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College Freshman

If you're really set on the rMBP (it's really great), then go ahead and get that. It's definitely not as portable or easy to use in a classroom situation, but it won't be too bad. The 13'' Air, or the 11'' for that matter, is the ideal computer for a college student IMO. I'm about to be a sophomore in college and I had an 11'' Air along with a 15'' Pro during my freshman year. Although the Retina is lighter and easier to carry than the MBP I had at the time, it's still a lot harder to carry then the Air. I know it sounds silly because it's not that heavy, but you really do notice the difference. I never brought my 15'' Pro to class, I always brought my Air, but I wouldn't have died bringing my Pro. I think a reason I didn't as well is because I would much rather have something happen to my Air than my Pro.

If you're in love with the rMBP, though, go for it. You'll always regret it if you don't. If, however, you like the Air because it's cheaper and a lot easier to carry, you won't be disappointed there. Like I said, IMO the Air is the perfect college student laptop, but the Retina is fantastic.
 
I carry my 5.6 lb 15" around everywhere on campus and haven't had any troubles... In the few classes I've pulled my laptop out in, I didn't think the desks were too small, but this could be a potential issue if you plan on note taking (im in engineering so i usually use pencil/paper).
 
From my personal experience I would have gone with a 15" instead of the 13" that I currently have. When typing papers for school it has really strained my eyes due to how small everything is when typing especially when refrencing back and forth from several other papers.
 
mat25 said:
What computer would guys reccomend for first year engineering; Retina MBP or MBA?
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13" MBP.

In Engineering it is pretty much a guarantee that your school will have computer labs only for engineering students that will be much more capable of running the heavy programs compared to a laptop (obviously including the rMBP.)

I'm an aerospace engineering student at the university of texas and 95% of people in my department have 13" MBP's. They primarily just use them for coding (Matlab) and what not, but all the big programs like SolidWorks and Abaqus are run on our departments computers.

My advice is to save the money and get the 13". Most people think the *need* the most advanced when the vast majority of the time they actually just *want*. Also you can just hook up to an external monitor to get the higher resolution. The upscaled settings to give you more workspace on the rMBP don't quite look as good as the native resolution. Not to mention if you get it running at native 2880x then have fun destroying your eyes by staring at it for a few hours while coding on the small screen.

By the way, a lot of people are talking about lecture desk size while recommending screen sizes. Don't worry about that, you will virtually never take notes with a laptop in engineering. It is way too symbolic and in class there is a ton of problem solving which requires drawing diagrams for specific problems. Basically I'm just saying that whole discussion is a moot point for engineering.
 
I don't understand why people always talk about portability. I carried around a 17" MBP in college and I never used the bus. Get the right backpack and you're all set. Quit being pansies.
 
Take note that depending on the applications you'll be using for school, I'm willing to bet the majority of them will not be updated for retina display any time soon.
 
Cnercessian said:
Im going to be starting college in the fall and I'm looking to buy a Mac. I have my eye on the rMBP (base with 16gb ram), the only reason I'm hesitating is the size of it. 15.4 inches is quite large and 4.46 pounds isn't very light. Do you think it will be a problem, keep in mind I will have to walk probably 10-15 minutes between classes and probably have 2-3 classes a day. My alternative option is a 13inch MBA (base with 8gb ram), but I'm really leaning towards the rMBP.
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As a freshman, I would suggest you get the Air and save some of your money for beer...
 
rocanlover163 said:
The desks in my college are pretty small too, but to me honest I've never had an issue with my 15" I currently use. Especially if your class isn't full and you can take up two desks! the weight of the rMBP shouldn't be much of an issue I don't think, compared to all the heavy books most college students need to lug around.



Are you saying he won't be able to take notes or be on his computer during lectures? Sorry I'm not sure if I misunderstood this..
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My thought process was that if the desks are small in the lecture rooms, he/she may not be able to take notes on a computer since it may prove to be ergonomically unfriendly. If he/she is able to take notes, by all means go for it. I remember from my college days that it was very hard for me to take notes on a small desk because my laptop was a wee bit too large.
 
You really shouldn't have a problem carrying a 4.5lb computer without getting tired, if that's the only thing you're carrying.

If you have books and stuff, just get a good backpack with back support and that should solve your problems.
 
The MBA.

No school has yet to mandate the rMBP (with reason too), thus no student NEEDS the rMBP. Especially since there isn't a windows alternative. You may *think* you need it, but you don't.

Not even a CS major needs a retina. No college student needs a retina MBP, and any one trying to convince you otherwise just wants a new toy.
 
As an undergrad, I hauled a 5 lb 2007 white 13'' Macbook to every class and didn't have any problems, even using a messenger bag that put all the weight on one shoulder. I was by no means in shape back then either. I did quite a bit of programming and typing for classes on that 13'' Macbook, so I wouldn't worry about 13'' not being enough. Now I'm getting ready to move up to a rMBP for grad school (Comp Sci) because I prefer working in OS X and need a real GPU for the work I'm doing, and because I might as well get a Retina screen if I'm going to have to use a 15'' screen anyway.

If I didn't need a GPU or really want the retina screen, I would probably go with a fully loaded 13'' MBA. After grad school, if the MBA's get a retina screen I'll probably sell my rMBP and get a rMBA.
 
Get a MBA + an ACD if you don't need the gpu. If you do need the gpu then you don't have a choice.
 
I have never had a problem with my 15" Sure it is a little heavy, but I just throw it in my Swiss Gear laptop backpack and it really isn't that bad. You get used to it.
 
