<p>So I am going to be entering college soon as an incoming freshman. I want a computer with an i5 processor (preferably 3rd gen)...4 GB of memory or more, backlit keyboard, Dvd Drive. 13 inch would be great. I found a MacBook that does all that. Theyre really nice looking. They don't get Windows based viruses, and don't crash as much. I wont use it for gaming just for school and apps from the app store. But is it truly worth the money? My dad is thinking of getting of it for me but its gonna cost at least $1200. He didn't like any of the PC's when we went to look at them at Best Buy. Hes willing to pay that much for a mac but he wants to know exactly what hes getting into before he rakes out all that cash. I would feel really bad if he bought it and it messes up. I'm going to install microsoft office on it. HPs are pretty good too I've heard. but I cant find too many with a Dvd drive. Honestly what is it that makes a Mac different than a PC ?</p>
<p>Macs can legally run both Windows and OS X. Windows can’t.</p>
<p>If you are considering a Mac, then consider looking at the Macbook Air. Faster, smaller, and better for a college student. If you want a PC alternative, consider the Asus Zenbook Prime.</p>
<p>You really shouldn’t need a DVD that much, and if you do, you can get an external drive. That is a better option, in my opinion. How often will you be using your DVD drive?</p>
<p>The new Retina-display Macbook Pros don’t have an optical drive anyway. And while they can’t get Windows-based viruses, they can still get viruses - you just have to have had downloaded them. </p>
<p>Macs are much sleeker and easy to use than PCs. They are also more durable. If you already have a college email, you can get Microsoft Office Academic for a pretty low price from the website.</p>
<p>I was going to use the regular MacBook Pro 13 inch. Retina display doesn’t really matter to me. Its just more expensive. I thought I would need an optical drive for, say, if a professor gives out a CD Rom study guide to go with my book. I know someone who got something similar for intro to Biology. So I thought id get one. Thanks for your responses.</p>
<p>Ummm… Who told you HPs were good?</p>
<p>Last time I was at the Apple store, I heard someone ask “how much is the corporate discount?” The sales guy said it was 15% (but only 10% for the ipad). And all the customer had to do was give them his business card. Try it.</p>
<p>A word of caution – you’re probably more responsible than my son, but if you’ll be using it late at night, in bed, and you fall asleep, and it falls on the floor, the screen could crack (depending on what covers the floor and how high your bed is). They’re well made, but they’re not indestructible.</p>
<p>External drives should still resolve the few times you’ll need optical media.</p>