laptop use as a Med Student

[tenndoc]

hey guys, quick question for the med students/people who know...

how often do you use laptops in your studies? what type do you recommend? what type do you have?

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[FrkyBgStok]

probably a lot! DMU gives all of their students a laptop. the kind is based on personal preference.

 

[Iliketoytles]

Like Stok said, DMU gives students laptops (yay). I'm pretty Windows savvy, but I love Mac and am hoping that I can use my macbook for most of my work.

 

[rrt]

Like Stok said, DMU gives students laptops (yay). I'm pretty Windows savvy, but I love Mac and am hoping that I can use my macbook for most of my work.

Darn, I was starting to like you. I hate OSX. So slow and restricting. I have a macbook pro, and I feel it is the worst investement we have ever ever made. Samsungs new max looking laptop is nice, but I am all for strong and fast computers.

The only thing apple I will buy will be the ipad version X when I am ready to apply.

PS, just pulling your leg on the mac thing. I still like you!

RRT

 

[cliquesh]

Darn, I was starting to like you. I hate OSX. So slow and restricting. I have a macbook pro, and I feel it is the worst investement we have ever ever made. Samsungs new max looking laptop is nice, but I am all for strong and fast computers.

The only thing apple I will buy will be the ipad version X when I am ready to apply.

PS, just pulling your leg on the mac thing. I still like you!

RRT

I recently installed windows 7 64bit on my Macbook pro. It runs smoothly and games like BF3 and Skyrim look great.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Darn, I was starting to like you. I hate OSX. So slow and restricting. I have a macbook pro, and I feel it is the worst investement we have ever ever made. Samsungs new max looking laptop is nice, but I am all for strong and fast computers.

The only thing apple I will buy will be the ipad version X when I am ready to apply.

PS, just pulling your leg on the mac thing. I still like you!

RRT

really? my ipad2 has me almost wishing i was a mac guy. I have never had a mac, but the ipad2 is that awesome to me that I thought it may be worth it. thanks for the opinion.

 

[jinobi]

Like Stok said, DMU gives students laptops (yay).

Remember that they're not "giving" you a laptop...you're still paying for it with tuition money, but at least you have good feelings about it instead.

Lenovos are dependable if you roll with Windows 7. Having tablet functionality (i.e. X220T) is pretty useful.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Remember that they're not "giving" you a laptop...you're still paying for it with tuition money, but at least you have good feelings about it instead.

Lenovos are dependable if you roll with Windows 7. Having tablet functionality (i.e. X220T) is pretty useful.

and from what I understand, they are loaning it to you. it is still DMU's property as they can ask for it back at the end of 4 years. They never do and apparently never will, but i suppose it is supposed to keep you from looking at porn on it or something.

 

[DrWily]

and from what I understand, they are loaning it to you. it is still DMU's property as they can ask for it back at the end of 4 years. They never do and apparently never will, but i suppose it is supposed to keep you from looking at porn on it or something.

This is why I'm bringing my own computer.




I kid. Don't hate me.

 

[dntke1518]

This is why I'm bringing my own computer.




I kid. Don't hate me.

Ha if anyone hates you I will call them erroneous for thinking so.

I used my acceptance as an excuse to buy a new Macbook Pro, and I love it so far.

 

[tenndoc]

just curious/starting a conversation not about acceptances or interviews.

i know KYCOM "gives" us an Ipad 2 when we enroll

 

[Mbeas]

I used my acceptance as an excuse to buy a new Macbook Pro, and I love it so far.

Same here...got the i7 processor which is WAY more than I need, but it was only $100 more than the i5.

Guess it's a KCOM thing or something... (which, btw, I asked a student during my interview and they said the school is very mac friendly, but I think we have to get windows installed)

 

[Mbeas]

I kid. Don't hate me.

Liar

 

[Iliketoytles]

and from what I understand, they are loaning it to you. it is still DMU's property as they can ask for it back at the end of 4 years. They never do and apparently never will, but i suppose it is supposed to keep you from looking at porn on it or something.

