Which computer for our Grandson?

[Deleted member 29692]

My Grandson got rid of his Mac purely because a lot of the uni stuff is done on Windows. Some are converted to Apple, most are not, lots of free theory books, papers, reports, exam papers etc all on windows for free and either not available for Apple or the

Specifically what formats?

All standard generic file formats are cross platform now. They can all be opened and edited by Windows, Apple, Linux and pretty much all other platforms without the need for anything special.

 

[DaveandJen]

We have used Dell for our home and work computers for many years and found them highly reliable. If you can afford one with a SSD (solid state drive) plus a normal hard drive it will load quickly and Windows 10 is the operating system to have the knowage of if applying for computer based jobs.

 

[The Wino]

We have used Dell for our home and work computers for many years and found them highly reliable. If you can afford one with a SSD (solid state drive) plus a normal hard drive it will load quickly and Windows 10 is the operating system to have the knowage of if applying for computer based jobs.

Actually he's doing a paramedic course if they are as up to date as the hospital I work in its windows 7 !!!!!

 

[DaveandJen]

Actually he's doing a paramedic course if they are as up to date as the hospital I work in its windows 7 !!!!!

I've read about the NHS in the past working with earlier Windows operating systems and leaving themselves open to hacking

 

[Gellyneck]

Might be worth contact with the Uni as a number of them regularly sell off "ex-rental" machines they've rented \ loaned out to students.

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[Theonlysue]

Is there anyone or dept or tutor at the uni he can ask? They might have a special purchase scheme.

 

[Gromett]

I have been very happy with my Dell XPS13's. Small enough to fit in a small bag but with a very good screen.
Not good for skyping or other video calls though as the camera is at the bottom of the screen and the person on the other end, ends up looking up your nose

Other than that, very very happy with it.

 

[Teasy2007]

Is there anyone or dept or tutor at the uni he can ask? They might have a special purchase scheme.

He has his induction day later this month so it might be best if he waits till then.

Don't forget students can get MS Office 365 for free: https://products.office.com/en-gb/student/office-in-education

As this is cloud-based, it wouldn't matter what OS is used. There may be some limitations using it off line - I have not experimented with it but it would allow a Chromebook or similar to be purchased for less than £200. Not as flexible or as powerful as a laptop but cheaper and potentially more versatile than a laptop (https://www.lifewire.com/chromebooks-vs-laptops-4163797)

Many thanks for the information on Office, we thought he would have to buy that separately.

 

[mitzimad]

Why?

There are plenty of other and better options.

The "it has to be Windows and Office" thing is the default position of people who haven't got a clue what they're talking about.

which would cover most it departments who will always pick the mainstream default to get an easy life

 

[TheBig1]

serious advice here, don't spend too much on a flashy thief magnet. many students get targeted for their laptops. plus always back up the work to the cloud. if the laptop breaks or is stolen he wont lose his vital coursework

i live in a university town and we hear about laptop and phone theft regularly, sometimes involving violence. if all his work is on the laptop, his first thought may be to fight back and protect it. its not worth it and if the data is secure, why get hurt

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[Gellyneck]

Have a look at these two sites for software options.
http://www.software4students.co.uk/
https://www.savethestudent.org/save-money/free-software-for-students.html
Probably better buying Microsoft Office (if that's your chosen package) rather than paying a subscription for Office 365 each year depending on how long the course is?

 

[hilldweller]

He is starting a Paramedics degree course and has worked very hard to get there.
Ginny

Brilliant. Proper job degree.

Wish him every success from us.

 

[Teasy2007]

serious advice here, don't spend too much on a flashy thief magnet. many students get targeted for their laptops. plus always back up the work to the cloud. if the laptop breaks or is stolen he wont lose his vital coursework

i live in a university town and we hear about laptop and phone theft regularly, sometimes involving violence. if all his work is on the laptop, his first thought may be to fight back and protect it. its not worth it and if the data is secure, why get hurt

That’s great advice, he had his Yamaha scooter damaged the other night when youths cut through 2 bike chains and broke his steering lock. Only the intervention of a neighbour stopped them stealing it, so he is more risk aware than he was, now!

Ginny

 

[Teasy2007]

Brilliant. Proper job degree.

Wish him every success from us.

Thanks Brian, he has worked incredibly hard to pass all his ‘A’ levels and is working for a local Company who supply First Aiders to events, concerts, sporting event days etc, he travels all over.

Ginny

 

[Deleted member 29692]

which would cover most it departments who will always pick the mainstream default to get an easy life

How can something deliberately designed to be unreliable, crash every 10 minutes and need constant intrusive updates be said to be an easy life?


IT departments go with it to justify their own existence

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[MattR]

Have a look at these two sites for software options.
http://www.software4students.co.uk/
https://www.savethestudent.org/save-money/free-software-for-students.html
Probably better buying Microsoft Office (if that's your chosen package) rather than paying a subscription for Office 365 each year depending on how long the course is?

