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Pro vs. MacBook for College
- Thread starter TopGear300
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To all the people on here throwing their advice my way is much appreciated. Especially people talking from experience, I can read the specs and make my own conclusions myself but what these machines are like to live with everyday is where u guys come in!Portability is a top priority, that is why i am kind of turned off the MBP. The MB is only 4.5 lbs, so the air at 3.0 is lighter but by a significant difference? Idk if i can justify the air because it is such a high premium for the form factor. Money isn't really a top concern to me here, what can I say I am blessed with my own business and $500-$800 either way won't persuade me, The MB seems to be such a better machine for a cheaper price. As far as specs go.
What do you guys think of my MBP vs MBA vs MB speakers dilema? ( I am thinking I will take a second look at the Air here because you guys highly recommend it. I am in love with this new unibody design and wanted to be a part of it but idk.)
And how do all the monitors stack up spec wise. Not size wise obviously but performance.
THANKS again for all the help, it is much appreciated
You will notice and appreciate the weight (and thickness) difference if you're taking the machine to class.
I also would not discount the possibility of just picking up a cheap Netbook for taking notes. Amazon had an HP machine for $299 recently, and some of them can even run OSX if you really want. If you already have an iMac, all you really need is something you can type notes on anyway...
To all the people on here throwing their advice my way is much appreciated. Especially people talking from experience, I can read the specs and make my own conclusions myself but what these machines are like to live with everyday is where u guys come in!
What do you guys think of my MBP vs MBA vs MB speakers dilema? ( I am thinking I will take a second look at the Air here because you guys highly recommend it. I am in love with this new unibody design and wanted to be a part of it but idk.)
And how do all the monitors stack up spec wise. Not size wise obviously but performance.
THANKS again for all the help, it is much appreciated
MBA is only 2/3 the weight of MB, and it is quite noticeable. Trust me, just holding it there's a significant difference, when you're carrying it around all day you would appreciate the lighter weight. If the MBA came out when I bought my MB, I would've seriously consider it. I don't care what anyone says, but the MB is quite heavy when you have to walk around with it with books and folders, especially in the rain when you have to hold up an umbrella.
As far as specs go, MB is better, but you won't be able to take advantage of these better specs. Your activities won't use either of the processors to its full capabilities, therefore it would make no difference. On the MBA, the processor may be 40% idle while on the MB it may be 60% idle, but it would make no difference to you. Unless you're taking HD movies with you on the go, 120gb is way enough for note taking and the ram is the same.
If you're not worried about money, I see no practical advantage that the MB have over MBA. As for the screen, MBA and MBP are both better than MB.
Speaker wise MBP > MB > MBA, but why do you need a good speaker on a laptop that you're using around the school? Anywhere crowded you can barely hear anything coming out of it, and anywhere quiet are usually places that do not allow you to be loud (eg. library).
Btw, MBA also uses the unibody design.
Except allow you to keep up when taking notes.
Taking notes on paper improves retention of material. Laptops are good for nothing more than a huge distraction in lecture.
Since you have the imac, I'd recommend the air or a netbook like the MSI wind with the 10in screen. You can run OSX on it with some work on your end. The macbook would also be a good choice but if portability is your primary concern, then its would be in this order in my opinion.
netbook<-air<-macbook.
The macbook to be honest can do double duty as a desktop. You can always sell your imac to fund the purchase of an external display. Its powerful enough to do that. Just add some nice external speakers and you'll have a setup. I would be concerned leaving an imac if you are living in the dorms.
Also, keep in mind that with the air, its also about the thinness. It really can fit in tight places allowing you to carry more.
netbook<-air<-macbook.
The macbook to be honest can do double duty as a desktop. You can always sell your imac to fund the purchase of an external display. Its powerful enough to do that. Just add some nice external speakers and you'll have a setup. I would be concerned leaving an imac if you are living in the dorms.
Also, keep in mind that with the air, its also about the thinness. It really can fit in tight places allowing you to carry more.
What do you guys think on size wise? Im not in college yet and have no idea what the desks are like or the tables? Will the extra size on the pro be to much???