Really? I read a few places on here that you get to keep the iPod touch and laptop. I don't see why they'd need the laptops back anyway.

I did read that students had the option of giving back their laptop, or buying it from DMU after the fourth year for $1. Who knows.

 

[flight24]

Remember that they're not "giving" you a laptop...you're still paying for it with tuition money, but at least you have good feelings about it instead.

Lenovos are dependable if you roll with Windows 7. Having tablet functionality (i.e. X220T) is pretty useful.

Worst.Customer.Service.Ever

 

[ManBroDude]

I love how this thread devolved to "I'm a PC" and "I'm a Mac" circleherk

 

[Mbeas]

I love how this thread devolved to "I'm a PC" and "I'm a Mac" circleherk

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7z5eTynd-c&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nFAAnDnBfQ&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

 

[rrt]

The thing is, the computer Apple makes are intel based now. As far as how fast an apple is out of the box, not very fast. The very fastest macbook pro (I mean the most expensive they make) doesn't even compare to a middle of the road gaming laptop from MSI, Toshiba, Dell, Asus, or Sager.

The only thing my macbook pro is good for is eye candy. My Sager is where it is at.

BTW, for those that love OSX but find that they need windows, usually you don't need windows, you just need microsoft office. They make a version of Microsoft Office for OSX (Ironic to the 10th power). I downloaded a **Cough cough** torrent of it and it allowed me to finish my fall semester without having to use my heavier gaming laptop.

If you are going to run Win 7 64 bit on a macbook pro, you would be better off buying Samsungs new computer. It has the same form factor as a Mac, but much faster and more future proof for less money.

http://www.samsung.com/us/article/series-7-notebook-style-speed-and-power

PS, bestbuy has a version without bluetooth, and backlit keyboard for only $899.

RRT

 

[Iliketoytles]

The thing is, the computer Apple makes are intel based now. As far as how fast an apple is out of the box, not very fast. The very fastest macbook pro (I mean the most expensive they make) doesn't even compare to a middle of the road gaming laptop from MSI, Toshiba, Dell, Asus, or Sager.

The only thing my macbook pro is good for is eye candy. My Sager is where it is at.

BTW, for those that love OSX but find that they need windows, usually you don't need windows, you just need microsoft office. They make a version of Microsoft Office for OSX (Ironic to the 10th power). I downloaded a **Cough cough** torrent of it and it allowed me to finish my fall semester without having to use my heavier gaming laptop.

If you are going to run Win 7 64 bit on a macbook pro, you would be better off buying Samsungs new computer. It has the same form factor as a Mac, but much faster and more future proof for less money.

http://www.samsung.com/us/article/series-7-notebook-style-speed-and-power

PS, bestbuy has a version without bluetooth, and backlit keyboard for only $899.

RRT

I also *coughtorrentedcough* microsoft office for mac. Works well.

I grew up with windows and only recently switched to Mac about a year ago. I even loaded Mac on my previously windows PC. The reason I like it other than it's visual appearance and user-friendliness is because the likelihood of file corruptions and random crashes are almost non-existent. Viruses, although able to lie latent in Mac, aren't nearly as much of a threat as in Windows... so diagnosing problems in Mac becomes a lot easier as well.

Unfortunately windows still supports a lot more games/applications/software.

 

[seap3]

Really? I read a few places on here that you get to keep the iPod touch and laptop. I don't see why they'd need the laptops back anyway.

I did read that students had the option of giving back their laptop, or buying it from DMU after the fourth year for $1. Who knows.

They have been letting the DO students keep them without any payment. It seems like they want to keep their options open though, because at our laptop pickup they made sure to emphasize that they are still DMU property and that although they have been letting students keep them, that could change.

One nice thing though is they do all the support so we don't have to waste out time and swear a lot if our hard drive crashes or we get some nasty virus. A friends hard drive crashed recently, and she had it back within a few hours.

