Which Mac?

RD77

I'm starting college soon and I'm thinking of getting an apple laptop. This will be my first mac so I was wondering how they compare to windows machines? I've had a quick go with some in PC world etc. and they seem like brilliant machines so are they worth the money? If i do get one what size should I get? As i'll be bringing it into college everyday is it best to get the 13 inch or does it not really make a difference? Il be doing engineering so I'll be using it for CAD programs along with the usual web music downloading some movies but probably not many games if any. So any advice on which one I should get? Thanks

Sad Professor

RD77 wrote: »

they seem like brilliant machines so are they worth the money?

Imo, yes, absolutely. Some people try to paint Macs as being outrageously expensive but if you compare them with with PC notebooks of similar spec and design there isn't that much in the difference. Apple aren't trying to compete with Dell and don't cater for the low end of the market but that doesn't mean you are paying for a logo as some suggest.

Mac OS X is very user friendly and reliable compared Windows and is really the big selling point of the Mac. However it's also very different from Windows and you should do your research in advance to make sure it will run everything that you need.

If i do get one what size should I get? As i'll be bringing it into college everyday is it best to get the 13 inch or does it not really make a difference?

Well bigger is always better but you have to consider the portability trade off. Personally I didn't fancy having to drag the 15 inch into college everyday. I find the 13 inch screen to be just right.

Breezer

Back when I was starting second year I bought a white MacBook. I'm still using it as my main computer 3 years later and plan to keep it for another 2 years or so - I absolutely love it. However, if I was making the same decision today I'd go for the 13" MacBook Pro. For 100 or 200 extra you get a far better laptop; if you're going to be lugging the thing in and out of college every day then I think the more solid metal construction alone is reason enough to go for it.

Where are you going to be going to college? Some colleges (UCD for one) have deals with Apple which give their students an extra discount on top of the regular student discount. It might be worth holding out until the first week of college before you buy.

conchubhar1

There is no other product or service I have ever bought that was more worth the money.

jimmay

OP , I was in the exact same boat as you wondering about if it was worth it and I just ordered a 13 inch Macbook Pro and can't wait to get it! It's a new model but it's not available immediately so I have to wait a couple of weeks but I can't wait. I have a 15 inch Toshiba at the moment and originally I was looking at getting a Samsung NC10 (a netbook) but figured a 13 inch size was perfect as a 2 in 1, that being using it as a main computer and for travel.

I ordered it online via the UCD shop and got a great deal on it and a free IPOD!

RD77

Im going to Trinity they do that deal as far as I know but Im wondering is it better to go to the Belfast apple store and gey one there? Can Irish students still get a discount there?

Sad Professor

RD77 wrote: »

Im going to Trinity they do that deal as far as I know but Im wondering is it better to go to the Belfast apple store and gey one there? Can Irish students still get a discount there?

Last I heard they weren't accepting student cards from the Republic anymore. But it might be worth a try. Maybe ring and ask. If not you'd probably be better getting the 10 percent via Trinity.

Also - the ipod rebate offer ends on September 8. So if you want to avail of it make sure you make your order before then. Even if you don't want an ipod or want to wait for the ones you could always sell it.

RD77

Am I better off getting the ipod before september or waiting till after september when they start shipping with snow leopard?

Breezer

Get the iPod. Snow Leopard will be a €7.95 upgrade (or some similarly low figure) for anyone who buys a Mac between now and the time it's released. The iPod will sell for far more than this.

parka

RD77 wrote: »

Il be doing engineering so I'll be using it for CAD programs along with the usual web music downloading some movies but probably not many games if any. So any advice on which one I should get? Thanks

If you buy a Mac, then you will most probably have to buy Vectorworks or Archicad (there is word of Autodesk bringing autocad back on to the Mac platform again) or alternatively use Windows. A 13 inch screen is useless for CAD, so either consider an external monitor or a larger screen for your laptop.

conchubhar1

or use wine, vmware or paralells (fair eneough the last two are still using windows)