So... MBP for college or iMac/macbook combo?

[hechacker1]

Hmm... perhaps I'm one of the few poor college kids left out there. I was about to make a new thread about this sort of thing but then I found this... I'm starting college in June and I need to buy a laptop, obviously. I'm looking for something affordable, and reliable. I've decided on a Mac, as I've gotten so much positive feedback from friends currently in college. I have looked at the ibook and I'm really thinking about buying that but I need advice. Ibook or Powerbook? Keep in mind, I AM a poor kid, I have to try and save up for this and I don't want to spend a ridiculous amount (ex. - a "rich" friend of mine just had Mommy spend over $3k on a new MacBook pro... yeah, I'm not doing that...). From what I HAVE looked into, the Powerbook is geared more towards those doing some graphic-type work. I am studying business and computer science, and I've been programming for 3 years now. So obviously, I want something that will handle those type of things. Any advice at all would be helpful. I have looked on the Education page on Apple, but the $50 I save on a $2k laptop really doesn't do me much good... so again, advice would be appreciated!

1. Windows sucks for programming in General, at least at my school which is *nix centric. Transfering files from Windows to *Nix machines messes up formating and you'll lose points for programming assignments. Although that is fixable. Most of my programming in windows tends to be in a terminal that connects up to my school's severs anyways. When/IF i do choose to program under windows using a text editor or even .NET, it turns into extra work because i have to work with the microsoft compiler and it's differences/compatibility problems instead of the standard gcc.

2. I really like Xcode, it works for all types of programming. I would buy a 13"
macbook pro if they ever came out with one and use it as my primary programming computer. Mac supports X11, so you can have access to the many linux tools for programming, and still have MacOS. gcc works fine and most things compile just fine, except on occasion when I have to account for the fact that the G4 is a 64bit processor and therefore has different LONG values. But i guess that's a problem with any architure. I guess where I'm going with this is that you should check what your campus supports best. My campus supports mac better than windows. And linux support is even less even though the school is based on linux.

3. My school has great deals on Ibooks, $700 for a loaded new-gen Ibook plus $180 for applecare warranty. But that is still more expensive than my Dell Inspirion 700m laptop. I got it for $820 shipped/tax paid with a Dell warranty. Also, it's much faster than any G4 and loaded with so many features. So I dual boot windows xp and Gentoo linux. Everything on my laptop works great under linux and programming in linux is probably the best considering all the choices/tools you have.

I'd say get the Mac if you can afford it. It'll have less problems with all the viruses that run rampant amoung college networks. Unless you are comfortable with linux or want to learn it (a very good skill) and can't afford the Mac. btw, Linux runs just fine on mac too, but some things, like airport, don't work because there aren't any drivers (last time i checked).

 

[human657]

in a similar situation

but with a few key differences. thought I'd chime in here rather than start a new thread.
I already own a g3 600mhz iBook that was recently overhauled (for free) by Apple. the computer works great as a portable (4 plus hours battery life, maxed out ram, and everything from the hard drive and logic board to the combo drive and keyboard are all new, if outdated) problem is that I recently started a podcast (www.catalogueofships.com) and this little puppy just doesn't have enough ooomph for audio editing (and it can't even run garage band at all). I could ebay it and spring for a MBP or MB when the come out, but it will only fetch about $350 max. I'm ready to pull the trigger on a new 20 inch iMac, hoping that the current laptop will last me at least another year or so as a portable. At that time I should be able to either a) get a refurm MB for a resonable price or b) Steve will have given us an ultra-portable low power mac. I am mad mad poor, but seems like, in my situation 2 machines is actually cheeper, no?

 

[dialectician]

MBP + external monitor

I would suggest to get the MBP with an external monitor, a keyboard and a mouse. There is no point to have two computers, it's only a hassle. Those who argue for the two-computer setup all have a fast desktop and a slow laptop. If you get teh MBP you'll have a fast machine and no need for a desktop. And if you want the comfort of a desktop, just buy the additional monitor.

Also, down the road, when you want to upgrade, you'll only have to buy a new laptop. You'll already have the monitor.

Make sure that the laptop you get can run in clamshell mode! The ibook cannot and the MBP can. Who knows what the new ibook will bring!

 

[dialectician]

swingerofbirch -

Thanks so much. So I probably should/could go ahead and do that then? I mean, $99 a year for membership, but it includes all the mailings and whatnot, plus I get a hella good discount on the laptop I'm looking to getting. I'm just not sure.... Does anyone know of anyone, or is there anyone OUT there, that's done this student developer thing with Apple? I just need tips/advice as to what my best decision would be in the long haul.

I calculated this recently for myself and found that I'd only save about $50 off the education price by going for student developer. You get a bigger rebate on hardware, but you pay more for Apple Care, if I recall correctly. Not sure it's worth it.

 

[bodeh6]

I would suggest to get the MBP with an external monitor, a keyboard and a mouse. There is no point to have two computers, it's only a hassle. Those who argue for the two-computer setup all have a fast desktop and a slow laptop. If you get teh MBP you'll have a fast machine and no need for a desktop. And if you want the comfort of a desktop, just buy the additional monitor.

Also, down the road, when you want to upgrade, you'll only have to buy a new laptop. You'll already have the monitor.

Make sure that the laptop you get can run in clamshell mode! The ibook cannot and the MBP can. Who knows what the new ibook will bring!

I second that setup but without the external monitor if you are tight on space/money. All a college student needs is a MBP, Keyboard, Mouse, and iCurve to make the MBP eye level on a desk.

 

[j26]

Just to add another consideration to the debate - backups.

Laptops get lost, dropped, doused in alcohol/tea/coke, stolen, left at home after a weekend etc.

You will need to backup your data. If you have 2 macs, and keep the files synced, then you automatically have your backup.

I have a PB with a combo drive and my college notes take up over a gig at the moment. That's 2 discs to backup, which is a bit of a pain, but if my mac goes missing, I have to;
1. Buy a new mac
2. Set it up again
3. Reload all the files
If I had an iMac, there would be no such problem, but at the moment, if my PB were to die just before exams, I'd be royally screwed.

I'm planning to get a Rev B iMac when it comes out. I can then use that for video, photos etc, and use the PB for notes and college work. The iMac can do the heavy lifting.

If you think you will get good benefit out of 2 macs, go for it, although you might be better off getting an older second hand iBook or PB, and using the saved cash on something else. There's no need for everything to be the latest spec or new, you know.