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Do college students need a MacBook Pro?

Zadillo said:
Yes, most college students don't go through the training to carry around the kind of weight someone in the military is used to.
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Yes, quite of few of the college students that aren't into athletics, sports, etc. usually find lugging their beer to the toilet a tiring chore. ;)

Heck, walking across campus with a backpack full of books is beyond torture for them -- which is why you see those stupid backpacks with wheels.
 
ghall said:
Do HIGH SCHOOL students need a MacBook Pro? :p
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No, of course not. That's why I went with the MacBook. Do I need a MacBook. No, of course not. But that's not really a fair question to ask a high school student that browses a Mac forum :)o ).
 
I keep getting the sense that people continually make these threads to somehow justify their purchase and ease their mind of second thoughts about their machine.
Everyone has different reasons for getting the machine they want, it's called choice. Someone may get a MBP just because they want a larger screen, and in his mind, 2 inches is well worth the $500.

Its sorta like telling everyone that drives an SUV, "Hey, you never go off-roading. Why did you buy an SUV to drive around the city?" Does that person need 4 wheel drive and all the bells and whisles, probably not, but they like to know it's there if they ever need it.
 
Mr. MacBook said:
I cant understand how someone would lug around a 15-inch MacBook Pro instead of a light little MacBook.
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Sorry if this has been said, I didn't read the thread as I am relpying straight to the OP.

15'' MBP: 5.4 pounds
MB: 5.1 pounds

You cant carry an extra third of a pound? Oh, please.

15'' MBP: 9.6'' x 14.1''
13'' MB: 8.92'' x 12.78''

That's a difference of roughly one square inch.

It really isn't as big and heavy as many people make it out to be. Definitely a portable machine.
 
Any laptop is portable. However the smaller the laptop, the more portable it becomes.
 
Do professionals need a macbook PRO?

Depends on the profession.

Do students need a macbook pro?

Depends on the field of study and recreational uses.

Off to the wasteland for this thread...
 
actually what they really need is a 24 inch iMac with a iLugger or w/e its called and a 23 in ACD to match it.



believe it or not they had these types of cases at Macworld.
 
I went through University without a computer :eek:


But no one needs a MacBook Pro when you put the question outright, could you hunt beaver with one? Possibly but there are sharper tools readily available. :confused:
 
xfiftyfour said:
That's a nasty generalization.
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haha take it easy, i was kidding. 90% of college students need some computer, whether it be a desktop or a laptop in college. I say 90 because i dont know everyone at my university, so there's some uncertainty. But everyone in my hall has a computer (laptop or desktop). :)

1. You have a lot of papers to keep track of.
2. You have to type up 10+ pages and find someplace to print (though you could spend hours at the computer lab.)
3. A lot of universities use online registration. Some of these registration windows can be opened at ungodly hours.
4. Universities use online homework

as for going pro? if you have the money go for it. But if you're in high school now and this coming academic year isn't your first in college, you're going to regret waiting for a new model. I can guarantee it. Patience, my friend.
 
it's been said again and again..
if you want portability, yet have the comfort of a large monitor in your dorm, get a macbook and an external monitor.
if you're not into video editing or other graphically intensive activities, a macbook will suit all your needs 110%.
if you're into hardcore gaming, you should reconsider a different market, as you could get a better gaming computer for much less the price of a mb or mbp.
 
I have a 14" widscreen HP laptop right now. I find the screen a bit too small when programming or working on multiple documents, which is why I decided to order a 15" MBP. I was considering the regular MB, but it's basically the same weight as the MBP, so why not get some additional screen real estate? The footprint isn't all that much larger either.
 
Let me start this off my saying I just finished my freshman year in college.

In my opinion, the Macbook is the ideal student computer. It's a great machine that suits almost everyone's needs. Perfect size for carrying to class, tons of power, and great features. I have a 12'' iBook that I use take to class for notes and stuff.


However, I'm getting a Macbook Pro this summer. I'm a film major and next semester I'm going to be starting my real film classes so I'll need it for final cut. Plus I'm taking a photography class, so it will be nice.

The only students that need a Macbook Pro are students who really need the extra power and graphics. For example, film, graphic design, comp sci, architecture (for CAD), etc.

For most students, the regular Macbook is perfect.

I wish my school had their laptop program with Apple instead of Dell. Most kids just end up buying the recommended D620 which is a horrible piece of ****. I wish the school had a deal with Apple so they could all get Macbooks.


Oh, and as for the "students only need a pencil and notebook," my college requires ALL students to have a laptop computer.

Sun Baked said:
Heck, walking across campus with a backpack full of books is beyond torture for them -- which is why you see those stupid backpacks with wheels.
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Nobody ****ing uses those.
 
I find it funny that this question comes up so much too. :cool: But i personally feel alot of it has to do with what your major is. If you are an english or history major or something of the sort... the macbook would beall you need. however, if you are like me and major in computer engineering (or software eng/comp sci/etc) or some sort of art major then students probably should opt for the MBP. For me... once I get some stuff settled with my bank I will be purchasing the new MBP... cuz it would fit well into my schooling and should definately last me through school (I doubt the normal macbook would). But I also am starting flight school this summer (as my career goal is to be an airline pilot... with some sort of computer background to fall back onto ... just in case ;) ) so I am planning on using X-Plane in my free time which definatley would require the larger screen and the better gpu.

so its the traditional saying of "ask yourself what you need/want from your computer and go with what you feel suits you best"
 
Any student in a creative field that intersects with technology needs a computer that is up to task. As has already been mentioned this would include students in film school that need to use final cut and various animation/effects packages, as well as those in graphic design programs.

