Technology UNC and the IBM laptop they provide

[CanIMakeIt]

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Hi ppl

I guess this is more of a question for UNC students. I know that they really stress that we buy the laptop they are providing but I really want to buy a mac. Is that really a big problem? Are there ant Windows only programs used on the thinkpads. I mean if there are few, then can those be run using VPC? How often do you use such programs? If it is just report typing/presentation, then I guess office 2004 will do the trick as well....as far as connecting to networks etc..I am sure I can figure it out w/o the help desk.

Have you seen anyone in your class with windows laptops other than thinkpads or Macs?

Thanks.

 

[NCHoosier]

UNC alumnus here. As far as I know, and if things are as they were when I was there, you'll be *required* to buy their IBM machine. I remember being frustrated because of the high cost and feeling I could've gotten a much better deal elsewhere. As it turned out, there was none of the "proprietary" UNC software that couldn't be installed on some other platform.

The only thing I might suggest is if you're dead-set on a mac, buy the UNC laptop, re-format it so as to get rid of all the UNC-specific software, and sell it on E-bay.

Having a laptop is definitely useful since the whole place is now wireless-enabled from what I understand, plus you have a dedicated ethernet jack at your lab desk.

Hi ppl

I guess this is more of a question for UNC students. I know that they really stress that we buy the laptop they are providing but I really want to buy a mac. Is that really a big problem? Are there ant Windows only programs used on the thinkpads. I mean if there are few, then can those be run using VPC? How often do you use such programs? If it is just report typing/presentation, then I guess office 2004 will do the trick as well....as far as connecting to networks etc..I am sure I can figure it out w/o the help desk.

Have you seen anyone in your class with windows laptops other than thinkpads or Macs?

Thanks.

 

[heelshmeel]

Hi ppl

I guess this is more of a question for UNC students. I know that they really stress that we buy the laptop they are providing but I really want to buy a mac. Is that really a big problem? Are there ant Windows only programs used on the thinkpads. I mean if there are few, then can those be run using VPC? How often do you use such programs? If it is just report typing/presentation, then I guess office 2004 will do the trick as well....as far as connecting to networks etc..I am sure I can figure it out w/o the help desk.

Have you seen anyone in your class with windows laptops other than thinkpads or Macs?

Thanks.

I am a current medical student at UNC and the previous poster is correct... you are *required* to buy the UNC IBM laptop... which kinda sucks (but I guess that's how it is)

now for your question, though, is it possible to use a Mac for all the things that are required? yes... it is possible

but you will still be required to shell out the dough at the beginning of the year. sorry to be the bearer of news that is not so great. one other thing - one of the programs that you get with the IBM laptop is the full version of Adobe Acrobat 6.0. That is a great program at editing pdfs (note that all of the syllabus is in pdf format... so it will come in handy)... i dont know if they make a full version of acrobat for macs.

you can pm me if you have more questions.

 

[Echinoidea]

... i dont know if they make a full version of acrobat for macs.

They most certainly do make the full version of Acrobat for Mac OS X.

 

[mustangsally65]

They most certainly do make the full version of Acrobat for Mac OS X.

Yes, they do. It came as the standard software on my iMac in 1999.

Translation: free! 😀

I'm interested to know about UNC allowing people to use Macs as well...

I haven't been accepted yet, but don't think I could own a PC. It would go against everything I believe in. 😉

 

[heelshmeel]

there is one thing that will probably prevent you from getting a mac... i just thought of it when i was checking back on this thread.

all of the exams in the first year (and soon the second year) are online... you need a special online program to do the exam on your computer. and you probably see where I am going with this... the exam program is custom designed for PCs... not Macs

that may be a deal breaker - i dont see how it isnt

sorry guys!

 

[CanIMakeIt]

Thanks everyone for replying....

Sally....I think nowadays the capability to read pdf files is built-in for Mac OS X but I think if you want to edit the pdf files, you will have to buy the full version (the full version - student edition is $99..I think).... I am not too sure though.

Well the exam thingy could most certainly be the deal breaker 🙁 ...... sorry Sally you just might have to come over the "dark side" for a few years 🙂