laptops

college2008

just wondering what the best laptop deals are going around..... is dell the best?? also are the deals in ucd any good and when can we find out about them?

any specific laptops for a course like med?

Économiste Monétaire

For the Dell deal go to:

www.dell.ie/ucd

Not advocating that you buy one but just to let you see it.

eclectichoney

It mentions sth on the UCD site about getting your (non UCD) laptop checked over by IT services. Is this absolutely compulsory, I mean will your laptop pick up wifi and work on the network without it?

Dave!

eclectichoney wrote: »

It mentions sth on the UCD site about getting your (non UCD) laptop checked over by IT services. Is this absolutely compulsory, I mean will your laptop pick up wifi and work on the network without it?

I never got mine checked out, it works just fine. You just have to enter some proxy settings in your internet browser I believe (should be on the IT services page).

Stabshauptmann

I cannot stress enough to shop around before buying a laptop. In my experience the UCD "deal" is not good value.

You do not have to buy a laptop through UCD in order for it to conect to the network.
Commerce students should be wary about trying to be strong armed by ILTG. You do not need specs anywhere near the recommended specs, and though they may be complete dickheads about using mac's I have seen people get by.

Thomas_S_Hunterson

I think they have to see it before you can go on the wired network (I presume they implement some sort of MAC filtering), but otehrwise, you'll be fine.

Stepherunie

You can use the wifi without registering you just need the settings which are available on www.ucd.ie/itucd.

If you want to use the wired network you need to register with IT SErvices and that takes 24hours.

SmashingPilot

I just read about needing to have the correct anti virus/security settings on your laptop,

"Step 2: All laptops must have the correct anti-virus and security software installed before connection to the University's Network"

Is this actually an issue? Or do the college provide you with the correct anti virus protection??

Stepherunie

They have Sophos which they insist you install if you're on the wired network.

TBH I find AVG free better so I just use that instead.

SmashingPilot

Stepherunie wrote: »

They have Sophos which they insist you install if you're on the wired network.

TBH I find AVG free better so I just use that instead.

Alrighty, thanks for that.

Currently have AVG free too. So I'm sure that will do.

dip

Got a 'Quinn School laptop programme' pamphlet today, as I'll be starting B&L in September.

The 3 laptop offers listed dont look the best (no graphics card, no widescreen etc), and so I was planning on ordering a custom laptop from Dell.

However if I order the one I want today or tomorrow it won't arrive until the 3rd or 4th. The 'Registration Clinic' I have to attend is on the 2nd though, so is this anything to worry about??

Is it also true that Vista won't be accepted? According to them, "Windows XP professional Service Pack 2 is the required operating system'. Damn XP..:(

Stepherunie

Yep has to be XP2.

I know a lot of people this year did a dual install of both OSs - not exactly sure how that worked but people did it.

dip

Cos on the Dell site, I don't think they don't even have XP2 anymore, only XP Prof Service Pack 3

I take it not having a laptop in time for The Registration Clinic on the 2nd is not an option?

Stepherunie

Well I presume there has to be a later date for people who get into the course on later rounds and won't have a laptop in time.

As for SP2 vs SP3 I'm actually not sure of the difference between them, someone with more tech knowledge is needed for that one!

alan4cult

Do all courses require a laptop? I'm going doing Acturial and Financial Studies.

Économiste Monétaire

Do all courses require a laptop? I'm going doing Acturial and Financial Studies.

Just courses that are part of the Quinn school. AFS isn't part of it so you don't need one.

alan4cult

UCD_Econ wrote: »

Just courses that are part of the Quinn school. AFS isn't part of it so you don't need one.

Thanks. That's cleared up a lot. I'll probably get one anyways, just want to wait until the new Macbooks come out.:cool:

Économiste Monétaire

alan4cult wrote: »

Thanks. That's cleared up a lot. I'll probably get one anyways, just want to wait until the new Macbooks come out.:cool:

You may want to think about the Mac idea - You'll eventually be using Stat programs like STATA SAS and, unfortunatley, Minitab. I don't know if they run on Macs. Just look into it, mate.

Stabshauptmann

dip wrote: »

Got a 'Quinn School laptop programme' pamphlet today, as I'll be starting B&L in September.

