Laptop for prospective TCD student

Jonathan

I'm doing the leaving now so hopefully Ill be in engineering next sept.

What's the story on laptops in TCD? I presume that they have a deal done with one of the big manufacturers? And before someone might say you don't need a laptop, i want one, I'm sick of sharing the family pc!! I found something on tcd.ie about some offer but you need a login so i was wondering could someone copy and paste the offer so I can just get an idea of the deals. I might just go and get a half decent dell myself over the summer as from what I've heard all those college laptops aren't great.

And if i was to go that route i presume i would need Vista business/ultimate or XP Pro for networking reasons?

Thanks

From isservices.tcd.ie...

Apple Offer (still 10% off I think): http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/irlEducation?type=eduirlAOC&qprm=119108

Dell: Attached.

They are normally set up so you don't have to do anything - just pay money, and plug it in to the network. Problem though is that you may be paying through your teeth for things you mightn't need - for example, will you need a Nylon Carry Case? A FireWire Port? A Smart Card Reader? etc. etc. etc.

If you're looking for something cheap, I got myself an Inspiron 1300 from Dell.ie for €800 which does the business - although I did have to then upgrade it from XP Home to XP Pro. I upped the warranty, but the same thing was going for around €250 cheaper without as long a warranty. I use Open Office for any word processing, though I will concede that Calc does suck compared to Excel.

Also you could check out some various websites offering deals like http://www.laptopsdirect.ie or the dell outlet store, though the former's customer service isn't meant to be the best if there's any problem.

Jonathan

Thanks.

So any laptop will do will do it bar windows xp home?

Is the Apple offer just 10% off cause the Apple Store is saying: Unable to enter the requested store.

The new dell offer is out in september then? Things seem so over priced lookin back on them now. lol €1300 for 512mb ram!

Yeah a new offer will be coming about next September.

Not sure what's the deal with the Apple link, but that's what's up on the ISS website.

IS Services have released info for Vista on the website: http://isservices.tcd.ie/general/upcoming.php#vista. Just in case you have to log in:

Microsoft Windows Vista - IS Services Support Statement

Announced Thursday 1st February 2007
Updated Thursday 17th May 2007

IS Services are pleased to announce that users of Microsoft Windows Vista can, from Monday May 21st, connect their computers to the self-service network access control system in College residences and Library communal areas. Please note that IS Services are continuing to evaluate the different versions of Microsoft Windows Vista for use with other existing College IT services.

During this period IS Services are not in a position to provide support or network connectivity for PCs running any version of Windows Vista in College offices and labs. PCs purchased from College suppliers will continue to be shipped with Windows XP Professional.

IS Services will be working as quickly as possible to provide additional support for appropriate versions of Microsoft Windows Vista and this notice will be updated as more information becomes available. If you have any queries regarding the use of Microsoft Windows Vista in College please contact the IS Services Helpdesk. For further general information from Microsoft regarding this operating system please follow the links below.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/systemrequirements.mspx

But yeah, for XP you need Pro. http://www.software4students.ie/ have an upgrade for XP Pro from XP Home for €89.95, if you're looking to go that route.

There may be other requirements, but I can't remember them off the top of my head. Perhaps a nerd Computer Scientist may answer that for you.

imarugbyball

Do you have to have a legit copy of XP to get on the network? Sp2 et al?

Nietzschean

you need to be fully up to date. whatever that requires........... afaik if WGA isn't an issue for you shouldn't be too badly off.

imarugbyball

WGA?

If i use the same cd i did for my normal pc is that cool?

Nietzschean

WGA = windows genuine advantage

its required to do windows update these days

xebec

The Apple link doesn't work because each time you go into it you start a new session. They give a 10% discount to TCD students, the standard education discount is 6% or 8% depending on what is being bought so it's to your advantage to go through the Trinity link, but as the OP said you need to have your network login before you can do this.

I've been using a mac on the network this year, hasn't been without its problems but I've never been without the internet at least.

Pet

My next laptop will definitely be a Mac. I've been converted!

I've been comparing the prices of Macbooks and Sony laptops (the nearest competitor in terms of design/engineering), and Macs actually work out cheaper. Nobody was more surprised than I..

Nietzschean

i want that intel prototype....

Crash

Thats cus Vaios are rediculous price - if you have any sense you'll get a dell system that you can install mac os x on - much easier all round.

Nytfevr

As for legit windows, you shouldn't really use the cd from your home computer if you have a license for it- try sourcing it elsewhere as in from one of your computer science friends Or if you really want to geek it up, try ubuntu

Pet

&#231 wrote: »

Thats cus Vaios are rediculous price - if you have any sense you'll get a dell system that you can install mac os x on - much easier all round.

But Dells are big, plasticky lumps.

Nietzschean

Pet wrote:

But Dells are big, plasticky lumps.

what he said, nevermind they fail like the be jebus

Crash

Hrmm I dunno - you know my little un has treated me well and for at least half the price of a comparable vaio

I've never been overly impressed with the vaios anyhow - their ultrasharp screens are too reflective and they're just a pain.

Nietzschean

some of the sony's over the years have looked deadly. I've never seen a single dell (and i've had 3) which i'd give that attribute to. Some of the bigger vaios are just terrible looking though imo. Buuttt..they do tend to die less...

Crash

Look deadly, poorer components for the cost, and actually lower build quality in some cases. seen a few vaios die a death pretty quick.

Jonathan

Can you use Windows Vista Home Premium? With the network yet? I read their article about vista but unfortunately it just says it is in test phase

Nietzschean

&#231 wrote: »

Look deadly, poorer components for the cost, and actually lower build quality in some cases. seen a few vaios die a death pretty quick.

'few' i've seen oodles of dells. Heck i've replaced the mobo's on some of them 5 times over 2 months.... As you know though its hard to compare component quality without raw data from the manufacturers/assemblers who will never give it out...

Nietzschean

ShoulderChip wrote:

Whats the story with being able to run vista over apple laptops?
does it work on all apples, and what is the cost?

Can't think of any vista restriction vs xp pro... you'd need an intel powered mac, probably running 10.3 or newer(may need 10.4)....

it'll cost you the price of a vista licence