"Sexymac" is the name Kathleen Onufer '08 gave the Macbook computer she purchased last spring. Onufer was a first-time Mac buyer who previously owned a Dell purchased from Dartmouth her freshman year. A majority of the time spent with her Dell was at the Computer Help Desk trying to repair a crashed hard drive or a faulty motherboard.
"Basically my Dell computer was [completely] rebuilt, except for the actual screen," Onufer said.
The purchase of Apple laptops from the College has increased significantly in the past two years. According to Computing Support and Fiscal Services. Thirty percent of the Class of 2009 purchased Macs while 55 percent of the Class of 2011 purchased them. This recent trend cannot be traced to any one factor but is a collaboration of many that influence student preference.
"I've always used Macs for schoolwork and was used to it," Derek Lyon '11 said. "I heard Macbooks were really simple to use and heard Vista [Microsoft's new operating system] was terrible."
Jinhee Oh '11 based her decision on familiarity but has since rethought her decision.
"I got a Dell through the school just because I was familiar with PCs," she said. "Now I kind of wish I had gotten a Mac because I've had so many problems with my PC."
Rita Murdoch, director of Computing Support and Fiscal Services, said that Computer Sales does its best to solicit Macs and PCs comparable in memory, hard drive and warranty.
"When we're putting together the packages for the incoming students, we're trying to make them as even as we can," she said. "We're trying not to influence students either way so it really becomes a decision based on student preference and not on which machine is better."
When their three-year warranty is exhausted and their computer begins to deteriorate, many upperclassmen who purchased Dells their freshman year turn to Macs to revitalize their computing experience.
Rebecca Boswell '10, purchased a PC her senior year of high school and anticipated using it throughout college but has already run into trouble.
"I had a Dell but it died," she said. "Most of last year I had to use library computers which was really gross since people coughed all over them. I finally got a Mac and it was the best decision ever."
On the other hand, Alix Toothman '08, purchased a Dell her freshman year and is still happy with its condition and functioning capability, although she envies some features and programs particular to Macs.
"My Dell is still holding out, and publicly I stand by PCs, but deep down I kind of want a Mac," she said. "I mean, Photobooth, how could I not be jealous?"
The growth in Mac use is not a trend exclusive to Dartmouth, but can be seen at many colleges and universities throughout the country. Last month, The Daily Princetonian reported that Princeton University's Mac use is up from 16 percent in 2004 to 40 percent this year, a 24 percent increase.
When, after almost three years of problems and mishaps with her Dell, Onufer was one of the many who turned to Apple for her computing needs, she purchased a black Macbook from Apple and is extremely happy with her choice.
"I love the Mac, I'll never go back," she said.