The 3 laptop offers listed dont look the best (no graphics card, no widescreen etc), and so I was planning on ordering a custom laptop from Dell.

However if I order the one I want today or tomorrow it won't arrive until the 3rd or 4th. The 'Registration Clinic' I have to attend is on the 2nd though, so is this anything to worry about??

Is it also true that Vista won't be accepted? According to them, "Windows XP professional Service Pack 2 is the required operating system'. Damn XP..:(

Dip, I missed my clinic, it wasnt a big deal. Instead of a half day session we did a 5 min thing. But my guy was really sound and Ive a better than basic knowledge of computers.

I bought a laptop through Quinn.
Advantage: On site support for 3 years. None of the hassle of being different.
Disadvantage: I could have gotten the same or better for a third of the cost.

alan4cult

UCD_Econ wrote: »

You may want to think about the Mac idea - You'll eventually be using Stat programs like STATA SAS and, unfortunatley, Minitab. I don't know if they run on Macs. Just look into it, mate.

Thanks. Was thinking about future problems using a mac. Might be easier to use Microsoft, I suppose.

Économiste Monétaire

alan4cult wrote: »

Thanks. Was thinking about future problems using a mac. Might be easier to use Microsoft, I suppose.

Oh and I can't believe I forgot R. That does work on Macs.

eoin2nc

Just after orderin the 3rd laptop on the quinn letter. seemed good enough value, priced a similar laptop on the dell website also. dont need a graphics card really ive a Xbox for that. Bring on B+L!!

Stin

The new macs can run windows xp/vista, best of both worlds right there

pinkdiamond

hey! i duno much about laptops but i want ta get one for college too and so looked up different offers..dell have an offer on the dell studio 15 for €689..seems reli good.. massive memory and fairly light..and dell computers are always quiet reliable- according to my dad xxx

college2008

i'm pretty sure that €689 doesnt include VAT

it turns out to be about €839

33% God

pinkdiamond wrote: »

hey! i duno much about laptops but i want ta get one for college too and so looked up different offers..dell have an offer on the dell studio 15 for €689..seems reli good.. massive memory and fairly light..and dell computers are always quiet reliable- according to my dad xxx

Price is excluding VAT.
It wouldn't be too bad if it had another GB of RAM and windows home premium instead of Basic.
Also you're going to have to pay about another €70 for Microsoft Office.

NU8

33% God wrote: »

Price is excluding VAT.
It wouldn't be too bad if it had another GB of RAM and windows home premium instead of Basic.
Also you're going to have to pay about another €70 for Microsoft Office.

According to the UCD website you need Microsoft Office enterprise which is €111.

http://www.software4students.ie/Microsoft_Office_Enterprise_2007-details.aspx

pinkdiamond

33% God wrote: »

Price is excluding VAT.
It wouldn't be too bad if it had another GB of RAM and windows home premium instead of Basic.
Also you're going to have to pay about another €70 for Microsoft Office.

it was on one of those leaflet yokeens they send to ya in the post..sez it includes delivery and VAT xXx

33% God

pinkdiamond wrote: »

it was on one of those leaflet yokeens they send to ya in the post..sez it includes delivery and VAT xXx

Says on the link given here that it excludes VAT

pinkdiamond wrote:

According to the UCD website you need Microsoft Office enterprise which is €111.

http://www.software4students.ie/Micr...7-details.aspx

Really? I thought you would have been fine with Microsoft office home/student.
All it's missing is Groove (may have some limited use), Access (maybe if you were doing CS), Communicator (I can't see the advantages of this over MSN), InfoPath (lolwut), and Publisher (which I've never liked, but is probably the most useful thing here)

Maybe I'm wrong.

elgriff

vista works fine in quinn - only thing is you will not be able to use the printing facilities

Stepherunie

That requirement would just be for quinn. Everyone else there's no set officer you need.

If you need anything fancy the NAL in UCD would have it.

muffinman

dip wrote: »

The 3 laptop offers listed dont look the best (no graphics card, no widescreen etc), and so I was planning on ordering a custom laptop from Dell.

The 3rd one is 14.1" widescreen

I think I'll be getting that one.. Even though my current laptop is possibly just as good.. Still, I like the idea of the onsite support and stuff.. Maybe I'm being conned into spending a grand, but ... See you in B & L :P

ucd08

dip wrote: »

Got a 'Quinn School laptop programme' pamphlet today, as I'll be starting B&L in September.

