Technology A Nerd's Dilemma: Doomed to Windows?

[el poblano]

I'm a huge nerd. Ok, now that that's out, heres my question:
I was accepted for the comming year into my choice of schools cool. I've been busy getting everything ready. However I just heard something that made my heart drop- my school requires either a mac or windows computer!
While I love mac and used to have a MBP, it broke a while back and I've been running Linux for years now (currently Ubuntu 11.10 + Gnome3 Shell). I would gladly buy a Mac- if I had the money. But I don't. Heres the thing.. I HATE Windows. Literally. Its buggy, slow, and insecure. I fear I don't have a choice! Does anybody know if its possible to keep Linux in school? I'd hate to pay 175 for Windows if I didn't have to.

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[Stumpyman]

/firstworldproblems

 

[aSagacious]

Install dual boot software on your machine. Use Linux whatever for home and Windows 7 x64 for school.

Alternatively, I almost guarantee that you could get by with Linux alone since all you'll probably need is a browser, Office, and a PDF reader.

 

[dmf2682]

No one will give a damn. Just get an emulator for what programs you need. Linux will be fine.

 

[deleted450549]

You can afford a Mac.

Yes, you will use the money from student loans. Yes, it will cost more over the long run why compared to paying cash for it.

However, a computer is something that you will use every single day. It is not a luxury, it is a tool that you will utilize in your education. File it under the same categories as "food, rent, and utilities."

In the end, an extra $1100 will be adopt in the bucket.

Be frugal in that which it is reasonable to be frugal.

 

[tantacles]

Is it weird that this thread makes me hot? Should I see a doctor or is this just nerdphilia?

 

[percy]

Is it weird that this thread makes me hot? Should I see a doctor or is this just nerdphilia?

I was honestly just about to post, "Closest thing to porn I've seen all day--aside from all the porn."

 

[dmf2682]

Is it weird that this thread makes me hot? Should I see a doctor or is this just nerdphilia?

Yes no yes

 

[tantacles]

Yes no yes

Back to the cupes for me!

 

[kami333]

WINE + dual boot when absolutely necessary

Also MS offers Win 7 Pro upgrades for $65 for students.

 

[ppfizenm]

You can afford a Mac.

Yes, you will use the money from student loans. Yes, it will cost more over the long run why compared to paying cash for it.

However, a computer is something that you will use every single day. It is not a luxury, it is a tool that you will utilize in your education. File it under the same categories as "food, rent, and utilities."

In the end, an extra $1100 will be adopt in the bucket.

Be frugal in that which it is reasonable to be frugal.

multiply that by two or three because when your Mac "suddenly stops working" and can't be fixed you will need to buy a new one.

 

[Bro Dude]

/firstworldproblems

^THIS x 47,000

Took the words right out of my mouth, dude!

 

[TXKnight]

I'm a huge nerd. Ok, now that that's out, heres my question:
I was accepted for the comming year into my choice of schools cool. I've been busy getting everything ready. However I just heard something that made my heart drop- my school requires either a mac or windows computer!
While I love mac and used to have a MBP, it broke a while back and I've been running Linux for years now (currently Ubunto 11.10 + Gnome3 Shell). I would gladly buy a Mac- if I had the money. But I don't. Heres the thing.. I HATE Windows. Literally. Its buggy, slow, and insecure. I fear I don't have a choice! Does anybody know if its possible to keep Linux in school? I'd hate to pay 175 for Windows if I didn't have to.

Seriously dude?...ther are many many ways to go around that.....
wine
dual-boot
virtual box
black XP...
I mean..give it some thought

 

[deleted450549]

multiply that by two or three because when your Mac "suddenly stops working" and can't be fixed you will need to buy a new one.

A fallacy! An objectionable prevarication! A pernicious rumor whose foundations are built upon shifting sands. The Macintosh Corporation constructs personal computing devices which are steadfast, dependable, and enchanting. From a strictly comparative analysis, Macintosh devices are relatively impervious to transgression.

This aggression shall not stand!

 

[mauberley]

When was the last time you ran Windows? Win7 isn't terrible.

Anyway, we can't tell you if you can get by with Linux. You would have to find out from your school what, exactly, makes them require a Mac or Windows computer. If it's just because that's what their IT department will provide tech support for, then you're fine. If it's because there are certain applications you're required to run, then you might have problems -- but if you can't figure out ways around it (such as the solutions mentioned by others in this thread), then I question just how much of a nerd you are.

 

[phnerd1105]

When was the last time you ran Windows? Win7 isn't terrible.

Anyway, we can't tell you if you can get by with Linux. You would have to find out from your school what, exactly, makes them require a Mac or Windows computer. If it's just because that's what their IT department will provide tech support for, then you're fine. If it's because there are certain applications you're required to run, then you might have problems -- but if you can't figure out ways around it (such as the solutions mentioned by others in this thread), then I question just how much of a nerd you are.

I was just questioning this myself.

 

[ppfizenm]

A fallacy! An objectionable prevarication! A pernicious rumor whose foundations are built upon shifting sands. The Macintosh Corporation constructs personal computing devices which are steadfast, dependable, and enchanting. From a strictly comparative analysis, Macintosh devices are relatively impervious to transgression.

This aggression shall not stand!

Are you screwing your mac or using it as a computer?

 

[tantacles]

Are you screwing your mac or using it as a computer?

Can't it be both?