To the OP: I think it depends on the school. I use my computer a lot, but I still prefer to study and take notes on real paper. So if I was at a school that gave you the note packets, I wouldn't need a laptop as much.

 

[dntke1518]

Same here...got the i7 processor which is WAY more than I need, but it was only $100 more than the i5.

Guess it's a KCOM thing or something... (which, btw, I asked a student during my interview and they said the school is very mac friendly, but I think we have to get windows installed)

Windows installed?! Booooo

 

[hokie13]

Wait... so they let you choose what kind you want?! Awesome!!!!! What if you already have a laptop? Will they still have you buy one, or can you save some money and opt out of it?

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

If your laptop meets the requirements, they usually don't care, unless you're going to SOMA (maybe KCOM too?) and you HAVE to have one of THEIR computers they pick out.... I think most other places just say it needs to have X, Y, Z components and whatnot... So check with the school... Also some places aren't mac friendly, but... either way...

Also about Lenovo... how much of your money did you want to give to China? They're OWNED by the Chinese government, right there-done deal, won't ever buy one... I'll stick my money somewhere that at least employes US citizens... Dell or Gateway... and of those, I will buy a dell... I have 3 refurbs and they've always been fine... I also have an old macbook, and it's ok. It's portable, it works decently, but it's too old to use for school...

 

[jinobi]

Also about Lenovo... how much of your money did you want to give to China? They're OWNED by the Chinese government, right there-done deal, won't ever buy one... I'll stick my money somewhere that at least employes US citizens... Dell or Gateway... and of those, I will buy a dell... I have 3 refurbs and they've always been fine... I also have an old macbook, and it's ok. It's portable, it works decently, but it's too old to use for school...

C'mon now, think about how much of our material is made in China. Lenovo definitely employs U.S. citizens if that's what you're all concerned about...and most major manufactures have moved their operations overseas to Asia and Mexico.

Pick whatever computer you want (Apple, Dell, Gateway, Lenovo), just as long as you like using it. I know my Lenovos have lasted me for quite a while, and their keyboards are second-to-none.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

C'mon now, think about how much of our material is made in China. Lenovo definitely employs U.S. citizens if that's what you're all concerned about...and most major manufactures have moved their operations overseas to Asia and Mexico.

Pick whatever computer you want (Apple, Dell, Gateway, Lenovo), just as long as you like using it. I know my Lenovos have lasted me for quite a while, and their keyboards are second-to-none.

Yep they might employ a few, but by and large the profits go to China. Dell is HQ'd in Texas. I'd much prefer to give more of my dollar to the US. Part of the reason our economy is in the tank is because we just keep sending money to China. So, if I can keep more of my money in the US, I will...

 

[Mbeas]

If your laptop meets the requirements, they usually don't care, unless you're going to SOMA (maybe KCOM too?) and you HAVE to have one of THEIR computers they pick out....

You can have whatever computer you want at KCOM...what's SOMA's deal?

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

 

[Juice9]

Yep they might employ a few, but by and large the profits go to China. Dell is HQ'd in Texas. I'd much prefer to give more of my dollar to the US. Part of the reason our economy is in the tank is because we just keep sending money to China. So, if I can keep more of my money in the US, I will...

It seems Dell is employing fewer americans now as well....

"Assembly of desktop computers for the North American market formerly took place at Dell plants in Austin, Texas (original location) and Lebanon, Tennessee (opened in 1999). Dell's plant in Austin was shut down in 2008. It closed its desktop manufacturing in Lebanon in early 2009. The plant in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (opened in 2005) is scheduled to cease operations in November 2010,[49]. It is expected that most of the work carried out in North Carolina will be transferred to contract manufacturers in Asia and Mexico, though Dell said some of the work will move to its own factories overseas."

