Ipad or Macbook Air???

[bcwright03]

I'm not saying a Macbook Air wouldn't be helpful, but a high school student does not need a lap top, period. The most rigorous tasks required will be word processing for essays and powerpoint for presentations. And in case you aren't aware, a six year old lap top can do just that. I had an old 2006 macbook. This came with one gig of ram, and it could do MUCH more than simple school stuff. You say you want to edit videos? Well, I really don't want to be a downer, but if you want the mac just so that you can edit videos, you're looking at video production at the wrong perspective. If you have deliberate and articulate ideas for QUALITY, videos, then sure, it might be complementary to have iMovie. But if you just want to use the cool iMovie effects and reverse some clips to later upload them to youtube, then you should stop kidding yourself.

Bottom line: If you already have a pc that can handle the tasks you need to do, don't get a new lap top. Anyone who is so disillusioned to think they need a high powered machine for high school should think again. Agreeing with other posters, save your money for other things. And also, Why not just wait until you are a senior to start looking for a new lap top? If you do that, you will have the latest and greatest apple lap top, instead of going through two years of college with an outdated air.

 

[jgc]

I agree with MBA. I bought an iPad shortly before I bought my MBA. It's still a great device but most of my time is spent on my MBA. I use the iPad for light browsing occasionally, reading books (mainly on my commute to work), and Netflix. I plan on using it to host my textbooks in the fall. My MBA gets 90% of my home use including most browsing. If you can get both, great, but if you can only get one you should definitely get the MBA.

 

[lonewolf604]

I'm not saying a Macbook Air wouldn't be helpful, but a high school student does not need a lap top, period. The most rigorous tasks required will be word processing for essays and powerpoint for presentations. And in case you aren't aware, a six year old lap top can do just that. I had an old 2006 macbook. This came with one gig of ram, and it could do MUCH more than simple school stuff. You say you want to edit videos? Well, I really don't want to be a downer, but if you want the mac just so that you can edit videos, you're looking at video production at the wrong perspective. If you have deliberate and articulate ideas for QUALITY, videos, then sure, it might be complementary to have iMovie. But if you just want to use the cool iMovie effects and reverse some clips to later upload them to youtube, then you should stop kidding yourself.

Bottom line: If you already have a pc that can handle the tasks you need to do, don't get a new lap top. Anyone who is so disillusioned to think they need a high powered machine for high school should think again. Agreeing with other posters, save your money for other things. And also, Why not just wait until you are a senior to start looking for a new lap top? If you do that, you will have the latest and greatest apple lap top, instead of going through two years of college with an outdated air.

How is it any different than a college student who only uses it for browsing and word processing? (Which from what I've read is most people here).

 

[bcwright03]

How is it any different than a college student who only uses it for browsing and word processing? (Which from what I've read is most people here).

It's simply superflous. You'll be using your computer a lot more in college, and it needs to be reliable. When in high school though, you will 'need' it to work occasionally, but you'll mostly be doing facebook and other unnecessary tasks. That's not absolute, but it was my case.

When I need my computer to work all the time, and to be quick and snappy, it makes perfect sense to invest in a nice computer. But when all you need your computer for is simple tasks which you only 'need' far less frequently in high school, it's excessive.

 

[AppleHater]

It's simply superflous. You'll be using your computer a lot more in college, and it needs to be reliable. When in high school though, you will 'need' it to work occasionally, but you'll mostly be doing facebook and other unnecessary tasks. That's not absolute, but it was my case.

When I need my computer to work all the time, and to be quick and snappy, it makes perfect sense to invest in a nice computer. But when all you need your computer for is simple tasks which you only 'need' far less frequently in high school, it's excessive.

Let him waste his parents money. This whole superfluous argument doesn't make sense here where majority of purchases are what you want rather than need. I don't think I 'need' my iPad, although I love it.

 

[jojoba]

I'm not saying a Macbook Air wouldn't be helpful, but a high school student does not need a lap top, period.

I'm European so don't know about the American context, but where I live high school students are definitely expected to do a lot of work on computers, including Word, power point (which will include presentations containing images and movie excerpts), excel, internet searches and online data bases/educational programs. It's way different from just ten years ago, so if you went to school then or earlier, you really can't take your own schooling as a bench mark. The expectations on students are significantly different in terms of what kind of technology they are expected to master and use regularly.

To the OP: if the choice is between an iPad or an Air, then get the Air.

