I'd like to get a price range for accessories and other things I'll need for a 13" MBA for this fall for college. If anyone can help me out, that would be greatly appreciated!
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What do you suggest I have for my MBA for college?
- Thread starter DrJames
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maflynn
macrumors Broadwell
I suggest applications that you will need for college. Your school should have a list of those, though I'm sure Office is on the list.
You'll want to get some sort of carrying case/backpack. I may also recommend a laptop stand that holds your laptop off the desk. This helps incase of accidental spills.
You'll want to get some sort of carrying case/backpack. I may also recommend a laptop stand that holds your laptop off the desk. This helps incase of accidental spills.
You don't need any accessories. $0
If you want to get a case or something, that'll run you about $20-$40 but it's not really needed.
If you want to get a case or something, that'll run you about $20-$40 but it's not really needed.
miles01110
macrumors Core
Zero to thousands of dollars. Nobody but you can tell you what you "need", so maybe you'd care to be more specific for a better estimate.
Basic software such as iWork, MS Office music making and editing. Streaming movies and other videos. Pretty basic stuff.
My school gave us Office for "free" (HAHAHA), I could download both the Mac and PC version, which was nice. I need the PC version for an Access DB and was happy to still have a mac version!
Broad request, here's my 2¢
For Hardware protection, data loss prevention.
External HDD for Time Machine (I like the Lacie Rugged drives)
Protective Case/Sleeve/Bag (I like Tom Bihn and Chrome)
A laptop stand (get it off the desk to significantly reduce the risk of drink spill damage)
An online backup account from Mozy/Carbonite/Backblaze (Happiness is multiple backups)
A Dropbox account for schoolwork (laptop stolen/broken night before term paper is due? No worries, I can go to the computer lab and pick up right where I left off)
An Evernote account for schoolwork (clip references, organize courses into notebooks, record lectures, etc)
'Reward for return' Identity Labels (I use stuffbak's metal labels)
Labelmaker (Label all your accessories and chargers with your first name and phone number- if it's worth more than 75$ or so, use a stuffbak type label instead).
An iTunes account with 'find my mac' enabled
A 'Prey' account as a backup to 'find my mac'
Extras:
External Monitor w/ MDP and built in speakers (HDMI too and it can double as a game console screen if you are bringing a gaming device or Bluray player; built in speakers reduces cable spaghetti) (check newegg, amazon for best deals)
External non-apple mouse for gaming (Razer FTW 😛 )
External mac Keyboard (so laptop is easy to type on when on its stand at your desk)
A USB Ethernet Adapter- wifi may be nearly ubiquitous, but it's nice to have a backup ready.
USB headset- for Skype/ video chat/ gaming.
For Hardware protection, data loss prevention.
External HDD for Time Machine (I like the Lacie Rugged drives)
Protective Case/Sleeve/Bag (I like Tom Bihn and Chrome)
A laptop stand (get it off the desk to significantly reduce the risk of drink spill damage)
An online backup account from Mozy/Carbonite/Backblaze (Happiness is multiple backups)
A Dropbox account for schoolwork (laptop stolen/broken night before term paper is due? No worries, I can go to the computer lab and pick up right where I left off)
An Evernote account for schoolwork (clip references, organize courses into notebooks, record lectures, etc)
'Reward for return' Identity Labels (I use stuffbak's metal labels)
Labelmaker (Label all your accessories and chargers with your first name and phone number- if it's worth more than 75$ or so, use a stuffbak type label instead).
An iTunes account with 'find my mac' enabled
A 'Prey' account as a backup to 'find my mac'
Extras:
External Monitor w/ MDP and built in speakers (HDMI too and it can double as a game console screen if you are bringing a gaming device or Bluray player; built in speakers reduces cable spaghetti) (check newegg, amazon for best deals)
External non-apple mouse for gaming (Razer FTW 😛 )
External mac Keyboard (so laptop is easy to type on when on its stand at your desk)
A USB Ethernet Adapter- wifi may be nearly ubiquitous, but it's nice to have a backup ready.
