help you find more after the fact, too. Unless there is an extrordinary special, aftermarket is always cheaper.
Jessica - Aug 16, 2005 5:35:59 pm PDT #4050 of 10003
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
Kate, we were able to get the academic version of MS Office for Mac with DH's computer without either of us being in any way students or professors, and it's much much cheaper than the full version.
Steph L. - Aug 16, 2005 6:15:35 pm PDT #4051 of 10003
I look more rad than Lutheranism
Oh, and budget to buy more RAM. We can help you find more after the fact, too. Unless there is an extrordinary special, aftermarket is always cheaper.
Oh HELL yes. If you go the Mac route, DO NOT -- let me repeat that -- DO NOT buy memory from Apple when you order your computer, b/c it is WAY overpriced. And if you get a laptop, memory is wicked easy to install yourself.