I just finished my undergrad in electroacoustic composition, and I can confidently say that without my (then top of the line) powerbook G4 I would never have made it through the program. Every single one of my colleagues, students and proffesors alike, had powerbooks and most of them recently upgraded to the macbook pro. Personally, I needed the power to run protools, max msp, and a host of other synthesis/digital audio editing applications. I'm going on to get my masters next year and am planning on moving more heavily into audio-visual multimedia work, for which I will be working with HD footage in final cut and after effects; I just ordered a macbook pro because nothing else will suffice.

Students who just need to write papers and check their email do not need a high-end machine. Students who are going to become creative professionals obviously need a professional machine.
 
Martin C said:
15'' MBP: 9.6'' x 14.1''
13'' MB: 8.92'' x 12.78''

That's a difference of roughly one square inch.
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9.6*14.1 = 135.36 sq. in
8.92*12.78 = 113.99 sq. in

Sorry for nitpicking, but that's about 22 times of one square inch.

But aside from that, I completely agree with you.
 
I think that for most students the MB is fine, but if you want to do some decent gaming, then definitely the MBP. And then there are students that need the extra power of the MBP, for whom the MB just isn't enough. I'm one of those students-I am a musician, and I have to "produce" my CDs and DVDs, and the extra power and screen space makes working for hours on a track SO much easier and less painful! Also, I've started to get in to gaming more, and the graphics card, while nothing amazing (if only I could get the NEW MBP) is good enough for most games at decent FPS. I also had a long debate as to whether the MBP was worth it for me, as it is very expensive even with the student discount, and I after 6 months I know I made the right decision. if only I could trade it for the new model :(
 
Really depends on what you do in your spare time, and if you can live with glossy (YUCK).

If you game outside of a 2d world, then you might want the Macbook Pro.

If not, well, good for you, bookworm. :p
 
Film Majors 4 lyfe

More importantly than do they need it, is why are we bothering to care? Does anyone really need a MacBookPpro? No, it isn't oxygen, nor food, nor water, and it really doesn't provide much shelter. It's another luxury in our wonderful lives and if someone wants one, or feels they need one, and buy it...then they have it. And that's that. Who are we to question? There's so much better ways to spend our time than questioning someone's harmless buying decisions. It's not as if another college kid having a laptop is actually bringing down someone else's quality of life.

Well, actually, if no other college students had ordered laptops, maybe mine would be shipping...I take it all back. No college student, except me, needs a MacBook Pro. So the rest of you, back off. They're all mine now.
 
jng said:
Not to mention the fact that if you're studying media like video and graphic design...
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There are a handful of video related apps that won't run as well on a MacBook, but which apps won't run as well on a MacBook? Graphics programs certainly will....

The benefit of having a higher resolution isn't a good reason to get a MBP, either. If you study video and graphic design, you really do need an external LCD with a higher resolution that what either laptop has to offer.

And the difference in weight is hardly a reason to get a MB over a MBP, or vice versa. They're pretty much the same, you wimps. :p
 
Mr. MacBook said:
Mind you, im not in college, but i cant see the reason of having a MacBook Pro in college. I've visited colleges, but the only macs i see in their cafes are MacBooks.

If your a college student, don't you need something thin, light, small-screened and powerful? I cant understand how someone would lug around a 15-inch MacBook Pro instead of a light little MacBook.
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no, because i know of absolutely no one who uses their laptop for the classic buying reason.... taking notes in class or using Wifi in the cafe

because 1) taking notes in class = no go
2) using in the cafe, where i live, pretty much marks you out to get mugged.

barely anyone can be seen lugging any type of laptop anywhere, even if it weighs 1kg, for most students that 1kg they dont need to carry. add to that the risk of it getting pinched

laptops stay at home, on a desk, so really they can be as heavy as they like. the only good thing about having a laptop really is when its time to up stix and move out of dorms or houses you just shut the lid and pop it in your car.

i dont believe this typing notes in lectures.... it just cant be done or if it can its gotta be awkward....at least to me, to many formulas and diagrams to write.

far quicker to sketch, short hand and do formulas/derivations with a pencil and paper.
 
For me i needed the powerbook the macbook pro of its day. i knew I was going to get into editing and the pro is better for it. What i liked about it was the size. The 12" was too small for me as my main computer. So I got the 15. It has more room to put my hands etcs, the 12" made me feel cramped. Looking back i'm glad I got the 15 powerbook instead of the 12. For my major having the extra screen space was valuable and worth the extra weight.
 
Illicit said:
it's been said again and again..
if you're not into video editing or other graphically intensive activities, a macbook will suit all your needs 110%.
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Simply repeating something that isn’t true again and again, doesn’t make it true.

Video editing is a CPU, not GPU, intensive activity.

On more than a few editing forums, people are using them very happily. It wouldn’t be my choice but there you go.

Also see, http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=43717
 
"Do college students need a macbook PRO?"

As some others have stated in this thread I think it really depends on what your area of study is. When I was in college I had the 12" PowerBook, which was perfect at the time for it's power and portability (has been sold now! :( ).

I then went of to university (education system in the UK a little different from US I think) and I bought a PowerMac G5, which I'm using right now and is still really fast and suits my needs perfectly. I'm now about to go in to my third year though and I'm starting to go into university a lot more frequently so I got ordered the MBP so I can take my work back and forth more easily and I do freelance work, so I need to be able to show clients some work.

My area of study is Web and Graphic Design, I use Photoshop, Flash and DreamWeaver all the time so I need more screen space and power.

I feel if your doing an English degree or something and you just use word or keynote etc, the MBP might be overkill, unless you really need the screen space.

But I guess if you have the extra money to splash around, get whatever you want.
 
Would you say a computer science student would need the extra power of a macbook pro then? Or could they use a normal macbook
 
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