Macs vs PCs part 2

Though a large majority of college students today have chosen to use MacBooks, some prefer to stick to a classic PC.

According to MSU Computer Store manager Ron Rivard, 80 percent of sales at the Computer Store are Macs, however MSU student Robert Andrade is not apart of that statistic.

Andrade said he always seemed to choose PCs over Macs at home and school.

Andrade, civil engineering major,  said this is because PCs because they're really easy to use and he likes to edit videos using the Windows operating system.

"I use my PC for video editing, games, music, a lot of music," said Andrade.

The affordability of PCs is also often a driving force behind the decision to purchase a PC as well.

According to data collected by the NPD group , PCs typically retail for  $700 while Macs typically cost $1500.

"I look at the price of the PC and it's always way lower," said Andrade. "Yeah, they're over priced."

Mac vs PC Part 1

"I can do the same things on my Mac that you can do on your PC, but you can’t do the same things on your PC that I can do on my Mac,” said Michigan State University sophomore Brittany Hatcher.

Choosing which type of laptop is right for you is a serious decision. Some things to consider are  what you will use it for, the cost, and just your overall preference in physical appearance and interfaces.

Hatcher said her keen liking for her iPhone was the initial driving force behind her decision to purchase a 13-in MacBook Pro for her freshman year of college in Fall 2012.

“The reason I switched to Mac was because I really like my iPhone, and the abilities that the iPhone has, the MacBook has,” said Hatcher. “Also, it’s the most popular computer in the classroom, so it’s easier to like share files and stuff like that.” 

She said that she enjoys being able to have her phone and laptop in-sync, for things like  iMessages, FaceTime calls, and pictures.

According to data collected by the NPD group, the average Windows notebook retails for $700, while the average MacBook costs above $1,500.

Hatcher said she paid approximately $1,500 for her MacBook, and said she thinks it was definitely worth the cost.

Brenda O’Malley, the in-house Apple specialist at The MSU Computer Center said, "To me, you just don’t have all the issues that you have with a PC, you don’t get the pop ups, you don’t get the viruses. Now that Apple computers are more popular, more people are trying to target them but Apple’s pretty good at catching them."

Hatcher said she she has experienced pop-ups, but only when she visits a certain website, so it's no big deal.

Multimedia Project #2- Part 2

Having a significant in college doesn't have to be a distraction, for some students it can be beneficial but they still face the plethora of potential partners that college brings.

International student Fernanda Nobre from Brazil,  who is new to Michigan University's Campus said that her boyfriend is very understanding about her school work.

"For me, it's good because my boyfriend always helps me and understands when I have to study a lot of have a lot of things to do," said Nobre.

Sergio Polimante, international student also from Brazil said that his girlfriend of seven years, is not a distraction to his studies.

"In my situation, I think my relationship was really good to my studying because if I am with my girlfriend, I won't do a lot of partying or drink a lot," said Polimante.

Nobre and Polimante make it a point to stay faithful to their partners, despite the distance.

Nobre said that even back in Brazil, she and her boyfirend don't live in the same city so it is difficult because she misses him, but she does not take interest in other guys.

"For me, it’s not difficult. Sure sometimes I see guys and I say ‘Oh that’s beautiful. Ok! Bye! I don’t care’ I want just my boyfriend,” said Nobre.

Polimante said, "Yes, it’s difficult. I have to avoid certain situations. In seven years, I have never stayed with another person, just her. I think it’s because I avoid certain situations,"

He said he would rather abstain from certain predicaments that could turn to infidelity than to test his ability to stay faithful and fail.

 

Multimedia Project #2-Preview

Studying for a degree isn't the only thing college students leave home to do.

Building new romantic relationships is common among college students. However, in such an atmosphere it may be difficult to sustain a relationship, due to lack of focus on school itself, or simply because college offers too many options.

For Michigan State University junior Jonathan Brooks, a relationship during his college years is not ideal, because it interrupts with his studies.

"I literally missed a whole exam because I was sleeping with my girlfriend," said Brooks.

Dr. Steve McCornack, an interpersonal communication professor at MSU said that college break ups usually peak around finals week.

Some students would rather enjoy the options that college brings, rather than limit themselves to one person.

"This is a really rare time in life in which you’ll have more exposure to more possible partners all of whom have a lot in common with you value wise, intellectually," said McCornack.

There is also the diversity factor, in which there are people from all over the country, from different religious and cultural backgrounds that students wouldn't normally have been exposed to.