Laptop for a Physics Major

College Life
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<p>Okay, yes I'm only a high school Junior, but I want to think ahead a bit.</p>

<p>I've pretty much decided I'm getting a Mac, but I don't know which way to go with it. I could get a MacBook, which would pretty much be the expected route, but I was also considering an iMac and an iPad 2, working together. The iMac is cheaper than a high end MacBook, and has way higher stats than the MacBook Pro, even if you trick it out.</p>

<p>So, my question is this:</p>

<p>Does the mobility and function of a laptop (being able to do everything, everywhere you go) outweigh the practicality of the iPad/iMac combo (bigger hard drive, more RAM, larger display and keyboard, plus documents and notes on the go)?</p>

<p>Also, can you partition the iMac into Windows and OS X like you can on a laptop?</p>

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<p>Whatever you choose now, there will probably be a better option when you are actually going to buy it.</p>

<p>It might be hard taking math and science notes with a computer. I generally use blank white paper for math and science classes (except for CS) and use my laptop for other notes. Also, a 5 lb laptop may not seem heavy but when carrying it, you will notice it.</p>

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<p>Imagine the iMac on your desk, and you can’t take it anywhere. I think most will prefer the ability to carry a laptop. Now decide between the Air (super light) and the MBP. Get 4GB RAM in any case.</p>

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<p>@Kevin: There will undoubtedly be better options, but Apple rarely improves one item and leaves the others behind. So I’m looking for a general idea: function on-the-go vs. (slightly) better mobility minus functionality, but a better general purpose computer. Also, on the note-taking issue: if I go that route, an iPad can work with a stylus and -might- be more practical than laptop or pen-and-paper.</p>

<p>@vonlost: If it’s a laptop, certainly a Pro over an Air, and I’m looking at 4 or 8GB of RAM.</p>

<p>Also, on that note, the MBP would be either the high-end 13", or one of the 15" models (the 17" is an extra $300 for the larger display, no extra benefits over high-end 15").</p>

<p>For the same price, I can get:</p>

<p>13"
2.8GHz dual core
8GB RAM
256 GB SSD</p>

<p>or</p>

<p>15"
2.2GHz quad core
8GB RAM
128GB SSD</p>

<p>or</p>

<p>15"
2.4GHz quad core
4GB RAM
750GB Serial ATA</p>

<p>Is the quad core + bigger hard drive >or= the RAM + SSD combo?</p>

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<p>Will you be doing anything that can use the extra 4GB? We fill HDs to near capacity. ;)</p>

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<p>Vonlost, I would probably be doing at least some intense gaming, as well as a lot of video streaming, and (potentially) some App development. If this isn’t going to be a problem at 4GB, let me know; I just thought it might be.</p>

<p>Okay, I went back and checked out the laptop requirements for my preferred college, and the min. hard drive is 250GB. So I’ve eliminated the SSDs (getting that much is expensive, any more ridiculously so), and all of them would be 750GB. RAM, I think, would, or could, be updated on any of them if I need it. Back to the original question, then:</p>

<p>MacBook vs. iMac</p>

<p>Is there a definitive answer as to practicality, or is it just a personal preference thing?</p>

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<p>4GB or 8GB depends on what you’ll be doing; video editors might notice the difference, but I think few others will.</p>

<p>Get the MacBook if you want to be able to move it; get the iMac if you want the big screen.</p>

<p>Forget the price differences; every $100 is seven cents per day over four years. Get what you want.</p>

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<p>All right, then. Thanks guys! Now that I’ve got that sorted out, I just need to get through HS. :&lt;/p>