What laptop for university?
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Original post by NearvanI guess its one year normal waranty, but i dont think it covers theft or spills etc.. The icare is like an extended warranty (in terms of time and additional coverage) i got a 90% discount on my iCare when using my student card 
[QUOTE="Nearvan;42163718"]
Warranty never usually covers theft or spills. So the iCare covers these as well? And how much space would you have available in the iCloud? Is the discount on the iCare always available. The student card is the univ card or an organisational card such as ISIC? Any idea if it would be available for teachers? Though this would mean having to wait till I'm in the UK to buy a MacBook, if I actually do decide to buy. I have never heard of educational discounts in Malta from Apple...
Sorry for all the question but I am really considering switching to apple but I also need to save money for my year in the UK to study. So it needs to be a mega informed decision to justify the cost.
Original post by xenopoecilus
Buy a chromebook, they are portable and crazy fast...my 2 cents
EDIT: and they cost less than £300
EDIT: and they cost less than £300
Correct me if I'm wrong, but with the Chrome book there is minimal storage space (on the computer), therefore you always need to be connected to the internet to google drive. Google drive is free for 2 years, however you would then have to pay for it.
From experience at Uni of Malta not all lecture rooms have internet, so you might end up in a lecture but having to access to your documents. So you'd probably end up needing to buy an internet dongle. Or if there is a problem with the internet connection, you are also stuck if you don't have dongle.
I personally would want my documents accessible at any time and not tied down to an internet connection. I understand that advantage of having everything online for back up and accessibility purposes, however not just online (which is why I use dropbox for my imp stuff).
IMO though a chrome book is not expensive, seems to be light weight and good battery there are certain hidden 'costs':
1. After the two years free what will happen? Pay or lose all you documents?
2. What if there is no internet connection? Can't I access my documents?
3. Would I have to invest in a dongle to be able to access my documents whenever I want?
Original post by larmic
Correct me if I'm wrong, but with the Chrome book there is minimal storage space (on the computer), therefore you always need to be connected to the internet to google drive. Google drive is free for 2 years, however you would then have to pay for it.
From experience at Uni of Malta not all lecture rooms have internet, so you might end up in a lecture but having to access to your documents. So you'd probably end up needing to buy an internet dongle. Or if there is a problem with the internet connection, you are also stuck if you don't have dongle.
I personally would want my documents accessible at any time and not tied down to an internet connection. I understand that advantage of having everything online for back up and accessibility purposes, however not just online (which is why I use dropbox for my imp stuff).
IMO though a chrome book is not expensive, seems to be light weight and good battery there are certain hidden 'costs':
1. After the two years free what will happen? Pay or lose all you documents?
2. What if there is no internet connection? Can't I access my documents?
3. Would I have to invest in a dongle to be able to access my documents whenever I want?
From experience at Uni of Malta not all lecture rooms have internet, so you might end up in a lecture but having to access to your documents. So you'd probably end up needing to buy an internet dongle. Or if there is a problem with the internet connection, you are also stuck if you don't have dongle.
I personally would want my documents accessible at any time and not tied down to an internet connection. I understand that advantage of having everything online for back up and accessibility purposes, however not just online (which is why I use dropbox for my imp stuff).
IMO though a chrome book is not expensive, seems to be light weight and good battery there are certain hidden 'costs':
1. After the two years free what will happen? Pay or lose all you documents?
2. What if there is no internet connection? Can't I access my documents?
3. Would I have to invest in a dongle to be able to access my documents whenever I want?
Yeah its true that there is a greatly reduced functionality without internet connection (no programs!), but I believe that the 16GB or so of SSD is more than enough to store your most important documents. A 3G card is definitely very useful (which you can often get free in a phone contract).
After the two years, your documents are still stored, but you need to pay to be able to access them again.
So perhaps consider one as a short term option, if you are planning on upgrading in the future (< 2 years) or as a tool for primarily internet based stuff, but make sure that you can access a desktop as a last resort...
