[Nobody]

If he is intending on playing games (which Gorecraze never really commented on), I agree that an iBook paired with a cheap PC (or upgrading the one he has) may be the best way to go.

To me, the "go buy a console" argument doesn't work for a lot of gamers. Can you play CounterStrike on a LAN with a console? How about Empire Earth on the LAN with a console? Or maybe Age of Empires II? What about Diablo II or Warcraft III (when it comes out)? Then let's not forget all the MMPORPG's out there. Some of these titles may be out for a console, I don't really know because I don't own a console. I am in college, and these are the games that I find played most often in my dorm. Of course I am in the honors dorm, so the games tend to be more on the geeky side I suppose. images/icons/smile.gif

Buying a console only is a good choice if you play the type of games that can be played on a console. I'm not saying that those games are bad, but there are a lot of games that are only available for the PC and vice versa. If you plan on playing games, you need to look at what type of games you will be playing most often.

[ 05-02-2002: Message edited by: Beowulf75 ]

[Nobody]

All right, all right. You guys are right, there are many games that you can't play on a console that you can on a computer. I agree.

In fact, I have and play several of those games that you mentioned.

But my original point -- if you'll recall -- was far simpler than that. All I was saying is that someone aspiring to medical school probably shouldn't plan on spending a lot of time playing games.

At least not to the point where it is a deciding factor in which system to purchase for college.

I'll say it again -- you can't beat portability for college.

PC

[Nobody]

i'll have to admit that my major (history) is not as difficult as pre-med, lol. But in my experience at school games are a great way to meet people. but not to get TO off track from the original post i think that the ibook is ur best option. It has the iCinder two thumbs up images/icons/cool.gif

[Scott2]

Hate to spoil the party guys, but I suggest that the decision be based on specific circumstances rather than generalities. Let me explain:

1) laptops are fragile and the ibook is no exception. I gave my son a ibook for his hs graduation present last year (yes this is a father speaking) and already the power supply jack/port has been broken (Apple has redesigned it since), keys have popped off. etc. In my son's case he is quite trusting; the majority of the damage has been caused by siblings and friends.

From my own experience at home and work, desktops can take quite a beating, and keyboards and mice are easier to replace, whether coffee, beer or ashes be the cause.

2) Theft. Dorm rooms are a pain to keep locked up as is putting a Kensington on a portable. Example: an associate at work lost his key and number so ended up sawing the cable. His power point presentations are great, but I doubt the five finger discount fashion goes over well with the PDG.

Example No. 2: my son was mugged on the subway. They took his wallet and his telephone but he fought like hell to defend his ibook and external hd. He succeded, but only much later did I find out that he got his head bashed in in the process. It would have been covered by our insurance, but he did not report it to the cops.

3) His school bought those carts full of ibooks along with Maple, etc. last fall, so the only thing he really needs at school is his external hd to do his homework.

Conclusion: eventhough one might intrepret the above three points as eMac arguments, I believe the circumstances of each student to be quite unique, and the decision should be likewise.

Hope this helps and does not sound like preaching.

[Nobody]

Well, I have both a 7300 and a Powerbook 1400, which are (about) the same age, and these two computers have a similar performance relationship to the current emac and ibook- old/new processor, more/less RAM, bigger/brighter screen, bigger/faster HD. Well, I like the idea of being able to take my work where I go with the Powerbook, and I do it when I have to. But, after 5 years of use, the backlight on the passive LCD is really growing dim, the speaker's (yes, singular) is broken, the HD has errors, and it won't accept the CD ROM (but I've heard that's the OS problem). The 7300 and 15AV monitor is still going strong, has extra memory and a sharp screen. In addition, it can play MP3s without choking. My point is that if you are planning to use a low-mid end laptop for an extenced period, good luck. Sure, I can word process on it, get online, and play MP3s on it in a pinch, but the experience is far more enjoyable on the desktop. If you really need portability for word processing, and portable web access, might I suggest not spending much for it (used?)? Using the bulk of your money on a desktop would be wiser, in my opinion.

[Nobody]

I have had my ibook at school for a year. my school offers a tracking program so that if your computer gets stolen and is hooked to the lan they can pinpoint its position. Also, they etched a special serial number on the inside of the case so that it can be identified. I carry a cable lock around with me and i have never felt like my ibook was in danger of being stolen. If there is any worries about the safety of ur computer, call your future college and ask about their statistics on computer theft and what they do to prevent it.

[Nobody]

Get the E-Mac. It will be more than enough for what you wil need.
Jim

[Nobody]

Gorecraze,

Your original points for a laptop don't really hold up. I'm a college professor. How are you going to use an iBook to take notes? You need to draw diagrams in most science classes and it's better to use paper for notes. If you waste time on a laptop, you'll never make it into medical school. Computers are basically a waste of time. (To paraphrase Steve Wozniac on commenting how he wasted a lot of time with a computer while getting his degree at Berkeley).

I waste more time learning how to use my computer than completing my academic work. More productive academics stay away from them. Computers are a good way to procrastinate.

I've seen some students in my lectures use a notebook for taking notes, but I don't see how it is helpful. These students seem to spend more time looking at me, and then only putting a few lines on the computer. That isn't how one takes notes. You need to write down everything the professor says. The students using notebooks must have very poor and incomplete notes.