 

[bcwright03]

I'm European so don't know about the American context, but where I live high school students are definitely expected to do a lot of work on computers, including Word, power point (which will include presentations containing images and movie excerpts), excel, internet searches and online data bases/educational programs. It's way different from just ten years ago, so if you went to school then or earlier, you really can't take your own schooling as a bench mark. The expectations on students are significantly different in terms of what kind of technology they are expected to master and use regularly.

To the OP: if the choice is between an iPad or an Air, then get the Air.

I just graduated high school. Unless european schools are much more technologically advanced than their american counterparts, the tasks which are required are simply not demanding! If powerpoints to you are taxing on cpu and demand top of the line hardware, you're over-estimating how much power you need.

I'm saying there is no need for the OP to get a brand new computer when his old one will suit his needs.

 

[Alameda]

Will your high school let you bring an iPad or a laptop on campus?

I can think of a whole lot of assignments that you won't be able to complete with an iPad. It's a poor word processor, and trying to use it to gather data and type it into a document would be cumbersome. Not all websites will load, forget about using it for a programming class, and if they want you to run any particular software, or even copy files to a USB stick, forget about it.

 

[lonewolf604]

It's simply superflous. You'll be using your computer a lot more in college, and it needs to be reliable. When in high school though, you will 'need' it to work occasionally, but you'll mostly be doing facebook and other unnecessary tasks. That's not absolute, but it was my case.

When I need my computer to work all the time, and to be quick and snappy, it makes perfect sense to invest in a nice computer. But when all you need your computer for is simple tasks which you only 'need' far less frequently in high school, it's excessive.

So its okay for 20 year olds to be superfluous but not 14 year olds? I'm sure half the people here don't use their macs to their full potential.

 

[jeremyx]

So its okay for 20 year olds to be superfluous but not 14 year olds? I'm sure half the people here don't use their macs to their full potential.

Difference is that when you're 20 you've already worked many summers and might even have/had a full-time job. You can buy your MBA or whatever. But getting a $1300 computer while being 14 is definitely an overkill. I was like that and used to get a lot of stuff when I was younger and even not I feel little bit guilty about it.

Some $500 laptop or desktop PC will do these tasks fine and is in noway inferior to 14 year old needs.

 

[jojoba]

I just graduated high school. Unless european schools are much more technologically advanced than their american counterparts, the tasks which are required are simply not demanding! If powerpoints to you are taxing on cpu and demand top of the line hardware, you're over-estimating how much power you need.

I'm saying there is no need for the OP to get a brand new computer when his old one will suit his needs.

I never said the tasks were complex or required tons of power. What I was saying is that using computers is an integrated part of students' work week (if not days), and definitely not "superfluous".

 

[lonewolf604]

Difference is that when you're 20 you've already worked many summers and might even have/had a full-time job. You can buy your MBA or whatever. But getting a $1300 computer while being 14 is definitely an overkill. I was like that and used to get a lot of stuff when I was younger and even not I feel little bit guilty about it.

Some $500 laptop or desktop PC will do these tasks fine and is in noway inferior to 14 year old needs.

So just because they worked for it, justifies buying a $1000 dollar computer for web browsing and word processing? I could use the same argument. Why don't most people here look for a $500 dollar computer for simple tasks?

 

[jeremyx]

So just because they worked for it, justifies buying a $1000 dollar computer for web browsing and word processing? I could use the same argument. Why don't most people here look for a $500 dollar computer for simple tasks?

I'm not saying that buying a plus $1000 computer is ever justifiable for word processing or web browsing. I'm saying that you can burn your money for whatever makes you tick. Obviously parents have the same right to use their money to whatever they want, but from experience I can say that parents do stupid things to please their kids and kids are good at exploiting that. I think that in most cases both parties would be better of with just basic PC. But whom I to judge.

 

[bcwright03]

I never said the tasks were complex or required tons of power. What I was saying is that using computers is an integrated part of students' work week (if not days), and definitely not "superfluous".

No. He already has a computer which will complete the needed tasks for high school. What is superflous would be him buying a brand new lap top, even though he has one which suits his needs. He can buy one if he wants! I was just giving advice, and that advice is not that nobody should buy a macbook air if they are going to do powerpoint presentations in high school. My advice is that it may be an extraneous purchase.

 

[iBrody]

And for those of you thinking that my parents a really rich. Well they are not that rich. I mean they are not poor but have a decent salary(and both of them work). Plus for my education they will invest any amount of money

And I just don't need my Mac for PPP I also will use iPhotos and most importantly iMovies that is why I don't want Windows

None of my business re how your parents spend their money, but you have kind of shot yourself in the foot, as you are now saying you want it for iPhoto and iMovies, when your first post posed the question of whether to get a laptop or tablet.