Original post by jackpolson1
Hello,
Im going to uni in September and need a new laptop for my studys as the one I have now is just a bit old and needs updating. I have about £550 to spend on a laptop and am just totally unsure of what to get because there is so many available, can someone with nay type of knowledge with computers aid me with choosing one? i will be studying business and management if thats any help and will be using it for everyday uni stuff like essays but also I have a lot of music and a lot of the time have loads of programs up at once!
Thanks
Im going to uni in September and need a new laptop for my studys as the one I have now is just a bit old and needs updating. I have about £550 to spend on a laptop and am just totally unsure of what to get because there is so many available, can someone with nay type of knowledge with computers aid me with choosing one? i will be studying business and management if thats any help and will be using it for everyday uni stuff like essays but also I have a lot of music and a lot of the time have loads of programs up at once!
Thanks
If you're still looking for a laptop that isn't a mac, you could try this one:
http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/HP_650_Cor_ei3_Windows_8_Laptop__C5C49EA/version.asp?refsource=ldawin&affid=47868
It's quite a lot under your budget, but you need to remember that some of this is due to cashback and so you would need to remember to get that.
Or there is this one whihc is at the uper end of your budget:
http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo_Ideapad_Y570_1359207.html
(edited 11 years ago)
[QUOTE="larmic;42163780"]
I'm happy to help out. I was asking those same questions before switching.
Yes, icare covers thefts and spills! Which is amazing! It is also an international warranty, so if you buy it in UK and happen to be back home in malta for holidays and somehow it gets stolen, you report it to the police and after a week or two (after procedures that is) you can claim a new one. The student card is the University card, you know the one you get that states you are a student in xxx university and has an IC on it. Apple store will input the code into their system to determine the amount of discounts. Usually its 15% on the laptop and the iCare is exponential (the more years you take the more discount you get). Also, if you happen to be a 'Design' student i THINK you get more discounts. No idea about the teachers though. You should try google uk student discounts at the apple store. I bought my macAir at the oxford street store last year
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by Nearvan
Warranty never usually covers theft or spills. So the iCare covers these as well? And how much space would you have available in the iCloud? Is the discount on the iCare always available. The student card is the univ card or an organisational card such as ISIC? Any idea if it would be available for teachers? Though this would mean having to wait till I'm in the UK to buy a MacBook, if I actually do decide to buy. I have never heard of educational discounts in Malta from Apple...
Sorry for all the question but I am really considering switching to apple but I also need to save money for my year in the UK to study. So it needs to be a mega informed decision to justify the cost.
Warranty never usually covers theft or spills. So the iCare covers these as well? And how much space would you have available in the iCloud? Is the discount on the iCare always available. The student card is the univ card or an organisational card such as ISIC? Any idea if it would be available for teachers? Though this would mean having to wait till I'm in the UK to buy a MacBook, if I actually do decide to buy. I have never heard of educational discounts in Malta from Apple...
Sorry for all the question but I am really considering switching to apple but I also need to save money for my year in the UK to study. So it needs to be a mega informed decision to justify the cost.
I'm happy to help out. I was asking those same questions before switching.
Yes, icare covers thefts and spills! Which is amazing! It is also an international warranty, so if you buy it in UK and happen to be back home in malta for holidays and somehow it gets stolen, you report it to the police and after a week or two (after procedures that is) you can claim a new one. The student card is the University card, you know the one you get that states you are a student in xxx university and has an IC on it. Apple store will input the code into their system to determine the amount of discounts. Usually its 15% on the laptop and the iCare is exponential (the more years you take the more discount you get). Also, if you happen to be a 'Design' student i THINK you get more discounts. No idea about the teachers though. You should try google uk student discounts at the apple store. I bought my macAir at the oxford street store last year
Posted from TSR Mobile
[QUOTE="Nearvan;42165056"]
From some link I found that with the Education discount, the Air is about 300 euro cheaper than from Malta. So if I decide to get a Mac, it looks like I'd be getting it one I go to England. Is the switch from PC to Mac easy? One think that worries me is that I buy a Mac and then cannot get used to it / don't like the layout
Original post by larmic
I'm happy to help out. I was asking those same questions before switching.