Stetrain said:
Probably depends a bit on your specific curriculum. Most people I know who did engineering never had to run the more advanced CAD etc. apps on their own computers, they always had lab computers and time available for that.

If that's the case you could easily get by with a Macbook Air.
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I'm going to email my university to see if anyone there can help by telling me if this is true where I'm going. But my concern with the air is that it won't be powerful enough to keep for a few years, and engineering may demand a powerful computer...
 
I'm 5ft 4in, tiny for a bloke, and I managed fine carrying around a 13in pro, which is heavier than this years rMBP. So if you are bigger than me, a 15in will be fine. I also carried a 15in 2011 Pro at one point, in a cheap neoprene sleeve, and it was fine.

From experience, the inCase bags are great for carrying it around a large campus. No offence, but if you cant carry such a small weight around, I'd suggest buying a gym membership or a few gallon jugs to fill with sand instead ;)

I had an older version of this: http://goincase.com/products/detail/coated-canvas-sling-sleeve-cl57689

To me it had the perfect balance of compactness, protection, and a couple of pockets for papers etc, and an iPad if you have one.

Black01.jpg

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I just finished my freshman year of college at a top engineering school. I had a 13" 2010 MBA. I found myself refusing to carry it to class because it was heavy to have to carry around all day. I just got the rMBP and I love it. It is obviously heavier than the air but I already didn't take my computer to class. Having the bigger screen allows me to have two windows open side by side which is great for writing papers etc. I would seriously consider getting the 11" MBA and a desktop (maybe a pc or a hackintosh you can build yourself).
 
heloise said:
I just finished my freshman year of college at a top engineering school. I had a 13" 2010 MBA. I found myself refusing to carry it to class because it was heavy to have to carry around all day. I just got the rMBP and I love it. It is obviously heavier than the air but I already didn't take my computer to class. Having the bigger screen allows me to have two windows open side by side which is great for writing papers etc. I would seriously consider getting the 11" MBA and a desktop (maybe a pc or a hackintosh you can build yourself).
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You found a super slim notebook weighing 3lbs too heavy? :eek:
 
striker33 said:
You found a super slim notebook weighing 3lbs too heavy? :eek:
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I think I was mostly just a complainer. It wasn't a big deal if I was going to the library but I had hours of class on end with 10 minute walks to break up each hour and carrying my laptop then was a pita and not worth it for the little I used it.
 
heloise said:
I just finished my freshman year of college at a top engineering school. I had a 13" 2010 MBA. I found myself refusing to carry it to class because it was heavy to have to carry around all day. I just got the rMBP and I love it. It is obviously heavier than the air but I already didn't take my computer to class. Having the bigger screen allows me to have two windows open side by side which is great for writing papers etc. I would seriously consider getting the 11" MBA and a desktop (maybe a pc or a hackintosh you can build yourself).
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This was my setup throughout college.

Mid-level laptop + high-end desktop is a beast of a setup.

Laptop is great for group meetings, in class/lab use and whatever other mobile needs you have. But the desktop works extremely well for papers, lab write-ups and studying.

One thing I found really great about the desktop was its LACK of portability. Yes, I said lack of portability. Using a desktop for studying FORCES you to stay put, and not leave your room. It is extremely easy to take your laptop to a common space and say you'll "study" but spend half your time talking with friends. A desktop forces studying during study time, and also allows you to completely leave your work behind on breaks.
 
mat25 said:
I'm going to email my university to see if anyone there can help by telling me if this is true where I'm going. But my concern with the air is that it won't be powerful enough to keep for a few years, and engineering may demand a powerful computer...
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That is why you get the 13" macbook pro. It's the perfect middle ground in power and weight like I posted above. I go to a top engineering school for Aerospace Engineering and the 13" MPB is what the majority of my friends have to do their work. I myself pretty much do all of my work in the computer labs.

Like I said, the people in my department use their 13" to program and some have an external monitor to get the extra screen space. You will spend more time programming than you will with any other engineering type program. Modeling programs and finite element programs will run much better on your schools desktops since they will likely have the newest desktop graphics and CPU's in them.

So again, save your money and pick up a 13" + External monitor and spend the rest on a good fake id and alcohol.
 
dallas112678 said:
That is why you get the 13" macbook pro. It's the perfect middle ground in power and weight like I posted above. I go to a top engineering school for Aerospace Engineering and the 13" MPB is what the majority of my friends have to do their work. I myself pretty much do all of my work in the computer labs.

Like I said, the people in my department use their 13" to program and some have an external monitor to get the extra screen space. You will spend more time programming than you will with any other engineering type program. Modeling programs and finite element programs will run much better on your schools desktops since they will likely have the newest desktop graphics and CPU's in them.

So again, save your money and pick up a 13" + External monitor and spend the rest on a good fake id and alcohol.
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+1

I see so many threads about college students worried about power for all 4 years. Its ridiculous. Admittedly they don't really know whats in store for them, but they don't need the high end laptops.

In reality, everything will run peachy on a 13" MBA or MBP, no problem. Any over-the-top programs you might need to run will have to be run on a desktop. Even the most powerful MBP won't hold a candle to a desktop. Essentially, anything that needs more power than your 13" will need more power than a 15" can provide. That extra bit you get from the 15" will be a waste really.

Source: Just finished my Physics B.S. and will start grad school in the fall.
 
I carry a mbp 15", power cord, and books around every day. It's not that heavy lol
 
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