What does everyone think about this carbon fiber
MBA too
What does everyone think about this carbon fiber
MBA too 
That is your opinion. Obviously not everyone learns the same way.
I have to use a computer to:1. Download the slides that profs upload onto sites with little time before class.
2. Save paper/Save Ink.
3. Be able to keep up with note taking thus making much more complete notes.
4. Give me legible notes for 4+ hours of note taking.
5. Using one note - allows me to be organized.
6. Allows me to have larger images and slides to correlate with the notes I am taking.
7. Allows me to have connectivity on campus in case I need to print something.
8. Finally, laptops are not a huge distraction if you have will power and turn off your wireless.
And in terms of retention...that is what studying is for!
What do you guys think on size wise? Im not in college yet and have no idea what the desks are like or the tables? Will the extra size on the pro be to much???
What does everyone think about this carbon fiber
The desks are pretty small in auditoriums, and I used to use a 13.3 just fine on the desk without looking too weird. I would not bring in a 15.4 though...that would be way too much for a lecture hall, and people all around you can see what you are doing.
Right now I am using a 12.1 and that is a great size for those small desks.
That is your opinion. Obviously not everyone learns the same way.
1. Download the slides that profs upload onto sites with little time before class.
2. Save paper/Save Ink.
3. Be able to keep up with note taking thus making much more complete notes.
4. Give me legible notes for 4+ hours of note taking.
5. Using one note - allows me to be organized.
6. Allows me to have larger images and slides to correlate with the notes I am taking.
7. Allows me to have connectivity on campus in case I need to print something.
8. Finally, laptops are not a huge distraction if you have will power and turn off your wireless.
And in terms of retention...that is what studying is for!
Well, for what it's worth...
1. I print out the slides using Central Printing (free, unlimited) on Friday afternoon and pick them up Monday morning.
2. I recycle all of my papers and print double sided.
3. I can't imagine typing any Math or Science notes. If you need a diagram, you're gonna need to draw it.
4. Hand workout.
5. I use a Daily Planner and 3-Ring Binders. I am very organized.
6. Not sure what you're getting at... but I have my slides from #1.
7. If I need to print I walk into any number of the locations where computer terminals are available.
8. An iMac is never a distraction in class.
What do you guys think on size wise? Im not in college yet and have no idea what the desks are like or the tables? Will the extra size on the pro be to much???
What does everyone think about this carbon fiber
I chose the BlackBook for university because I think the form factor is perfect. I couldn't imagine lugging a ProBook to class and using it on my lap... imo when you start getting into that size range you're getting into "desktop replacement" territory, not portable territory.
For a system you plan to carry with you, I wouldn't go above 13"...
The OP already has an iMac, though. A Dell mini 9 or MSI Wind would be all he needs on the go. You could even hackintosh it.
I very strongly suggest that you take the MBP right off your list because a 15" laptop would just be way too large for the desks. And for note taking, that screen would just be larger than you need. Seriously, forget the speaker thing, it's a non-issue. You'll listen to your music back in the dorm, or else just get a good pair of headphones.
As for the AIR vs MB, I'm on the side that thinks the value of the MB beats out the lightness of the AIR (but it's true, when you hold that AIR it's pretty amazing how thin it is). Still, I have the Alu MB and it's pretty compact and light - personally, I think if you're not a weakling, you could learn to live with it just fine.
To me, the killer argument between AIR and MB is that you can't swap out the AIR's battery. If you've got a long day of class, you'll love the weight of the AIR, but hate that you have to ration your battery like a miser to try and make it through the day. You might find the AIR is a very light but useless brick some days!
So get a MB - you'll have a way better laptop than anyone who graduated before you. And get a spare battery.
As for the AIR vs MB, I'm on the side that thinks the value of the MB beats out the lightness of the AIR (but it's true, when you hold that AIR it's pretty amazing how thin it is). Still, I have the Alu MB and it's pretty compact and light - personally, I think if you're not a weakling, you could learn to live with it just fine.
To me, the killer argument between AIR and MB is that you can't swap out the AIR's battery. If you've got a long day of class, you'll love the weight of the AIR, but hate that you have to ration your battery like a miser to try and make it through the day. You might find the AIR is a very light but useless brick some days!
