College Student (Time for a new Laptop)

[zotes24]

Hello,
1st want to say thank you for looking.
2nd I have read the other thread about the CS major but i found that it was not the right thread for me.

OK, I am a college student (Psychology major). And i am wondering if the Macbook Air is for me.

this is what i need it for:
-Type papers
-Listen to a lot of music-(i might put them on the MBA or leave it on a usb flash drive)
-Need to last about 2 1/2 years
-I am not worried about the 1 usb port bc i only need to hook up my printer only when i need to print, my iphone 3g when i want to update, and the flash drive when i need it, and the superdrive when i need to, the only thing is that it would be taken up all of the time for the ethernet cable. (are there usb port that makes more ports like 2 or 3).
-Possibly Need to run some windows applications
-Will buy the Superdrive
-will need to buy the ethernet cable

is this for me... In a nut shell i type papers, listen to music, surf the web, need the ethernet cable because that is all our dorms have, will buy the superdrive.

**Also i hear talk about an upgraded Air?? What is this should i wait and get a "newer" model? Also is iWork 08 the equivalent to microsoft office (Word, Powerpoint, excell **


EDIT: considering the updated Macbook!

 

[bobsaget611]

ok... I have pretty much the same setup as you.

I'm a college freshmen, biology major.

have a macbook air, iphone 3g, and have to use the ethernet adapter (no wireless in rooms).

Trust me, your needs sound exactly like mine and the air will be perfect. I came from a dell desktop and the air is by far, much faster. for everything you described, i would be that you would be more than impressed with the air's performance. I have friends with the macbook and the macbook pro and for the tasks you describe (I always have itunes running, ichat, and pages, etc) it is blazing fast. I also have the superdrive and it is not annoying that the air doesn't have one built in. I pretty much use the drive to install a program and then never again (I rarely burn cd's etc.) And, also, if you need the cd in the future you can just copy and paste it, which i think is better than lugging cd's. If you have any specific questions about college tasks on the air, let me know.
I would give the air an A+!

 

[bobsaget611]

oh and i forgot.. my suitemate has the xps and trust me the air looks much better and is much thinner. and not to mention idk about you, but this is my first mac and i dont see myself ever going back to pc. I was just up all night last night reformatting my cousins dell because she got a virus that crashed it.

Not only the virus' the macs are just seamless have muchhhh better style and really do just work smoothly even on my campus. I love mac now!

 

[zotes24]

ok... I have pretty much the same setup as you.

I'm a college freshmen, biology major.

have a macbook air, iphone 3g, and have to use the ethernet adapter (no wireless in rooms).

Trust me, your needs sound exactly like mine and the air will be perfect. I came from a dell desktop and the air is by far, much faster. for everything you described, i would be that you would be more than impressed with the air's performance. I have friends with the macbook and the macbook pro and for the tasks you describe (I always have itunes running, ichat, and pages, etc) it is blazing fast. I also have the superdrive and it is not annoying that the air doesn't have one built in. I pretty much use the drive to install a program and then never again (I rarely burn cd's etc.) And, also, if you need the cd in the future you can just copy and paste it, which i think is better than lugging cd's. If you have any specific questions about college tasks on the air, let me know.
I would give the air an A+!

Thanks i appreciate the quick response! Thats great, my question is do you have a lot of music on your computer, if so how does it effect it. I am thinking of leaving all my music on my external hard drive so not slow down the computer. Do you find yourself needing windows for some things? because i know now that mac has really almost eliminated the need for that b.c. mac is really starting to be compatible with everything. I know i am going to buy
The ethernet,superdrive,and iWork 08 with those additions and student discount the price comes to $1898.

**Also i hear talk about an upgraded Air?? What is this should i wait and get a "newer" model? Also is iWork 08 the equivalent to microsoft office (Word, Powerpoint, excell **

 

[zotes24]

After looking at the Mac Book pro it looks like it will be a better fit, but the price is equal, but i like the air better for portability. I am in such a pickle

 

[brop52]

How do you get all of this loan money as a freshman for the MBA/iPhone. Perhaps a little parental assistance? I don't see the necessity for a MBA or the Pro. Save your money and go with a MB when they are updated. It is much much faster than the MBA and needless to say cheaper.

I used Office 08 and it is fine. Get it from your school for cheap.

 

[zotes24]

How do you get all of this loan money as a freshman for the MBA/iPhone. Perhaps a little parental assistance? I don't see the necessity for a MBA or the Pro. Save your money and go with a MB when they are updated. It is much much faster than the MBA and needless to say cheaper.

I used Office 08 and it is fine. Get it from your school for cheap.

I am not a freshmen i am a junior (unless you are referring to the other post). But no matter what computer i get my parents are paying $1600 for a laptop and i am going to put in the rest. I should be no ones concern how this is going to be paid for so that really should not come up in this discussion.

