Six years ago, I bought my first mac. My late-2008 macbook pro truly opened my eyes to how much better macs are to PCs. It really has been a perfect experience. I have milked all the life out of my late-2008 that I can get. It now has a broken screen, a battery that has ballooned to the point that it has bent the battery cover, and a dead wireless card. I have been avoiding it, but I believe it is time to upgrade.
Currently, I am a college student at a technical college. This fall semester will be my last at the college I currently attend before I transfer to a university. Out of the five semesters that I have attended, I have only taken my macbook pro to one lecture, but I have a feeling that I will need a laptop for lectures in the future. The reason I only took it to one lecture is due to the fact that the macbook pro is on the heavy side. While it is not extremely heavy, (combined with three or four really large textbooks or binders) I tended to leave it behind. I need portability, for I really hate typing long essays in a desk chair. Even if I never use my new computer(s) for lectures, I never want to be confined to a desk. I also need hard drive space for music, movies, photos, and larger programs like photoshop. I am not a professional by any means, but I like to have the ability to do photo editing and video editing when I need to. I do not play games, so I do not need it for gaming.
Where My Decision Lies
What I can't decide, is what to buy? I don't have Momma and Daddy buying my computer for me (like I see some college kids doing), but I am not worried about spending a little extra money for something that will last me for another six years. Saying that, I want to stay below $2700. What I am strongly considering is (option 1) a 13" Macbook air and an entry Imac. I like the ultra-lightweight-portability and battery life of the air, but I do not think it will be enough computer for me. I think it would perfect for me 80% of the time, but I think I might need a little more every now and then. I could use the iMac as a base/media station, and venture out with the air. The only thing I see that could be bad about this option, is finding space for the iMac. I could make it work for my current living conditions, but if I go to a university and get put in a smaller dorm, I might not have space for an iMac (advice appreciated from college students with iMacs). My other option (option 2) would be a retina Macbook pro (13-inch: 2.6GHz model or possibly the 15-inch: 2.4GHz model) and maybe a iPad mini. It would be the same thing I am used to now, but I would have a iPad mini for the times that I do not feel like lugging around a Macbook or when I need battery life. How do iPad Minis function as college lecture computers? Could I take notes or maybe even video record the lectures? (More advice from college students would be appreciated.)
I am completely open for suggestions. I am not fixed on option 1 or 2. Maybe a macbook and a mac mini would fill my needs. Give me your honest opinion. Any comments will greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Currently, I am a college student at a technical college. This fall semester will be my last at the college I currently attend before I transfer to a university. Out of the five semesters that I have attended, I have only taken my macbook pro to one lecture, but I have a feeling that I will need a laptop for lectures in the future. The reason I only took it to one lecture is due to the fact that the macbook pro is on the heavy side. While it is not extremely heavy, (combined with three or four really large textbooks or binders) I tended to leave it behind. I need portability, for I really hate typing long essays in a desk chair. Even if I never use my new computer(s) for lectures, I never want to be confined to a desk. I also need hard drive space for music, movies, photos, and larger programs like photoshop. I am not a professional by any means, but I like to have the ability to do photo editing and video editing when I need to. I do not play games, so I do not need it for gaming.
Where My Decision Lies
What I can't decide, is what to buy? I don't have Momma and Daddy buying my computer for me (like I see some college kids doing), but I am not worried about spending a little extra money for something that will last me for another six years. Saying that, I want to stay below $2700. What I am strongly considering is (option 1) a 13" Macbook air and an entry Imac. I like the ultra-lightweight-portability and battery life of the air, but I do not think it will be enough computer for me. I think it would perfect for me 80% of the time, but I think I might need a little more every now and then. I could use the iMac as a base/media station, and venture out with the air. The only thing I see that could be bad about this option, is finding space for the iMac. I could make it work for my current living conditions, but if I go to a university and get put in a smaller dorm, I might not have space for an iMac (advice appreciated from college students with iMacs). My other option (option 2) would be a retina Macbook pro (13-inch: 2.6GHz model or possibly the 15-inch: 2.4GHz model) and maybe a iPad mini. It would be the same thing I am used to now, but I would have a iPad mini for the times that I do not feel like lugging around a Macbook or when I need battery life. How do iPad Minis function as college lecture computers? Could I take notes or maybe even video record the lectures? (More advice from college students would be appreciated.)
I am completely open for suggestions. I am not fixed on option 1 or 2. Maybe a macbook and a mac mini would fill my needs. Give me your honest opinion. Any comments will greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