The 3 laptop offers listed dont look the best (no graphics card, no widescreen etc), and so I was planning on ordering a custom laptop from Dell.

However if I order the one I want today or tomorrow it won't arrive until the 3rd or 4th. The 'Registration Clinic' I have to attend is on the 2nd though, so is this anything to worry about??

Is it also true that Vista won't be accepted? According to them, "Windows XP professional Service Pack 2 is the required operating system'. Damn XP..:(

hey im doing b&l next month aswel and got the same pamphlet today, i think i'll just order a custom built one off the dell website aswel but then im wondering will it be here before the 2nd??? And that windows xp pr service pack is an extra €200/300.....

dip

Not to mention €110 for the MS Office 07 Enterprise

See you in Sept

dip

Went onto the site to look at the Quinn laptops - they all come with Vista..what happened to XP Professional?
http://premierconfigure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?cs=RC1147468&oc=rcRC1147468-1599575

Now I'm really confused.:pac:

bnt

This talk of Vista not being supported at UCD... is that up-to-date information? I've just looked at the IT pages, but all the info there, including the laptop offer, seems to refer to last year.

As for XP Service Pack level, they just tell you to install Microsoft's automatic updates, which means they can't argue with SP3. My plan is to use wireless only, not join the wired network, so I can stick with Linux on the eee PC that should be here soon.

If I need to use specific UCD software, well, last year I had little problem finding a UCD desktop PC if I was prepared to walk to one of the outlying computer rooms: Health Sciences (1st floor), Engineering (3rd floor) or the Newstead building (upstairs or downstairs). Even when a class is using one of those rooms: if you don't get in anyone's way, or make noise, you should be OK.

InDemand

Looking around at previous threads there seems to be an issue with the use of macs. I have a place in BCL and will be bringing my macbook air with me.

But I'll be picking up business and economics electives through horizons. If I'm running Parallels with windows XP are there gonna be any major problems?

Actually, I couldn't give a ****e. Any problems would be minor compared to the joke that is Vista.

rainbow kirby

I've had no problem with my Macs (originally a G4 iBook, now a Macbook Pro) while studying CS, I can't see why there'd be an issue using them with anything else outside of Quinn.

Thomas_S_Hunterson

alan4cult wrote: »

Thanks. Was thinking about future problems using a mac. Might be easier to use Microsoft, I suppose.

Don't worry, all the lab computers have SPSS and Minitab and whatever other software you might need.

If you want something on you laptop, get R and learn it, it'll come in handy, although you'll just be taught minitab in 1st year, which is not out on macs.

alan4cult

I suppose I'll still get my mac. I'll use Bootcamp if I have too. Never used Parallels tbh. Anyways I'm not in the Quinn School so no worries.

Économiste Monétaire

Someone needs to shamelessly copy the Macbook air soon - it's almost appealing enough to move away from evil Microsoft. But it only has one USB port - not enough

Konata

Hmmm....all the laptops that I've been looking at in shops etc. all use Windows Vista. Does this definitely not work in UCD? And how can I get the programme that does work?

Économiste Monétaire

Hmmm....all the laptops that I've been looking at in shops etc. all use Windows Vista. Does this definitely not work in UCD? And how can I get the programme that does work?

It will work - just use the wireless connection. What is your course? The UCD dell laptop uses Vista - it's just Quinn school that requires XP pro.

Chakar

I've just bought Microsoft Office 2007 Standard for €76.50 at software4students.ie. It's a enormous discount compared to the prices on the Dell website when I ordered my Precision.

33% God

Chakar wrote: »

I've just bought Microsoft Office 2007 Standard for €76.50 at software4students.ie. It's a enormous discount compared to the prices on the Dell website when I ordered my Precision.

It's €70 on dell now for the home/student edition.

