Laptop For Uni Advice

[scottandrews27]

Hi guys I currently have a mac mini 2014 2.6 ghz. I think it is ok apart from the lack of ssd. I am currently in the market for a macbook but I know a new one is being released within the next few months. Should I sell the mac mini and then get a powerful 13 inch or keep the mac mini and get another macbook. Thanks guys Scott

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Without any idea of your usage for the machine any advice is a wild stab in the dark.

All I will say is a portable computer seems to be the way to go.

 

[scottandrews27]

Without any idea of your usage for the machine any advice is a wild stab in the dark.

All I will say is a portable computer seems to be the way to go.

I'm doing computing at uni so will probably need to run windows and Xcode.

 

[AFEPPL]

Just get a cheap windows machine and keep the mini.

 

[scottandrews27]

Just get a cheap windows machine and keep the mini.

But windows cannot run Xcode and is aids

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Unless it's a specific part of your course I can't imagine xcode being part of a general computing degree so at the moment you are probably better off getting a Windows laptop and there are a few doozies that have just been released.

I really like the look of the Asus zenbook 3 they are a great little machine.

You are going to be working mostly in Windows and if you want to do Xcode it is possible using VMware on a Windows computer.

Contact your uni ask what sort of specs they need and what they reccomend. If you are hell bent on a Mac then the 13 inch pro will probably be your best bet great performance, portability, battery life, screen and connectivity.

 

[AFEPPL]

Lol, you're the one that said you needed "windows" aids and all...
After living with both, i'd say they are all related in someway to one STD or another...

You could still run Xcode on your mini...

 

[Tomorrow]

I'm doing computing at uni so will probably need to run windows and Xcode.

But windows cannot run Xcode and is aids

Come on, now - do you want to run Windows or not? Or do you think it sounds cool on an Apple forum to take a dump on Windows?

What are you majoring in? Have you talked to your department head about what type of computing rig they recommend? Have you asked what type of software you will be expected to run based on your major? And have you asked whether there are programs at the university to either provide you with software or help you acquire it at a reduced cost?

If you haven't asked any of these questions, then it looks like all you're doing here is pissing on Windows in hopes to give a bunch of Apple people something to roar about. If you genuinely want help with what you should buy, then quit contradicting yourself and fanning the flames, and start asking the right questions, and we can help you.

 

[Meister]

You should name the exact apps you plan to use and what your priorities are.

In general I'd always recommend a 13" mba.

And as you've already mentioned stay the **** away from windows!

 

[AFEPPL]

Windows is the future... OS X is too buggy and old now.

 

[scottandrews27]

You should name the exact apps you plan to use and what your priorities are.

In general I'd always recommend a 13" mba.

And as you've already mentioned stay the **** away from windows!

Xcode will be run the most.

 

[kiwipeso1]

But windows cannot run Xcode and is aids

Especially windows 10.
[doublepost=1465819939][/doublepost]

Come on, now - do you want to run Windows or not? Or do you think it sounds cool on an Apple forum to take a dump on Windows?

What are you majoring in? Have you talked to your department head about what type of computing rig they recommend? Have you asked what type of software you will be expected to run based on your major? And have you asked whether there are programs at the university to either provide you with software or help you acquire it at a reduced cost?

If you haven't asked any of these questions, then it looks like all you're doing here is pissing on Windows in hopes to give a bunch of Apple people something to roar about. If you genuinely want help with what you should buy, then quit contradicting yourself and fanning the flames, and start asking the right questions, and we can help you.

Wait several more hours, in case they announce the much rumoured Macbook Pro with touchbar oled screen.
If that is released, then you'd want to be able to make apps that use that feature.

Second of all, you'd want a MBP 15" with the max ram and max SSD and best discrete GPU, if they do mobile Xeon this model coming, get that.
Third thing, get Xcode and Android Studio running on your new machine when you get it, and go cross-platform when you do apps. (Use your mac mini to display e-books on programming on a big screen for reference.)

The reason to go large on your MBP is to get something that will last your studies, and will handle your code compilation, alongside windows (maybe useful for gaming in bootcamp).
Specifically, if the MBP supports 32 or 64 GB, go for it. If you can get mobile Xeon, get it for the speed and stability.
You will probably need 1TB SSD to run Xcode and Android Studio, plus Windows, as you'd want enough room for source code of examples and your projects, alongside the testing environment for your programs, your course notes, etc.

Lastly, before the major Uni holidays, get Applecare and a second charger. You will be glad to be able to get hassle-free repairs anywhere in the world, and the second charger is necessary for travelling.

(Main reason you want the 15" is because the 13" only has a dual core. If there is a new 15" and it has mobile Xeon, go for it, and save your time in Xcode compiles, hence less stress with assignments due.)