what kind of computer for Eller?

[Unregistered]

My daughter is an incoming pre-business freshman. I saw on the Eller website that they recommend a tablet computer by Gateway, which is different than what the university computing center recommends in general. Can anyone tell me how important it would be for her to have one of these, or would a regular PC laptop be fine? I am willing to pay the extra to get the tablet only if it truly matters. Thanks.

[prohaska]

Although Eller may have changed some requirements since I started with them four years ago, a tablet shouldn't be absolutely necessary. As you stated, this is a recommendation by Eller, not a requirement.

Overall, I would suggest getting a PC because some required courseware in Eller does/did not have Mac versions. Getting back to tablet vs. regular laptop, my personal opinion is that it really depends on what kind of learner your daughter is. If she wants to take her laptop to classes and make personal notes on PowerPoint slides, tablet PC's are handy for that. However, that's really the only additional use I could see her getting out of a tablet PC. If she wants to take notes by hand or use Word to occasionally take notes with, a non-tablet laptop will be sufficient. Again, it's all about her style of learning and how to best accommodate that.

[Unregistered]

Thanks, Nick.
Do most of the Eller students take their laptops to class?

[Unregistered]

Another question: The Eller website says that they don't yet support Vista, but that is what all the new laptops are coming with. Will Vista be supported by the time the new semester begins?

[gpeterso]

I really don't think so. The people I've know to get tablets have been frustrated with their use in class and go back to taking notes by hand. As to whether or not you should get a desktop or laptop, I think that would depend on if your daughter really wants to be dragging it around or not, some people who buy laptops end up leaving them at home because they just don't want to carry them. If you do get a laptop, make sure you get a nothing larger than a 15' monitor, which would be ideal for transportation. The point of a laptop is not its power, but it's portability.

[prohaska]

There isn't an easy answer as to what most student do. If I had to make an overall statement, I would say no, most students take notes by hand. However, there is a large number of students that do bring laptops to class. Again, it's all about the student's style of learning. Personally, I never bring my laptop to class, but do bring it to some group meetings - that's just my learning style and what I'm comfortable with. Just know that laptops should not be required for class, except maybe in rare cases.

As for Vista support, that's really a question that would have to be directed to the Eller college.

The situation may be as simple as "not supported" meaning none of the Eller computer labs run Vista, or could be more complex. However, most incoming freshmen with new computers will have Vista, so my hope is that they will be working on support. Also, I can tell you from my own experience that computer use during at least the first, maybe even the second, year of a business degree is pretty general and by the passing of this time, there will be enough of a lead time to again hopefully have Vista support.

[picch]

If you order your daughter's laptop directly from gateway's website on their academic page Click me (http://select.gateway.com/store/product_cat_page.php?categoryRecid=503054353&topCategory=327745588) You can order it with Windows XP Professional.

I've found in my personal experience that students use the tablet features of their laptops for about a month then go back to taking notes on paper.

[Unregistered]

If you order your daughter's laptop directly from gateway's website on their academic page Click me (http://select.gateway.com/store/product_cat_page.php?categoryRecid=503054353&topCategory=327745588) You can order it with Windows XP Professional.

I've found in my personal experience that students use the tablet features of their laptops for about a month then go back to taking notes on paper.

The link above doesn't work any longer...

[dkjensen]

Personally I hate the tablet. It is more work than it is worth. I would go for the laptop though. I love being able to take notes, and even look up things for clarification. We all know that when a class gets boring you can stay awake on facebook!