I recently got a very generous gift from a family member. They gave me a barely-used macbook air as a graduation gift. I love the computer, and I’m thankful of their gift. However, I’m an engineering student, specifically civil. I’m also looking into a CS minor. Before I got this Macbook, I was pretty much set on the Dell XPS 13 touch, which I have yet to purchase. It seemed better than a Mac for the compatibility reasons and had the same power, if not more, for a little less of a price. My school claims that it doesn’t matter whether you go Mac or PC, but I’ve heard that Mac users typically have to use school computer labs instead of their laptops rather frequently.
My question is this: Do I purchase the XPS 13 and use both at college? I’d use the XPS for the heavy lifting, hard programs, and the Macbook for papers, hobby work, developing/coding, etc., kind of like a side-computer. Or do I only use the XPS 13? My uncle said that if I don’t end up wanting the Macbook, my parents/friends/whoever wants it could pay him full price for it. I am considering this, but want more input from current students or outside perspectives. The more I play around with the Macbook, the more I’m liking it, and I don’t know many friends or other family members currently in the market for an expensive laptop.
I’m CS, so this could be just because of that, but my experience hasn’t been that AT ALL.
It’s important to remember that you can easily boot windows on a Mac with Bootcamp - Linux as well with some work if you’d like.
My only concern is that it’s an Air. What’s the RAM and all? It may not be able to handle some heavy engineering programs due to that. If that checks out, I see no need to get another computer.
If it doesn’t have the capabilities (which I suspect), you may need to go for the second one.
Here’s another option - sell the Air and get a new Pro with good specs when they come out - it will give you the power you need and the interface you’re falling in love with. As someone who has used both OS’s for my entire life, I find Mac strongly preferable unless you’re looking for a gaming laptop. The net price would probably be the same or less as getting the extra laptop, and it would outlive both of the ones in the 2 laptop alternative, which is really the most important part IMO.
Get your laptop on the market, but somewhere where you have control. Craigslist, classifieds for schools (even your college) and the like are great places. Try something like (mostly full price) or best offer - you can always say no that way, but you have the option if you choose to take it.
I don’t want to get into the great Mac vs PC debate here, but I’ll say this - the big drawback of Mac IMO is the price - you have a unique opportunity to remove that from your equation.