So get a MB - you'll have a way better laptop than anyone who graduated before you. And get a spare battery.
I bought a macbook right before starting college this year. I chose it mainly because of price, and I already have an iMac. One of the nice things I noticed in a week or two was that most of the desks in my school do not fit a 15.4'' computer comfortably, as well as it being really annoying to the people next to you. It was a nice surprise and made me a bit happier with my purchase.
As far as the Air vs. Macbook it really is a matter of preference. I carry around my macbook and a a textbook and the weight of that's fine, and it's mainly the fault of the textbook, the macbook alone isn't that bad.
As far as the Air vs. Macbook it really is a matter of preference. I carry around my macbook and a a textbook and the weight of that's fine, and it's mainly the fault of the textbook, the macbook alone isn't that bad.
See my previous posts - an MSI Wind with OSX installed was one of my first suggestions. But the OP was asking about form factor of the 13.3 vs. 15.4. I agree with you - if there's a shiny iMac in your dorm, buy a netbook and laugh all the way to the bank...
THANKS everyone for the help!
Next time I am at a college visit I will be sure to check out the desk sizes haha. Which is wierd but I do need to look.
I would say pretty confidently that I am not going to hackintosh a netbook. I really want that notebook to bring to school.
I still jump from MB to MBA. I have always been in love with the MBP but I still think this is not the time for me to finally hook up with her Especially because the MB is now just as good looking as the MBP
I wouldn't exclude it from my list but I would say it is down to MB or MBA.
Any further comments still greatly appreciated!
Next time I am at a college visit I will be sure to check out the desk sizes haha. Which is wierd but I do need to look.
I would say pretty confidently that I am not going to hackintosh a netbook. I really want that
notebook to bring to school. I still jump from MB to MBA. I have always been in love with the MBP but I still think this is not the time for me to finally hook up with her
Especially because the MB is now just as good looking as the MBP I wouldn't exclude it from my list but I would say it is down to MB or MBA.
Any further comments still greatly appreciated!
Go for the MacBook, the lightness of the Air is great but the features of the MB compared to the Air don't justify the price difference to me. If you're going to bring your iMac, don't get the Pro. Also, the portability of the MacBook is much greater than that of the MBP, at the end of the day with your books, etc that extra 1 or 1.5 lbs can feel like 10.
HAHA thanks guys. Thats what I am thinkin.
MBA is 3.0lbs and crazy light
MB is 4.5 and probablly slighly noticable
MBP is 5.5 and even more noticable but compared to the air its probablly a brick
I too was wanting people to justify the high price of the MBA. No doubt it is sweet but spec wise it is less the the MB and it costs more? No i don't think so haha
thanks guys. Thats what I am thinkin.MBA is 3.0lbs and crazy light
MB is 4.5 and probablly slighly noticable
MBP is 5.5 and even more noticable but compared to the air its probablly a brick
I too was wanting people to justify the high price of the MBA. No doubt it is sweet
but spec wise it is less the the MB and it costs more? No i don't think so hahaHandwritten notes beat computer notes
Not to be a schoolmarm, but I second (third?) the opinion that you should take NOT try to take notes on laptops in class, with the possible exception of a lecturer who just lectures (no ppt, no chalkboard). Particularly in math or science classes this is a bad idea.
Here's why:
I did an experiment in two very different large lecture classes I taught last spring. I had everyone turn in their notes for two days of lecture. I then redistributed the notes to the students. Each student then evaluated the quality their colleague's notes, using a rubric where 10 was "got every detail from lecture in a clear and legible way" and 1 was "was this person awake?". They then passed the notes to another student. All in all, each set of notes got evaluated by 8-10 fellow students.
The results (not different between the two classes) were:
Computer notes: 4.2 +- 1.8 (standard deviation), n = 74, min = 2, max = 6
Handwritten notes: 7.5 +- 2.3, n= 265, min = 1, max = 9
The max for computer notes was less than the AVERAGE for the handwritten notes.
As a follow-up, on the final exam, I asked the students "How often did you use a computer to take notes during this class?" and they could choose "Almost always, sometimes, or never". I then compared this with their scores on the final. The "almost always" group had the lowest average, followed by the "sometimes", and then the "never" group (with the highest average). The results were not significantly different (statistically) though.