If you had decided to go the iPad route, then movie and photo editing would have been extremely limited. So not sure why you even brought the iPad into the equation if you are now saying that these features must be included?

Seems like you are clutching at straws to keep your intended purchase relevant. Just saying

 

[Alameda]

I think you people are way out of line making value judgements of whether he deserves a MacBook or not. None of you are any more deserving of your material possessions than this student is, so if you have nothing useful to say, then please contribute your silence.

 

[asting]

Most high schools don't allow you to bring them in, and even if the school policy allows it 95% of teachers won't. Furthermore, you'll just get it jacked if you're bringing it into any public school (even the affluent area ones). Maybe OP goes to a rich private school though.

 

[iBrody]

I think you people are way out of line making value judgements of whether he deserves a MacBook or not. None of you are any more deserving of your material possessions than this student is, so if you have nothing useful to say, then please contribute your silence.

Except most of us work damn hard for our 'material possessions'. Therefore yes, yes we are more deserving.

The point people are making is that this kid can get the same results from a far cheaper laptop solution, but instead he is going for a top of the range luxury product that his parents are going to have to fork out for.

If his parents are ok with this, then fair enough; his parents are either gullible and naive, or the kid is spoilt.

He already has an iPhone, but where most iPhone owners spent their hard earned cash to use the device for multiple functions, this kid acquired his phone for playing Angry Birds, so you go figure!

 

[jksu]

Wirelessly posted

definitely get the MBA. and than ask for an iPad mini for Christmas ;-)

 

[Abazigal]

Hey, it's people like him who make our economy go round. stop being so hard on him.

 

[jksu]

I'm not saying a Macbook Air wouldn't be helpful, but a high school student does not need a lap top, period. The most rigorous tasks required will be word processing for essays and powerpoint for presentations. And in case you aren't aware, a six year old lap top can do just that. I had an old 2006 macbook. This came with one gig of ram, and it could do MUCH more than simple school stuff. You say you want to edit videos? Well, I really don't want to be a downer, but if you want the mac just so that you can edit videos, you're looking at video production at the wrong perspective. If you have deliberate and articulate ideas for QUALITY, videos, then sure, it might be complementary to have iMovie. But if you just want to use the cool iMovie effects and reverse some clips to later upload them to youtube, then you should stop kidding yourself.

Bottom line: If you already have a pc that can handle the tasks you need to do, don't get a new lap top. Anyone who is so disillusioned to think they need a high powered machine for high school should think again. Agreeing with other posters, save your money for other things. And also, Why not just wait until you are a senior to start looking for a new lap top? If you do that, you will have the latest and greatest apple lap top, instead of going through two years of college with an outdated air.

for the most part i agree with the folks who claim the kid is spoiled. but that's not his fault -- it's his parents. don't hammer the kid about it.

if his parents can afford it, why badger him about it? apparently his school has them doing powerpoint presentations -- sounds like a fancy school likely in a nicer area. an 11" mba is a great laptop that will definitely get him through all of high school. i have friends that just bought their kid going into junior high a mba. so if you go the $, power to you. that's the american dream isn't?

if the kid has a iPhone, then his parents clearly are doing well... cell phones seem required these days for kids for safety reasons but there's a big difference between an extra $5-10/mo on a family plan vs extra $40-50/mo for an smartphone/iPhone on the plan...

in any case, my parents worked long hours, my dad driving trucks and a ton of back breaking manual labor... so my siblings and i could have a better life. that included a mac plus when i was in high school. sure a pc clone would've been cheaper, but it's what i wanted. and i treasured it and i've been an apple devotee ever since. i don't upgrade every cycle and my computers out last my friends' pc's so in the long run i end up paying less. the mac plus lasted me through 4 years of high school and freshman year of college. i worked part time in high school and worked my summers... and through college. so whatever, that was my experience...

now, if it were my kid, i'd ask him to work/save for part of the amount and get him a refurb 11" mba... 95% function at 80% price).

 

[Alameda]

Except most of us work damn hard for our 'material possessions'. Therefore yes, yes we are more deserving.

The factory worker who built the thing for $2,500 a year works as hard as you.

Some parents have the means to purchase nice things for their children, while others struggle to feed them. Lots of parents buy their children cars. Your value judgement has no business here, and all I'll say about it is that material objects do not create spoiled children; a child becomes spoiled by what is lacking in his or her life, not by what is provided.

