<p>I know it's a bit early, but with all the free time over break I couldn't help but go and build some laptops at apple's website. I think I'm going to get the 13", or upgrade to the 15" pro so I can have an antiglare screen.</p>
<p>How early is too early to buy your college laptop? I'm waiting until the next MBP refresh (est. late April)</p>
<p>What laptop / computer (if any) are you going to get and why?</p>
<p>Dream computer:
MacBook Pro 15" matte • 2.8 GHz i7 • 128 GB SSD </p>
<p>Definitely hold out for the MBP refresh; it’s imminent. Definitely wait until you have your umich email so you can get the hefty discount. If having THE latest version isn’t your top priority, check out the Michigan Union computer store for even better deals MBPs. If you go through the Apple Store, wait until they’re running the college student promotion. You can get a free iPod touch. </p>
<p>Just my $0.02 . . .</p>
<p>EDIT: When in doubt, go for the bigger screen. I guarantee you’ll regret it if you get the smaller one. You can never have enough screen real estate . . .</p>
<p>I got an Acer Aspire recently. It has an i5 processor and some other nice features, plus it was a Black Friday sale, so I saved myself $200 and got a free wireless printer. I didn’t really want to get anything fancy, I just wanted something practical.</p>
<p>I’ll either get the HP Envy or a Macbook Pro. I’ll have to choose once both HP and Apple refresh their lines.</p>
<p>I know it’s not very practical to buy really nice computers for college and I’m usually pretty utilitarian about this stuff, but I’m really into computers. It’s good thing I’m usually a frugal person or I’d quickly be broke :p</p>
<p>I am likewise kind of a computer geek, Infinit; it’s a difficult balancing act. </p>
<p>I’m curious why a higher-end computer isn’t practical. The way I look at it is that it has to last you four years, so you might as well get a nice one.</p>
<p>RonPaul12, I think a solid mid-level laptop would suffice for most of the tasks you would have to do for college. In this day and age $700 could buy a pretty nice laptop. The caveat is that it needs to be well taken care of (anti-virus software, defrag regularly, clean up clutter, etc.) for it to last awhile. The regular macbooks for example (a mid-level computer even though it’s pretty pricey for its specs) could easily last 4 years.</p>
<p>The way I see it, the main advantage of a high-end comp is in creating content and playing games. Even though I don’t really need a nice computer to play games (I’m planning on bringing my 360), I just like the idea of my computer being able to do any task I throw at it. </p>
<p>And guys, take RonPaul12’s advice on having a bigger screen size. Studies show that more screen real estate boosts productivity.</p>
<p>i’m planning on getting a high end laptop because i plan on leaving my xbox at home so i need something to play games on and i want something to watch movies and stuff on as well. Also for any engineering or computer science students i would highly suggest against a mac because i found out the hard way in high school that macs cannot run some of the programs you might need to run for your classes. Even though I am sure the school computers can run them it is easier to have them on your own computer.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if the engineering program allows you to use a Macbook (or do even alot of engineering students use them), since some programs will only be able to work on Windows (I know, you can put windows on a macbook). Some schools I applied to require you to have a Windows based laptop for engineering, which is fine by me.</p>
<p>Mechanical engineering major here</p>
<p>I recently got the 15" MBP 2.66 GHz i7. It’s a great computer, I hope its good enough.</p>
<p>If u r an engineer, and u get a Mac, i’ll make fun of u. Idc about any specifics, i’ll insult u.</p>
<p>Be sure to check the Showcase site. I am not sure of the options currently on hardware, although considering their warranty, it has been a good deal.</p>
<p>The software prices can’t be beat! Their licence with Microsoft allows Vista $10, windows 7 $20, Office 2010 Pro Plus $50.</p>
<p>[U-M</a> Computer Showcase: Software Purchases](<a href=“http://showcase.itcs.umich.edu/software.php]U-M”>http://showcase.itcs.umich.edu/software.php)</p>
<p>@MLDWoody, what if someone insults your spelling?</p>
<p>I have my eye set on the 15" i5 with antiglare screen. I don’t know if I’m going to upgrade to an SSD after market yet… anyone have some pros besides speed with SSD’s? I know they are generally faster and don’t break as easily due to the lack of a spinning platter, but are they worth the huge price increase?</p>
<p>SSDs are very worthwhile-- >1 sec app launches, faster boot ups, and noticeable performance increase. Youre going to notice better performance from an SSD than a faster processor. </p>
<p>In addition to being faster, your computer will also run more quietly and cooler; users report 10-15% better battery life.</p>
<p>They’re faster, but most people definitely don’t need that increase in speed (even for gaming) considering the extra $/GB, especially considering they’re incoming freshman without much spending money (I would think). You would still need a separate large storage drive, increasing costs even more.</p>
<p>7200 RPM/Hybrid drives are just fine, fast enough and much cheaper. SSDs are luxury items at this point.</p>
<p>@e5volcano, I wouldn’t care less… being on my phone</p>
<p>I’m torn between 15" and 13" MBP. UMich/Mich State (Depending where I go) are both big campuses and lugging around a 15" might be a bit heavy!!</p>
<p>Tbh, I was feeling the straps of my backpack dig pretty deep into my shoulders this summer walking around MSU. Couple the laptop with a few text books and it got heavy fast. </p>
<p>I think i’ll get the top of the line 13" (4Gigs ram, 500Gig HDD (no SSD for me yet, still too much $$/Gig.) and splurge on a pair of nice headphones. 
or maybe upgrade my current iPhone 4 to the next one?</p>
<p>@MLDWoody, so why would you insult engineering students who use Macs?</p>
<p>cuz its a Mac. IDK, just a stereotype I choose to follow, lol. The truth is Macs are not the best for engineering but at the same time they won’t kill you. You’ll just need to pay a little more if you want everything a PC can do. And that’s on top of paying more for a brand name.</p>
<p>but if you wanna pay an extra $800 so there is an apple on the front be my guest</p>
<p>Macs aren’t even that much more expensive. Plus i’d rather pay more upfront and have a laptop that is reliable for a long period of time (ie 4 years) over a PC that crashes and burns in 2 years. I/We have owned many PCs (Vaios, Dells, HPs) that have all just failed just after the warranty expires. My uncle works for HP and even he doesn’t recommend their products, he has an MBP lol.</p>