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College Comp. Advice

T

T-Reese

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 28, 2005
13
0
I'm going to be a college student next fall and l was wondering if the community would bestow some of it's world famous advice on me:
My thoughts: Intel imac and the new intel i/mac book
I'll primarily be using a comp. for in school notes/surfing (music haha) and out of school for word, itunes, photoshop, maybe some final cut if i have time, surfing, games, and burning cds/dvds.
Perhaps just a macbook pro? any advice? thanks guys!
 
Don't buy two computers. Get a laptop and be happy with it. MBP's are probably overkill for your needs, but that's up to you. A good 12"/15" powerbook would do.
 
You'll have more fun with a laptop, but get the cheapest one that meets your needs. If you're anything like me, I always worry over expensive electronics.
 
T-Reese,

Before you buy your computer(s), you'll need to consider a couple of things.

1. What college are you going to attend? More than likely, they will have an IT policy. If the school you choose frowns upon Macs, you're going to have problems.

2. What major? In general, the design majors tend to use Macs. Business majors can go both ways. Engineering majors may be forced to PCs because of software issues (i.e. AutoCAD, Simulation, etc)

With that in mind, I would suggest an intelMac. A MacBookPro would be great. But if the suspect MacBooks come out soon, you might want to consider that. Dual-booting will be a reality eventually, so you'll have the best of both worlds.

ft
 
I'm a New Media Major at UMaine and when I started 3 years ago I bought a brand new 12" G4 PB (867mhz). For 2 full years it was my only computer, it was used for Illustrator, PhotoShop, iMovie, After Effects, and a little FCP, on top of the normal internet/email/IM etc. Then I bought my dual 2ghz G5 PM to take over the heavy stuff. Now my PB just does light photoshopping on the go etc and email/internet on the go. Sometimes I prefer (like right now actually) to use my laptop in my apartment because with the wireless I can go anywhere I want.

So what I'm getting at is start with a laptop, then if you need more power, either get an additional machine, or sell the laptop and get a desktop.
 
If you can get the MacBook Pro then get it, if you can afforde it then get a PowerBook. Dont bother with an iBook or the MacBook (intel iBook), final cut and photo shop will run verrrrrrrrrrrrry slow. A nice setup would be a 12" PowerBook with an external monitor for when your at your dorm/home and its very light to take anywere you want.
 
While some would say the MBP is overkill, I say go for it, if you can afford it.

Ideally, you want something that is going to last your entire career at college - and to that end, I say buy something powerful now so that in three or so years, it will still fly through OSX, editing etc. The laptop is powerful enough to use as a dektop replacement, where i just don't think the current Powerbooks are; and if they are, they will age fast.

Plus, and this IS a benefit of getting the MBP, it looks gorgeous! And that is a slightly synical thing to say, sure; but you will appreciate it!
 
T-Reese said:
I'm going to be a college student next fall and l was wondering if the community would bestow some of it's world famous advice on me:
My thoughts: Intel imac and the new intel i/mac book
I'll primarily be using a comp. for in school notes/surfing (music haha) and out of school for word, itunes, photoshop, maybe some final cut if i have time, surfing, games, and burning cds/dvds.
Perhaps just a macbook pro? any advice? thanks guys!
Click to expand...

I think that a MacBook Pro would be the perfect computer for you T-Reese. :)
 
dmw007 said:
I think that a MacBook Pro would be the perfect computer for you T-Reese. :)
Click to expand...

Especially now that Apple has released Boot Camp- a program that will let you install and run Windows XP on an intel based Macintosh computer. :)
 
I'm attending the University of Wyoming(go cowboys) intending to major in political science(weird cuz i'm a liberal from Cheney's state) or perhaps pre-law(poppa's an attorney) or journalism. With boot camp i don't think the fact that most people in wyoming have never heard of apple will matter. Dual boot is a godsend! haha! thanks guys for the advice as of now i only have enough cash for a ibook but i plan to wait til after summer by then i'll have enough for a macbook pro.
 
T-Reese said:
I'm attending the University of Wyoming(go cowboys) intending to major in political science(weird cuz i'm a liberal from Cheney's state) or perhaps pre-law(poppa's an attorney) or journalism. With boot camp i don't think the fact that most people in wyoming have never heard of apple will matter. Dual boot is a godsend! haha! thanks guys for the advice as of now i only have enough cash for a ibook but i plan to wait til after summer by then i'll have enough for a macbook pro.
Click to expand...

Sounds good T-Reese. I myself happen to be a political science major (I'll be a Junior next semester :) ) at Lebanon Valley College in central PA ( www.lvc.edu ).
 
Personally I'd go with a desktop for my main computer because you get more bang for the buck and then get a cheaper, older iBook or PowerBook to use for portability if you want to take notes in class or something. You shouldn't need much power just for browsing the internet and using a word processor.
 
If you're leaning towards the two computer idea, don't. You won't have space for two computers, you'll waste your money, and any girl you bring home will think you're a huge nerd (joke... sort of). Instead I'd recommend getting one nice laptop. I have a 15" PB that I plug into a 20" monitor etc. when i'm in my room. It works out great, and I'm actually considering switching to a 12" model.
 
adk said:
Any girl you bring home will think you're a huge nerd... I'm actually considering switching to a 12" model.
Click to expand...

Some girls like nerds...mine does :cool:

Also, you should switch to a 12 PB, they kick ass. Of course, this is a totally non biased opinion, of course. :D
 
Mac Mini and MacBook!

Possibly for the same price as a Macbook Pro! :rolleyes:

I don't know, personally I think 2 machines gives greater flexibility. If you have a single machine, and it gets toast (we all know how lousy Mac's logic boards are) YOU are toast as well, especially if it is one week before term closes when all assignments are due.

With 2 machines, you can actually leave one at home to download mp3s/pr0n/movies that you can watch later with your dorm mates, and bring your notebook to uni and... whatever (i never understood the use of laptops in lectures anyway, perhaps to pick up chicks?)

Either way it is more versatile! ;)
 
generik said:
(i never understood the use of laptops in lectures anyway, perhaps to pick up chicks?)
Click to expand...

I hate writing notes, typing is so much faster. No wrist strain, you can edit/archive/print later. If nothing else, it lets you organize your notes. Otherwise, I would have Calculus on a random page in my Creative Writing notebook... yes this has happened... it was bad.

Not many people are this smart, so if you're the only one with a sexy PB/MBP, that guarantees a lot of looks from the ladies... ;)

Or I suppose they can't type. I'm usually close to 120 wpm, but that's irrelevant. :D
 
Yeah thats what i had in mind was two machines in case one bites the bullet... as for room i'm not living in the dorms i'm moving in with a cousin who has ample space so lucky me... now i just gotta work my last summer away so i can afford all these nice things! haha! thanks again guys..
 
wonga1127 said:
Where did you learn how to type 120 wpm. I had a computer teacher teach me keyboarding for 4 years straight and i can barley get 40 wpm with errors.
Click to expand...

I've always been in front of a keyboard. My dad gave me a Mac SE when I was 7 years old. Younger than that, I played floppy games on the IBM-compatible. Some of my best memories. :)

I never did learn how to play football, but now I feel a strange comfort in the presence of a semiconductor...
 
I type at 75wpm and I only took a one semester course in keyboarding...in highschool so, 6 years ago.
 
joecool85 said:
I type at 75wpm and I only took a one semester course in keyboarding...in highschool so, 6 years ago.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think it really depends on how much daily computing you do.
 
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