We often write about the importance of having a current backup. Hard drive failure and software corruption are common in the computer world no matter what platform you’re using. One of my clients recently complained to me that both her computer’s internal hard drive and her external Time Machine backup drive failed. She brought everything […]
Even though your new Mac comes with a wealth of exceptional software bundled in, there are still a few important add-ons to consider. Here is a list of a few titles to help get prepared for the first day of classes. Apple iWork: Though TextEdit (Snow Leopard’s included word processor) can be sufficient for jotting […]
Picking the perfect Mac to accompany a collegiate adventure may seem like an arduous task to some. At a glance, the multitudinous array of custom configurations and pricing tiers may leave you saying “giga-what!?”
What is important to consider when selecting a machine and the accessories to go along with it is, the classic balance between price and performance. Ideally, the perfect Mac is one that will last the course of a college career and with only the features one needs.
It is easy to overbuy based on what you might think you need, when in actuality you could be saving hundreds to better spend on bee….err…textbooks! While requirements can certainly vary from school to school and program to program, there is thankfully some overlap in terms of what to look for.
Based on my days as a young lad back at university, in addition to the machines outlined by a few leading schools, I’ve complied a list to aid in the task of picking the perfect Mac for college.
*Brown University:*
MacBook 13-in 2.4GHz 4GB/250GB White Unibody
*Recommended Accessories:*
AppleCare
Ethernet Cable
*Columbia University:*
MacBook Pro 13-in 2.4GHz 4GB/320GB
*Recommended Accessories:*
AppleCare Protection Plan
*Princeton University:*
MacBook 13-in 2.4GHz 2GB/250GB White Unibody
MacBook Pro 15-in 2.4GHz i5 4GB/320GB
*Recommended Accessories:*
AppleCare Protection Plan
*Amherst College:*
MacBook 13-in 2.4GHz 4GB/250GB White Unibody
*Recommended Accessories:*
Lock
Carrying Case
AppleCare Protection Plan
*Yale University:*
MacBook 13-in 2.4GHz 2GB/250GB White Unibody
MacBook Pro 15-in 2.4GHz i5 4GB/500GB
*Recommended Accessories:*
AppleCare Protection Plan
LoJack Anti-Theft Software
As you may have gathered, for even the most prestigious schools, the 13-inch White MacBook is the overall favorite. This affordably priced, yet versatile machine is undoubtably the most iconic and popular machine on campuses nationwide. Catering to a wide range of student types, the MacBook is ideal for students in arts and sciences disciplines as well as business, law, and medicine.
Every institution also recommended the AppleCare Protection Plan. As a former student myself, I can personally attest to how invaluable this extended warranty truly is. Providing three years of hardware coverage in addition to three years of unlimited phone support, AppleCare is a tremendous resource for Mac newcomers and existing users alike. This warranty, however, doesn’t cover accidental damage or physical abuse, so make sure to keep any extra-curricular beverages at a safe distance from your new machine.
Other must-haves include a carrying sleeve, notebook lock, ethernet cable, and a back up drive. As a note on the latter, an external hard drive can be a lifesaver for your data in the event your computer crashes or worse, is stolen. Apple’s included Time Machine software makes doing a comprehensive system back easy. Keeping a regular backup is a great way to preserve college memories without the fear of suddenly loosing them.
Hopefully this guide will serve to reduce some of the stress surrounding the impending purchase of a new machine. While this guide reflects the needs of the average student, don’t hesitate to explore Apple’s other offerings if your program warrants it. Though higher end creative programs typically specify or even supply students with the proper machine, it can never hurt to double check. Above all, enjoy your new Mac!
With the rising prominence of touchscreen based devices such as the iPad and iPhone, it is easy to overlook the significance of choosing the proper mouse in a more traditional desktop environment. Though Apple includes it’s slick and versatile Magic Mouse with every new iMac, if you’re looking to add a mouse to a Mac […]
If you’re looking to make the most of the upcoming 4th of July weekend, you know it means breaking out the grill, cranking the tunes, and letting the drinks and good times flow. Here’s a set of great iPhone apps to aid in planning/throwing the perfect party for your family and friends. The Weather Channel […]
I started using a RSS reader recently when I was faced with far too many blogs to check per day for a fitness project I’ve been a part of. Checking close to 20 blogs every day meant opening the domain, remembering if I read that article, then going on to the next one. It ended up resulting in too many bookmark folders in my browser’s bookmark bar. Then opening all of them at once resulted in a lot of memory being used by my web browser.
I then remembered a little icon I’ve see before. There should be one at the top of this page. This means that an RSS feed is available for the blog or article website you’re reading.
What’s an RSS feed? RSS (usually) stands for “Really Simple Syndication.” This means you can have your article without all the ads and spam that cover some web pages. All you need to do is find the URL, or address, for the feed you’re looking for. For Google BlogSpot blogs, this means using a special link in conjunction with the blog name. For other websites, they may need to provide it for you.
For example, take the New York Times. I would have to check this website every day, along with all the other news sites I read. What if I’m more interested in just receiving the new articles? Or even a specific category of articles? If you’d rather check the articles in this manner, you could check and see if they offer an RSS feed (most sites do now). I just searched Google for “nytimes rss” and immediately was given one of their own pages, listing their RSS feed addresses.
What program should you use for a RSS reader? I’ve tried a couple on the Mac, and I’ve settled on Shrook for the moment. It’s very simple to use, and has an iTunes-like interface. It’s a light program too, that doesn’t take up too much space or memory. If you leave it running, it will automatically check for updates every 30 minutes and alert you with a badge on the dock icon when there are new articles or blogs.
But wait! There’s more! If you prefer to keep all your updates in one place, Apple Mail can also check RSS feeds for you! Just click the little + in the lower left of the Mail window and select “Add RSS Feeds…”.
The iPad now has some pretty nifty ones, with nice touch interfaces, like Reeder.
Just about all devices have access to RSS feeds now, and with just spending a few minutes of your time adding the RSS links you read on a regular basis, you can save yourself a lot more time in the long run.
With 3 million sold in just 80 days, the iPad is a runaway success. Since the device’s release on April 3rd, developers have created over 11,000 iPad specific apps. Though all existing iPhone apps will run on the device, there’s something great about running apps specifically designed for the 9.7-in display in their high-res glory. […]
One of most amazing features of the iPhone 4 is the new 5 megapixel camera. Though the camera doesn’t sport the highest megapixel count on the smartphone market, Steve Jobs emphasized that the sheer number of megapixels does not necessarily make or break a digital camera any longer. Other features such as a backside illumination […]
This is, of course, written on my iPad. No editing has been done on a separate computer. This is day five of owning this incredible device. Why so late? I gave it a month to decide whether or not one would fit into my life. I found myself borrowing my friend’s so often that I […]
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