<p>Hello!
I am going to be a freshman at LSA next year. I am very interested in applying to ross BBA. Considering this, what laptop should I buy? I want a MacBook pro 2011 but there have been rumors of a big refresh for the MacBook pro 2012. Should I wait for that or should I just buy a dell or something?</p>
<p>Hey Snails, I’m in the same boat as you (Ross hopeful, current LSA) and after a ton of research I just bought the 2011 Macbook Air (13" 256GB) for the next 4 years of college. If you’re currently only looking at Apple, the current MacBook Pro should serve you well over the next 4 years as the Sandy Bridge CPU architecture (the whole dual and quad core thing) is by far the biggest CPU update (over the previous version) in the last ten years. </p>
<p>Now about the 2012 refresh, I follow Apple very closely and will tell you that the next MBP refresh will probably be a BIG change over the current 2011. There’s a big chance that there might be a new, thinner body design, (a big revamp from the current version), SSD’s coming standard in the 13" versions to help compete with the Macbook air. 8GB of RAM standard on the 15" versions, possibly the 13" but unlikely. Lastly, Better resolution on the display’s with a 1080p option for the 15 and 17". I doubt we’ll see another CPU upgrade, you might have i7 quad core’s accross the board but that’s not a huge upgrade.</p>
<p>To sum up all that ^:
If you wait for 2012 you’ll get:
Cheaper SSDs (or having them come standard)
Better Resolution
Cheaper RAM upgrade
New Body Design (50/50 chance)</p>
<p>If you’re willing to until ~March of next year it will probably be out then, but if you want to get one this year I’d recommend the 13" low end MBP with 8GB of RAM or the 15" low end with 8GB of RAM (No such thing as too much RAM). I would also personally just get one this year because you can always tell yourself that next years computer will be that much better, but I personally think that the recent CPU upgrades are a huge leap up from the previous generation and will be the biggest change we’ll see for a while. If it were me I’d just buy it now.</p>
<p>I chose the new (mid-2011) Macbook Air over the MBP because I wanted a 13" anyway and the Macbook Air that was just released is leaps above the 13" MBP (better resolution, SSD comes standard, slimmer (obviously), and cheaper if you add the SSD to the MBP. I would strongly urge you to look at this option if you want a machine that will be very future proof (SSDs ARE the future, that’s undeniable).</p>
<p>If you have any other questions feel free to ask, sorry for the lengthy response.</p>
<p>[Apple</a> MacBook Air 13" Mid-2011 Model Review - YouTube](<a href=“Apple MacBook Air 13" Mid-2011 Model Review - YouTube”>Apple MacBook Air 13" Mid-2011 Model Review - YouTube)</p>
<p>Here’s a video review of the Macbook Air to emphasize how huge of an upgrade it just went through(also show’s why SSDs are awesome).</p>
<p>Thanks a lot KyleTwentyEleven!!
I am definitely going to look into the MacBook air.
Do you think it would be smart to buy a Dell ?
I have had really bad experiences with hp so that’s not an option either.</p>
<p>Well if you’re talking longevity (a computer lasting 4 years) Apple is by far the best option. Seeing as you’re a hopeful business major you won’t ever need software that runs windows exclusive, and if you do (for those one or two times) you can get VMware. If you want a long lasting laptop in the Windows department I’d look into the Dell XPS 15z and the Sony Vaio z. The Dell is a mid-price laptop that is packed with great hardware, and if you upgrade a little bit you can get 8 GB of RAM and a 1080p screen, and a quad core processor. Now to be honest you will never notice the quad core, (or at least not for 3 or 4 years), the 1080p screen would be nice too. The Dell inspiron series is awful, if you get anything stick with the XPS 15z, very portable while still being well equipped. </p>
<p>Now if you want a Windows laptop and are willing to spend the money, the Vaio Z series (starting at $1999) is an excellent laptop, very portable and still very powerful. </p>
<p>In my personal opinion, Apple is always 2 steps ahead of any Windows laptop, both operating system and hardware wise. Apple has chosen to focus on SSD which is the future of computing. If you’re looking for heavy gaming don’t get mac either, but you haven’t indicated that. </p>
<p>Anyway, company wise Apple > Sony > Lenovo > Dell > Everything else >>>>>> HP for quality. Apple’s main sell is the operating system, beautiful touch pad and keyboard, and incredibly engineered motherboards and computer bodies. It does not come with as high level hardware unless you spend a fortune, but it comes with the important stuff that will get you through 4 years without an issue. I personally think that the SSD is the most important upgrade (on any computer) for longevity. </p>
<p>Good Luck! Also if you want to actually see what these computers look like, go to a Best Buy or Apple store close to your house and get a feel for them.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about the software in the B-School (I was an engineer), but if they aren’t too strict on software requirements you should probably consider relying on the school computers (labs everywhere on campus) to do any heavy computing you need. Chances are though your day-to-day computing needs will be MS Office (imo it’s better on a Windows machine), email, web searching, and other low demand tasks. You also need to consider how comfortable you would be switching operating systems. Unless you’re computer savvy (like I am) a switch of operating systems probably won’t being a good idea.</p>
<p>Here are my recommendations (pick one obviously):
- MacBook Air (it’s portability really make it a better choice for someone who’s not going to be spending all-day, everday with a computer)
- MacBook Pro if you’re not comfortable with the lower processor speed of the Air
- Some sort of high-end Windows machine (the above posters were right in saying their lifetime isn’t as long as the Mac) like an IBM ThinkPad</p>
<p>Get a wireless mouse too for when you’re at home.</p>