At least Intel is based out of Oregon, Dell and Lenovo both use Intel components, so some money is indirectly coming back to the US

 

[DrWily]

One day, we decides those Chinese sons of a bitches are going down.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCpjgl2baLs[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

DrWily- Ok, THAT is SUPER funny... Love it... Idk who the guy is, but I love his 'accent' or whatever it is... That one even made it to FB...

As for Dell sending money away, yeah, it sucks, but it still isn't going directly to the Chinese government...

Anyway, I will stick with Dell, and Idk what SOMA's problem is, you literally have like 4 tablets to choose from and you HAVE to buy it through their vendor, blah blah because they want it exactly like the ones they have in the IT department... SLC could comment more, but that's what their site says, and that's what I was told at the interview...

 

[Juice9]

One day, we decides those Chinese sons of a bitches are going down.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCpjgl2baLs[/YOUTUBE]

But I'm le tired.....

 

[ShyRem]

How much you use your computer depends on you. I would have been lost without mine - I had a Lenovo tablet that I could write and draw on, so for ppt lectures it was indispensible. Other students in class were die hard pen and paper students. Still others wrote in their books. And others were readers and didn't use a laptop at all.

The only time some folks brought a laptop to class was for mandatory computer exams.

 

[MakesSense]

hey guys, quick question for the med students/people who know...

how often do you use laptops in your studies? what type do you recommend? what type do you have?

At WCU-COM, it is a must. All of your textbooks are e books and are downloaded the first day. I use the Dell computer that the school recommended, mainly because of the warranty that it had. With that being said, about half of my class, if not more, uses Macs.

 

[LUCPM]

I invested $$$ on a slim laptop 1.5 yrs, upgraded my hard drive to SSD, and figured I would keep my laptop until I get through med school. However, after checking out a tablet PC that costs just under $400, I'm very tempted to replace my laptop with another soon-to-be obsolete gadget. Are tablet PCs are popular among med students?

 

[MedPR]

DMU gives their students a laptop? What's the price limit?

Maybe I misinterpreted the

probably a lot! DMU gives all of their students a laptop. the kind is based on personal preference.

Do they just have a few you can choose from?

 

[Juice9]

DMU gives their students a laptop? What's the price limit?

Maybe I misinterpreted the


Do they just have a few you can choose from?

DMU gives the same laptop to all of the students in the class, it seems to be different each year. they guy who gave me my tour there said is class got convertible tablets while MS-1s got standard toshiba's.

 

[expired]

i got an m14x alienware for school

i7
6gb ddr3 1600mhz
nvidia 555m overclocked
256gb ssd

i will use it every day

 

[costales]

Are tablet PCs are popular among med students?

Yes, tablets are very convenient. This is the current model used by TCOM students:
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/08/05/hp-elitebook-2760p-review-as-a-tablet/

 

[ChemMed]

hey guys, quick question for the med students/people who know...

how often do you use laptops in your studies? what type do you recommend? what type do you have?

Everyday. I have an ACER travelmate. I like it but I would love a thinkpad. Honestly, a simple non souped up one for 300 bucks will give you what you need. Have a ppt(x) and doc(x) reader and a video player for recorded lectures and your good.

 

[TILalot]

AFAIK, everyone at my campus is using them -- they're all ranging from notebooks, laptops, macbooks, etc....
I personally am using a Toshiba Satellite that I bought in 2006. Just upgraded the ram to 4gb, the hd to 250gb, and the os

 

[99redballoons]

I bought alienware M17x and I wouldn't trade it for anything. The only downfall is that its not very lightweight. I haven't taken a single note on paper this year. I use adobe pro to insert sticky notes and text boxes into the provided pdfs and I convert all ppts to pdfs. I also have a Sony S tablet which is especially useful when I draw on my whiteboard. I just transfer all files from my laptop to tablet few times a week via sd card and I can bring my work everywhere. And I can play the original crash bandicoot on the sony tab, just saying...

 

[dntke1518]

But I'm le tired.....

Dang beat me to it!!