 

[Abazigal]

The point people are making is that this kid can get the same results from a far cheaper laptop solution, but instead he is going for a top of the range luxury product that his parents are going to have to fork out for.

Umm...by that logic, before your children grow up and start earning their own money, does this mean they deserve only the cheapest crap the market can offer?

Why buy them a Nike t-shirt when you can get 3 cheap cotton shirts for $5 at the flea market? Why eat out at a fancy restaurant when there are cheaper meals available elsewhere? An ipod? Get him an old gameboy console instead.

I am teaching in an elementary school which gets its pupils to purchase their own laptops (well, okay, it's the parents buying for their kids) in grade 4. Some parents opted to get their kids cheap netbooks, and I can tell you, they suck to the point of uselessness. Takes forever to boot up, can't run any of the custom software the school uses, even opening office is an exercise in frustration.

Any decent laptop these days isn't really that much cheaper than a base MBA (once you add in all the extras), and you get access to cheap apps on the app store (or, if the parents are already avid mac users, they can install their existing apps on their son's laptop for free).

Warranty service is pretty good as well (unlike some brands I know such as Acer). The air is small and light, and your kid's back will thank you for it (assuming he has to lug it to school in addition to his allotment of textbooks). There are some funky tricks he can do as well (such as using his iphone to remotely control his mac presentation).

Bottom line, you get what you pay for, and there are just some things you cannot or should not stinge on. Comparing just the base price of 2 computers can paint a fairly distorted picture, since Apple is known to offer cheap software to boost its hardware sales (meaning you tend to spend more upfront, but typically save in the long run).

 

[bcwright03]

The factory worker who built the thing for $2,500 a year works as hard as you.

Some parents have the means to purchase nice things for their children, while others struggle to feed them. Lots of parents buy their children cars. Your value judgement has no business here, and all I'll say about it is that material objects do not create spoiled children; a child becomes spoiled by what is lacking in his or her life, not by what is provided.

*looks around disconcerted while simultaneously amused*
Crassly, material objects are EXACTLY what causes a child to be spoiled. Unless you have a terrific explanation, you are flat out wrong. Assuming his parents will pay for this new computer, and assuming they also payed for his iPhone, and assuming they will also pay for his car, he is simply spoiled!

Also, when you say that what is lacking in a child's life will be what determines a child to be spoiled, not what is provided, do you mean that only being given the bare necessities will actually indulge the child? Or are you saying that a child lacking absolutely everything is - under your logic - the most, absolute, ultimate spoiled brat?

I'm interested in how much thought you put into that phrase. Did you meticulously think through it to arrive at your desired diction, syntax, and phonetics? Or did you simply want to add a nice little aphorism as an adage to your weakly constructed argument?

I realize this thread has devolved more into a pithy discussion of parenting and how technology is implanting itself into education and the younger generations, and less into a proper argument of extraneousness of a purchase for the OP. I regret nothing as he will probably receive a MacBook Air and go along as if my opinions have no substance.

----------

So just because they worked for it, justifies buying a $1000 dollar computer for web browsing and word processing? I could use the same argument. Why don't most people here look for a $500 dollar computer for simple tasks?

Yes, because they worked for it, they deserve the option of choosing a luxury product - for whatever reason - to fulfill their tasks. If they want solid build quality for a higher price, more power to them as it is their money being spent. Same goes for the parents of this kid. If they want to spend their (probably) well earned cash on a more than appropriate computer for their kid, they should and can. I am looking at it as the perspective of the kid though. He thinks that he needs this new, shiny lappy to do the tasks required for high school, and that his old one won't cut it. Speculatively, the son probably enquired for the macbook instead of another windows option while the parents were unaware that he is probably just overshooting his 'needs' just so he can get some luxury computer to boast about. A dell or acer won't make the kid cool.

 

[iBrody]

The factory worker who built the thing for $2,500 a year works as hard as you.

Yep and your point is?

Some parents have the means to purchase nice things for their children, while others struggle to feed them.

Yep and the child will grow up not knowing how to appreciate luxury items

Lots of parents buy their children cars.

And what has this got to do with a high end computer to merely perform powerpoint presentations and an iPhone to play Angry Birds?

Your value judgement has no business here

I think your one dimensional comments have only reinforced my judgement.

and all I'll say about it is that material objects do not create spoiled children; a child becomes spoiled by what is lacking in his or her life, not by what is provided.

I think someone needs to look up the defintion 'spoiled child', there's a Wikipedia page on the matter, here let me link you to it

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoiled_child