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What is a student to do?

ieani

ieani

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 3, 2006
827
0
the states for now
I want to get this Imac: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/183378/

But I need a laptop. So I thought about getting a 12 inch powerbook or ibook to complement it. But I am thinking that might be overkill for a student even though I will need a monitor for dvds and my xbox if I was to just get just a laptop

I ran the numbers:


MBPro stock 2Ghz with SD: $2471
+ DELL UltraSharp 2005FPW $439

= $2910

Pros: One machine Cons: Cost, Battery Life, Lower Speced, I would have to wait before I had $


Intel Imac Core Duo 2Ghz: $1650
+ 12-inch Powerbook(refurb) $1200 (will go down by purchase though or could ebay for less)

=$2850

+ 12-inch Ibook(refurb) $860(after taxes)

=$2510....only $39 more than MBPro alone

Pros: Better Speced, Better Battery Life, More Portability, I can afford Imac now Cons: Two machines
 
I'm a student with the iMac + iBook combination and I wouldn't swap it for the world. I have a perfect system back up, a dedicated performance machine and a portable. :cool:

Of course, I'd then recommend lumping in .Mac simply to be able to easily synchronise your settings. :)

Alternatively, wait for the Intel iBook to see if it's powerful and cheap enough.
 
mad jew said:
I'm a student with the iMac + iBook combination and I wouldn't swap it for the world. I have a perfect system back up, a dedicated performance machine and a portable. :cool:

Of course, I'd then recommend lumping in .Mac simply to be able to easily synchronise your settings. :)

Alternatively, wait for the Intel iBook to see if it's powerful and cheap enough.
Click to expand...

I was waiting, but the integrated graphics in mini scared me and that intel imac deal landed in my lap.
 
Yeah, I know how you feel. I've been saying I'll get the first consumer laptop with and Intel CPU to come out of Apple (MacBook or iBook, I don't care what it's called) however I won't buy anything with integrated graphics. :eek:

If you have the cash, I reckon you should just go for it. I'd hate to go back to one machine.
 
For flexibility I recommend the iMac+iBook setup. If ever one were to go down, you would more than likely remain productive (even if it means you have to stay at home on a beautiful day with your iMac). But, at least you can get your work done without a hitch.

mad jew in his great wisdom has the dual setup. I did the same in college, and am glad I did... errr, do.
 
ieani said:
I want to get this Imac: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/183378/

But I need a laptop. So I thought about getting a 12 inch powerbook or ibook to complement it. But I am thinking that might be overkill for a student even though I will need a monitor for dvds and my xbox if I was to just get just a laptop

I ran the numbers:


MBPro stock 2Ghz with SD: $2471
+ DELL UltraSharp 2005FPW $439

= $2910

Pros: One machine Cons: Cost, Battery Life, Lower Speced, I would have to wait before I had $


Intel Imac Core Duo 2Ghz: $1650
+ 12-inch Powerbook(refurb) $1200 (will go down by purchase though or could ebay for less)

=$2850


Pros: Better Speced, Better Battery Life, More Portability, I can afford Imac now Cons: Two machines
Click to expand...


I think your iMac & Powerbook option sounds awesome. That is pretty much what I have. Great solution.
 
Hey there,

I'm a student as well - I can totally relate to your situation.

When the Apple Store was open in England, I went straight down there and thought i've gotta have a Powerbook G4 - 15" 1.67ghz 1GB - The final one.

And i bought it, and i look back and i think

WHAT AN AWESOME PURCHASE I MADE!
 
ieani said:
But I need a laptop. So I thought about getting a 12 inch powerbook or ibook to complement it. But I am thinking that might be overkill for a student even though I will need a monitor for dvds and my xbox if I was to just get just a laptop
Click to expand...

Psst, come here..

"You don't need a laptop"

Dilimma over.
 
ieani said:
Intel Imac Core Duo 2Ghz: $1650
+ 12-inch Powerbook(refurb) $1200 (will go down by purchase though or could ebay for less)

=$2850


Pros: Better Speced, Better Battery Life, More Portability, I can afford Imac now Cons: Two machines
Click to expand...

How could anyone list "two Macs" as a Con? Two Macs is a pro, the more the merrier in my opinion. I'd love a 20" iMac Core Duo to keep my iBook company during the day.
 
Orlando Furioso said:
For flexibility I recommend the iMac+iBook setup. If ever one were to go down, you would more than likely remain productive (even if it means you have to stay at home on a beautiful day with your iMac). But, at least you can get your work done without a hitch.

mad jew in his great wisdom has the dual setup. I did the same in college, and am glad I did... errr, do.
Click to expand...

I'd go Imac + ibook
 
generik said:
Psst, come here..

"You don't need a laptop"

Dilimma over.
Click to expand...

While very insightful, I'm not sure that this advice fits in this situation.

I'm a junior in college now, and absolutely love having my laptop here. There have been so many situations when I have, in fact, needed a laptop. It's so much more convenient to be able to take your main computer with you wherever you need to go. I've been in plenty of situations where something was going on in my dorm or house while I was trying to do work, and being able to take my computer over to one of the engineering buildings or library was incredibly helpful. Basically, I wouldn't suggest only having a desktop to do your work on.

However, I would wait for the Intel iBook/MacBook to come out. You'll probably be able to get a great deal when they come out and have the back-to-school sale. Also, don't forget to use your education discount when you're buying from Apple. That'll save you almost $200 off the cost of the MacBook Pro you've priced.
 