Yes, icare covers thefts and spills! Which is amazing! It is also an international warranty, so if you buy it in UK and happen to be back home in malta for holidays and somehow it gets stolen, you report it to the police and after a week or two (after procedures that is) you can claim a new one. The student card is the University card, you know the one you get that states you are a student in xxx university and has an IC on it. Apple store will input the code into their system to determine the amount of discounts. Usually its 15% on the laptop and the iCare is exponential (the more years you take the more discount you get). Also, if you happen to be a 'Design' student i THINK you get more discounts. No idea about the teachers though. You should try google uk student discounts at the apple store. I bought my macAir at the oxford street store last year
Posted from TSR Mobile
I'm happy to help out. I was asking those same questions before switching.
Yes, icare covers thefts and spills! Which is amazing! It is also an international warranty, so if you buy it in UK and happen to be back home in malta for holidays and somehow it gets stolen, you report it to the police and after a week or two (after procedures that is) you can claim a new one. The student card is the University card, you know the one you get that states you are a student in xxx university and has an IC on it. Apple store will input the code into their system to determine the amount of discounts. Usually its 15% on the laptop and the iCare is exponential (the more years you take the more discount you get). Also, if you happen to be a 'Design' student i THINK you get more discounts. No idea about the teachers though. You should try google uk student discounts at the apple store. I bought my macAir at the oxford street store last year
Posted from TSR Mobile
From some link I found that with the Education discount, the Air is about 300 euro cheaper than from Malta. So if I decide to get a Mac, it looks like I'd be getting it one I go to England. Is the switch from PC to Mac easy? One think that worries me is that I buy a Mac and then cannot get used to it / don't like the layout
[QUOTE="larmic;42165195"]
Glad you are considering. You would think its hard, but its so much easier to use! Took me a couple of days to adapt, like ask a friend who has one to show you some stuff. But its so user friendly! You'll love it. I have an iphone and an ipad so i just have to set it up on itunes and they all sync together. Its beautiful!
hope i helped.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by Nearvan
From some link I found that with the Education discount, the Air is about 300 euro cheaper than from Malta. So if I decide to get a Mac, it looks like I'd be getting it one I go to England. Is the switch from PC to Mac easy? One think that worries me is that I buy a Mac and then cannot get used to it / don't like the layout
From some link I found that with the Education discount, the Air is about 300 euro cheaper than from Malta. So if I decide to get a Mac, it looks like I'd be getting it one I go to England. Is the switch from PC to Mac easy? One think that worries me is that I buy a Mac and then cannot get used to it / don't like the layout
Glad you are considering. You would think its hard, but its so much easier to use! Took me a couple of days to adapt, like ask a friend who has one to show you some stuff. But its so user friendly! You'll love it. I have an iphone and an ipad so i just have to set it up on itunes and they all sync together. Its beautiful!
hope i helped. Posted from TSR Mobile
Random update - I decided to buy a mac yesterday, and it is amazing!
Original post by jackpolson1
Random update - I decided to buy a mac yesterday, and it is amazing!
Which Mac did you buy? Pro or air?
Can you comment on how easy it is to start using mac from windows? Also someone recently told me that the Macbook Pro heats up a lot that you cannot really use it on your lap. Do you find this to be true (for whichever version you have)? Also what about compatibility as the same guy said that it is not that compatibly like windows? Still not sure what to do.
Go for the Macbook air or an ultrabook (still not sure what brand - acer and asus seem to have really nice ones, good specs but not sure of their quality)
Original post by larmic
Which Mac did you buy? Pro or air?
Can you comment on how easy it is to start using mac from windows? Also someone recently told me that the Macbook Pro heats up a lot that you cannot really use it on your lap. Do you find this to be true (for whichever version you have)? Also what about compatibility as the same guy said that it is not that compatibly like windows? Still not sure what to do. Go for the Macbook air or an ultrabook (still not sure what brand - acer and asus seem to have really nice ones, good specs but not sure of their quality)
Can you comment on how easy it is to start using mac from windows? Also someone recently told me that the Macbook Pro heats up a lot that you cannot really use it on your lap. Do you find this to be true (for whichever version you have)? Also what about compatibility as the same guy said that it is not that compatibly like windows? Still not sure what to do.