Leave your MB/MBP/MBA in your bag and pull out that paper and pencil.
Not to be a schoolmarm, but I second (third?) the opinion that you should take NOT try to take notes on laptops in class, with the possible exception of a lecturer who just lectures (no ppt, no chalkboard). Particularly in math or science classes this is a bad idea.
Here's why:
I did an experiment in two very different large lecture classes I taught last spring. I had everyone turn in their notes for two days of lecture. I then redistributed the notes to the students. Each student then evaluated the quality their colleague's notes, using a rubric where 10 was "got every detail from lecture in a clear and legible way" and 1 was "was this person awake?". They then passed the notes to another student. All in all, each set of notes got evaluated by 8-10 fellow students.
The results (not different between the two classes) were:
Computer notes: 4.2 +- 1.8 (standard deviation), n = 74, min = 2, max = 6
Handwritten notes: 7.5 +- 2.3, n= 265, min = 1, max = 9
The max for computer notes was less than the AVERAGE for the handwritten notes.
As a follow-up, on the final exam, I asked the students "How often did you use a computer to take notes during this class?" and they could choose "Almost always, sometimes, or never". I then compared this with their scores on the final. The "almost always" group had the lowest average, followed by the "sometimes", and then the "never" group (with the highest average). The results were not significantly different (statistically) though.
Leave your MB/MBP/MBA in your bag and pull out that paper and pencil.
No thanks. Your results are interesting and do make me wonder. But I have sloppy handwriting and writing my notes by hand will be my last resort. Behind netbook haha.
What does everyone else think. Do they like taking notes on the mac more or less then handwriting them out like we are from the 1800's?
What does everyone else think. Do they like taking notes on the mac more or less then handwriting them out like we are from the 1800's?
I graduated from engineering back in 98 (1898), when I thought I'd never be able to justify owning a laptop (you think the MB Air is a bad "value", HA!), let alone bring one to class.
So I definitely tend to agree that handwriting notes is the way to go - even though I admit I really don't know any different.
My opinion is that it's probably not so much about the physical act of writing stuff down. But rather, it's that when you have a pencil, and a whole blank sheet of paper, you can just put your thoughts to paper in exactly whatever way is the most intuitive to you. Maybe you write it out exactly as you see it on the chalk board (if they're still using those that is)? Or maybe you work out your own way of laying it out. Point is, I think that freedom is what works best with your brain. A word document is just way too confining.
Oh ya, and of course if you're doing any kind of math/science/etc formulas, leave the laptop at home (unless you want to blog your whole class like they blog those Steve Jobs keynote speeches).
So I definitely tend to agree that handwriting notes is the way to go - even though I admit I really don't know any different.
My opinion is that it's probably not so much about the physical act of writing stuff down. But rather, it's that when you have a pencil, and a whole blank sheet of paper, you can just put your thoughts to paper in exactly whatever way is the most intuitive to you. Maybe you write it out exactly as you see it on the chalk board (if they're still using those that is)? Or maybe you work out your own way of laying it out. Point is, I think that freedom is what works best with your brain. A word document is just way too confining.
Oh ya, and of course if you're doing any kind of math/science/etc formulas, leave the laptop at home (unless you want to blog your whole class like they blog those Steve Jobs keynote speeches).
Well I appreciate your opinion. I certainly don't think the MBA is a bad value for money, I just can't justify spending the extra 200 for a machine that is no where near as powerful but sheds .24 of an inch ( at the thick point) and a pound and a half.
Although everyone has their own ways of learning, the fact that I am on a mac forums is because I am seeking advice on which laptop to buy. Not for people trying to talk me out of it or tell me how to take down notes. For some reason note taking keeps surfacing but trust me I will be doing much more with my mac on the go.
So any other takers on the MBA vs. MB?
Although everyone has their own ways of learning, the fact that I am on a mac forums is because I am seeking advice on which laptop to buy. Not for people trying to talk me out of it or tell me how to take down notes. For some reason note taking keeps surfacing but trust me I will be doing much more with my mac on the go.
So any other takers on the MBA vs. MB?