new mac air for d school?

[JennyM]

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I'm thinking since most of the lectures and textbooks are going to be in ppt slides and in software form... maybe getting a portable netbook/ mac air is a good idea? What do y'all think??? Don't know if it's worth the price... If any dental students are reading this, can you give me your two cents?

 

[Blarelli]

From everything I have heard each school either has a laptop for you to buy from them, or has certain requirements as far as OS, and hardware go. In each case I've heard, the hardware requirements are far beyond the macbook air.

 

[wantVCUdental]

Also, a lot of programs are not mac-compatible. And for the price of macbook air, you can get a nice PC 😛

 

[JennyM]

Thanks so much for replying. Hmm gets me thinking now. Maybe I should postpone getting anything until I start the classes and see what I need. It's very early 🙂 I just needed an excuse to get a new computer. lol

 

[Tufts R Us]

I was thinking the same thing except I prefer the Macbook Pro lol.

 

[Hank04]

Thanks so much for replying. Hmm gets me thinking now. Maybe I should postpone getting anything until I start the classes and see what I need. It's very early 🙂 I just needed an excuse to get a new computer. lol

Just wait. I know how one can get antsy with wanting to buy a computer.

Like stated previously, most (if not all) schools have strict guidelines for student computers. From what I have seen, most are not Apple friendly. Even then, the school's requirements are going to surpass the Air's capabilities. For example, East Carolina University's program will require students have 3 Apple products - Macbook Pro, iPad, and iPhone/iPod Touch. The Air simply does not have the processing power needed to provide excellent and seamless performance.

Now disregard everything above and you still want an Apple product? I would wait until next year, because Apple likes to release new and updated product lines right before the new school year. Plus, the Macbook Pro (13 inch) is the best bang for your buck in my opinion.

 

[dl9006]

our school said we needed a pc laptop with certain requirements.

90% of the student body came to class with macs. lol

a lot of ppl are planning on running the parallel program that allows u to operate in windows.

honestly, i don't see why we need a laptop at all. all we do is look at our lecture notes on them.

you could always wait it out till the start of school and see what everyone else has. i don't think having a laptop is that urgent

 

[SoulPower]

For example, East Carolina University's program will require students have 3 Apple products - Macbook Pro, iPad, and iPhone/iPod Touch. The Air simply does not have the processing power needed to provide excellent and seamless performance.

That's ridiculous, are they supported somehow by Apple?

 

[Tufts R Us]

That's ridiculous, are they supported somehow by Apple?

the dean probably owns apple shares

 

[glo1984]

That's ridiculous, are they supported somehow by Apple?

Wow, I can't believe they actually require all that... Unbelievable!

 

[Blarelli]

For example, East Carolina University's program will require students have 3 Apple products - Macbook Pro, iPad, and iPhone/iPod Touch.

I'm really skeptical of this. Can anybody back this up?

 

[flapaTron]

I own a macbook air (2010 edition, not the original crappy one) AND i'm actually a dental student, and i love it. it lasts 5-7 hours for note taking, runs quickly and smoothly, and have never once thought to myself "gee i wish this was more powerful". the new airs are pretty solid and can more than handle day to day use for dental school.

 

[peanutb123]

Just wait. I know how one can get antsy with wanting to buy a computer.

Like stated previously, most (if not all) schools have strict guidelines for student computers. From what I have seen, most are not Apple friendly. Even then, the school's requirements are going to surpass the Air's capabilities. For example, East Carolina University's program will require students have 3 Apple products - Macbook Pro, iPad, and iPhone/iPod Touch. The Air simply does not have the processing power needed to provide excellent and seamless performance.

Almost all laptops which have more than 1ghz... are fully capable of running almost any of the commercial programs. Given there is sufficient ram >= to 2gb.

I went to check out their processor its something like 1.4ghz.

But I absolutely hate macs. and everything that is apple.

This is for anyone other than op. If you are looking to buy a pc and your school does not "FORCE" your buy it from them. Then buy a regular laptop w/ windows. And just load these 2 freeware from download.com: an antivirus, firewall(to block unknown connections to your computer or you block your illegal software to connecting to the internet or viruses to stop them from downloading and installing more crap 🙂 ). THATS all you need to keep your computer running securely and healthily forever.

 

[Nateftw]

I just recently bought a unibody macbook pro. I have it bootcamped, so running windows program wont be an issue. I assume i'll be able to use it. At my university, probably around 60% of the students have macs, and the other 40% wants macs . 😀

Let the anti-mac flame war begins

 

[Just Peachy]

I love love LOVE my MacBook Air. I'm a dental student and I think it's great. Enough memory for what I need, easily portable, super light computer, long battery life, and just awesome. Western "doesn't support Macs" but I haven't had any problems with anything in nearly 2 years and I would say 60-75% of my class has a Mac.

