I am a high school senior going to college in the fall. Please help me select a MB.

[QCassidy352]

They still get the job done, and are reasonably cheap. The OP did mention a budget.

A Macbook might be faster, but writing is hardly processor intensive so it would make little difference.

If the OP wants to do other things, the a Macbook would be better, but for what he asked, a Powerbook would be fine.

Recommending a g4 at this point, to someone who needs it for the next four years, is silly. Even if he could save a bit (and the prices on those things are so bad that he really can't) it's not at all worth it to buy 3 year old tech when you need it for the next four years.

My advice is a refurb 2.2 ghz SR MacBook. A new 2.1 penryn would be great too, but you might want the SuperDrive.

 

[Schnebar]

The Air really isn't idea for a college freshman though because the RAM and HD aren't easy to upgrade. Sure it's light, but after that?

The macbooks allows for easier upgrading, and more importantly, leaves the OP's wallet a tad heavier.

I am in the same situation and am off to college next fall. Cost is not really an issue becuase I have been saving this years birthday and Christmas promisses for a laptop. I was deciding between the pro or air. I really think I will be fine with an air. My 2ghz iMac has been fast enough for me and if I got the 1.8 air it would be portable and fast enough. I am even considering it as my only computer. Is that totally wacko?

 

[CalBoy]

Is that totally wacko?

No, but you should consider everything carefully before making your final decision. In the OP's case, cost is specifically a factor, whereas for you it's not.

As long as you don't foresee needing a dvd/cd drive (you typically don't these days) and can live with the RAM/HD size limitations, then go for it.

 

[Eraserhead]

I am in the same situation and am off to college next fall. Cost is not really an issue becuase I have been saving this years birthday and Christmas promisses for a laptop. I was deciding between the pro or air. I really think I will be fine with an air. My 2ghz iMac has been fast enough for me and if I got the 1.8 air it would be portable and fast enough. I am even considering it as my only computer. Is that totally wacko?

The Air really isn't idea for a college freshman though because the RAM and HD aren't easy to upgrade. Sure it's light, but after that?

If you are using a bag the MacBook is fine on campus, the air just seems a little pretentious and as you aren't catching an aeroplane, and are also carrying a heavy folder/books it isn't too big a deal.

 

[CalBoy]

If you are using a bag the MacBook is fine on campus, the air just seems a little pretentious and as you aren't catching an aeroplane, and are also carrying a heavy folder/books it isn't too big a deal.

Yeah, the books are also a factor since I usually have at least a few pounds of paper on me at all times, so the benefit of having an Air is really mitigated.

Now the coolness factor, why that's another story entirely.