USB headset- for Skype/ video chat/ gaming.
+1 for Evernote, Dropbox and Prey
I'd also recommend CrashPlan for online backups
Pandora subscription and PandoraJam
Scrivener for managing papers and associated research
Timeline 3D in case you are majoring in History or some other subject which has a timeline related subject
I'd also recommend CrashPlan for online backups
Pandora subscription and PandoraJam
Scrivener for managing papers and associated research
Timeline 3D in case you are majoring in History or some other subject which has a timeline related subject
Apparently there is proprietary exam software that a number of law schools are using that is Windows only, and some of the 'no cheat' features can be circumvented by using a VM (and testing supervisors can't tell 'for sure' that an individual is using bootcamp, thus nothing with an Apple logo+keyboard allowed for the actual exam).
Thread regarding law school and PC/Mac (old, but probably still partially relevant): https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/197012/
Thread regarding law school and PC/Mac (old, but probably still partially relevant): https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/197012/
Last edited:
prvt.donut
macrumors 6502a
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Just get office, iLife can do the rest.
Depends on what you are studying. As you haven't mentioned that, it probably isn't important what you get.
Just get office, iLife can do the rest.
Depends on what you are studying. As you haven't mentioned that, it probably isn't important what you get.
maflynn
macrumors Broadwell
Actually a number of colleges highly recommend and/or require a certain platform - mostly windows. That has started to change but I know parents who's kids were told that they need to buy a windows machine. I can't comment specifically about law schools but I can say in general that some colleges do expect their students to use a certain platform.
I got you all covered.
boot camp OEM copy of windows 7
I like cases that don't look like laptop cases. I am not saying you need this one, but something like it.
Don't ever leave your backpack or gear alone. Many of my friends got stuff jacked.
If you don't have the apple care get it. They have a discount on the apple care for students still I think. Even if you did not just buy your macbook air you should still be able to get it.
This is a nice free option if you don't have Microsoft office. Its also good for backing up your homework and reports incase you lose your macbook air or it gets damaged. Lets you access your home work even when you don't have your macbook air with you. Its always good to have a backup.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/web-apps/
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=18217l18217l0l18639l1l1l0l0l0l0l73l73l1l1l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1440&bih=838&q=macbook+air+13+case&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=9296577620821682124&sa=X&ei=Vc07T-TvMe-y0AHww4W8Cw&ved=0CHkQ8gIwAQ#ps-sellers
boot camp OEM copy of windows 7
I like cases that don't look like laptop cases. I am not saying you need this one, but something like it.
Don't ever leave your backpack or gear alone. Many of my friends got stuff jacked.
If you don't have the apple care get it. They have a discount on the apple care for students still I think. Even if you did not just buy your macbook air you should still be able to get it.
This is a nice free option if you don't have Microsoft office. Its also good for backing up your homework and reports incase you lose your macbook air or it gets damaged. Lets you access your home work even when you don't have your macbook air with you. Its always good to have a backup.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/web-apps/
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=18217l18217l0l18639l1l1l0l0l0l0l73l73l1l1l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1440&bih=838&q=macbook+air+13+case&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=9296577620821682124&sa=X&ei=Vc07T-TvMe-y0AHww4W8Cw&ved=0CHkQ8gIwAQ#ps-sellers
Also- Google docs/calendar are awesome free tools. You can color code your calendar, add in your semester schedule, due dates, etc. Might seem a bit anal, but if everything is written down, you can purge that info from your brain.
With google docs, all of your classwork is a single click away from your gmail inbox, always backed up, always available, and you can download files into various formats (word, excel, PDF, etc). Note: For complex docs/excel files/powerpoint presentations, I recommend sticking with MS Office. You can always upload 'original, unconverted' files for safe keeping.
With google docs, all of your classwork is a single click away from your gmail inbox, always backed up, always available, and you can download files into various formats (word, excel, PDF, etc). Note: For complex docs/excel files/powerpoint presentations, I recommend sticking with MS Office. You can always upload 'original, unconverted' files for safe keeping.