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MacBook Pro for College
- Thread starter Nba247365
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Typically for most users it's not very effective trying to squeeze every last bit out of a laptop with the top cpu and everything. When it comes to what will or will not lock you out of minimum system requirements a couple years down the road, it's unlikely to ever be .2ghz. I could see it being something like Quad cpu of X generation or better recommended, but things like ram often present more of a hard limit if you want to see it run properly. This means nothing about 8 vs 16. I can use 16 or more today. I could see others taking it for future proofing given the lack of an upgrade path. As far as what is necessary, you don't need one of these or even a Mac to have a solid computing experience. Once you're up to a quad core and discrete graphics, you do start to hit diminishing returns on benefits. I hate that they went with a 512MB card on the low one though. That is just so cheap.
This is a good choice for many reasons. The first couple years of college are for your "basic" classes anyway. You won't be using this computer for any hard core computing. Just internet, microsoft office, occasional editing etc.. This will be more than enough.
Now lets say 2-3 years down the line you get into heavy video editing, photoshop etc.. You 13" MBP (if kept in decent condition) will still sell for like $600-$800. This can now be put towards the higher end models if needed. Who knows what kind of Macs we will have by then..
I second that, it is such an easy and affordable thing to do if you do it yourself. For what you pay Apple to upgrade you to 8GB, you may even be able to find a 16GB kit on your own. I think I bought mine for about $120.
Nice choice by the way, and a great way to save lots of $$ over the Retina model. Enjoy.
Hat tip to you, Nba. You get some applause from this corner of the room for your approach.
Since its your money, go try out the different pros and see which you like the most. If you think you cant live without the screen, get the retina. I agree with most ppl and say that you don't need the retina screen and save the money for booze and other college necessities. A mba will do everything you need and a regular 15in with be more than enough.
For about the same price the 13" Air has a higher resolution screen and an SSD.
If you aren't super attached to the DVD drive and large hard drive space it might be a good option. A USB 3 terrabyte external hard drive would help with space issues while keeping the SSD advantage for OS and applications.
Just something to consider.
I'll also throw up for consideration a refurb 15 in or a new one , if the weight isn't an issue. If you like to play games, the dedicated graphics card is a nice plus.
Man, you're letting the haters in the forum get you down?
You're buying a laptop to serve you for the entire 4 years of college, and possibly time after that.
Do you want to get a laptop that is the first of the next generation of tech, or the last of last generation of tech?
I know I sound like a fanboy on this, but in 5 years when all laptop displays have resolutions around 2880x1800, you might be looking at your old 13" with 1400x900 and saying to yourself "I wish I had thought ahead and bought the 15 inch retina"
And for portability - the 15" rMBP weighs the same as the 13" MBP. Not too much difference there.
I know that when I bought a laptop before college I went for the 'reasonable' option instead of the one I *really* wanted, because of a $300 price difference, and I've regretted it ever since.
If you're making a purchase to serve you for the next 5 years, buy with your heart so you can take pleasure in your purchase every day you use it.
Just my 2 cents
Let the downvotes commence
Ill echo the previous posters point and say that if its your money and youve carefully considered how youd like to spend it, then buy what you want. I saved up money from summer jobs growing up and built myself a PC when I thought I was going to college for computer science. When I changed majors to digital video and needed a Mac, I saved up again and bought a loaded PowerBook G4 (around $2500 at the time). I didnt have my own car while I was at college, but I did enjoy the hell out of those computers. If I had to go back and do it again, Id make the same choices I think. So its just a question of what your priorities are.