... well, then have a nap, and then FIRE THE MISSILES!!!!!

 

[ilubse7en]

i currently own a sony vio, but i hate it,
when the med school starts, i am planning on buying a desktop and a ipad,
i don't really want to carry around a laptop b/c they seem to break down easily due to all the moving around.

what do you guys think?

 

[DrWily]

Do it, but take your VAIO too. I'm gonna have all three: Ipad, Dekstop and Laptop.

I love technology.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

I have not had a problem with a laptop breaking due to movement. That said, if you're concerned, get a solid-state drive

 

[Iliketoytles]

I have not had a problem with a laptop breaking due to movement. That said, if you're concerned, get a solid-state drive

I have a Dell mini9 laptop that I used to use before my macbook... it's pretty cheap, solid state drive, single body. It's pretty darn strong too, since it's so tiny and the entire thing is a single piece... and there's no moving internal hardware (again... SSD). It's also lightweight. I don't think I'd be able to use a tablet for taking notes... I tried typing on them and it's just too darn difficult! I need to feel the keys on my fingertips. Although, I suppose it requires a learning curve like most other things. I'm sticking with a laptop.

Nonetheless, when I move to Iowa I plan to bring all my techy stuff... I also plan to install green strobe lights around my apartment while automatically cuing the Twilight Zone theme upon entry.

 

[ManBroDude]

One advantage of owning a 3-year-old refurbished Macbook Pro during med school is that there's no temptation to play any games. .....Cuz there aren't any! (badum psh!)

 

[ManBroDude]

I have not had a problem with a laptop breaking due to movement. That said, if you're concerned, get a solid-state drive

+1. Trick out a macbook air with those loans, boy!

 

[Jnorman1218]

I'm definitely buying a Lenovo X220T:
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...E79E0E7C9A2D&menu-id=products&ref-id=products

I owned a Thinkpad back when they were IBM and it was the toughest, best performing computer I've ever owned. I have a lot of nerdy tech friends too who say for a business (ie- non gaming) laptop, you can't beat Lenovo.

From all of the students I have talked to and all the forums I have read, the consensus seems to be that investing in a nice laptop is a must. Personally, I am going to spend enough that I get something that will be competitive performance wise for the next few years. I'm also going to spend the extra money to buy a 4 year systems and accident warranty that Lenovo offers so I don't have to worry about repairs while I'm in school.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

As was discussed earlier, and just so you know, Lenovo is owned by the Chinese government...

Apple, Dell, Gateway, all better choices for supporting the US economy (just my political feeling)

 

[jinobi]

I'm definitely buying a Lenovo X220T:
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...E79E0E7C9A2D&menu-id=products&ref-id=products

I owned a Thinkpad back when they were IBM and it was the toughest, best performing computer I've ever owned. I have a lot of nerdy tech friends too who say for a business (ie- non gaming) laptop, you can't beat Lenovo.

From all of the students I have talked to and all the forums I have read, the consensus seems to be that investing in a nice laptop is a must. Personally, I am going to spend enough that I get something that will be competitive performance wise for the next few years. I'm also going to spend the extra money to buy a 4 year systems and accident warranty that Lenovo offers so I don't have to worry about repairs while I'm in school.

Agree with you on the X220T; I have one, and having the Multitouch option is one of the little things in life you grow to like. Pinch-to-zoom and two-finger scrolling is great when I'm showing my classmates something in anatomy lab. My Thinkpad is built like a tank (no creaking plastic anywhere!), and the keyboard is awesome to type on. During class, I would type up most my notes and have my pen ready to jot down any annotations the professor made on the slides. I recommend getting OneNote 2011 to utilize the tablet pen features to the fullest if you do get a tablet.

Only aftermarket upgrade I would suggest, and this applies for any laptop brand, is to invest into a SSD. The speed bump you get can be felt in all kinds of everyday applications. SSD's durability over a regular mechanical HDD is important too when all your notes are on the computer.