Can I help you?
Yes, I need to buy a computer for this semester. I was told it is cheaper to buy computers here.
Well, you heard right. You can get an excellent deal on a new computer here. We have great discounts for students.
I don't know much about computers. But I know I want a desktop computer with a lot of memory. And I need a printer.
Well, first let's consider your computer. Here, for example, is a system I highly recommend-the Power Macintosh G3. it comes with 64 megabytes of total memory.
Is that a lot? Sixty-four?
Yes, it is. It should be enough for any student needs you might have. What department are you in?
History.
Well, so you will mostly be using word processing, for writing papers. I recommend the Corel Word Perfect program for word processing. We can talk about software later. Let's talk about your hardware first. We have a special deal on right now. I should tell you about it, as it only goes until next Tuesday. If you buy one of these fifteen-inch color monitors with a Power Macintosh G3, you can actually get 30 percent off the usual sale price.
Thirty percent?
Yes.
Wow. That's really good. And you think this is really a good system for a graduate student?
Yes. It's an excellent system.
Hmm. Hey, wait. This has an Apple on it. Is this an Apple computer?
Yes, it's a Macintosh. It's Apple. Mcintosh and Apple are the same thing.
I don't want Macintosh. I want PC.
I'm sorry, but our university computer center only sells Macintosh equipment.
What? Are you serious?
Yes.
But nobody uses Macintosh!
That's not true. Most of the students and professors in the university here use Macintosh. They find it is better for writing and word-processing, and that is what students mostly do. May I ask where you're from?
Yes, I'm from Taiwan.
Well, I know that in most Asian countries Apple is not very popular. But here in America, especially in universities and publishing companies, Apple is very commonly used.
But I need a computer that can handle writing in Chinese.
There are several Chinese writing programs you can use with Macintosh. Chinese is no problem for Apple.
Hmm. I think I should ask some of my friends for advice before I make a decision. I'm sorry.
No, don't be sorry. It's reasonable to ask your friends. But believe me, most of the students here in the university-Asian students included-most of them use Apple.
Well, thanks for your advice. I will probably come back later.