<p>I just want to say, I have a PC and it sucks. It's from **** (not sure if I'm allowed to say the company) and they won't let me return it. They only accept returns within the first 21 days. Are you kidding me!? $1,400 down the drain Never buy something online that doesn't have stores. </p>
<p>Anyway. I'm a junior in HS, but I'll be needing to upgrade to a Mac for college. My intended major is computer science/engineering. </p>
<p>Is the MacBook air adequate enough? I'm probably working this summer, so I should make ~1,200. That's not enough for a Mac haha. I've seen a lot of people are getting MacBook Pros. Is that a better buy? how much would it all be in total (with a printer and needed accessories, etc)? How much is the starting price for it?</p>
<p>I know there will be something new coming out by the time I graduate (the Lion is coming out this summer), but which computer should I get for CS/CE?</p>
<p>My current laptop is 17.3 in. I had to buy an $80 backpack because it's so huge. I use Microsoft visual studio for programming in visual basic for my class at community college. The new Macs are coming out with (or they are already out) the option of using Windows. I think that's AMAZING and I swear a while back I had a premonition that would happen lol. </p>
<p>Anyway, advice? How was your experience with your Mac (regardless of what kind)?</p>
<p>I’ve had a Mac (desktop) for four years. I love it and I’m planning on getting a MacBook pro for college. I’ve never had a problem with my computer.</p>
<p>I was looking at the MacBook air, but after looking at the specs and realizing that the 13" that I wanted only had 64GB of hard drive storage vs the 320GB on the MacBook pro it was obvious which is the better choice. The MacBook air only goes up to 256GB available (most expensive option) vs the MacBook pro which goes up to 750GB (also most expensive).</p>
<p>But it all depends on how much you need for the programs you’re going to use.</p>
<p>You are definitely allowed to say the name of the company.</p>
<p>While your computer is technically a PC, you shouldn’t say “I have a PC and it sucks.” More than likely you’re referring to Windows sucking. Pet peeve of mine…</p>
<p>Also, if you’re going into CS, consider buying an ASUS laptop and loading linux on it. You didn’t say what the problem was with your old computer, but if it will boot, do a quick google and find out how to boot ubuntu from a live USB. Once you get a new laptop, look into dual booting Windows 7 and ubuntu. Most CS people use some form of linux or unix.</p>
<p>Jany- thanks. Guess I better start saving my money now…</p>
<p>Mathemagician- I’m referring to the computer itself, not windows. PCs get viruses too easy. This is my 3rd one. I’d prefer to get a Mac though, as I’m not familiar with the other computers but Macs are all around excellent. Plus, does the laptop you mention have a store specifically for that company? Is there good customer service policy? I don’t want to get a computer from Best Buy or something and it doesn’t have it’s own company store. I’ve never heard anything bad about Macs either. </p>
<p>But thanks for your input, do you have any information on Macs?</p>
<p>If I were entering college today, I would definitely consider a MacBook Air. It is so light and thin, you could just slip it into a daypack or shoulder bag and hardly notice that it was there. To be sure, there are some tradeoffs when compared to a MacBook Pro, most noticeably in storage capacity and the lack of a CD/DVD drive. Still, I would go for it, and I would have an Apple Time Capsule wireless hard disk and wi-fi base station back in my dorm room, along with a Superdrive CD/DVD drive. </p>
<p>My only question is would I get the 13" Air or the 11" Air. I’m thinking of the latter, along with a monitor to use in my room.</p>
<p>You should go to a store and compare the MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air to see which one would work best for you.</p>
<p>I would not get a macbook air for any serious work. It’s more of a niche machine, compared to the standard macbooks which are going to be more powerful. If you just want to look cool and show off your awesome sweet computer (which is going to be out of date by the time you get to college anyways) then get whatever you want.</p>
<p>How did you go through three computers that quickly? You didn’t just trash the computer because you got a virus did you? CS/CE major? I mean not to be judgemental or anything but shouldn’t you be fixing these kinds of basic computer problems in your sleep?</p>
<p>If you’re a bit short, ask to borrow some money from your parents or something.</p>
<p>I’m not a CS/CE major. I’m still in high school, I said that’s what major I was looking at. </p>
<p>Not three computers within a short time period. In a span of 5 years. </p>
<p>I don’t plan on buying it now, I was asking opinions on which kind would be better when the time comes if something better doesn’t come out, which it probably will. </p>
<p>I prefer to be independent and pay for 99% of my computer.</p>
<p>Get the MacBook Pro 13" for $1199. If you wait until June or so, Apple will probably offer their “buy a laptop, get a free printer and ipod” special. You pay upfront for the printer and ipod. Then, you submit the claim for the rebates online and receive a check for the cost in the mail.</p>
<p>In addition to the printer and ipod deal, make sure you get the educational discount. See link above.</p>
<p>I can’t say for sure if Apple will continue with their laptop/printer/ipod deal, but they’ve offered it each Spring (I think around June) for the past few years. If you can hold off, wait and see if they offer it again.</p>
<p>Thanks!
I think I’ll get it next summer so I can get the latest computer before I go off to college. I’ll book mark that page though, I didn’t know about the educational discount.</p>
<p>Just be aware that there’s going to be a new generation of macbooks out (probably) before you have enough money to buy one.</p>
<p>3 computers in 5 years is very quick turnover. I had my first laptop for three years and we finally replaced it because it was simply too old, not because I hadn’t taken good care of it.</p>
<p>As for that printer and ipod deal, my friends who got the deal say that the printer was a piece of crap. Don’t depend on it do much, it really just is a $50 printer.</p>
<p>If you don’t like the “free printer”, you don’t have to get it. You can use the rebate towards one of the better printers that sell and you pay the difference.</p>
<p>Yeah that happens with computers. I think people don’t realize that many computers in the household before you go to college are shared, thus being subjected to the likes of drops and mouse clicks from infants. I had to share 2 or 3 laptops when i was going to high school and they all had something happen to them (Dropped, LCD fails, etc). It just happens and you have to deal with it.
As for the macbook air, I think its a great idea. The new models are getting tons of reviews saying there top notch and able to handle a lot more than they used to. They aren’t novelty machines anymore from what I understand, so I think its a safe bet that if you get one you’ll be able to do your school work on it pretty easily. Macs are good that way. They just work. I have an 9 yr old power mac g4 at my house that i use for a ton of school work (writing papers, research, email) and it works unbelievably well so I wouldn’t for a second think that Apple’s latest macbook air couldn’t handle almost anything you throw at it (but be reasonable, if you need a lot of power, get the macbook pro 13.)</p>
<p>You know what else “just works”? An old Pentium III Windows 2000 machine I’ve got sitting at home. It’s great for word processing, sending emails, and doing research. It’s also rock-solid, never gets viruses, and never crashes.</p>
<p>Go for the Pro, and get whatever size you think fits best. The 13" will be much more portable and have longer battery life, but the 15" will be easier on the eyes and the hands for those long sessions at the computer, and crunches through tasks faster.</p>