<p>I'm thinking about buying a MacBook in the coming year, and I am planning on being a journalism and communications major. I think using a Mac will be good, as Macs are what is commonly used in that industry. However, will this work for my major while I'm still in school? Just opinions, I'm not set on a MacBook or a PC, I'm just exploring my options at the moment. I currently have a Dell Inspiron 1521, by the way, and completely hate it. I'm leaning towards getting a Lenovo or HP, if a PC is the best option, or a MacBook Pro 15'. Thanks guys!</p>
<p>The MacBook Pro is more than capable for your needs. If I were you, I’d be weighing the differences between office suites, as I’m sure you’ll get to know them very well! :)</p>
<p>what dont you like about your dell?</p>
<p>There isn’t really any reason to spend 2000 dollars on a laptop for word processing.</p>
<p>aforautumn - I’ve had a lot of problems with my Inspiron. It was AWESOME at first, but in the past year, I’ve had to get a lot of things replaced. I’ve had to replace my fan twice, and it has a HUGE problem with overheating, and the bottom gets hot after like 15 minutes of using it. I literally burnt my fingers on the bottom of it once - they were swollen for like 3 days! Because of that, I’m trying to go to UNC and they have a program where they sell you a Lenovo, and you get free service and replacements and all…it’s really tempting after my problems with this one in the past year. It’s going on 3 years old though, so I kind of expected it.</p>
<p>pandem - I do a lot more on my computers than word processing, thanks :)</p>
<p>I used to be a PC person, but got a Mac for college and absolutely love it. I highly recommend a Mac because you don’t have to worry about viruses and they work super fast, unlike PC’s which slow down over time and freeze. You also have to install an antivirus program on a PC, and yet spyware still gets on your computer. I heard that engineers and computer science majors use PC’s for specific reasons, but I think for a journalism major, a Mac is fine.</p>
<p>I have the regular old white macbook, and I’ve tried the Macbook Pro, but I really don’t notice a difference besides the Macbook Pro being slightly bigger and has an antiglare screen or something. In my opinion, the regular macbook is good.</p>
<p>I’m mostly looking at the MacBook Pro because of the 15 inch screen. My computer now is a 17 inch screen so I think going from a 17 inch to a 13 inch would be a big jump. I was in the Apple store the other day, and the 13 inch screen feels so small compared to what I’m used to using, but the 15 inch is just right (:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The tradeoff you make with bigger screens is shorter battery life, and higher price. </p>
<p>Here is a thought: You can buy a nice LCD monitor (with a much bigger screen than 15") for the price difference between the MacBook and the 15" MacBook Pro and still have quite a bit of money left over.</p>
<p>I don’t think a mac is a good computer for you to get. When I took a tour of Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism they suggested that you don’t get a Mac because it’s not combatible for a lot of the programs they use.</p>
<p>UNC’s JOMC and Northwestern’s programs are really different - I’m planning on going to UNC, but they really don’t say one way or another in what I’ve seen, because everything is going through UNC’s CCI. CCI just says something along the lines of “Well…your programs MIGHT not work, but it may work.” Annoying.</p>
<p>silence_kit - I have thought of that, but the reality for me is that I would practically never hook my laptop up to the monitor, and it would end up being a bit of a waste. I’m not the kind of person who just uses my computer at a desk - that happens like once every 3 months. I understand what the trade-offs are, and it’s going to be like that with most laptops in that regard - and I’m fine with that.</p>
<p>I’m mostly just concerned about whether a Mac or a PC is going to be most practical for use in college, and what’s going to last me the longest. Price isn’t a BIG factor for me - my parents are pretty much willing to pay for an expensive computer if it’s going to last me more than 2 years (unlike this Dell).</p>
<p>I recently got a 13’’ Macbook and I’d HIGHLY recommend it. The near-instantaneous startup time alone is worth it, in my opinion, nevermind all the other cool Mac features. I’ll echo what clearskies says about speed and virus protection as well - my Macbook is a clear-cut upgrade from my previous computer, a Toshiba tablet. Plus, with the 15’', I’m sure you’ll enjoy the brilliant resolution even more.</p>