Monash General Chat

[Reus]

Okay, AN. This is where I use you for your knowledge. Basically, I need a new laptop. Let me preface this by saying that I am technologically (and generally, but mostly technologically) inept.

I have been using my brother's laptop for many months because the one that I bought for about $1.99 at the start of 2013 was just abhorrently slow. That's been going well, but my intercampus exchange application was approved the other day, and I will need my own laptop in Malaysia.

Things I am looking for:
> Ease of use
> Fairly light
> Speedy
> Perhaps good for travelling purposes

I don't game, I don't stream or whatever. The only things I will be using it for, really, are a) browsing the interwebz for too long; and b) Word documents (a lot of Word documents). My other thought is that because I will be doing Honours next year, I would quite like to have next semester to get used to the new laptop.

I'm okay with spending a fair bit so long as it gives me good use over numerous years.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Just grab yourself one of those Lenovo's that go for like 300-400 at JB. Do not buy an overpriced Mac especially when it's just to research and use word.

[keltingmeith]

I'm going to say Chromebook again.
Because it's cheap, light and designed for Internet usage.

[anna.xo]

The issue with buying cheap laptops is that it's gonna last. I'm of the thought that if you're gonna spend that much in the first place, you may as well get something good quality that's gonna last. I mean, 500 dollars isn't a small amount of money by anyone's standards, so if you're gonna spend that much and it lasts a year, you're effectively spending $500 per year for a computer. May as well spend 1000 and have it last a solid few years instead. Just my 2 cents.

[keltingmeith]

The issue with buying cheap laptops is that it's gonna last. I'm of the thought that if you're gonna spend that much in the first place, you may as well get something good quality that's gonna last. I mean, 500 dollars isn't a small amount of money by anyone's standards, so if you're gonna spend that much and it lasts a year, you're effectively spending $500 per year for a computer. May as well spend 1000 and have it last a solid few years instead. Just my 2 cents.

Can get a Chromebook for about 300-400, and it will last. (As long it's not Samsung brand because they use shoddy parts.)

There are also plenty of other windows based laptops that are cheap and will last. In fact, in my experience, if a $500 laptop lasts you one year, a $1000 laptop won't necessarily last you two.

[ninwa]

I've worked out it would increase the length of my degree by around one and a half years

Not if you do summer semester :3

I also did 3 units a semester from 3rd year onwards. I made an excel spreadsheet based on the course plan which made it easy to move subjects around, add electives I was interested in, etc. This also made it easy to keep track of how many credits I had left etc. (unlike my friend, who graduated a whole year late because she didn't realise she had 6 credit points outstanding on her degree)

[vashappenin]

Can get a Chromebook for about 300-400, and it will last. (As long it's not Samsung brand because they use shoddy parts.)

There are also plenty of other windows based laptops that are cheap and will last. In fact, in my experience, if a $500 laptop lasts you one year, a $1000 laptop won't necessarily last you two.

I was looking into getting a chromebook too, cos I've been wanting a macbook air or something that has similar features for a while. But I read somewhere that microsoft office can't be used on chromebooks. Is that true?

I just need something for uni where I can browse the internet/watch stuff, use word for making notes and doing assignments, something with good battery life that'll last me quite a long time and something really light that I can easily carry in my bag. Which is why I want a Macbook. But if there's something slightly cheaper that would be a lot better, so long as it ticks these boxes.

I found this chromebook (http://www.dicksmith.com.au/laptops-notebooks/toshiba-13-3-cb30-b007-chromebook-dsau-xc9362) that seems pretty similar to a macbook in terms of weight and battery life, but I'm not sure if it's a good one. And what's also holding me back is if I can't use word and other microsoft office things on it, can anyone clarify?

[keltingmeith]

And what's also holding me back is if I can't use word and other microsoft office things on it, can anyone clarify?

You can't use Microsoft Office the program, no - but you can use the Google Drive equivalents. (explore your Monash google drive to test out google docs, sheets and slides) Also, over the past few years, support has been made to use the Google Drive versions of Microsoft Office offline. You can also save the drive documents as office docs in case you need to transfer it to microsoft office for whatever reason.

[chasej]

I was looking into getting a chromebook too, cos I've been wanting a macbook air or something that has similar features for a while. But I read somewhere that microsoft office can't be used on chromebooks. Is that true?

I just need something for uni where I can browse the internet/watch stuff, use word for making notes and doing assignments, something with good battery life that'll last me quite a long time and something really light that I can easily carry in my bag. Which is why I want a Macbook. But if there's something slightly cheaper that would be a lot better, so long as it ticks these boxes.

I found this chromebook (http://www.dicksmith.com.au/laptops-notebooks/toshiba-13-3-cb30-b007-chromebook-dsau-xc9362) that seems pretty similar to a macbook in terms of weight and battery life, but I'm not sure if it's a good one. And what's also holding me back is if I can't use word and other microsoft office things on it, can anyone clarify?

A Chromebook is just a glorified version of the google Chrome Web browser. It is not designed to be a replacement for an actual computer and it's a very niche device. I imagine if you're doing research and trying to do a few things at once you would run out of patience with the device very quickly.

