Laptop or Desktop Mac for School?

[zodraz]

In all fairness, those computers in the store were running all morning (if not 24/7) on flat laminate tables.

     

[Mayo]

I have also read comments by users about the heat issue, so it must be a tad warm even doing Real World computing.

It might be nice in the winter...  

[sandbox]

In my experience using a trackball for a laptop is far more useful. I can use it in my bed or easychair without a flat surface, in a dorm situation the trackball is ideal.
some choices
http://www.Kensington.com/html/1436.html
ideal size and functions
http://www.Kensington.com/html/1144.html

[Gregg]

A trackball for a laptop sounds like a great idea. Or, you could go "ball-less" (ballless?) and get an optical mouse. You'd still need a flat, perhaps hard surface, and may have to remain erect to use it properly. (That is, no laying down while mousing around.)

[pendragon]

And, you can even get a two button optical trackball (US $30.00) http://www.kensington.com/html/1511.html

FWIW, I would not be without mine.

Harv

[giantmike]

If you are not used to a trackball, they can be very difficult to use. That's why I stick with Optical Mice. In moy dorm room, I'll sit on the futon, with a big pillow next to me. I do my mousing around on the pillow (neither hard nor flat), and it works perfectly. I have also been known to lay on the floor or my bed with the ibook and optimcal mouse, and it works just fine.

Obviously, my suggestion for external injput would be a nice three button optical mouse. I prefer the Microsoft ones.

[Mayo]

I use both types of meese: an Orbit trackball and a PocketMouse Pro.

The Orbit is the most comfortable and versatile trackball I have used, since it works for both Righties and Lefties (we are talking hands here, not political bent...).  My wife has a Kensington TurboRing trackball I bought for her, and I think it is a piece of crap...the scroll wheel doesn't work properly and it is rather uncomfortable to use.

However, the Orbit is not a "portable" mouse, and I think it would be a hassle to use anywhere but on a desk.  The PM Pro is quite small, has a scrollwheel that works reasonably well and a retractable cord.  It takes a minimum amount of space in a bag or pocket.  I use it everyday with my iBook and this dedicated trackball user loves it.  It may be small, but it fits my average size male hands and the programmable buttons are a nice feature.

But when working with my iBook on my lap, etc. the trackpad is the easiest way to move the cursor, and I am not usually a fan of trackpads.  If I am going to be doing a lot of scrolling or work that requires a mouse, I move to a horizontal surface and use a mouse.

[RHPConsult]

Wasn't it Doris Duke (or perhaps Dorothy Parker ) who once said, "No one can ever be too rich, too thin, have too much ram or too large a hard drive'?

My 1.66¢ worth

• Go for Apple Care for the PB
• Go for the largest screen that afforable.
• Go and inquire which security appears to work best on her new campus.
• Go for "offering" a lot of parental advice as to wise decision-making, but let her choose the "winning" candidate.

Finally, write  a Memo to Parents and post it here, on the process and conclusions of this interesting adventure, as others will surely benefit.

Tell her to drop by and say "Hello" to TS when she's settled.

[pendragon]

While “we” are at it…  

“Any data worth having, is worth backing up.”

“There are only two kinds of people in this world: those who have had crashes and those who are about to."

So, if there is any way you can swing it, an external drive may well be of great benefit. And they are ideal (or  required) for running utilities that cannot be run from damaged volumes.

Harv

[Mayo]

Harv, wouldn't burning backup CDs using the internal burner suffice without adding additional cost?

[pendragon]

Mayo, Indeed burning backup CDs would work. Good point. I had completely forgotten about that. Oh the shame.

Harv

[zodraz]

Thanks so much for your comments!

I think for the mice (at this moment) my daughter will opt for the MicroSoft Optical Pro (the "blue" one). CompUSA is offering them for $20 ($5 instant savings), and I have the "lower end one" on my Mac at home. The kids really like the scroll wheel and right button (and so do I ).

As of this moment the 12" PB is looking pretty good. Why? Well, the student discount is $200, making it the same price as a 14.1" iBook. Pluses for the PB are the slot loading CD, BlueTooth, AirPort Extreme capabilities and G4 processor. Video spanning vs mirroring is also a plus, but not critical.

It WILL cost out a bit more since the AirPort Extreme card is more as well as the AppleCare.

I really want my daughter to check out the 12"; explain the "specs" difference. And let her make the choice.

Regarding the G4. Does anyone know of a list of software that utilizes it? I've searched GOOGLE and found an old link to an Apple page that no longer exists. Also, how much of the OS uses it? Does any of the Apple software use it?

Thanks again!
     

[ljocampo]

[Regarding the G4. Does anyone know of a list of software that utilizes it? I've searched GOOGLE and found an old link to an Apple page that no longer exists. Also, how much of the OS uses it? Does any of the Apple software use it?]

Surely you joke    

http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/

[kelly]

Here's some old info Z.

http://macspeedzone.com/archive/5.0/misc/a...lications.shtml

The OS itself very much does take adavantage.

I think many/most Apps have been updated since.

Apple would rather tell you about the G5.

Here's a a little on the G4.

http://www.artref.com.au/Apple%20-%20iMac%...20Processor.htm

[zodraz]

I meant the "Velocity Engine" (Altivec).

All things being equal; a 900 Mhz G3 will equal a 900 Mhz G4 if the task does not use the Velocity Engine. Right?

The I know G5's architecture is so different that you couldn't do a straight comparison.