11 Inch Macbook Air for High School Student

[thekev]

The ONLY relevant questions anymore are, "Can this computer handle:

- HD video editing
- 3d rendering
- Mass ultra hires photo processing
- Games set to maximum settings"

The OP may take you seriously, so you should avoid this kind of exaggeration, especially regarding any computer made in the last decade. If the OP is getting a mac, they may want the ability to use current software which means PowerPC (which was made within the last decade) is a very poor option.

Gaming doesn't run well on a macbook air no matter what. I've seen it, and any game from the past couple years can bog it down at times on normal settings. 3d rendering isn't ideal on a macbook air or pro. The gpus slow down considerably at higher poly counts, although I think it's more of a driver thing (OSX graphics drivers were never designed for 3d work).

My suggestion would be start with a 13" macbook air or pro. If you're having to do homework on it, you will appreciate the extra screen real estate if you're working on something for an extended period of time. I might suggest getting one of these, then getting the ipad later if you feel you need it. I don't see how anyone could perceive themselves as anchored with a macbook air. The ipad seems like an advantage primarily in situations where you cannot place a computer on a stable surface. The weight difference isn't that bad, and neither will fit in your pocket. Going with at least a 256GB drive option is definitely a good idea.

 

[wordoflife]

Any computer since 2003 will be more than sufficient for your needs, so all I'm going to say is not to waste your money.

Specifically, drop the loaded Air and drop the loaded iPad.
A $400 PC will do, but if you want a Mac, you don't need a very expensive one. The 13" MBP is ideal.

 

[Sean Dempsey]

The OP may take you seriously, so you should avoid this kind of exaggeration, especially regarding any computer made in the last decade. If the OP is getting a mac, they may want the ability to use current software which means PowerPC (which was made within the last decade) is a very poor option.

Gaming doesn't run well on a macbook air no matter what. I've seen it, and any game from the past couple years can bog it down at times on normal settings. 3d rendering isn't ideal on a macbook air or pro. The gpus slow down considerably at higher poly counts, although I think it's more of a driver thing (OSX graphics drivers were never designed for 3d work).

My suggestion would be start with a 13" macbook air or pro. If you're having to do homework on it, you will appreciate the extra screen real estate if you're working on something for an extended period of time. I might suggest getting one of these, then getting the ipad later if you feel you need it. I don't see how anyone could perceive themselves as anchored with a macbook air. The ipad seems like an advantage primarily in situations where you cannot place a computer on a stable surface. The weight difference isn't that bad, and neither will fit in your pocket. Going with at least a 256GB drive option is definitely a good idea.

Way to completely miss the point of what I was saying.


Also - Get the MBP 13", the base model. The Air costs more money for literally nothing that you'll need. It's a little lighter and a little thinner... which really isn't the point for a high school student. You aren't "getting" anything for that extra money.

Also - please realize that a Macbook Air 11" Would need to be charged probably twice throughout the school day. Using it on the battery at my office, I get maybe 2.5 hours of constant use before the battery is dead. It would *never* make it a full day without a charge.

The MBA 11" is a joke when it comes to extended battery usage. You'll be sitting in class and having to charge your laptop after lunch every day.

Take it from me kid, it ain't the computer you want.