Im going to university this fall and since I now have enough funds I have decided to buy some nice gadgets for myself that will also help me in university. For some time I have been eyeballing Apple products, beacause of interest in OS X and experience with my iPod Touch, which has been quite pleasant.
Before I start, my current budget is roughly around 1000. I may be able to add 200-300 more if needed. Also I plan on getting a part-time job, so I may have more cash to spend in the coming months.
What I will be learning is a mix of mechanical and electronical engineering and will also include programming, so my main concern is an able laptop that is enough for tasks related with these subjects(most likely CAD + programming). I also want to use the computer to record some music.
At the end I want to end up with both a tablet(iPad) for entertainment and reading documents/spreadsheets/PDFs/presentations and a laptop(Macbook) for more serious work and, although the laptop is more important. I do plan on taking notes on either of these devices. I also have a 4 year old PC desktop that is mediocrely powerful(3GHZ C2D E8400, 4GB RAM, Ati 3870 graphics) if need some more oomph(although the i5 Macbooks are more powerful in terms of processor speeds).
For now, I have narrowed my choice down to these two options:
1) Buying a new/slightly used 2012 13" Macbook Pro/Air at first and the iPad later.
Pros:
Computer is blazing fast and future proof
If I don't like OS X I can always swap it for a new PC laptop with no money loss
Warranty
Cons:
No tablet
If Apple launces a 13" Retina this fall I will feel a bit disappointed(although it might be too much for my budget anyways)
2) Buying a new/slightly used iPad 3 and a used 13" Macbook Pro/Air and swapping the laptop for a new model when I have enough funds
Pros:
I get both gadgets
Although slower than the new models, C2D Pros should still be powerful enough for my use
Since I have been eyeballing the alleged 13" Retina MBP, I can get it when it has matured a bit
Cons:
Inevitable loss of money when I change laptops(not a big deal, but still...
)
No high speed connections like USB3/thunderbolt
If Apple launces a new iPad this fall, buying one now will feel somewhat painful
If I get a older Air it might not be enough for my needs(especially CAD)
So what do you think? Which option I should go for? I do plan on switching to a SSD and upgrading the RAM when I get a Pro.
Before I start, my current budget is roughly around 1000. I may be able to add 200-300 more if needed. Also I plan on getting a part-time job, so I may have more cash to spend in the coming months.
What I will be learning is a mix of mechanical and electronical engineering and will also include programming, so my main concern is an able laptop that is enough for tasks related with these subjects(most likely CAD + programming). I also want to use the computer to record some music.
At the end I want to end up with both a tablet(iPad) for entertainment and reading documents/spreadsheets/PDFs/presentations and a laptop(Macbook) for more serious work and, although the laptop is more important. I do plan on taking notes on either of these devices. I also have a 4 year old PC desktop that is mediocrely powerful(3GHZ C2D E8400, 4GB RAM, Ati 3870 graphics) if need some more oomph(although the i5 Macbooks are more powerful in terms of processor speeds).
For now, I have narrowed my choice down to these two options:
1) Buying a new/slightly used 2012 13" Macbook Pro/Air at first and the iPad later.
Pros:
Computer is blazing fast and future proof
If I don't like OS X I can always swap it for a new PC laptop with no money loss
Warranty
Cons:
No tablet
If Apple launces a 13" Retina this fall I will feel a bit disappointed(although it might be too much for my budget anyways)
2) Buying a new/slightly used iPad 3 and a used 13" Macbook Pro/Air and swapping the laptop for a new model when I have enough funds
Pros:
I get both gadgets
Although slower than the new models, C2D Pros should still be powerful enough for my use
Since I have been eyeballing the alleged 13" Retina MBP, I can get it when it has matured a bit
Cons:
Inevitable loss of money when I change laptops(not a big deal, but still...
No high speed connections like USB3/thunderbolt
If Apple launces a new iPad this fall, buying one now will feel somewhat painful
If I get a older Air it might not be enough for my needs(especially CAD)
So what do you think? Which option I should go for? I do plan on switching to a SSD and upgrading the RAM when I get a Pro.