Absolutely. And I believe you can still get XP in computer stores (not the big box ones, but small independent places) for around $100. At least, we did when I build lite's new computer last winter.
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
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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??
The big thing I notice here (and I think you've made reference to it before too) is the Road Runner vs. wireless thing. Even if your computer is wireless-enabled, you'd still need Road Runner (or Frontier, or whatever) as an Internet Service Provider. Wireless just connects you to a network. You'd still need to pay for Internet service of some kind /on/ that network.
Does that make sense? I'm kind of crap at explaining things. :/
Agreed -- if you went with wireless on a desktop computer, you'd still need to pay for high-speed service. It would just be a matter of whether the ISP provided you with a wireless cable/DSL modem, or if you purchased a wireless router in addition to buying the computer and paying for the internet service.
Honestly, I'd say that if you're looking at a desktop rather than a laptop, don't bother with wireless. It will be a slower connection, and for a computer that doesn't move, I'd consider it kind of a waste. Put the money where you're more likely to use it.
*nod* Personal opinion, cable is easier. And should you ever get a laptop as well as the desktop, you can always get a wireless router (which also has wired jacks on it) and connect it to the cable modem so both computers can get online.
Single PC: |------[cable modem]----[PC] wall
2 computers with wireless: |------[cable modem]----[router]----[PC] [laptop] wall
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Can a PC run iTunes, though? I also want nothing to do with Vista, because it's evil.
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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 ( ... )
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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??
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The cheat sheet is helpful :)
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Does that make sense? I'm kind of crap at explaining things. :/
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Honestly, I'd say that if you're looking at a desktop rather than a laptop, don't bother with wireless. It will be a slower connection, and for a computer that doesn't move, I'd consider it kind of a waste. Put the money where you're more likely to use it.
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Sounds like RR would be better.
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Single PC:
|------[cable modem]----[PC]
wall
2 computers with wireless:
|------[cable modem]----[router]----[PC] [laptop]
wall
Do these diagrams help at all?
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