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Deciding between MBP and iMac for college student

D

dotherocawear

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 18, 2010
3
0
I'm a lifelong mac user so I'm naturally looking for another mac to upgrade from my 2nd generation black macbook which I'm selling to my cousin.

Two part question here: For those that have been through college already, do you think the extra power and screen size (13" is killing me) is worth an iMac, or am I better off sticking with the still somewhat powerful and a lot more portable MBP?

Second, when to buy? I have until mid-March to get my laptop to my cousin and ideally I'd have a new computer before that so I could transfer all of my files without an intermediate external drive. I know they usually make announcements like this in January but it seems that all I've been hearing is about the supposed tablet, and the possible multitouch iMac in the second half of this year (which is unfortunately too long for me to wait).
 
I say definitely a MacBook Pro, portability is a big thing in college.

I would be shocked if there is not a notebook update by mid-March. Either next week or sometime in February.

If you could wait until the spring, you could take advantage of a Back-to-School program that will likely exist, in which college students can get essentially a free iPod touch with purchase of a new machine.

Also, wait until you have a student ID so that you can take advantage of the EDU store and its pricing.
 
Consider getting a portable mac - be it 13 or 15 - and an external monitor. The monitor will give you extra real estate when you're back in your room and the mb or mbp will give you the flexibility to take notes in class or work somewhere other than your room.
 
thegoldenmackid said:
If you could wait until the spring, you could take advantage of a Back-to-School program that will likely exist, in which college students can get essentially a free iPod touch with purchase of a new machine.
Click to expand...

Isn't BTS usually June-Aug?
 
I'm not a student anymore, but isn't the educational discount year-round? If it's different from BTS, I assume there are bigger discounts during that period?

+1 getting a 13" and a big external monitor.
 
Thanks for all the quick replies. For clarification, I'm actually halfway through college but I was looking for perspective from those that have already been through it all. Also my English major certainly does not necessitate computing power but I use Photoshop and like my Warcraft with more than the 2fps I'm getting on my current Macbook ;)
 
just a thought.....

just a thought, but have you considered getting the imac and something like an iphone as your setup. as your a student, you should be able to get a free ipod touch and a free printer. i find that i browse a lot and watch a lot of vids online, all of which an ipod can do.

juuust a thought.........
 
thleeal said:
just a thought, but have you considered getting the imac and something like an iphone as your setup. as your a student, you should be able to get a free ipod touch and a free printer. i find that i browse a lot and watch a lot of vids online, all of which an ipod can do.

juuust a thought.........
Click to expand...

Taking notes on a iPhone...
 
thleeal said:
just a thought, but have you considered getting the imac and something like an iphone as your setup. as your a student, you should be able to get a free ipod touch and a free printer. i find that i browse a lot and watch a lot of vids online, all of which an ipod can do.

juuust a thought.........
Click to expand...

Just to clarify for everyone: the free ipod deal is summer-only in the US and is for higher-ed students only. The free printer with a mac rebate deal is for EVERYONE anytime (if you're buying on line and can't find the link with the info, ask a chat agent to send you the link).
 
dotherocawear said:
I'm a lifelong mac user so I'm naturally looking for another mac to upgrade from my 2nd generation black macbook which I'm selling to my cousin.

Two part question here: For those that have been through college already, do you think the extra power and screen size (13" is killing me) is worth an iMac, or am I better off sticking with the still somewhat powerful and a lot more portable MBP?

Second, when to buy? I have until mid-March to get my laptop to my cousin and ideally I'd have a new computer before that so I could transfer all of my files without an intermediate external drive. I know they usually make announcements like this in January but it seems that all I've been hearing is about the supposed tablet, and the possible multitouch iMac in the second half of this year (which is unfortunately too long for me to wait).
Click to expand...


My vote is for the MBP. You retain portability and if you're concerned with screen size, you can use a external monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Also, if you're worried about a new release, wait another week.

I gave my black 2007 MacBook to my cousin back in June and purchased a 13" MBP when they came out. I'm very happy with the performance upgrade. It's a wonderful Mac with a fantastic display. You'll definitely notice a difference.

Congrats on your new Mac!

Habitus :apple:
 
Habitus said:
My vote is for the MBP. You retain portability and if you're concerned with screen size, you can use a external monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Also, if you're worried about a new release, wait another week.

I gave my black 2007 MacBook to my cousin back in June and purchased a 13" MBP when they came out. I'm very happy with the performance upgrade. It's a wonderful Mac with a fantastic display. You'll definitely notice a difference.

Congrats on your new Mac!

Habitus :apple:
Click to expand...

second
 
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