What is the best Mac computer/laptop for a college student?
I’m a college student interested in purchasing a Mac computer. I want to know what the best computer would be for my needs. I’m a science major and I am studying to be a teacher. I own an iPod and have an account through iTunes on my PC.
Definitely the MacBook Pro. I’m assuming you’re after the 15", as the "Lunch Tray" is "portable" as long as it isn’t portabled all the time, as it’s a bit bulky and heavy for a student to be carrying around all day.
Don’t forget your free iPod:
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/campaigns/back_to_school?mco=OTUwMDIx
The " … mac is great but expensive … " argument is bogus. For equivalent platforms, Dell is actually a touch more expensive. See:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20080612161846AAOEI1U
Compare the $129 price of the best version of Leopard, Apple’s latest version of OS X to the price of the latest "best" version of Windows.
The " … market share … " argument is bogus!
Saying an OS or platform is best because a vast majority of users use it is the same as saying McD’s serves the best food there is. BMW seems to do alright on ⅛ th market share Macs have.
The "Macs are unreliable" argument is bogus!
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20080624185029AAXrhzR
Mac "Security through Obscurity" is a myth. It’s been known to be a myth since OS X was released, and it’s been well publicized for almost five years.
DAVID POGUE – The New York Times – September 18, 2003:
"I also wrote that Mac OS X and Linux are virus-free because they offer virus writers a much smaller “audience” than Windows — a notion that’s been much repeated in the press, most recently last week’s BusinessWeek cover story. That, as it turns out, is a myth, no matter who repeats it. There’s a much bigger reason virus writers don’t like Mac OS X and Linux.
‘Unix [which underlies Mac OS X] and Linux ARE more secure,’ wrote one reader. ‘They have been developed, open-source style, by people who know exactly what they are doing. Unix and Linux have had at least 10 years of battling hackers to better themselves. This leads to an extremely secure environment.’”
Full article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/18/technology/circuits/18POGUE-EMAIL.html?ex=1214280000&en=1efe03e6ab949440&ei=5070
Try searching the Net for:
"OS X" Security Obscurity Myth
But, though it’s not absolutely needed, anti-virus is a good idea, the best anti-virus software for OS X is free for the download at:
http://www.clamxav.com/
How much are you going to spend per year properly protecting a Wintel?
The "compatibility" argument is bogus. iWorks is a lot less money than "Office", and does Office compatible files. As for other software, the argument reduces to this, "There are 15,000 pieces of software a knowledgeable Windows user wouldn’t put on a PC, there are only 1,500 a knowledgeable Mac user wouldn’t put on a Mac, but for "needed" software, what’s available to Windows users is available to Mac users. And, if you’re a "Gamer", using Boot Camp and what you save over buying a Dell & Office, you can be running Windows on what Consumer Reports names as the "Best Windows Computer of 2008", the Mac.
The "Customer Service" argument is bogus. Mac & OS X continually outrates the best of Wintel & Windows in "Customer Satisfaction" by 8 to 10 %age points.
The " … how much an hour will you be paying when the Mac breaks … " argument is bogus. AppleCare for three years is $249, and it covers everything. Try getting that with a Wintel machine. Macs "break" far less often than Wintels, and you have an Apple Store nearby, the Genius Bar is free.
Even the "right click" argument is bogus. The "Mighty Mouse" which comes with all Macs but the Mini and MacBooks does "right click", and even single button Mac mice have been doing right clicks for teens of years, by holding down the "Control" key while clicking, or simply holding down the mouse button for about a second.
With the Mac, you can save money, get the best Windows computer there is, and get the Mac side for free with it’s attendant Stability, Security, Quality, Ease of Use, stellar Customer Service, Customer Satisfaction, and yes, coolness factor …
"Drink upstream of the herd."
Hope this helps.
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Well first to start off, depends on what you prefer. and what you’ll use the computer for.
Portabls:
The macbook is a great computer especially when you configure the black one. Essentially though, if your a heavy user, you may want to look at the mac book pro. Better specs and bigger screen.
Desktops:
You really have to choces on this one. The mac mini and iMac. The mac mini is ok. But for what is worth, you may as well purchase the iMac. Bigger screen and better specs.
As far as which way to lean, I know alot of college studnts stick with the macbook. Mac book would be a great choice.
Well, all Macs have high hardware specs because they have to display all the graphical effects smoothly. And since Macs are already over priced, I would go with the cheapest Mac Book (or desktop) that I could find.
You might even want to consider buying an OpenMac, these are custom build machines (desktop PCs) that have the hardware configuration that works with the MacOSX (Leopard, or whatever it is called).
If you are buying a Mac just because you have iPod and an account on iTunes, I would suggest you get a PC as you will be able to get more computing power for the same price, more bang for your buck!
Unless you are running high-end games, graphic programs (Photoshop), or doing video editing, the MacBook would be fine…. If you do any of these, consider a MacBook Pro or desktop computer
My sister is a science major and she has used he iBook (predecessor to the MacBook) for 3.5 years and has been incredibly happy with it
As far as configuration: The basic MacBook is probably fine, but you will want to consider hard drive size, RAM, display, and the optical drive
Hard Drive: if you have lots of music or are going to need a lot of storage space you will want to get a higher MacBook or pay for a larger Hard Drive… the basic MacBook comes with a 120GB hard drive, plenty for most users, but bigger is better…
RAM: not an expensive upgrade down the road (buy from dealram.com) but if you start seeing that your computer is running slowly, upgrade the RAM….
Display: probably the only reason you might want a MacBook Pro is for the larger screen… the MacBook only has a 13.3" screen, which is pretty tiny, whereas the MacBook Pro has a 15.4" or 17" display…. but you have to consider whether that is worth the extra cash
Optical Drive: the basic MacBook comes with a combo drive (reads DVD, burns/reads CD) but the higher models both have super drives (burn/read CD/DVD)…. if you are going to make any home movies or something, this is a great feature, but once again, do you need it?
Anyway…. the MacBook will be plenty fast, I would imagine, for your uses but the MacBook Pro has a larger display… so it is up to you (but I would go with the MacBook, based on bang for your buck–the Pro isn’t that much better for 2x the price)
It depends on whether you want one for your dorm or apt if that is the case I recommend the 20 or 24" imac.
If you want to take it to class with you, I recommend the 13 or 15" Macbook.
You could get a Macbook Pro, but I would not get a 17" because it is to big to pull out in class, ride the bus with, or go on a plane with. If you get a Macbook Pro, you should get a 15"
You should go by your college book store and look at the Macs. All college students get a discount on Apple products, in case you didn’t know.
Here is a link to Apple education page, you will find the prices to be a little better than they are at the regular store.
Just find your school:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-780-5009/WebObjects/EducationIndividual?type=higherEd
Hope you find a Mac that fits you requirements and good luck in school