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Macbook Pro on DSA

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Reply 60
Hi everyone,

I was recommended an toshiba i3, 2.2 Ghz, 320GB 15" laptop with 4GB ram and I have called the supplier to ask how much would it cost to upgrade the whole order to Macbook Pro 13" i5 4GB 500GB and I was quote £1198 so I have said to the lady from the company that if I wanted to spend that much I would just buy it at apple store but anyway I also asked her how much would it cost to upgraded the windows 7 laptop to an i5 processor and I was quote £339 for just changing the processor! To be honest PC world is not even that expensive I think they just trying to rip people off. The Toshiba computer for which DSA was quote nearly £400 you can buy for £229 Online so that is such a rip off on the governments money and on the students that are trying to upgrade!
Reply 61
Hi im dyslexic and i have a report done to prove it. In in A2 doing Maths Biology and Chemistry. When do i apply for the DSA (before/after the student finance and when do i apply for student finance). Also can i get help from the goverment whilst in school scence the shool doest help much at all infact have just comlitly dismissed the situation by saying 'you not dyslexic and you wont get an help even if you were as exam board have strict guidlines'.

I was just wondering how the prosess happens and how i can get addition funding and specialist equiptment (macbook, sanner ect.). Also if i take a gap year can i still get help.

would i actualy get a macbook :O,going to study mpharm( master in pharmacy)
Original post by kingpro88
Hi im dyslexic and i have a report done to prove it. In in A2 doing Maths Biology and Chemistry. When do i apply for the DSA (before/after the student finance and when do i apply for student finance). Also can i get help from the goverment whilst in school scence the shool doest help much at all infact have just comlitly dismissed the situation by saying 'you not dyslexic and you wont get an help even if you were as exam board have strict guidlines'.

I was just wondering how the prosess happens and how i can get addition funding and specialist equiptment (macbook, sanner ect.). Also if i take a gap year can i still get help.

would i actualy get a macbook :O,going to study mpharm( master in pharmacy)


My needs assessor (with 20+ years experience) said that macbooks are either given out to people who use Mac OS X in there course or for people with something like aspergers who cant adapt to change well (and they have used mac os x before, like me). If your with SFW they are a lot more lenient, however for a dyslexic person doing pharmacy you probably will not get a macbook, because DSA is for what you need, not what you want. SO if you are useing windows in your course (very likely) they you will get a windows laptop. However you have the option to upgrade to a macbook by paying the difference (only if the software recommended is compatible with mac os x).
Reply 63
Original post by sudospider
My needs assessor (with 20+ years experience) said that macbooks are either given out to people who use Mac OS X in there course or for people with something like aspergers who cant adapt to change well (and they have used mac os x before, like me). If your with SFW they are a lot more lenient, however for a dyslexic person doing pharmacy you probably will not get a macbook, because DSA is for what you need, not what you want. SO if you are useing windows in your course (very likely) they you will get a windows laptop. However you have the option to upgrade to a macbook by paying the difference (only if the software recommended is compatible with mac os x).


Fair,however the fact that i use osx on a daily basis (dads macbook) wouldnt that help. Away from the mac issue whats SFW ? Do you know how long the prosses takes though ?


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Probably not, especially with student finance England. Unless you have something like aspergers. SFW is student finance Wales. It takes around 2-3 months.
Ok, tax payers money gets wasted mainly on unjustified wars, politicians luxury lifestyles and tax cuts for the rich! So let's not pick on the 'average Joe' just trying to do well in university and better their life just like everybody else attending university.

I am dyslexic and it is a fact that people who are dyslexic are more likely to work in low paid jobs due to the fact they don't attend university as the nature of university courses don't cater for the needs of dyslexia and many other disability. Hopefully now that the is a wonderful service like the DSA it will encourage people with any disability to attend university and better their future prospects. I think everyone deserves that chance!
Reply 66
Original post by disco_time
Ok, tax payers money gets wasted mainly on unjustified wars, politicians luxury lifestyles and tax cuts for the rich! So let's not pick on the 'average Joe' just trying to do well in university and better their life just like everybody else attending university.

I am dyslexic and it is a fact that people who are dyslexic are more likely to work in low paid jobs due to the fact they don't attend university as the nature of university courses don't cater for the needs of dyslexia and many other disability. Hopefully now that the is a wonderful service like the DSA it will encourage people with any disability to attend university and better their future prospects. I think everyone deserves that chance!


Not sure what this has to do with macbooks on DSA? Everyone does deserve a chance, and it would be great if DSA continued in its current form, but due to the expenditure it generates for the taxpayer, the continuation of funding for laptops is sadly likely to end.
My needs assessor insisted I had a windows PC. Even though my course is entirely mac editing suite based an I have Aspergers and literally cry with frustration when using windows 8. :/


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Original post by xMissDebby
My needs assessor insisted I had a windows PC. Even though my course is entirely mac editing suite based an I have Aspergers and literally cry with frustration when using windows 8. :/


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You could have paid to upgrade to a mac book.
Original post by OU Student
You could have paid to upgrade to a mac book.


I know, I intend to if the quote is an amount I can afford. It depends how much an upgrade costs. If it costs more than I can afford, I may ask if I can just be reimbursed for repairs on my old windows 7 laptop. Really can't deal with windows 8.
Original post by xMissDebby
I know, I intend to if the quote is an amount I can afford. It depends how much an upgrade costs. If it costs more than I can afford, I may ask if I can just be reimbursed for repairs on my old windows 7 laptop. Really can't deal with windows 8.


I don't like 8 either and got someone to put 7 on my laptop.
Im on my second degree but never had dsa funding or help before i have adhd and dyslexia will i be able to get help?does anyone know about the assessments as my diagnosis was before i was 16.
Original post by sophie_sharks
Im on my second degree but never had dsa funding or help before i have adhd and dyslexia will i be able to get help?does anyone know about the assessments as my diagnosis was before i was 16.


You have to get another assessment because your old one was done before age 16. Make sure the assessment is approved by student finance England.


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yeah where would I do that?
Original post by sophie_sharks
yeah where would I do that?


Do research and find a dyslexia assessment centre near you or get an assessment done at your uni...
Reply 75
Original post by xMissDebby
I know, I intend to if the quote is an amount I can afford. It depends how much an upgrade costs. If it costs more than I can afford, I may ask if I can just be reimbursed for repairs on my old windows 7 laptop. Really can't deal with windows 8.


Its unlikely they will agree to repair/upgrade costs.

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