<p>I'm going to be a freshman next year majoring in Audio Engineering at the University of Miami (which is really an EE degree with a heavy focus on audio) and I'm looking for a laptop. I'm leaning toward a Mac, because my family has used Macs exclusively since the 90s (yes, even those massive boxy things back in the day! :)) and it's what I'm used to, and it also runs my favorite digital audio workstation (Logic Studio), but I am open to any and all options. I have a few specific questions:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The new 13" MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are priced identically, and if I end up with a Mac, it'll almost certainly be one of these two. I love the extreme portability of the Air, but is it powerful enough for an engineering student?</p></li>
<li><p>What are some Windows computers that compete with these two options, specs-wise? I'm really quite clueless when it comes to machines that run Windows.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I’d suggest the Pro. I was looking at both the Pro and the Air and decided on the Pro. My roommate has an Air and I feel like every time I hold it, it’s going to break. Also, the volume on the Air is ridiculously low. If you are not using headphones, it’s really really quiet even when it’s cranked all the way up. </p>
<p>The Pro will be better for what you’re doing. The reason that they are the same price is because you are paying for the technical aspects of the Pro and the portability of the Air. </p>
<p>There are plenty of Windows computers that are comparable specs wise. In fact dollar for dollar, you could find something more powerful on the windows side, and spend the rest of your money on outboard equipment, controllers, and whatnot.</p>
<p>You should get a cheaper PC, then spend the rest on nice monitors or something.</p>
<p>I’m personally running Ableton on my Thinkpad hooked up to some Genelecs.</p>
<p>Edit:
Actually. Just saw you were a Freshman. Dorms aren’t the best place for monitors. You could still buy some quality headphones though.</p>