That said, if I were you I would wait until you hear more about your school's requirements.

 

[glo1984]

Regardless of either argument, you pay a Mac-tax if you buy apple. If no one knows what that pertains to, it's based on the fact that a Mac costs more and doesn't deliver with greater tech specs.

 

[peanutb123]

+1 for above post

 

[Hank04]

I'm really skeptical of this. Can anybody back this up?

I don't have any documentation to support my statement, but I can assure you that ECU is all about Apple. The dean is supposedly a huge Apple fan.

On the day of the interview, they split applicants into groups to work on a case study where a group of 4 are provided with a Macbook Pro and iPad. Everyone spends approximately 30 minutes on the iPad to research the case's scenario and then they utilize the Pro to type up a summary of their findings and recommendations.

They also discussed all of the Apple-exclusive programs the school will be utilizing within their program.

Hopefully another ECU applicant will be able to provide their own experience, but I am being completely honest with my observations. I heard all 3 products will be required - they even added the additional cost into their projected cost of attendance.

 

[JennyM]

I already have MacBook Pro (older version core 2) 🙁 I got it few months before the new ones came out. So mad! but anyways I'm not going to be using Mac air as my primary computer, just a secondary one to carry around b/c 15inch macbook pro is soooo heavy... It's 949 with student discount too! a nice deal compared to the old mac air which was so much more.

 

[RSimon]

I just read your post you made while I was writing the below so I guess disregard whats below

I have built and owned windows based DT/LT computers and recently switched to mac this last year, I will never go back to non-mac again. IMO the Mac computers are of much higher quality and the operating system operates so much faster, more efficiently, and is a lot simpler to use. Plus all the products function seamlessly together. I would imagine that most schools have software compatible with both but like someone else said just check with them. Compatibility with anything I do at home is not an issue. I doubt you would be putting movies and such on your school computer but transferring large files back and forth to windows based pcs or vice versa is not and issue. I have some software I use to write to external that works perfectly if you want more info about it just ask. I would stay away from the air because of limited abilities and go with the macbookpro, if weight is the issue you get the 13 inch.

 

[JBieber]

a new macbook line comes out every april right? i would wait at least until then..

 

[enemygateisdown]

I have a macbook air as well (the new model). I've owned macbook pros since about 2006 and this macbook air is better than all of them. It's super fast, super light, super quiet, has a super long battery life and I am super happy I bought it.

For those of you that say that it doesn't have the processing power to run whatever we're going to need to be running...I wouldn't buy that until I loaded it on myself and saw it slow down. Seriously, this mac is THAT fast.

And for what it's worth, 3 CURRENT dental students have responded to the first post and 2 of the 3 posters have macs and love them. And the third said that 99% of his class has macs even though they were told to get PC's.

I fully plan on taking my Air to Dental School and don't have any doubt whatsoever that it will be fully capable of doing everything it needs to do.

 

[Blarelli]

I don't have any documentation to support my statement, but I can assure you that ECU is all about Apple. The dean is supposedly a huge Apple fan.

On the day of the interview, they split applicants into groups to work on a case study where a group of 4 are provided with a Macbook Pro and iPad. Everyone spends approximately 30 minutes on the iPad to research the case's scenario and then they utilize the Pro to type up a summary of their findings and recommendations.

They also discussed all of the Apple-exclusive programs the school will be utilizing within their program.

The dean likes apple, so he is scrounging to find ways to incorporate all of their cutesy gadgets? It really is a cult.

 

[JennyM]

a new macbook line comes out every april right? i would wait at least until then..

Ooo yes. I heard that mac air like pro is coming next year. Although I don't plan on getting another pro.

 

[ChapelHillT]

I'm really skeptical of this. Can anybody back this up?

I interviewed at ecu as well and this is true. They will definitely be an apple centralized school, requiring a MacBook pro, iPad, and an iPhone, for better or for worse. From what ive seen from my iPad tho, it'll be for better!

 

[herkulease]

our school said we needed a pc laptop with certain requirements.

90% of the student body came to class with macs. lol

a lot of ppl are planning on running the parallel program that allows u to operate in windows.

honestly, i don't see why we need a laptop at all. all we do is look at our lecture notes on them.

you could always wait it out till the start of school and see what everyone else has. i don't think having a laptop is that urgent

Definitely wait.