It is wise to choose a computer with Mac OS X or Windows. Google Docs can make microsoft office documents, but formatting errors can occur, as they have to me when I've used google Docs before. Shell up the extra $$ and get a proper computer IMO. Also programs like Endnote aren't on Chromebook either. I actually thought Chromebook was scrapped a while ago tbh, didn't know it was still around because it was never so popular.

Not if you do summer semester :3

I also did 3 units a semester from 3rd year onwards. I made an excel spreadsheet based on the course plan which made it easy to move subjects around, add electives I was interested in, etc. This also made it easy to keep track of how many credits I had left etc. (unlike my friend, who graduated a whole year late because she didn't realise she had 6 credit points outstanding on her degree)

ah true. I haven't looked into summer semester but I've heard it's a good idea.

[zhenzhenzhen]

I'm in the market for a nice light laptop, like the MacBook Air as well since my MBA 2013 died (an accident of my own fault) - however I've decided to put it on hold for now and use an older laptop:

- The AUD is really weak right now, making really good options like the MBA 2015 or Dell XPS 13 super expensive - they increased in price by $400 in the past month while having pretty much minimal upgrades/no upgrades at all
- The newest line of processors are slated to be released in August (the current line having experienced delays, so the 2015 processors are really 2014 processors), so I might regret my decision really quick

But really i'd get something if there was a good option that isn't too expensive. I haven't found any at all.

[keltingmeith]

A Chromebook is just a glorified version of the google Chrome Web browser. It is not designed to be a replacement for an actual computer and it's a very niche device.

You know - except for the fact that it does absolutely everything vashappenin wants...

I imagine if you're doing research and trying to do a few things at once you would run out of patience with the device very quickly.

Can confirm that I do research and multiple things at once on my Chromebook most times that I use it, I do not run out of patience.

It is wise to choose a computer with Mac OS X or Windows.

Why, though? Sure, most programs are compatible with one of the two, but vashappenin apparently isn't in the market for too many.

Google Docs can make microsoft office documents, but formatting errors can occur, as they have to me when I've used google Docs before.

Not for basic formatting, which is what you'd be doing for uni work.

Shell up the extra $$ and get a proper computer IMO.

Ouch, that's just mean and nasty.

Also programs like Endnote aren't on Chromebook either.

Google Scholar works fairly similarly, from what I've heard. (I don't use Endnote myself, seeing as how it won't add itself to TeXworks for me. #LaTeXmasterrace #bibTeXgotmyback)

I actually thought Chromebook was scrapped a while ago tbh, didn't know it was still around because it was never so popular.

Most reviews I've seen for them have been very positive, tbh... I've never seen as much hate for it as I did in your post, ever.

[anna.xo]

Don't buy a chromebook. You'd be better off throwing your money into a fire.

Is it university protocol to not get work back ? Way to go Monash -.-

[Reus]

Okay I'm a bit worried... I went to check Moodle to see if my essay was marked however the whole assessment section is missing.


There should be First Assessment Task above the Second... Is this just a glitch or? :/

[mahler004]

I'm in the market for a nice light laptop, like the MacBook Air as well since my MBA 2013 died (an accident of my own fault) - however I've decided to put it on hold for now and use an older laptop:

- The AUD is really weak right now, making really good options like the MBA 2015 or Dell XPS 13 super expensive - they increased in price by $400 in the past month while having pretty much minimal upgrades/no upgrades at all
- The newest line of processors are slated to be released in August (the current line having experienced delays, so the 2015 processors are really 2014 processors), so I might regret my decision really quick

But really i'd get something if there was a good option that isn't too expensive. I haven't found any at all.

Yeah, this definitely sucks, I'm glad that I ended up doing my computer upgrades last year instead of waiting. JB HiFi and Dick Smith regularly have 10% off MacBooks (in fact, I think JB is doing a sale right now.) But yeah, if you don't need it RIGHT NOW I'd wait until August for the better models.

Don't forget about the refurbished Apple models - they have last year's model at last year's price. Still not exactly cheap, but quite a bit cheaper then the new model.

Regarding the conversation above - one think that's always forgotten when buying a new computer (next to reliability) is the after-sale support. I've only had pleasurable experiences with Apple (they've replaced $1000 components on my laptop free under Applecare,) while I've had horrid experiences with HP and my parents have had horrid experiences with Dell. That's definitely not to say that Apple is always perfect, of course. As others have said, buying cheap electronics is often a false economy. There's no point in buying a $500 laptop with shoddy build quality that only lasts a year, when a $750 laptop will last three without a problem.

(Also, one thing to keep in mind that in some classes - particularly in later years, you might be stuck using random software that's only available for OS X or Windows. I'd definitely think twice if a Chromebook would be your only computer.)

[achre]

Okay I'm a bit worried... I went to check Moodle to see if my essay was marked however the whole assessment section is missing.
(Image removed from quote.)

There should be First Assessment Task above the Second... Is this just a glitch or? :/

It happens. You can't ever tell how moodle's going to work. Don't stress about it.

[Reus]

It happens. You can't ever tell how moodle's going to work. Don't stress about it.

Thanks - is Moodle our friend or worst nightmare?