Office 365 is free for students.

 

[hilldweller]

Thanks Brian, he has worked incredibly hard to pass all his ‘A’ levels and is working for a local Company who supply First Aiders to events, concerts, sporting event days etc, he travels all over.

Ginny

Clearly "got what it takes".

I'm a bit disgusted with granddaughter ( not said so ) because she has just deferred a place to have a gap year. In my book if you really want it you go for it.

Not commented on a purchase but you can take a chance and pick up a laptop cheap, for instance........

( I had an upgrade to W10 and ended up buying W7 to rid of it for the odd windows software I need to keep going )

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Student-...537950&hash=item4b4d6b0947:g:7mMAAOSwLVFbh~Z0

 

[MattR]

Clearly "got what it takes".

I'm a bit disgusted with granddaughter ( not said so ) because she has just deferred a place to have a gap year. In my book if you really want it you go for it.

Not commented on a purchase but you can take a chance and pick up a laptop cheap, for instance........

( I had an upgrade to W10 and ended up buying W7 to rid of it for the odd windows software I need to keep going )

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Student-...537950&hash=item4b4d6b0947:g:7mMAAOSwLVFbh~Z0

I would be supporting your granddaughter if she has a plan for the year; she may be in two minds about doing a degree / the course and ending up with a massive debt in an area of study that she is no longer passionate about (perhaps she wants to confirm what she wants to study) or she may be wanting to get some real life experience before uni or she wants to earn some money to reduce the burden on others. I had a gap year and believe that I was better prepared for uni - I was more focused, more experienced in the subject that I was studying because I had done some voluntary work in that area and I was better able to look after myself than those that came straight from school.

 

[Chris]

I would be supporting your granddaughter if she has a plan for the year; she may be in two minds about doing a degree / the course and ending up with a massive debt in an area of study that she is no longer passionate about (perhaps she wants to confirm what she wants to study) or she may be wanting to get some real life experience before uni or she wants to earn some money to reduce the burden on others. I had a gap year and believe that I was better prepared for uni - I was more focused, more experienced in the subject that I was studying because I had done some voluntary work in that area and I was better able to look after myself than those that came straight from school.

I can see the benefit of a gap year or even 2.

I was just seemingly railroaded from A levels to degree to job and I don’t particularly enjoy the job.

 

[Cat53]

Specifically what formats?

All standard generic file formats are cross platform now. They can all be opened and edited by Windows, Apple, Linux and pretty much all other platforms without the need for anything special.

Will get him to specify when he gets back from his holiday job.

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[Gellyneck]

Office 365 is free for students.

But potentially left with "nothing" at the end of course whereas software remains yours?
If it were me I'd be going with LibreOffice anyway.

 

[hilldweller]

I had a gap year and believe that I was better prepared for uni l.

I can see the benefit of a gap year or even 2..

OK, as I said, I have not said anything, just in case. As yet she has no plan for the gap year.I have not detected any passion for the course, equine sports science, and not wanting to get on with it worries me. So maybe a gap year might turn up something she really can get excited about.

 

[Cat53]

My Grandson says it really depends on what course he’s doing. Macs for Media, Art, Photography. My grandson recommends Microsoft Surface Pro. My Grandson is studying Chemistry and couldn’t access mini tab, sigma plot and a couple of other mathematical and chemical drawing packages. Hope this helps.

 

[MattR]

OK, as I said, I have not said anything, just in case. As yet she has no plan for the gap year.I have not detected any passion for the course, equine sports science, and not wanting to get on with it worries me. So maybe a gap year might turn up something she really can get excited about.

Under those circumstances, I'd be pleased that she is taking a gap year and not be worried. Sounds like a sensible decision.

 

[MattR]

But potentially left with "nothing" at the end of course whereas software remains yours?
If it were me I'd be going with LibreOffice anyway.

I'd use Office 365 and Google Suite so that I could collaborate with my colleagues on a course. LibreOffice is good but most other students would be used to using more mainstream software such as MS & GS - it would be harder to convince them to move to LO.

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[Gellyneck]

I'd use Office 365 and Google Suite so that I could collaborate with my colleagues on a course. LibreOffice is good but most other students would be used to using more mainstream software such as MS & GS - it would be harder to convince them to move to LO.

ML and MO are nigh on 100% compatible as far as I'm aware. I certainly use .xlsx files on Windows (LO and MO) and Linux (LO).

 

[MattR]

ML and MO are nigh on 100% compatible as far as I'm aware. I certainly use .xlsx files on Windows (LO and MO) and Linux (LO).

It is the cloud collaboration that makes MS365 and GS so useful - you can have more than one person working on the same document / presentation etc. simultaneously - I'm not sure whether LO etc. have that facility when using cloud-based storage.