As for the Air, i have decided not to get the Air, but i am almost sold on the Macbook Pro. (Is the current pro the updated one?)

Also The macbook, when is that going to be updated, i am not familiar with when and what that update will consist of.

Also the macbook does look like a good buy, i might get the macbook and then when i graduate go with the pro or Air, but is the update done? http://www.apple.com/macbook/ is that the new one?

Thank you

 

[brop52]

I am not a freshmen i am a junior (unless you are referring to the other post). But no matter what computer i get my parents are paying $1600 for a laptop and i am going to put in the rest. I should be no ones concern how this is going to be paid for so that really should not come up in this discussion.

As for the Air, i have decided not to get the Air, but i am almost sold on the Macbook Pro. (Is the current pro the updated one?)

Also The macbook, when is that going to be updated, i am not familiar with when and what that update will consist of.

Also the macbook does look like a good buy, i might get the macbook and then when i graduate go with the pro or Air, but is the update done? http://www.apple.com/macbook/ is that the new one?

Thank you

I was posting to bob about those things. As for your situation cost is always an issue unless you aren't paying for it so that is an important detail. The MB, MBP, and MBA should all be updated in the next 1.5 months. They haven't been updated yet.

 

[chrono1081]

I think the air would be quite a convenience in your situation.I also wanted to make sure if you are going away to college get all of your toys insured. Insurance is dirt cheap for renters/dorm rooms. I have 30k of photography gear insured against everything for $130 a year.

 

[Mikebuzzsaw]

Air is awesome in college. I take it everywhere I go and it's been so handy. Way better than my old mbp and mb when it comes to portability.

All the heavy stuff I do is used on desktop.

 

[Heavenkittykat]

I am not a freshmen i am a junior (unless you are referring to the other post). But no matter what computer i get my parents are paying $1600 for a laptop and i am going to put in the rest. I should be no ones concern how this is going to be paid for so that really should not come up in this discussion.

As for the Air, i have decided not to get the Air, but i am almost sold on the Macbook Pro. (Is the current pro the updated one?)

Also The macbook, when is that going to be updated, i am not familiar with when and what that update will consist of.

Also the macbook does look like a good buy, i might get the macbook and then when i graduate go with the pro or Air, but is the update done? http://www.apple.com/macbook/ is that the new one?

Thank you

first off, I want to ask how big is your itunes library. Because the air has only 80 GB of hard drive space. Also I know that the MBP sounds so much better because it has more features and better graphics but unless you are performing intensive applications in your laptop, you won't really notice the difference in speed. In addition, I wanted to point out that the main selling point of the Macbook Air is portability. The Macbook pro is twice as heavy as the macbook air, if you are planning to use your notebook to take notes in class, you may want to reconsider because you would need to lug your computer with you at all times.

I'm a college student too (Biology Major). I will be an incoming senior and I've used my MBA in school since March and I love it. Unless your have a very big itunes library and files, I would suggest MBA for you since it sounds perfect for you needs. However, if you are the type of person that play games and do grahic-intensive applications on their laptop then you can go ahead and purchase MBP. Also bear in mind that the MB and MBP will be updated soon. If you search in Macrumors, it seems likely that they will be updated in approx 1 month. The MBA on the other hand was rumored to be updated but the rumors are not that strong and compelling compared to the update rumors of MB and MBP. I would say the MBA might be updated around MWSF '09.

 

[bobsaget611]

as for my music library i only have 3gb... but i dont think adding music would slow your computer down??? and if you want to go with the pro, go for it, but it is quite a bit heavier. i love the air for its portability and honestly i have used the pro, and for the stuff we do (typing, itunes, etc) even multitasking, its the same speed. maybe some sort of programming would be slower, but i dont do that. and no i have no need for windows at all.

about iwork... i used to be against it, but i got fed up w/ office b/c it was so slow (even on the pro, its not an air thing). I switched to iWork (it was only $40 on campus) and its the same thing pretty much. My teachers will send excel files, pwpts, and .docs and they all open perfect.

And for funding, yes I'm only a freshmen but no i pay for everything including my iphone service. you dont need to be old to have a summer job. It took me a while to justify the purchase of the air as the macbook was so much cheaper, but I am really glad i spent the extra money and i love the air.

but for the pro and macbook, they are talking about an oct 14 update, so i'd hold off.

 

[mattniles007]

I am in the same situation as in I have alot of music 100GB and I am almost certain to buy the MBA I have a time capsule to store the music and I'll put maybe 20GB on the Air. The word is Oct 14th 120GB Air, but for me I wont wait 5 weeks is along time in college, especially when I have 3 semesters left and I am a history major. The blackbook is my other option, and it seems they will see the total remodel soon.

