It seems, wherever you look, campus is alight with small, glowing apples on the backs of everyone’s computers. These half-devoured apples also shine on the backs of phones, music players and, most recently, tablets. However, some people have held out on the Apple Corporation and decided to buy other brands to suit their individual needs and budget.
Apple debuted its new iPad 3 a few months ago, but in addition to all its features, it boasts a hefty price tag of $500. BlackBerry offers a version of the tablet for a bit cheaper, at $350. The BlackBerry PlayBook has many features similar to the iPad — apps, Internet connection and the ability to combine all of your BlackBerry products on one device (similar to Apple’s iCloud).
Michael Fitzmorris, a junior majoring in biology and political science, said he enjoys his PlayBook “because it’s a little more geared to functional stuff and getting things done.” Fitzmorris added he was more comfortable using the PC format instead of Apple’s operating system.
The Android Xoom is another tablet option for buyers. While the cost is the same as the iPad, it uses Google services instead of Apple. It also has six home screens, so users can personalize and categorize all of their data, and two cameras for those who enjoy snapping away. Both the iPad and Xoom contain 64GB of memory.
When it comes to buying laptops, Robert Christl, a sophomore majoring in political science and history, said he would purchase an HP over an Apple.
“I have an HP laptop, and I love it because it works very well, was cheaper than a Mac, and, as of yet, has not been subjected to the same level of scrutiny when it comes to the working conditions of their suppliers,” Christl said.
Dell’s XPS Ultrabook is another popular laptop choice. Unfortunately, the price is close to Apple’s 13-inch Macbook Pro, at $1,299. Its features include a thickness of only six millimeters, constant updates for both social media and work tools through Intel Smart Connect Technology and 256GB of memory. Ultimately, the biggest area of difference is in the operating system.
If you’re looking into smartphones, consider the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. It has a touchscreen and a Google operating system. Android Beam features a face unlock, meaning your smile, instead of a password, will unlock your phone. Derick Harmke, a junior majoring in finance, has had experience with Apple products in the past and likes his Samsung better.
“I have an iPod Touch already, but there’s a lot I didn’t like about it,” Harmke said, “This one has 4G and a bigger screen.”
Harmke paid around $200 for his Galaxy, but prices tend to vary depending on cell phone companies and coverage plans.
