MacBook at USAFA

Se41196

5-Year Member
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Jul 10, 2013
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Would I be allowed to bring my my MacBook to the academy next year? Maybe not at first, but is it ever allowed? Like if my parents brought it up during parent's weekend?
 
Generally speaking they will not allow you to connect it to the USAFA computer network without the installation of security software(not sure how much software is adding or compatability). My DD did take hers after her Freshman year (she graduates in May). The networks changed sometime last year excluding all but the USAFA issued computers-they can track what computers are hooked to the network. She doesn't use it nearly as much as she used to, though some of that is due to age and the fact that it needs a new battery (she is just going to upgrade after graduation) it is now 7 years old. There were times when it out performed her issued computer when she was still able to use it.
Also, if you do consider bringing it anyway, realize that any media must be approved by your squadron, and that each squadron has its own rules.
 
I just texted my son C2C...he said Macbooks are allowed...but you would need it to get it imaged with IT to have it work with USAFA intranet etc...:thumb:
 
Kid bro had his there. $40 got a cricket wireless 4G dongle. 10GB limit monthly. Turns out the penalty for exceeding 10GB was $0, so it was unlimited monthly downloads. Don't know if that still works.
 
Thanks guys. So I guess my question is... Would it be more beneficial to bring my MacBook or just use the USAFA issued computers? I have heard the issued computers are not that great.
 
Thanks guys. So I guess my question is... Would it be more beneficial to bring my MacBook or just use the USAFA issued computers? I have heard the issued computers are not that great.


You will be given the issued computer and be using it well before you would have the opportunity to get the MacBook cleared to use. It would also be something more to carry around on I-Day and worry about damaging.

Others may have different views on the issued computers, but my son loved his. In fact, he is still using it as his primary computer three years after graduating.

Stealth_81
 
Son texted recommending that if you do bring a macbook...its advisable to have one with a docking station....seems "hard to do stuff with just one screen" whatever that means. :rolleyes:

He personally likes his issued laptop...
 
DD dislikes her issued computer so much she is giving it away after graduation. She does not care that she paid for it. She has other desires for the computer but realizes they are not professional and will not take chances with graduation. Hers was never as fast as her ancient Macbook(she once burned 30 DVD's consecutively, for graduating Firsties, on her Mac without so much as a hiccup-squadron asked her to do it because she had a Mac). She had he USAFA computer reimaged last fall and has had nothing but issues with it since. I have witnessed the issues. Seems it is luck of the draw in getting a good computer at USAFA, even if they are all the same.
 
USAFA puts so much junk on their computers for security, it slows them down like none other. Also, they tend to buy into gimmicky computers. The Class of 2010 got some real lemons. I don't know about today.
 
Currently issued computers are decent, but not worth the $2100 price tag they come with. I wouldn't bring your macbook out until after parent's weekend, after which I would keep it at your sponsor's house. (Majority of squads aren't going to let you use it in squad as a 4dig.)
 
I bought and used a MacBook my firstie year. As has been said, it can be done... All you do is bring the MacBook to the comm folks and they can use BootCamp to put a USAFA image of Windows 7 onto the MacBook. However, I wouldn't worry about bringing a different computer (Mac or otherwise) as a new Doolie. The computer you'll get definitely gets the job done and I'd recommend just using that until you get settled in, and have a better knowledge of life, squadron rules, and if you really would like to have it.

I'd agree with a docking station. Otherwise it'd be a hassle to have to individually plug/unplug any combination of an external display, CAC reader, ethernet, printer, keyboard, mouse, etc. every time you leave and come back to your desk. What I did was bought Apple's Thunderbolt display. It's quite expensive, but does give you a very high quality display with hookups on the display for ethernet, and USB so that all you have to plug into the MacBook is power and the thunderbolt cord.

Son texted recommending that if you do bring a macbook...its advisable to have one with a docking station....seems "hard to do stuff with just one screen" whatever that means. :rolleyes:

He personally likes his issued laptop...
 
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