<p>I will be attending either Clemson or UVA this fall, and will be entering as a business student. I would love to get a macbook because all of the advantages of OSX, and because of the superb reliability of a Mac over a windows laptop (practically no viruses on the Mac = good performance all 4 yrs.). However, I do have some questions:</p>
<li><p>As a business student, will a Mac offer everything I need, or would I need to install Windows on it as well (bad b/c of viruses)</p></li>
<li><p>Which macbook would be best for a business student? It doesn’t seem like the pro would offer anything extra that I would need over the macbook.</p></li>
<li><p>When should I buy? I would love to get it now…obviously. I’ve been waiting for years to get a laptop. However, there is a rumor that they will come out with an updated/new laptop this summer (maybe b4 school). When would you suggest buying?</p></li>
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<p>1) there's a Mac version of Office, which you might wanna get, but other than that you probably won't need Windows. even if you do, there's Parallels and BootCamp. you can look those up.</p>
<p>2) a Macbook has everything you need. i recommend a white one...the black one is overpriced for the features.</p>
<p>3) there will be a new one in the summer, so wait til then.</p>
<p>Just something to add--they just updated the MacBook and MacBook Pro a few weeks ago, so another update (if they follow the standard timeline) will happen in about four months, which will probably end up being late summer or early fall. It's really up to you--I personally don't think it is worth it to wait because the improvement won't be that drastic. They already do everything you need them to do. I'm typing now on a new MacBook Pro that I just bought on the day they updated them and I absolutely love it. If you have never used OSX before you will be amazed.</p>
<p>It's rumored that this last update was a small one, and that the next one will come in June.</p>
<p>Also, Apple usually has a back-to-school special starting around early June that gives you a free iPod (rebate) along with your new laptop. I forget if this is only for Macbook Pros but I would suggest looking into that. I recommend buying in June.</p>
<p>Thanks! I didn't know about the special. Good. It sounds like a Mac will have everything I need. That's great, because I really wanted Mac OSx. It's also great that the macbook is plenty, and I don't need the pro. That way I don't have to shell out an extra $500 or so. I guess the only question left is:</p>
<p>When to buy??? Hmmm. I hope they come out w/ the new version by June. That would be great.</p>
<p>Also, will the updated version be just an updated macbook, or will it be a new model entirely? Thanks.</p>
<p>Alright so here's the deal. You need something to use for excel etc etc, nothing too intense right?
The june upgrade, reportedly, only increases the FSB(front side bus) from 800 to 1033. </p>
<p>You don't really need it. Btw, macs were upgraded to penryn. There will be a new upgrade in 2009 which would be the most major since 1995. They're coming out with a new architecture of processors. You might not need it.</p>
<p>Personal Opinion. Buy one now. Not worth waiting. Its safer to have a laptop on campus and besides you don't need the cpu power.</p>
<p>The 2009 upgrade isn't an option. I need one when school starts in the fall.</p>
<p>As far as only needing something for excel, etc etc: I am the kind of person who opens many different programs at the same time. I will be doing a lot of research, watching videos, downloading music, etc. at the same time as I do my work. With this being said, I am sure the current offering is more than enough, isn't it? (sorry, but I don't know a whole lot about computers)</p>
<p>What will an increase in te FSB from 800 to 1033 do. Make it faster? (again, I don't know a whole lot. :) )</p>
<p>there's really no reason to buy one now...you there's nothing wrong with getting one right now, but you don't need it, and the price most likely won't go up when they update it over the summer. you can get the Ipod rebate too, and sell it if you don't need it. we also don't know exactly what will be upgraded.</p>
<p>upgraded FSB will basically help it run faster and smoother. it won't be a big deal, though - you might not even notice the difference.</p>
<p>Last year, I believe it went from June 5 to sometime in September.</p>
<p>The upgrade will probably be unnoticeable for what you do on a laptop (and it's only rumored to be in June - not guaranteed). If you want the free iPod, wait it out. If not, go for it. </p>
<p>(Also, make sure you go for the education discount on the online Apple store, I believe it's 15% off which is a pretty good deal)</p>
<p>Yeah the increased FSB is supposed to increase battery life by a bit and it's supposed to decrease the amount of heat produced. I think you'll do fine with a macbook. Why do you wan't to buy one now?? Buy it during summer or something, if your term starts in fall. </p>
<p>speaking of the education discount, i don't think you can get one until you're enrolled in a college, so you have to wait til summer anyway. it's $100 off Macbooks, $200 off Pros, or something like that. poke around in the Apple Store.</p>