are there any student discounts for computers

pianeet

just to say if you are dyslexic or dyspraxic you can get a grant up to £4000 for a computer and all the peripherals that go with it,

ps you can not just say you are dyslexic you have to have a proper test to prove it, and that does not mean writing your letters backwards.

MercilessKiller

Ryan.Maloney wrote:

I bought a laptop using a MasterCard.

Fair enough about the trojans, I must admit I lack technical knowledge of security exploits within macs, but i do know more and more are being discovered.

As for paying for it on a mastercard... this isn't good advice to any student. I'd like to post this as a serious discussion though for a change rather than just flame you Ryan.

Students are already facing debt by the time their out of uni. A credit card should be used for emergency things such as Petrol when there is trouble at home etc... but for a MAC that costs well over £1000, I think buying a PC for a few hundred using the student loan is MUCH more cost effective, better money saving, and makes the future for the OP a lot better too.

My advice: Avoid Macs, Avoid Credit Cards

MercilessKiller

pianeet wrote:

just to say if you are dyslexic or dyspraxic you can get a grant up to £4000 for a computer and all the peripherals that go with it,

ps you can not just say you are dyslexic you have to have a proper test to prove it, and that does not mean writing your letters backwards.

Ye my mate at uni has this. Thing is though, it seriously doesn't effect him at all within University the lucky badger! All assignments are done on the computer where he can type as fast as anyone, and most our examinations are multiple choice.. the only ones that aren't are generally coding ones which he's a lot more comfortable with!

He even jokes around saying he doesnt deserve it but hey!

daleuk_3

I think MACs are student friendly! You carnt get much a better on performance vs cost! Esp with student discount!

bookbuyer

I have just been given a list of requirements for a graphic design course, it has to be a mac lap top with a load of high end software.
If you ring Apple on 0800 0391010, they can offer student discounts, they can't do it on the web. The deal I got was a macbook for £643 instead of £799 with a printer free via rebate and a 2gb i-pod nano for £19, again via rebate. Student software is widely available on places like amazon, generaly they need proof of entitlement such as the acceptance letter from the uni.

Good luck to everyone stating UNI this year

Tiff_2

Hi. Not an expert by any means but I know a man that is and when I asked him about an offer I'd seen on Dell, he said he wouldn't touch them with a very long barge pole as they're very difficult to update & upgrade. Don't know if this is true.
My DS is starting college in a couple of weeks on a Performing Arts course and has a journey of an hour and a half each way - valuable essay time - & has said he needs a laptop. As I'm on Income Support and he's got full EMA, the college will be lending him one during term time and obviously he can use our clockwork windows one at home. Worth asking about this at your HE place. Some schools charge a rental fee - is that an option for you?
Best wishes

lellie

You don't need to get a student discount to get a computer better than the spec you requested..

Go to your local computer parts dealer (for me that's aria.co.uk or microdirect.co.uk) or order online and put it together yourself.

Recently built a PC with dual core, 2gb RAM, 320gb HD, Hi-Spec Graphics Card, TV Tuner and 19" TFT for around £550.. you could reduce the RAM (which is expensive at the moment) and lose the TV card/reduce the spec of the graphics card and you'll get a great PC for less than £500.

We looked at the same stuff elsewhere - for a computer as good as the one we built from dell you were looking at a minimum of £1000. PC World was about the same for the same spec - PC World have a PC at about £700 that on paper looks quite similar - but is actually is built to a price point and uses a poorer quality processor amongst other things.

MercilessKiller

jr666 wrote:

Most uni's will run important software like MAPLE, MATHEMATICA or any other course related software through UNIX servers, which you can access from windows OR mac's, (in fact its easiser on a mac, trust me!) so compatability isnt too much of an issue.

No, I won't trust you.

The only difference when connecting to a unix server is the software you use. The protocols are the same thus it is not easier nor harder using a different OS.

The difference between pc's and mac#'s is mac's are a LOT more expensive for what they are. OK they do a good job, fine.. but whatever spec mac you can get, you ge a similar spec PC for a LOT cheaper.

So for budget, go with PC's.

barginboyrob

i am looking for a laptop with discount nowadays (as i started the topic 1 year ago!), i got my desktop off a ebay powerseller who made it and made a few powersellers compete against each other to get me the best deal

but now i need a laptop as i am studying abroad for 6 months in jan

MercilessKiller

Search for Dell Factory Outlet in google. I got my Inspiron 6000 from here for £500 when it was worth over £800. Its technically second hand but you still have warranty and its still in perfect condition when bought!

Dell's retail site also does some good deals, and I also saw a few good ones in my local Tesco's actually..