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Same thing at my daughter's high school, where they just make sense. Low tech support, almost disposable hardware, instant software updates. But next year is c

Same thing at my daughter's high school, where they just make sense. Low tech support, almost disposable hardware, instant software updates. But next year is college so the choices are Windows or Mac?

analog31 10y ago
That's an interesting question. I'd like to know too. At a K-12 school, that has chosen a particular platform, there's an implicit commitment to support that platform from an IT standpoint. At a university, where it's "bring your own," you're more likely to run into situations where somebody's technology has only been tested on a handful of mainstream platforms and browsers, and if you don't have one of those, then your problems are your fault. You'd hate to get the call: "I need to finish an assignment by tonight at 11 PM, and the software only runs on Mac or Windows." With that said, there are low cost Windows computers that are almost throwaway, and quite robust. My carry-around computer is an Asus Windows notebook that I got for 100 bucks refurbished.
smichel17 10y ago
Check if the college has preferred vendors. Mine will repair your dell, mac, or Lenovo ThinkPad for free (you still pay for new parts required) if you own one of those.
- ams6110 10y ago
  They also often have special purchasing deals. Though the savings are not great it's something. Most colleges will have no preference for Mac, Windows, Linux but there may be some courses or majors where there is an advantage to one platform over the others.
wazanator 10y ago
Not necessarily. Most universities these days have plenty of computers on campus to use and are running the software required. I also know if I do end up requiring to install some software the school doesn't have already (which hasn't happened yet) they have virtualbox installed so I could go spin up a VM and do it through that. I've never felt like I had to own a personal computer. Granted I have never wanted to sit around on campus all day doing my assignments so I go to my apartment to work on them. If all they are going to be using their computer for is note taking and essay writing a chromebook will be just fine. If a prof requires an assignment in the word format (which I've had one do sadly) you can still export a google doc in the word format or you can just go to one of the many computer labs and just copy paste into a word file. With a little bit of work you can even run Ubuntu on them. I've actually worked on a good number of my programming assignments from my chromebook. If they're doing some kind of arts program then you are probably looking at getting a Mac as most prof seem to expect that's what you are using. If you just want a safe pick go with something running Windows.

analog31 10y ago

That's an interesting question. I'd like to know too. At a K-12 school, that has chosen a particular platform, there's an implicit commitment to support that platform from an IT standpoint. At a university, where it's "bring your own," you're more likely to run into situations where somebody's technology has only been tested on a handful of mainstream platforms and browsers, and if you don't have one of those, then your problems are your fault. You'd hate to get the call: "I need to finish an assignment by tonight at 11 PM, and the software only runs on Mac or Windows." With that said, there are low cost Windows computers that are almost throwaway, and quite robust. My carry-around computer is an Asus Windows notebook that I got for 100 bucks refurbished.

smichel17 10y ago

Check if the college has preferred vendors. Mine will repair your dell, mac, or Lenovo ThinkPad for free (you still pay for new parts required) if you own one of those.

ams6110 10y ago
They also often have special purchasing deals. Though the savings are not great it's something. Most colleges will have no preference for Mac, Windows, Linux but there may be some courses or majors where there is an advantage to one platform over the others.

wazanator 10y ago

Not necessarily. Most universities these days have plenty of computers on campus to use and are running the software required. I also know if I do end up requiring to install some software the school doesn't have already (which hasn't happened yet) they have virtualbox installed so I could go spin up a VM and do it through that. I've never felt like I had to own a personal computer. Granted I have never wanted to sit around on campus all day doing my assignments so I go to my apartment to work on them. If all they are going to be using their computer for is note taking and essay writing a chromebook will be just fine. If a prof requires an assignment in the word format (which I've had one do sadly) you can still export a google doc in the word format or you can just go to one of the many computer labs and just copy paste into a word file. With a little bit of work you can even run Ubuntu on them. I've actually worked on a good number of my programming assignments from my chromebook. If they're doing some kind of arts program then you are probably looking at getting a Mac as most prof seem to expect that's what you are using. If you just want a safe pick go with something running Windows.