What kind of budget did you have in mind? That's probably the biggest thing you should decide up-front.
For the computer, the cheapest desktop Mac is going to be a Mini. For basic web browsing, word processing and music playing, it should more than suffice. Bonus: you don't need a Mac-specific keyboard, mouse, or monitor to use it. Any USB mouse or keyboard will work. The trick with a PC keyboard is remembering to use the Windows key for the Apple/command key (the loopy symbol on a Mac keyboard). And it comes with an adapter for whatever type of monitor you use.
Also, remember you're a college student! You qualify for an educational discount! (And if they give you a hard time, try the kids' school...but MCC should count just fine, going by Apple's website.)
Others could probably make better recs on monitors. Just about anything not-Apple is going to be more affordable than an Apple display. Best Buy might be a decent place to at least start out and get an idea on pricing and specs.
Two other things I would recommend: a USB flash drive for you to be able to take assignments between work and home, and an external hard drive (also connecting via USB) to store things on so you don't lose music, documents, etc when you change computers. There might be a slight learning curve in getting the external drive set up and using it regularly, but once you've gotten in the habit it should be easy enough to remember.
Budget would simply be as little as possible. If that ends up being $600, so be it. If it ends up being $800, I'll cry, and then purchase it because I need it.
What I had forgotten to add is that I want something that will enable me to do online classes, aka fast processor and faster than dial up ISP.
I didn't know about educational discounts. Spiffy :)
USB flash drive...those little finger sized things??
Budget: mostly thinking in terms of previous money issues and not wanting you to get in over your head. Does definitely under $1000, preferably under $750 sound about right?
Different places do online classes different ways. I don't have any real experience with that, just a vague notion of the options that could be used. High-speed internet would be helpful, yes, but what you want is not just a decent processor but also enough RAM that the computer doesn't lock up trying to handle the extra load if they use software that allows real-time meetings with audio and/or video. (second edit: Actually, this might be another good question for MCC's Helpdesk. They should know this stuff.)
Yep, educational discounts work for both Apple products, or for getting a PC through Dell or something similar. Maybe check with MCC's IT department, too, to see if there's a specific computer vendor they recommend.
Yes, flash drives are the small things with the rectangular connectors. Best Buy's website is being really slow, but I can tell you mine (from Target) fits on my keychain, and I've seen them on lanyards as well.
For the computer, the cheapest desktop Mac is going to be a Mini. For basic web browsing, word processing and music playing, it should more than suffice. Bonus: you don't need a Mac-specific keyboard, mouse, or monitor to use it. Any USB mouse or keyboard will work. The trick with a PC keyboard is remembering to use the Windows key for the Apple/command key (the loopy symbol on a Mac keyboard). And it comes with an adapter for whatever type of monitor you use.
Also, remember you're a college student! You qualify for an educational discount! (And if they give you a hard time, try the kids' school...but MCC should count just fine, going by Apple's website.)
Others could probably make better recs on monitors. Just about anything not-Apple is going to be more affordable than an Apple display. Best Buy might be a decent place to at least start out and get an idea on pricing and specs.
Two other things I would recommend: a USB flash drive for you to be able to take assignments between work and home, and an external hard drive (also connecting via USB) to store things on so you don't lose music, documents, etc when you change computers. There might be a slight learning curve in getting the external drive set up and using it regularly, but once you've gotten in the habit it should be easy enough to remember.
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http://rochester.craigslist.org/sys/811444699.html
Mind, it was posted in August. But it might be worth contacting them anyway, in case it didn't sell.
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I don't get FA cash for another week or so, which is why I put this out now, so I have some info going in when I go to buy something.
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What I had forgotten to add is that I want something that will enable me to do online classes, aka fast processor and faster than dial up ISP.
I didn't know about educational discounts. Spiffy :)
USB flash drive...those little finger sized things??
Reply
Different places do online classes different ways. I don't have any real experience with that, just a vague notion of the options that could be used. High-speed internet would be helpful, yes, but what you want is not just a decent processor but also enough RAM that the computer doesn't lock up trying to handle the extra load if they use software that allows real-time meetings with audio and/or video. (second edit: Actually, this might be another good question for MCC's Helpdesk. They should know this stuff.)
Yep, educational discounts work for both Apple products, or for getting a PC through Dell or something similar. Maybe check with MCC's IT department, too, to see if there's a specific computer vendor they recommend.
Yes, flash drives are the small things with the rectangular connectors. Best Buy's website is being really slow, but I can tell you mine (from Target) fits on my keychain, and I've seen them on lanyards as well.
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Between computer and needed car repairs, my goal is to not exceed $2000 for the both.
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