[HELP] Which MacBook Laptop for School

[Dharma-P]

Hi!

September will be my first month in university and to be fully prepared I am thinking of buying a Macbook. However, I really don't know much about Macbooks and there are so many types and configurations of Macbooks. I hope some of you can give me advice on which one to buy. I will mainly use the laptop for documents and light weight apps, so nothing fancy like video editting.

I don't want to pay a lot of money since I need some for buying books and stuff. Which model do you guys recommend or should I wait for new Macbooks to be released?

 

[borgranta]

They may be announced as early as September 12 2018 along with iPhone as as late as November which would mean that you may have to wait until Christmas shopping season to buy the 2018 MacBook

 

[radiologyman]

Get a 12 inch MacBook. You can save quite a bit by buying current or last year model over 2018 that expected to be released this fall

 

[0002378]

Hi!

September will be my first month in university and to be fully prepared I am thinking of buying a Macbook. However, I really don't know much about Macbooks and there are so many types and configurations of Macbooks. I hope some of you can give me advice on which one to buy. I will mainly use the laptop for documents and light weight apps, so nothing fancy like video editting.

I don't want to pay a lot of money since I need some for buying books and stuff. Which model do you guys recommend or should I wait for new Macbooks to be released?

For your usage, I would unequivocally recommend the Macbook Air. It gives you the best value for your money. And, since there are rumors about it being discontinued, there are killer deals to be had once in a while.

A while ago, my friend got it at a killer price of about $700 (which is $300 off the Apple price). It has been fluctuating in price. See if there are deals on it. Since you're a student, you can get an additional discount at BestBuy (and perhaps other stores too).

 

[lclev]

Macbook Air. Longer battery life and are running cheaper. They also still have more usable ports - not just the USB-C. I have a 2017 Macbook Pro and a 2013 Macbook Air. For just the ability to have the different ports without having to carry around an adapter or two the MB Air would be my choice.

Lisa

 

[Nbd1790]

MacBook Air is the best option - no dongles, great battery life.

 

[Dharma-P]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I went to the store today and saw the Macbook Air, I thought it was overall great but I find the screen rather pixelly, it is not really sharp and I was quite bothered by it...

 

[Kebabselector]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I went to the store today and saw the Macbook Air, I thought it was overall great but I find the screen rather pixelly, it is not really sharp and I was quite bothered by it...

The screen is fine, just if you've had retina displays you are spoilt a bit - but for most cases it's perfectly fine. Big plus is the keyboard isn't a pile of junk.

 

[960design]

September will be my first month in university and to be fully prepared I am thinking of buying a Macbook.

Congratulations. What is your major?

I will mainly use the laptop for documents and light weight apps, so nothing fancy like video editting.

I would recommend a MacBook Air. Long battery life, great light laptop that will do everything you need for the next 4 years.

Which model do you guys recommend or should I wait for new Macbooks to be released?

Never wait on technology, unless you know something is coming out the very next day or two. Just purchase what you need now and update in three years if needed. The best thing is that macs keep their value, your next purchase in three years will be minus the selling price of the soon to be yours macbook air.

 

[Dharma-P]

Do you guys think Apple will bring out a new Macbook Air this year with a retina display?

 

[cdcastillo]

Do you guys think Apple will bring out a new Macbook Air this year with a retina display?

It's called the Macbook, came out a couple years ago and is more expensive than the air.

 

[0002378]

The screen is fine, just if you've had retina displays you are spoilt a bit - but for most cases it's perfectly fine. Big plus is the keyboard isn't a pile of junk.

Yes, another big plus is the Magsafe 2 power connector, which a lot of people find to be a great safety feature.

(Someone already mentioned standard USB ports)

 

[Kebabselector]

Yes, another big plus is the Magsafe 2 power connector, which a lot of people find to be a great safety feature.

(Someone already mentioned standard USB ports)

I personally find Magsafe a pain. When used on a table/desk it's fine, but sitting with the MBA on my lap it's so easy to knock the cable out. Still it's my only gripe about the MBA.

 

[bigtomato]

Get an hp x360 you can also use it as a tablet for $1k, it will do everything you need it to do