When I first heard of a laptop 15 years ago, I thought it would be cool to have a laptop to work on anywhere. I've had about eight in the past 15 years. I've never used them to write anything significant. (I've just neurotically carried them around based on the unfounded belief that I need a laptop to write a last minute journal article or grant proposal).

I basically felt the laptops were too heavy and I get tired of carrying a laptop around. (and yes, I have the lightest possible laptop Apple made, and it is still too heavy to carry around with my books and other stuff).

It doesn't matter which you buy, but I would save the money and buy the more high performing eMac. Better yet, get off the MHz craze and just use your current machine for word processing.

[Nobody]

Here's my $0.02:

I recommend to get an iBook. Here are my reasons and comments:

1) While it is true as PSNoss stated, they are absolutely useless to take notes in science classes because of the charts/drawings.... Furthermore, they can be a nuisance because to the clicking keyboard noise.

2) Portables worked well for me throughout grad, and med school. I used it to retype my notes, created overheads for presentations, eventually with the advances in presentation technology I used it with powerpoint to do class/research presentations, lectures (I taught for a coupla' years as well). The laptops I owned over the year were indispensible part of my education. They were great in group presentations, lab works. Prior to owning my first Laptop (Powerbook 100), I had to go home to do all my computer work, that meant a 25 min. commute each way.

3) Many if not most universities are wired extensively for student accessible LAN, for both intra and internet use. This means that you could be at the student lounge and still tapped into the Library research databases.

4) Now it is true that laptops don't "last" as long as desktops, this is simply because of the physical stress placed on them being so mobile in a backpack. To reduce this concern, spend money in getting a good (and big) backpack designed to carry a laptop. During my residency I carried my laptop and books around in a CaseLogic backpack that regularly weighed in at 25-30 lbs. The hard drives issue is not a real big deal since the $ of HD are so cheap now.

5) My actual recommendation is the fastest iBook you can buy, loaded with as much RAM as you can afford. You don't necessarily need the bigger screen of the 14" iBook. When you get up to that $ range you might as well get a Ti Book. I just switched out my old 366 iBook for a new 600 combodrive iBook. I highly recommend the 600 combodrive iBook.

[MacTodd]

In my honest opinion, go with the iBook.

I am currently enrolled at Ohio State. It's a huge campus, and at one point during the day, i have 2 classes on the other side of campus with 45 minutes in between them. Instead of walking back to my dorm, sitting for 15 minutes, and then leaving again, I pull my iBook out, sit in the middle of the Oval and surf the web using the campus' wireless connection or copy my notes down so i can make a nice outline to study for my finals. Very, Very cool.

I've had some hot chicks walk up to me too, asking me about my beautiful laptop and matching iPod.

As for the games situation, i honestly dont think you'll spend as much playing time with games as much as you think. Dorms are VERY communal, so if you are jonesin' to play counterstrike or something, just go to your friendly neighbors room and play on his PeeCee while he types his paper on your iBook.

BTW, i dont know about everyone else's campus, but a majority of the people here (when they arent getting trashed) are playing xbox or gamecube. i guess there's something about being able to talk trash with your competitor in the SAME ROOM. lol

I've used the G4's on campus, and yes, they are faster than my iBook, but i honestly CANNOT beat the portability. I'm on such a huge campus, i have to manage my time well. so portability is a HUGE factor. not gaming.

BTW, I'm a first year pre-med student, so i need all the support i can get.

[Nobody]

Laptop vs desktop is a tough question. I've had quite a bit of experience with both and would suggest the big issue is how important is portability to you. If you intend to use the machine at different locations go with the laptop. I would get Applecare with it as the failure rate of laptops is much higher than desktops (the difference in Applecare prices reflects this). You should also think about theft insurance and should watch the machine carefully.

Another issue with a laptop is battery life and cost. The current Li-ion batteries used in modern laptops are a vast improvement over the old nicads, but they are rates for 300 to 500 cycles. This means you will be looking at a new battery a few years down the road and they aren't cheap. If you are using the machine away from power a lot you will want to get a spare battery anyway.

If you are the type of person who likes one area to study I would go with the desktop. The lack of portability means it won't walk as easily, you get much more machine for the money and the probability of the machine having hardware problems is lower.

Assuming you will be running OS X, I strongly recommend a Mac with a G4 and all the RAM you can afford. I personally have a Ti laptop (which is in the shop now for a hardware failure) and strongly prefer its performance over that of an icebook in OS X. I also have a desktop mac and like its larger screen and power for the buck over the Ti ... if I'm at home I always use the Powermac over the Ti.

So my recommendation would be based on your need for portability. If it isn't important to you, stick with a desktop. If it is, you will be much happier with a laptop. Try an icebook vs a Ti and see which one is for you. the icebook is much easier to pack around, but the Ti is much better on OS X.

If you are intending any intense college career I would stay away from games. (my PhD is in particle physics and 100 hr weeks were the norm ... undergrad was at CalTech and I learned that spare time was meant for getting sunlight, exercise and contact with real people)

[Nobody]

Here's another opinion.

If you're going to be sharing a room with someone, get a notebook. Sooner or later you'll need to work on a paper and your roomate will be sleeping or partying or who knows...