College Techy Stuff

I'm commuting two hours or so twice daily to college. I need to upgrade my tech gear to make this workable. Two main questions -- netbook y/n, and what about something like an iPhone, y/n?

I was sitting at a bar last night, and needing to know when to leave I pulled out my galuphing paper train schedule. Guy I've been talking to whips out his iPhone, asks my station, and tells me the next train. He then proceeds to pull up a map so I can walk there the most efficiently. Thanks, Gabriel. So I'm wondering maybe that might be a way to go, also, so I can get online, wherever. Thoughts? Other options maybe I'm missing? I dunno. I feel old and behind here.

~ H

iPhone will definitely be good. Dont get a netbook, but a Macbook Air, it'll make you feel more important.

any smartphone will do, just try to create the time to get used to the myriad of functions. Most of the stuff and files I need in daily life can be read and edited by phone, or if nessecary via a netbook but even with the larger pdf files i never felt the need for anything more for the quick read , for now my e71 nokia has delivered more then needed..

I guess what im trying to say is that a smartphone would be an interesting investment, especially since you (from what ive read), have a more practical view on everyday appliances..

What exactly do you need them for?

If you already have a laptop or desktops at all your "locations" (job, home, toilet, etc.) then an iPhone can fill the netbook slot for you. Having all three is a bit redundant.

The Macbook Air is silly, I really doubt it would serve you better than a MBP.

NETBOObK FTW

do you understand the difference between 3G and WiFi? That's a big first step. Also, with the iPhone, or any other smart phone, your cell phone bill will likely shoot up $20 - $30 per month.

I love my iPhone.

Originally Posted by LuxeStyles

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iPhone will definitely be good. Dont get a netbook, but a Macbook Air, it'll make you feel more important.
I went in to get the Air eventually, however, the new MBP 15" aren't much larger or heavier than the Air, so I went with the MBP. If you go with the iPhone, I'd go all Mac. Some of the apps are cool, but nothing can take the place of carrying around a graphing calculator.

Originally Posted by nootje

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any smartphone will do, just try to create the time to get used to the myriad of functions. Most of the stuff and files I need in daily life can be read and edited by phone, or if nessecary via a netbook but even with the larger pdf files i never felt the need for anything more for the quick read , for now my e71 nokia has delivered more then needed.. I guess what im trying to say is that a smartphone would be an interesting investment, especially since you (from what ive read), have a more practical view on everyday appliances..
You're right, I'm pretty ruthlessly practical about my gear.

Originally Posted by hamish5178

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What exactly do you need them for? If you already have a laptop or desktops at all your "locations" (job, home, toilet, etc.) then an iPhone can fill the netbook slot for you. Having all three is a bit redundant. The Macbook Air is silly, I really doubt it would serve you better than a MBP.
Heheh, LOL about the toilet. My usual SF reading spot. Laptop is ok for class, but both a little heavy and a little bit of a power hog. So I was looking for something smaller for those reasons, plus a smaller desktop footprint in class (and so my Profs can see me). I don't expect that a smartphone of any sort will let me type notes as fast as I'll need to for class. Am looking to that gadget to solve problems like when I need to find something and I'm walking about after class with my gear stashed in a locker or somesuch. Light webwork -- google, weather, a map, a snipe on ebay. Yadda yadda yadda. I wouldn't get a MacBook -- not predjudice, I just don't have time for any learning curve there.

Originally Posted by Rambo

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do you understand the difference between 3G and WiFi? That's a big first step. Also, with the iPhone, or any other smart phone, your cell phone bill will likely shoot up $20 - $30 per month.
Umm, no I have no idea. $20-$30 is ok, that's not outrageous to me. ~ H

Get an iPhone. I pulled trigger today and will be picking it up tomorrow. The maps are pretty awesome. I freaked when i saw that it had public transportation routes and schedules on it. The browser is also pretty good. I was playing with my friend's phone and typing isn't that bad on it. I still prefer a real keyboard but landscape in combination with good auto-correct functionality makes it pretty easy to type relatively quickly. There are some pretty cool and useful apps for it too. I signed-up for a site called myplate.com to track my meals and water consumption. They also have an iphone app. I can check calories and stuff with the phone when I'm at restaurants if I get off my plan for whatever reason. If i cheat it's just a few buttons to modify what I actually ate. I'll probably also program my calendar to remind me to drink water every hour. I always forget when I'm deep in concentration. With the diet i'm going on i'm gonna need to stay hydrated to minimize the risk of kidney stones. I don't know how you study but i've taken to mind mapping and there are apps for that on the phone as well, although they might be of less use if you are driving, but for me they will be a great way to make use of the time that i'm on public transpo. I bet you could get a copy of Black's Law Dictionary for it too. Ok I just googled it and boom, they have an iphone app: http://www.blackslawdictionary.com/

Analysts say Apple will release one, maybe two tablet devices some time this fall and that the next imac and laptops will have a couple new "killer" features.
You can record audio and video on the iphone too. Iphones will just get better and better.

A Rolex to keep track of time without reaching for your phone.

Originally Posted by ms244

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A Rolex to keep track of time without reaching for your phone.

I concur. And it establishes your baller status.

Originally Posted by Huntsman

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Umm, no I have no idea. $20-$30 is ok, that's not outrageous to me. ~ H
Ok. 3G is the cellular wireless. To access you need to have service with the individual provider that has it running in that area. I.e. if you have At&t you can't pick up on Verizon's cellular wireless service. Also, you only have access to that wireless internet while you have a cellular signal. If your carrier gets no signal in one of your classrooms you aren't going to be able to access the wireless internet either. If you have a Netbook, you won't be able to access the 3G network WiFi is internet you'll be able to pick up on with any device that has a wireless adapter i.e. either a Netbook or an iPhone. Starbucks, Barnes and noble, Panera, McDonalds, all these places offer free WiFi now (B&N only offers it to At&t customers). Basically, if your device can pick up a signal, and it's not password protected, you can get on the internet. Your school will most likely have some sort of wifi. If you are thinking about an iPhone I really recommend heading down to an Apple or AT&T corporate store to try it out first. It really does have a learning curve and takes some getting used to. Typing on it is a ***** for some people and easy as cake for others.

Originally Posted by Despos

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Analysts say Apple will release one, maybe two tablet devices some time this fall and that the next imac and laptops will have a couple new "killer" features. You can record audio and video on the iphone too. Iphones will just get better and better.
There have been conflicting reports as to whether or not it will be released later this year or in 2010. I'm betting it will be more of a portable media device like the iPod Touch and not what Hunts is quite after

Originally Posted by GQgeek

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I concur. And it establishes your baller status.
Have you seen pictures of his bar?

I need the smartphone precisely for times like this -- missed my train when going to school for weekend research. Only took my laptop and assignment, no other books. Am hanging out in the train station in the middle of nowhere, with my old and trusty Razr tethered to my laptop at 14.4kbps, readin' SF with java, script, and images turned off. No way I can download any work from Blackboard -- at 14.4k? BTW, if anyone wants to rec a Netbook I'm all ears. Battery life is key, I think -- am thinking Eee right now, though I've never been keen on Asus, a prejudice with no basis that I am aware of.

Originally Posted by ms244

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A Rolex to keep track of time without reaching for your phone.

See above. I am not a bigtimer. Never will be. Skagen today. ~ H