 

[mattniles007]

as for my music library i only have 3gb... but i dont think adding music would slow your computer down??? and if you want to go with the pro, go for it, but it is quite a bit heavier. i love the air for its portability and honestly i have used the pro, and for the stuff we do (typing, itunes, etc) even multitasking, its the same speed. maybe some sort of programming would be slower, but i dont do that. and no i have no need for windows at all.

about iwork... i used to be against it, but i got fed up w/ office b/c it was so slow (even on the pro, its not an air thing). I switched to iWork (it was only $40 on campus) and its the same thing pretty much. My teachers will send excel files, pwpts, and .docs and they all open perfect.

And for funding, yes I'm only a freshmen but no i pay for everything including my iphone service. you dont need to be old to have a summer job. It took me a while to justify the purchase of the air as the macbook was so much cheaper, but I am really glad i spent the extra money and i love the air.

but for the pro and macbook, they are talking about an oct 14 update, so i'd hold off.

Thats good to know that you love your decision to get the Air over Macbook. I saw on the front page that MBA might be updating also on 14 Oct

 

[z0n3x]

re

I think you are wasting both yours and your parents money by purchasing a MBA. Take the 1600 from them, buy a blackbook or a regular macbook and call it a day. After all, your only a student. The MBA is somewhat debilitating with only one usb and the lack of an optical drive. IMO its overkill for a student. Smaller is not always better. You could easily fit your extra $400.00 elsewhere.

 

[*Sandy*]

I had the Air, and I went back to the MB, the fans drive me nuts on the AIr, save money buy a MB.

 

[drconehead2000]

I agree with everything people have said, I love my MBA, I take it to school (med school) every single day and it is amazing. Without wi-fi on and screen at about 50% I get some obscene battery life and can work all day on the fly. Also, I got a vaja case that makes me feel like this computer is thoroughly protected in my bag.

Get it and you will love it!

 

[zotes24]

What is this talk that the Macbook AIR is going to be updated? Already? Is this true (about 2 posts above)? Or was that a mistype and you meant MB?

But my decision is just about final. I am going to get the Macbook (the updated one if it comes out Oct. 14) and upgrade to the 4 GB and a higher harddrive. But if the air will get revamped as well i still my consider that.

Right now i am hoping for the soon release of the macbook. and if the prices stay the same and the upgrade (unless the updated one comes with those hard drive and ram upgrades will be about $1600, so that would be perfect)

 

[mattniles007]

NO misprint read the front page that is the new "rumor"

 

[Heavenkittykat]

What is this talk that the Macbook AIR is going to be updated? Already? Is this true (about 2 posts above)? Or was that a mistype and you meant MB?

But my decision is just about final. I am going to get the Macbook (the updated one if it comes out Oct. 14) and upgrade to the 4 GB and a higher harddrive. But if the air will get revamped as well i still my consider that.

Right now i am hoping for the soon release of the macbook. and if the prices stay the same and the upgrade (unless the updated one comes with those hard drive and ram upgrades will be about $1600, so that would be perfect)

good that you already made your decision. I was going towards macbook too when i bought the air because of what all the apple employees told but i guess i am more willing to compromise power with portability. However a few of my friends own a macbook and its great too!! i hope you will enjoy your purchase in the near future.

 

[bobsaget611]

I think you are wasting both yours and your parents money by purchasing a MBA. Take the 1600 from them, buy a blackbook or a regular macbook and call it a day. After all, your only a student. The MBA is somewhat debilitating with only one usb and the lack of an optical drive. IMO its overkill for a student. Smaller is not always better. You could easily fit your extra $400.00 elsewhere.

obviously you did not read my post. I said everything exactly the opposite and I actually own an air. I paid for the laptop all by myself, I love it, and am glad I spent the extra money. I'm sorry just because I'm 18 I guess some people dont think im entitled to have a laptop that i like if i can afford it

 

[elpenguino]

I used Office 08 and it is fine. Get it from your school for cheap.

Or get iWork for cheaper. It's about half the money and will do everything you need it to do. But if you're comfortable with Office get it anyway. I'm a college student too and ever nickel and dime helps. I would get iWork just for the price.

 

[brop52]

Or get iWork for cheaper. It's about half the money and will do everything you need it to do. But if you're comfortable with Office get it anyway. I'm a college student too and ever nickel and dime helps. I would get iWork just for the price.

iWork is $75.26 with tax and the $8 discount you get as a student on the online Apple Store. At my university Office 08 was $66.80. Many schools give it away for cheaper than that.

 

[Heavenkittykat]

obviously you did not read my post. I said everything exactly the opposite and I actually own an air. I paid for the laptop all by myself, I love it, and am glad I spent the extra money. I'm sorry just because I'm 18 I guess some people dont think im entitled to have a laptop that i like if i can afford it

ummm. I think he was talking to the OP not to you

 

[zotes24]

Yea he was talking to me, lol