Go for the Macbook air or an ultrabook (still not sure what brand - acer and asus seem to have really nice ones, good specs but not sure of their quality)A mac is really easy to learn, I learnt it within an hour or two max. And if you use their keyboard shortcuts, its really fast to get your work finished on it. Its really user-friendly. All laptops do heat up generally.
Original post by larmic
Which Mac did you buy? Pro or air?
Can you comment on how easy it is to start using mac from windows? Also someone recently told me that the Macbook Pro heats up a lot that you cannot really use it on your lap. Do you find this to be true (for whichever version you have)? Also what about compatibility as the same guy said that it is not that compatibly like windows? Still not sure what to do. Go for the Macbook air or an ultrabook (still not sure what brand - acer and asus seem to have really nice ones, good specs but not sure of their quality)
Can you comment on how easy it is to start using mac from windows? Also someone recently told me that the Macbook Pro heats up a lot that you cannot really use it on your lap. Do you find this to be true (for whichever version you have)? Also what about compatibility as the same guy said that it is not that compatibly like windows? Still not sure what to do.
Go for the Macbook air or an ultrabook (still not sure what brand - acer and asus seem to have really nice ones, good specs but not sure of their quality)I went for the macbook pro as the air didnt have a disk drive. It is sooo easy! My friends have MacBooks so they showed me all the shortcuts on the mousepad but it wouldnt be too hard to learn and it makes things so much faster. Mine hasnt got hot yet and I havent stopped using it, but surely all laptops will get hot if you have it on your lap? I would go for a macbook, they dont get much slower with time compared to windows and they have amazing aftercare, trust me, this is the best decision I have made!
Anyone buying a laptop I'd say the minimum requirements are:
4gb of RAM
an i5 processor
500gb of HDD storage.
For university, if you have no budget and are will to spend £££ I'd go for a mac book pro. Getting a virus is like super rare and that'll only happen if you download porn or something. Pcworld, curry are good places for laptops too and Dell laptops are always reliable, you can get a decent laptop with the specs I've said above for around £500, they also except student discounts.
I'm getting the new Alienware 17 which came out like 2 weeks ago. It's expensive but future proof, I play a lot of games and can't stand loading times or boot up times which is why I'm getting this machine maxed out in features.
4gb of RAM
an i5 processor
500gb of HDD storage.
For university, if you have no budget and are will to spend £££ I'd go for a mac book pro. Getting a virus is like super rare and that'll only happen if you download porn or something. Pcworld, curry are good places for laptops too and Dell laptops are always reliable, you can get a decent laptop with the specs I've said above for around £500, they also except student discounts.
I'm getting the new Alienware 17 which came out like 2 weeks ago. It's expensive but future proof, I play a lot of games and can't stand loading times or boot up times which is why I'm getting this machine maxed out in features.
A suggestion for budget gamers:
The Lenovo Y500.
I bought mine for 900 euros and it included an i7, 8GB of RAM, 650M SLI graphic cards with a 1920*1080 screen. Can't beat those features for that price. At least not right now.
Haven't checked up on the prices but I assume the dropped overall. The Y500 has new models coming up, one with upgraded graphic cards and the new Haswell CPUs, so the old ones should be on sale. I have been using it for quite a while now and the only problem is that it gets quite hot if you game for a while. But that is to be expected with a gaming laptop.
You can get benchmarks for the 650M SLI, but for reference; I can play Battlefield 3 on ultra.
The Lenovo Y500.
I bought mine for 900 euros and it included an i7, 8GB of RAM, 650M SLI graphic cards with a 1920*1080 screen. Can't beat those features for that price. At least not right now.
Haven't checked up on the prices but I assume the dropped overall. The Y500 has new models coming up, one with upgraded graphic cards and the new Haswell CPUs, so the old ones should be on sale. I have been using it for quite a while now and the only problem is that it gets quite hot if you game for a while. But that is to be expected with a gaming laptop.
You can get benchmarks for the 650M SLI, but for reference; I can play Battlefield 3 on ultra.
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