First laptop

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Hey guys ,

Thanks for the advice regarding my last thread i decided against buying the tablet laptop as i was never really going to use that actually function for anything other then a gimmick anyway , and according to others i could get more bang for my buck.

So I'm heading back to college and have decided that i shall buy a laptop. Now The laptop will be used for course work , my photo's , internet and thats about the height of it maybe some Football manager as well.I would like the laptop to be light and have a good battery life.

So I'm looking at buying an apple or a Viao , I have heard good reports about both of them and had a read at various forums.

So my question is for around MAX 1200euro mark , what should i be looking for ? Also where is the cheapest place to buy a apple / viao? Do you think that maybe im spending too much for what i need it for ?

I kind of do have my heart set on a apple though.

Thoughts please.

AlmightyCushion

I'm pretty sure apple set their own pricing so you won't be able to find many bargains. They do have a educational discount thing so you should be able to save a bit of money there and some places sell refurbished macs so you may find a bargain that way.

Will all the software you need run on mac or do you plan on using bootcamp for all the stuff that doesn't work on it?

20 Times 20 Times

I reckon the college work can easily run on the mac actually the MAJORITY of the college work will just be office etc. So regards to educational discounts , should i just buy direct from apple then ? I'm not going to get a cheaper price ?

Adam

You're definitely spending more than you need to for your requirements in my opinion. But the fact that you want a Macbook contradicts that, because they're ridiculously over priced in comparison to laptops of similar spec.

The Vaio super portable range starts at $1400 and macbook at $1100, but in fairness the base models of both would handle pretty much everything you want to do with them simultaneously with no problems, so all you really need to do is pick one and go with it!

While I'm in a similar spot to you in that I do want a macbook myself, I don't know if I ever will considering the difference in spec for price.

AlmightyCushion

What about football manager? Would that run on a mac? I don't know what the story is with the mac educational discount or where to look for bargains, hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along in the morning to help you there.

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AlmightyCushion wrote: »

What about football manager? Would that run on a mac? I don't know what the story is with the mac educational discount or where to look for bargains, hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along in the morning to help you there.

Yeah works no problem on the mac. Thanks.

Tar.Aldarion

why get something so expensive. get a dell vostro

Adam

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

why get something so expensive. get a dell vostro

+1

Seriously, cut your spend in half at least. Then treat yourself to something else you've been wanting.

Tar.Aldarion

Same spec mac as my laptop costs over twice as much. If you really want a mac open that wallet baby.

BanzaiBk

Hey, you can get a nice discount of any Mac machine if you are in 3rd level education/teach etc. Apple also have a refurb store where you can pick up a machine with a discount. This thread in the mac forum should answer any questions you have on the macbook range. Happy shopping!

Tar.Aldarion

How much of a discount do they give you?

BanzaiBk

Not an idea, I'm no longer in 3rd level education. I'd imagine if you follow the link it'll tell all.

Tom Dunne

There's a good thread over on the Mac forum about Mac Laptops.

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BanzaiBk wrote: »

Hey, you can get a nice discount of any Mac machine if you are in 3rd level education/teach etc. Apple also have a refurb store where you can pick up a machine with a discount. This thread in the mac forum should answer any questions you have on the macbook range. Happy shopping!

Right cool , I did have a read through the apple forum and found it most helpful , now from what I'm reading else where is there any reason why you wouldn't buy a refurbished machine directly from apple there is a quite a large saving to be made ! Also i presume you can get a student discount on the refurbished machines as well ?

BanzaiBk

No, afaik you can't get the edu discount on the refurb because they are different stores. I could be very wrong though.

Celtic07

a friend of mine purchased an acer laptop recently 400 yoy yos so happy days on the price..anyone know any faults with this make..im considering getting one myself for college

curiosity

The educational discount is 6% approx, and can't be used at refurb store. There's a link on the apple store that asks you to enter your educational institution. Price what you want the normal way and then with the discount, see how you fare.