<p>^Hey Brimacki the low processor speed of the air is more than made up for with the SSD. If you look at benchmarks, the 13" air consistently outperforms the 13" MBP. A high end windows machine will feel outdated in 2 years (I can say from experience, I bought a $1500 Dell 2 years ago and it’s performance already feels sluggish). I agree with the wireless mouse.</p>
<p>What is a good screen size for college use? 13"? 15’? For LSA student, who is not a gamer. Is smaller screen model easier to carry around, or not a big difference? If not, seems bigger screen is better.</p>
<p>It will be easier to carry the 13 inch laptop.</p>
<p>The Macbook Pro is a great machine, better than Macbook Air in my opinion. Buy one through the university and you get about $100 off. Plus right now they are giving you a $100 gift card with purchase. Check U.M. computer store for other specials and deals like free printer with purchase.</p>
<p>13" is best for a student, easy to shove in your backpack & carry to library or study group meetings. 17" is too big to do that, and why pay more for a 15". The 13" display is beautiful.</p>
<p>I also agree that MS Office /Word on Mac is not quite as good as it is on a PC. You can probably make do.</p>
<p>Very easy to get service on your Mac, there’s a Mac Store in Briarwood Mall (Ann Arbor) that will diagnose and fix it, if you need to reach beyond the campus computing help people.</p>
<p>HOWEVER, UM/Ross Business School says,</p>
<p>“Students are strongly encouraged to own a current generation PC/Windows laptop with wireless capabilities.”</p>
<p>[BBA</a> - Stephen M. Ross School of Business](<a href=“http://www.bus.umich.edu/admissions/bba/FAQ/Other.htm]BBA”>Bachelor of Business Administration | Michigan Ross)
[My</a> iMpact: DiscoverIT](<a href=“http://www.bus.umich.edu/MyiMpact/DiscoverIT/GettingHelp/mac_pc.aspx]My”>http://www.bus.umich.edu/MyiMpact/DiscoverIT/GettingHelp/mac_pc.aspx)</p>
<p>Bottom line: if you want to go to Ross, get a laptop and make it a PC.</p>
<p>sorry for hijacking this thread, but would a 2011 MacBook Pro be a good choice for an LSA student trying to get at least 2-3 years out of it?</p>
<p>The vaio Z pretty much competes with the 15 inch macbook pro (minus dual-core vs quad-core). The vaio SA is more so the competitor to the macbook pro 13 inch. Also Kyle, were you defragging/cleaning your registry often?</p>
<p>^Hey pvp, yes a Macbook Pro could easily last you 5 years if you take care of it.</p>
<p>Also @Jelp, I also saw that announcement by Ross, and had similiar concerns, but have to call BS for a number of reasons. </p>
<ol>
<li> You can easily run Windows 7 on a Mac through a Virtual Machine or through a HDD Partition with Bootcamp.</li>
<li> There are so many computers on campus that are PCs and several at Ross that run their specific software for the rare occurances where you need a powerful PC (I can’t see a reason besides possibly financial software that may be ultraspecific).</li>
<li> Microsoft tries to have very strong relationships with all educational institutions, especially business schools, so it’s very possible that that recommendation came from a sponsorship or agreement of some kind.</li>
<li> I’ve talked to Ross grads online who have told me that they never once needed a PC throughout their 3 years there.</li>
</ol>
<p>It is my opinion that that warning ages from the Pre-OSX days where all 3rd party media was operating system specific because you had to build two completely different programs. Now, that is not the case because of Leopard (I can’t go into why because I don’t understand it, but I am sure it’s not longer an issue).</p>
<p>@Rhythm Yes Windows 7 does that automatically. I usually have a lot open at the same time and Windows unforunately makes no effort to minimize a programs effect while it’s in the background. Microsoft software and even parts of Windows 7 are extremely inefficient when it comes to CPU and RAM consumption, and often chew off far much more then they should. Press ctrl + alt + delete and look at how much memory some processes eat up.</p>
<p>I have been considering converting from PC to mac but am thinking I’m going to stick with pc… but don’t get a dell. D: We have eight dells in this house because my dad uses them for his company and their products have been getting worse and worse over the years, and so has their service, by our estimation anyway. My dell cost me more in repairs by its second birthday than it was purchased for.</p>
<p>1) MacBook Pro = excellent for college (at least in the liberal arts) imo, & do install tracking software so you can find it when someone steals it, and do get insurance that will pay to replace it when something gets spilled on it.
2) Everyone including Ross Bus School knows that you can do BootCamp and run Windows on a Mac (although even this will not make the Mac “identical” to a PC). And lots of people in business are sort of migrating to Mac’s for their PERSONAL use. But Ross still very emphatically and in the strongest possible way tells prospective students to get a PC --even while Univ. of Michigan’s College of Engineering is telling students that they can get either a Mac OR a PC. It’s probably best to do what Ross recommends if you can.</p>
<p>I’m definitely not getting an hp because I have had a lot of problems with them. I am really determined to get into Ross so I feel like getting a Mac will put me at a disadvantage if i do get in. My dad has a IBM Thinkpad and it works pretty well so that might be my best option if I’m going to go non-Mac…right ??</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard from current Ross students with Macs, it hasn’t been a big deal. You can get BootCamp and put Windows 7 onto your Mac. (I’m starting Ross classes this fall, and that’s what I personally plan on doing.) So if you have your heart set on Mac, I say go for it.</p>
<p>@snails, thinkpads are great – I highly recommend them over macs, which are honestly a waste of money.</p>
<p>Having a mac or a PC won’t affect your chances of getting into Ross lol. BTW the Macbook Air is absolutely amazing, very quick and VERY fast compared to a PC. Even the keyboard feels sexier lol. Again I will push the Macbook Air option, but if you’re a little price constrained and can’t afford the 256GB, the low end 13" MBP will serve extremely well for the next 4 years. Again don’t worry about the mac vs PC thing, its very easy to install Windows 7 on a Mac.</p>