T-Stex said:
While very insightful, I'm not sure that this advice fits in this situation.
Click to expand...


I think it all depends on your needs. I had a laptop in college that NEVER left my dorm room. Never had a need to take it anywhere.

That being said, my advice to the OP would be to get a good deal on a powerbook. Along with an external monitor, that should last you through college no problem. Worry about the latest and greatest when you get your first signing bonus.
 
T-Stex said:
While very insightful, I'm not sure that this advice fits in this situation.

I'm a junior in college now, and absolutely love having my laptop here. There have been so many situations when I have, in fact, needed a laptop. It's so much more convenient to be able to take your main computer with you wherever you need to go. I've been in plenty of situations where something was going on in my dorm or house while I was trying to do work, and being able to take my computer over to one of the engineering buildings or library was incredibly helpful. Basically, I wouldn't suggest only having a desktop to do your work on.

However, I would wait for the Intel iBook/MacBook to come out. You'll probably be able to get a great deal when they come out and have the back-to-school sale. Also, don't forget to use your education discount when you're buying from Apple. That'll save you almost $200 off the cost of the MacBook Pro you've priced.
Click to expand...

The price includes student discount already. I was going to get a new intel ibook but I am scared of the integrated graphics.


Chundles said:
How could anyone list "two Macs" as a Con? Two Macs is a pro, the more the merrier in my opinion. I'd love a 20" iMac Core Duo to keep my iBook company during the day.
Click to expand...

If you have two machines you have to sync them up and decide what to put on one and not another.
 
ieani said:
\Intel Imac Core Duo 2Ghz: $1650
+ 12-inch Powerbook(refurb) $1200 (will go down by purchase though or could ebay for less)

=$2850

+ 12-inch Ibook(refurb) $860(after taxes)

=$2510....only $39 more than MBPro alone

Pros: Better Speced, Better Battery Life, More Portability, I can afford Imac now Cons: Two machines
Click to expand...
My university gives everyone a laptop freshman year, so I have a 12" G4 iBook and I recently got a 17" Intel iMac to replace my MDD G4 ... it's great! The 12" iBook is great for portability, but the iMac is much more powerful ... I don't know why you list "two machines" as a con ... you can just set your iBook/powerbook up next to your iMac and use Synergy to share the iMac's keyboard and mouse between the two.
 
shrimpdesign said:
My university gives everyone a laptop freshman year, so I have a 12" G4 iBook and I recently got a 17" Intel iMac to replace my MDD G4 ... it's great! The 12" iBook is great for portability, but the iMac is much more powerful ... I don't know why you list "two machines" as a con ... you can just set your iBook/powerbook up next to your iMac and use Synergy to share the iMac's keyboard and mouse between the two.
Click to expand...

Synergy, is this a program or a device?
 
I'd go for the iMac/laptop combo, whichever one you go for. Without a doubt.

For a student you want some decent storage on your machine at home - for movies, downloads etc. The extra portability of having a laptop is great too! Right now I keep my laptop at my girlfriend's house 95% of the time, so I don't lose out on productivity when I'm there!! ;)

A laptop/desktop combo is the best solution there is imo.
 
before anyone can reasonably give you advice, we have to know what you do with computers. are you a comp sci major? are you a graphics design major? what is the purpose of your computers?

i know too many people with dual g5s at home loaded with several gigs of memory. 95% of what they do is surf the internet and play itunes... occasionally they'll plunk out a paper.

having two machines is nice but even .mac can't help you sync all your music, your work, etc.

i'm not sure why you're so scared of integrated graphics. if you want to play games, spend 500-800 dollars for winblows box which can run all the games from now for the foreseeable future. mac gaming won't take off for a while (because directx for pc = ???? for mac [no, coregraphics is not the answer])

oh and by the way, 2005fpw is not so great with tv quality signal. it plays dvds beautifully though

lastly, if you are a graphics person who uses the pro apps... seriously, don't jump on the intel bandwagon yet. those programs are barely optimized, why would you pay top dollar for hardware which runs your software slowly?? buy someone's g4 or go with a g5 - people are selling their 15'' for $1200 and i've seen even some g5 1.8's go for 950.
 
If you don't need on-the-go power in your laptop, the iMac/iBook combo is simply unbeatable. If all you need is a decent laptop to take notes and do some research with, you can pick up a second-hand iBook for as little as $400! :eek:

There's a lot to be said about having two machines, as well ... especially if you're away at school. If one goes down, you have a backup. If one is tied up with a mundane task (rendering is my biggest tie-up right now), the other is free to do what you need. The list goes on and on.

Then there's the fact that you can dump Quake 3 (or Diablo or any other LAN-enabled game) on both of them and invite a friend over for an evening of gaming. :)
 
I'd say iMac and iBook. You won't feel so bad dropping the iBook if you ever do and you'll have a backup. Plus the iBook has better battery life (in it's current form anyway).
 
Another person w/ an iMac G5 and iBook G4 combo. Love it to death.

I had a 12" 1.33GHz PowerBook G4 and gave that to my sister because I wanted a 12" 1.33GHz iBook G4 more!

As a student w/ little to no 'power' needs, the iBook suited me much more than the PB. It runs MUCH cooler, the wifi reception is insanely better, the battery life is amazingly better, and it feels more able to take whatever knocks it might need to.

However, I prefer using desktops over laptops... so I love my iMac and its gorgeous 20" display (not to mention its smooth power). But for those on-the-go-moments, or if I'm bringing it in as a simple notetaker, I have my trusty iBook.

It's a great combination. You won't regret it.
 
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