Hello, I am a new poster but a long time lurker. I have learned a lot not about computers in general, and Apple in particular, from reading many of the posts here. However, I must admit that I am nowhere near as technically astute as many of you when it comes to understanding what makes computers actually work and am the type of person that prays the computer turns on when I hit the power button. I am also relatively new to the Apple Ecosystem as prior to 2014 the only Apple product I owned was my iPod, which was purchased in 2007 and is, in my opinion, the best of all the portable music devices and though it left this world long ago, it is still deeply missed. (Got me through some tough times.) I did not purchase my first Apple computer until 2014 when the PC Laptop I was using ceased to serve as anything more useful than an incredibly expensive paperweight that would run hot each and every time it was turned on. I purchased, through George Mason University, (I was a graduate student there at the time and was working towards my MA in history) a 13 inch MacBook Pro and have never even remotely entertained the thought of getting another PC laptop as the weight difference alone made the latter pretty much useless as portable computer to carry, in addition to the books for class and research papers, with me as I walk to campus. I purchased another one in 2015 because I got tired of fighting with the now ex-girlfriend over using this computer, especially considering that I used it for school and she used it to watch YouTube and other things.
The MacBook Pro that I purchased in 2015 was one of the best computers that I have ever had the pleasure of using and other than the battery losing its capability to hold a charge seemed like a tank and one that would run forever. (I dropped it several times, including on a concrete sidewalk and while there were scratches and nicks in the chassis everything else ran smoothly without nary a hiccup.) However, I killed the laptop when I spilled a bottle of water on it during my preparation for my Comprehensive Exams in 2019. In spite of this, I still needed a computer and in the fall of 2019 purchased my current MacBook Air. While this computer has served its purpose there have been several issues with it beginning with shortly after I purchased it, including the battery not being able to hold its charge for as long as previous models, the sound being too low and barely audible, and the machine constantly running hot and often overheating. The only Apps I use are Microsoft Word, Safari, and Apple Music. (As someone with depression, ADHD and a touch of Aspergers, being able to listen to music while writing and researching is a Godsend.) Furthermore, while I have not experienced any really serious issues with the keyboard, I do find that the keys themselves are not as durable as they should be as both the space bar and the N key have gouges in them from what I have no idea.
Anyway, I am looking to purchase another MacBook Pro (not an Air although I do love the Midnight and Starlight colors) as I am in the process of writing and researching my dissertation. I am looking to purchase either the 14 or 16 inch models as the bigger screen is easier on my eyes both for reading eighteenth and nineteenth century documents and typing up my chapters. Moreover, the primary purpose of this machine is to conduct online research, listen to music, create power points slides for my courses when I finally get hired to teach, create presentations for talks and conferences, and write my dissertation and other scholarly pieces. I was wondering if anyone on this forum has purchased either of these machines and what there experiences were like? I am having a hard time deciding between the two and while I would like to purchase both, only one is feasible and I would like to make as much of an informed decision as I can when it comes time for me to make my purchase in either November or December. Any responses to my query are most appreciated.
The MacBook Pro that I purchased in 2015 was one of the best computers that I have ever had the pleasure of using and other than the battery losing its capability to hold a charge seemed like a tank and one that would run forever. (I dropped it several times, including on a concrete sidewalk and while there were scratches and nicks in the chassis everything else ran smoothly without nary a hiccup.) However, I killed the laptop when I spilled a bottle of water on it during my preparation for my Comprehensive Exams in 2019. In spite of this, I still needed a computer and in the fall of 2019 purchased my current MacBook Air. While this computer has served its purpose there have been several issues with it beginning with shortly after I purchased it, including the battery not being able to hold its charge for as long as previous models, the sound being too low and barely audible, and the machine constantly running hot and often overheating. The only Apps I use are Microsoft Word, Safari, and Apple Music. (As someone with depression, ADHD and a touch of Aspergers, being able to listen to music while writing and researching is a Godsend.) Furthermore, while I have not experienced any really serious issues with the keyboard, I do find that the keys themselves are not as durable as they should be as both the space bar and the N key have gouges in them from what I have no idea.
Anyway, I am looking to purchase another MacBook Pro (not an Air although I do love the Midnight and Starlight colors) as I am in the process of writing and researching my dissertation. I am looking to purchase either the 14 or 16 inch models as the bigger screen is easier on my eyes both for reading eighteenth and nineteenth century documents and typing up my chapters. Moreover, the primary purpose of this machine is to conduct online research, listen to music, create power points slides for my courses when I finally get hired to teach, create presentations for talks and conferences, and write my dissertation and other scholarly pieces. I was wondering if anyone on this forum has purchased either of these machines and what there experiences were like? I am having a hard time deciding between the two and while I would like to purchase both, only one is feasible and I would like to make as much of an informed decision as I can when it comes time for me to make my purchase in either November or December. Any responses to my query are most appreciated.