If the school that allows you to purchase your own laptop from anywhere as long as it meets certain specs. waiting to the last minute is more beneficial. Computer prices drop constantly. You'll get better value for your money.

Apple computers are the exception. The cost for Apple goes down but not for the consumer.

 

[herkulease]

The dean likes apple, so he is scrounging to find ways to incorporate all of their cutesy gadgets? It really is a cult.

I'm willing to bet that Apple cut a deal with their school to get their product out.

Lets see what the options are. Are students allowed to bring in their own mac, ipad iphone/ipod touch? or will the school be providing those and the student will be billed.

I wouldn't be surprised if it is the later one with apple care tacked onto each, and probably yearly mobile me subs too. School and Apple both profit.

 

[sneil]

I'm willing to bet that Apple cut a deal with their school to get their product out.

Lets see what the options are. Are students allowed to bring in their own mac, ipad iphone/ipod touch? or will the school be providing those and the student will be billed.

I wouldn't be surprised if it is the later one with apple care tacked onto each, and probably yearly mobile me subs too. School and Apple both profit.

They might make exceptions for those who already own a mac product but I know that first year there is a $7000 supplies fee... and i can guess what that money is for. It pays for the cell phone plan too i think.

 

[herkulease]

They might make exceptions for those who already own a mac product but I know that first year there is a $7000 supplies fee... and i can guess what that money is for. It pays for the cell phone plan too i think.

I can understand the an ipad and a macbook and generally computers.

but forcing a cell phone onto students is just pushing it in my book. I would hope its not true for students attending ECU.

 

[alucidinterval]

I interviewed at ecu as well and this is true. They will definitely be an apple centralized school, requiring a MacBook pro, iPad, and an iPhone, for better or for worse. From what ive seen from my iPad tho, it'll be for better!

How can they make you get an iPhone too? What if you don't have att? Unless it comes to a network other than att I would refuse to switch phones, as I used to have att and had nothing but problems with its spotty service.

 

[ridhi465]

How can they make you get an iPhone too? What if you don't have att? Unless it comes to a network other than att I would refuse to switch phones, as I used to have att and had nothing but problems with its spotty service.

iPhones dont have to use ATT. Mine is unlocked and uses tmobile

 

[meendabean]

Just wait. I know how one can get antsy with wanting to buy a computer.

Like stated previously, most (if not all) schools have strict guidelines for student computers. From what I have seen, most are not Apple friendly. Even then, the school's requirements are going to surpass the Air's capabilities. For example, East Carolina University's program will require students have 3 Apple products - Macbook Pro, iPad, and iPhone/iPod Touch. The Air simply does not have the processing power needed to provide excellent and seamless performance.

Now disregard everything above and you still want an Apple product? I would wait until next year, because Apple likes to release new and updated product lines right before the new school year. Plus, the Macbook Pro (13 inch) is the best bang for your buck in my opinion.

They won't force you to use an iPhone as Hank posted. The iPod Touch is the same as an iPhone without calling. As for those arguing the "Mac-tax," yeah they do cost A LOT more than a comparable PC with the same specs. I was a skeptic. However, once you start using a Mac, you notice how fast it is both running and starting up. The batteries last 3-5 times as long and everything is awesome. A PC with the same specs as the Macbook Pro would run at half the speed. It's not about the hardware so much as it is about the software and OS.

 

[Vicviper]

I'd suggest to wait until orientation either way, but then get a good (and cheap) little netbook. I wouldn't spend more than $500 - you just need something that's uber portable, and while the air is portable, it's not worth the money. You don't need to be putting yourself into more loans to pay the apple tax! ;p

 

[NRG]

Hank Is correct, ECU Is going to be an all apple school. I had an interview there and they said each student will be supplied with a MB pro, Ipad, and Iphone/Ipod. Of course the students will end up paying for them. I dont know at what price. But at the time of the interview they said they are working out a way for it to be affordable

So yes. ECU will be an APPLE school, but its not like its going to be handed to them (the students).

Just wait. I know how one can get antsy with wanting to buy a computer.

Like stated previously, most (if not all) schools have strict guidelines for student computers. From what I have seen, most are not Apple friendly. Even then, the school's requirements are going to surpass the Air's capabilities. For example, East Carolina University's program will require students have 3 Apple products - Macbook Pro, iPad, and iPhone/iPod Touch. The Air simply does not have the processing power needed to provide excellent and seamless performance.

Now disregard everything above and you still want an Apple product? I would wait until next year, because Apple likes to release new and updated product lines right before the new school year. Plus, the Macbook Pro (13 inch) is the best bang for your buck in my opinion.