SHERRY: Yes, I need to buy a computer for this semester. I was told it is cheaper to buy computers here.
ALEX: Well, you heard right. You can get an excellent deal on a new computer here. We have great discounts for students.
SHERRY: 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.
ALEX: 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.
SHERRY: Is that a lot? Sixty-four?
ALEX: Yes, it is. It should be enough for any student needs you might have. What department are you in?
SHERRY: History.
ALEX: 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.
SHERRY: Thirty percent?
ALEX: Yes.
SHERRY: Wow. That/'s really good. And you think this is really a good system for a graduate student?
ALEX: Yes. It/'s an excellent system.
SHERRY: Hmm. Hey, wait. This has an Apple on it. Is this an Apple computer?
ALEX: Yes, it/'s a Macintosh. It/'s Apple. Macintosh and Apple are the same thing.
SHERRY: I don/'t want Macintosh. I want PC.
ALEX: I/'m sorry, but our university computer center only sells Macintosh equipment.
SHERRY: What? Are you serious?
ALEX: Yes.
SHERRY: But nobody uses Macintosh!
ALEX: 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?
SHERRY: Yes, I/'m from Taiwan.
ALEX: 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.
SHERRY: But I need a computer that can handle writing in Chinese.
ALEX: There are several Chinese writing programs you can use with Macintosh. Chinese is no problem for Apple.
SHERRY: Hmm. I think I should ask some of my friends for advice before I make a decision. I/'m sorry.
ALEX: 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.
SHERRY: Well, thanks for your advice. I will probably come back later.
ALEX: You/'re very welcome. Here is my card, if you need any help.