Calhoun

dip wrote: »

Went onto the site to look at the Quinn laptops - they all come with Vista..what happened to XP Professional?
http://premierconfigure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?cs=RC1147468&oc=rcRC1147468-1599575

Now I'm really confused.:pac:

read the pop up on the site, the system comes with a vista license which is backward compatible to xp. The ghost image installed on the laptops come with XP on them and is configured for the quinn network.

pljudge321

UCD_Econ wrote: »

Someone needs to shamelessly copy the Macbook air soon - it's almost appealing enough to move away from evil Microsoft. But it only has one USB port - not enough

Tada

http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/12/dell-e-and-e-slim-revealed-taking-on-eee-and-air-in-one-fell-sw/

Probably be around a 3rd the price too.

Breezer

pljudge321 wrote: »

Tada

http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/12/dell-e-and-e-slim-revealed-taking-on-eee-and-air-in-one-fell-sw/

Probably be around a 3rd the price too.

Now that looks NICE! If it runs a fully supported Linux distro anyway. Especially at that price point. I really don't see the point in paying big bucks for the MacBook Air, I'd much rather a more fully-featured MacBook for less money, but when upgrade time comes then an iMac and one of these babies could be a very attractive option.

Rumour has it Apple has something interesting and laptoppy coming in September though, and possibly lower prices, although I doubt it'll beat $299.

Économiste Monétaire

Looks nice especially at that price - the processor is Silverthorne? Don't know if that's good or bad. I'm hoping the Macbook air will come down in price a bit around December. I can't justify spending 2,500 no matter how hard I try :rolleyes: Especially considering I only bought a new laptop last year...

bnt

So, am I right in saying it comes down to a choice: join the UCD wired network, or not? (Everyone except business students, who have no choice, it seems.) It looks like this to me:

1) joining the wired network:
- must run XP SP2 or later (unless they start supporting Vista in 2008/9)
- buy laptop pre-configured, or take it to IT Services to patch up and register.
- you will be able to connect to the wired network (wall sockets), not just wireless = probably faster
- IT Services adds the Novell client that gives you direct access to the network drives, and allows you to install & run applications licensed by UCD
- disadvantages: XP only, Novell client tends to take over the machine a bit
- in short, you can turn your laptop in to a portable version of the UCD desktops.

2) Not joining the UCD wired network:
- your choice of operating system and applications (as long as they are do what's required). Vista, OS X, Linux, OpenOffice etc.
- no access to UCD-licensed applications e.g. no Maple or AutoCAD unless you buy it yourself (kilobucks);
- access UCD services via the wireless network e.g. H: (home) drive via the UCD Connect web interface; email via the web server, POP or IMAP.
- you won't see any functional differences when it comes to UCD's web-based services, such as SIS or Blackboard, or general Internet access (via their Proxy server).

Me? I didn't carry a laptop at all last year, and used the UCD desktops when necessary, but this year I'll be going down the 2nd route: my Eee PC 1000 (black) is arriving in the next couple of days, with Linux. Not quite as thin as a MacBook Air, but more than twice the battery life, solid state drive 2/3 as big (40GB vs 64GB) for 1/5 the price, and zero OS or application costs.

Breezer

bnt wrote: »

So, am I right in saying it comes down to a choice: join the UCD wired network, or not? (Everyone except business students, who have no choice, it seems.) It looks like this to me:

1) joining the wired network:
- must run XP SP2 or later (unless they start supporting Vista in 2008/9)
- buy laptop pre-configured, or take it to IT Services to patch up and register.
- you will be able to connect to the wired network (wall sockets), not just wireless = probably faster
- IT Services adds the Novell client that gives you direct access to the network drives, and allows you to install & run applications licensed by UCD
- disadvantages: XP only, Novell client tends to take over the machine a bit
- in short, you can turn your laptop in to a portable version of the UCD desktops.

Not quite. This applies to students taking a course in Quinn school and receiving support from ILTG. All other students may connect a laptop running a range of operating systems to the wired network, provided they register the laptop with IT Services and install appropriate antivirus software. However, depending on the operating system, not all services will be available. See here for more.

As far as I know, only Quinn students may use the wired network sockets in the Quinn School as they are connected to a different network. Wireless access to the WaveLAN network is still available there to all students.

Since you're planning on using Linux, it's likely that IT Services won't be able to do much for you other than provide browser functionality, so you may as well avoid the registration hassle and just stick with wireless. If you need any UCD programs, the desktops are there (an eeePC probably isn't the best system to be running virtualised SPSS or something on anyway).