 

[deleted450549]

Are you screwing your mac or using it as a computer?

Ah, vulgarity! The true mark of an uncivilized gentleman. Though I have often attempted to "screw" my Macintosh device, I found the 3.5mm girth of the headphone jack to be wholly unaccomidating.

 

[ppfizenm]

Ah, vulgarity! The true mark of an uncivilized gentleman. Though I have often attempted to "screw" my Macintosh device, I found the 3.5mm girth of the headphone jack to be wholly unaccomidating.

Can't feel the sides or couldn't get used to the electric shock?

 

[deleted450549]

Can't feel the sides or couldn't get used to the electric shock?

Nay! I possess of myself a diameter significantly greater than 3.5mm. Though, my refined sensibilities preclude me from further discussion of such a boorish nature.

Perhaps you have gone astray in your conversion from the Metric?

 

[el poblano]

Seriously dude?...ther are many many ways to go around that.....
wine
dual-boot
virtual box
black XP...
I mean..give it some thought

All possible solutions, but
-While wine is an excellent resource one would be foolish to assume that all programs will work flawlessly, especially if it is custom software.
-Trying to avoid the +$100 for MS
-Same...
-Honestly I've been a sucker for copy write law.. I would feel bad.

The worry was compounded when a friend who goes to a Texas school told me the IT there installed software themselves on his machine for school.
Honestly, if it comes right down to it I could shell out the cash for MS, I just don't want to- poor remember?

 

[aSagacious]

Many schools have on-campus computer stores with deeply discounted (and often free) software, including operating systems. At the 2 colleges where I went to school I got a free version of Windows from each.

 

[ppfizenm]

Nay! I possess of myself a diameter significantly greater than 3.5mm. Though, my refined sensibilities preclude me from further discussion of such a boorish nature.

Perhaps you have gone astray in your conversion from the Metric?

Curiosity compels me to inquire what classical work of fiction you are currently reading?

 

[jf1987]

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRsPheErBj8[/YOUTUBE]

 

[lalalaaaaaa]

/firstworldproblems

 

[aSagacious]

Also...moving to the tech forum.

 

[deleted450549]

Curiosity compels me to inquire what classical work of fiction you are currently reading?

Ah, the classics! Now we are engaged in a dialogue worthy of continuation. I am not currently immersed in a novel, and yet it would be quite formidable to attempt a listing of favorite volumes. But alas, allow me to cast timidity aside and venture to say that Shelley's Frankenstein is perennially amongst my most treasured possessions.

 

[Stroganoff]

I'm a huge nerd. Ok, now that that's out, heres my question:
I was accepted for the comming year into my choice of schools cool. I've been busy getting everything ready. However I just heard something that made my heart drop- my school requires either a mac or windows computer!
While I love mac and used to have a MBP, it broke a while back and I've been running Linux for years now (currently Ubuntu 11.10 + Gnome3 Shell). I would gladly buy a Mac- if I had the money. But I don't. Heres the thing.. I HATE Windows. Literally. Its buggy, slow, and insecure. I fear I don't have a choice! Does anybody know if its possible to keep Linux in school? I'd hate to pay 175 for Windows if I didn't have to.

OP, I've always wondered: Do schools who have these policies come to your place (without a search warrant), ask to come in and check that you have the right computer?

Seriously, I think if you're self-sufficient as far as computing goes and can open Word, PDF, and PowerPoint, and maybe some audio and video formats, isn't that all that matters?

It's bull**** to expect a school's IT department to spoon feed the students.
-----------

On a side not, it's the schools (I've noticed that some undergrads used to provide laptops) that require you to buy THEIR laptop that really tick me off. I'd have a field day chewing people out on that one.
-----------
If you are self-sufficient, I don't see the relevance to what OS platform you are running in your personal life. It's not like they make you physically join their domain and LAN, right?

 

[Groove]

Can you more than likely get through med school with a linux computer? Yes.

Do I recommend it? No.

Solution? Use your loan money, as someone said. Get a refurbished Mac from the apple store or a used one off ebay. You can still hack with some unix tools within OSX.

The LAST thing you possibly need is running into some sort of technical problem or inability to utilize some resource during med school. Yes, there may be some "workarounds" for certain problems you encounter, but dude.... that's going to be an hour that's lost that should have been spent studying. You are going to be so overwhelmed and brain fried that the LAST thing you need to be thinking about is solving this week's technical challenge to accessing campus resources with your Linux box.

You get behind more than a few days in med school and you're toast. You never catch back up again. You're going to be spending HOURS studying each day. Don't screw yourself by not investing in your education properly. As much as you might know better than the IT guys at your school, just do what they recommend.... and get a new computer. Loans, beg grandma, sell blood and semen... whatever.

 

[Stroganoff]

Loans, beg grandma, sell blood and semen... whatever.

Bonus points if done in the same sample.

 

[kami333]

MS is offering Windows 7 Pro upgrades for $30 again.

link

 

[Stroganoff]

MS is offering Windows 7 Pro upgrades for $30 again.

link

Link's broken. It was working earlier today though.

 

[Belmonter]

In any case we can not say if you can get with Linux. You'll find out exactly what your school, she needs a Mac or Windows. If only because that is what their IT department will provide technical support, then you're good. If it is because we have a few applications running, you will have problems - but if you're so familiar with (like the other solutions in this thread), so I want to know how many parts of six nerd.