DILEMMA : Huge price diff due work or Hi-res from apple

The 17" MBP might suit you, have you considered it?

The screen resolution is 1920x1200, which is essentially what you are used to working with.

 

Web designing & photo work = high res screen. Time = money, and eventually you'll get annoyed with 1440x900, especially since you're coming from 1920x1080.

Actually, just get the 17" from the store. Wouldn't that be in line with your original budget, plus you get a 1920x1080 screen!

 

Check out the videos comparing the 15" hi res to the 17" on YouTube if you can't check em out at an Apple Store.

You don't need the extra screen real estate for web design as much as you would for photography. Used the money you save to buy AppleCare.

 

AppleCare is more about "insurance" for replacing the screen or logic board, 2 things you can't do yourself without basically buying a new laptop.

 

I have the 17" MBP it's slimmer than a lot of windows 17" laptop, go to apple's website for the exact size.

Also you don't have to buy applecare now, you can purchase it up to a year after you buy the mac.

Edit: I'm not sure how applecare works in europe, disregard previous statement.

 

the 17 inches MacBook pro is one of the lightest computer out there: it's just 3 kgs, and 1 inch thick (about 2,5cm). if fact, it not so much bigger or heavier than the 15"! the only difference is due to the bigger footprint, but if you need a great screen don't hesitate.

for the apple care, don't worry: you could add it to your Mac within the first year of warranty

ps: are you an Italian university student? if so, pro tip: buy your Mac online at www.umac.it for save up to 10%

 

Are the student discounts different in other European countries?

In the UK if you're ordering from the Apple Store online from your University network you currently get 14.98% discount on the top end 15" plus you get 3 years warranty, 1 year telephone support as standard.

The Apple Care is also discounted (£60) if you want to extend the telephone support to 3 years (not really worth it as it's the warranty part of it most people want)

The BTO options (RAM, screens) are discounted as well.

This is the higher education discount, the further education discount is about half that.

 

I always get the US English keyboard, even though I'm in the UK. I just hate the UK return key.