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Recommendation on computer purchase for JSchool students (updated 4/6/10)
by Robert Stewart, Director; Professor
Two years ago I wrote a post outlining my recommendation regarding laptops for students entering the JSchool. I want to update that post, and include a link to the university’s technology page that includes a bit more detail.
I get a lot of questions about what computer and software to bring to school. I’m going to use this blog post to make the official “Prof. Stewart” recommendation, but that should not be confused with an official policy from the JSchool.
The first point I’d make is that you don’t have to have your own computer when you first come to campus. But is it convenient to have your own? Certainly. And will you be more efficient in getting work done? Probably.
Now for my recommendation. I’ll confess that I’ve used PCs since PCs took over the world of the CPM computer, long before the incoming freshman class was born.
More important, the Macs are quite clever when it comes to producing multimedia content. All of the videos you see on the school’s Web site were produced with iMovie or Final Cut Express on my MacBook Pro or my Mini-Mac.
And since I know some of you will ask, my MacBook Pro came with the largest size hard drive available and the most memory I can jam into it. I also have a couple of external Lacie hard drives that I use for storage, so that I can keep the laptop’s hard drive available for the project of the moment.
As for software recommendation, there are discounts available to students once you get here. Once you get your OU email login (at Pre-College), you can log in to see the specific deals at: ohio.edu/software
Just remember, you don’t need to bring a computer with you. But hey, if someone insists on buying you a computer, now you know what I recommend. I hope this helps.
Here’s the link to OU’s technology page outlining computer recommendations for journalism (and other) students.
