Windows - Dell XPS 13"
Apple - Mac Pro 13"
The Dell comes in a $799 version. The display has no bezel so the computer is very compact.
Well if you buy an Apple computer, between July 23 and Sept. 18, you get a pair of Beats 2 headphones. Wish we would have waited a few weeks. I’m going to the Apple Store with my receipt to see if they will let us in on this promo
My son is taking a look at the Surface. It’s a fully functional Windows computer that can be used with a keyboard or as a tablet. Tablet form is good for reading texts. With a stylus can be used for written notes or math notations.
For most college students, a 14 inch windows 8.1 touch screen like this one is perfect.
http://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/Laptops/hp-envy—14t-l3y43av-1
The price is OK so, if stolen or dropped, replacing it isn’t too painful. i5 and 8 gig will be plenty powerful for the 4-5 years it will be in use.
The detachables can be problematic at the connection points - and you can loose one part.
Make sure the $799 Dell has adequate RAM, hard drive space, and isn’t running some version of Windows home. We have students who come here with less expensive Windows computers and then have trouble with networking. It’s best really to check with your college and department to see what they recommend and if there is academic pricing through the college. I find that a lot of students here like Macs because of imessaging (I know, I know…) - which you can only do on an Apple computer or phone.