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Apologies for being in a bit of a Super Bowl haze since Sunday—we’ve had an overload of fun things going on! Of course, the other big event Sunday was the 8th Annual Puppy Bowl, and it was a flurry of adorable pups, as always.
Didn’t catch the Puppy Bowl? Do yourself a favor and watch some highlights here on Animal Planet Guaranteed it’ll make your Tuesday morning!
Today, December 1, is World AIDS Day—an internationally recognized day designed to raise awareness of the people who are affected by the AIDS virus every day.
I’m sure you’ve seen PRODUCT RED special edition products that, when bought, the manufacturers donate a percentage of the profits to the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. (Apple’s red iPod nano and shuffle are good examples—if they would let us carry them, we would!)
We must all come together in supporting the Global Fund and the fight against AIDS. …I applaud (RED) and its partners for their vision and commitment.
-Nelson Mandela
NIGHTS, the Concert Series that Saves Lives.
(RED)NIGHTS is 27 nights of music performed by musicians you love that is fueled by your posts to Twitter, Flickr and YouTube. Check out (RED)NIGHTS here# and get started… all of this raises money to keep people living with HIV in Africa alive.
There’s also an iPhone app for (RED)NIGHTS that includes a visualizer and an equalizer to “show the audio spectrum in real time.”
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!
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It’s here! Watch live streams now of this historic event: Cnn.com Hulu.com