Computer use?

[Depper20100427]

I'm sure every A-School is different, but do you think they have computers available for us to use, you know for EMAIL and communication purposes? Like in a lab or something? If so, I'm not gonna bother having my desktop shipped to me and I won't spend any money on a laptop after boot camp.

[dragonsi]

I was wondering the same thing....

[KYmom]

My son would have been very very bored in the evenings without his lap top.
I don't think there is a place very close that have access to a computer.
But depending upon how long your A school is, you might want your computer.

[Retired Navy Chief]

Wait until you actually get there to assess the situation. Sometimes, there is an internet cafe not too far away. Down side to that is they can get pretty crowded.

***** Whatever you do .... DO NOT go to the local mall to buy your computer. In areas near training facilities, there are "predator creditors" who zero in on young Sailors with a fresh paycheck and not enough worldly experience to know that they are being screwed with high prices and ridiculous finance charges. My own son failed to listen to this advice and got took to the cleaners on his computer.


They have pretty fair deals on base at the Navy Exchange ... good place to go.

Or ... have your folks find a deal for you at home and have it shipped to you.

Cheers,
PISTOL

[Depper20100427]

Sounds good, thanks Chief and KY.

[boudc1022]

Wait until you actually get there to assess the situation. Sometimes, there is an internet cafe not too far away. Down side to that is they can get pretty crowded.

***** Whatever you do .... DO NOT go to the local mall to buy your computer. In areas near training facilities, there are "predator creditors" who zero in on young Sailors with a fresh paycheck and not enough worldly experience to know that they are being screwed with high prices and ridiculous finance charges. My own son failed to listen to this advice and got took to the cleaners on his computer.


They have pretty fair deals on base at the Navy Exchange ... good place to go.

Or ... have your folks find a deal for you at home and have it shipped to you.

Cheers,
PISTOL

I'm in my last year of college and needed to buy a lap top at the end of last year and if anyone is looking into it best buy will give you no interest for 18 months if its put on their credit card. Just make sure not to miss a payment or they slap you with all the interest. It's worked out well for me.

[KYmom]

My son ordered a lap top through HP or Dell. Don't remember which one, and ordered specific things on it. When he got it it didn't have what he ordered ( he took IT in high school - he is cisco certified) so he called them told them that it didn't have such and such on it and they refunded him part of his money.

My point is you have to know what your getting or you can get taken advantage of by anyplace or anyone. Always have a parent or other well seasoned adult help you out with advice on purchases and loans.

[cousinIT]

Normally on base there are Single Sailor lounges, you should be able to find a computer on base with internet for free

[Seth]

yes you have some sort of internet... I know at MA A school, there was a lounge w/ computers but you had to pay for the internet.. or theres a library on base too.