Purchase for uni, need help

[iamheretobuy]

I want to buy a new device for me, because I'm starting university soon. Currently I own an old laptop with i3 Sandy Bridge CPU 8GB DDR3 RAM and 1TB HDD (cheap Asus from 2012). My use cases are Chrome (web browsing, YouTube), Office Suite, Zoom, in general office related work (law). Suprisingly, this laptop works almost fine for all that stuff imo, and I wouldn't change it if it wasn't completely broken (at this point I cannot carry it anywhere). I am willing to spend some money on another device(s) that will last me for 5 or even more years.

My options are either to buy a MacBook Air M1 with AppleCare or a MacMini and an iPad. In this price range I can also find Lenovo Thinkpads with Renoir CPU. What should I opt for ?
Also is it worth it to buy AppleCare ? Instead I could just upgrade or for example buy a monitor.

 

[Apple_Robert]

For your stated needs, I suggest the M1 MBA. It can serve as a laptop on the desk or be mobile with you during and in between classes.

 

[Heatherra]

Some anecdotal evidence for you...My mid-2013 MBA with upgraded ram (4gb>8gb) got me through college and is still going strong as my WFH computer today. So far, a great 7.5 years of service.

If you decide to go with Apple (vs the Lenovo), I expect you’ll be very happy with the M1 MBA. If you plan to keep it for quite a few years and can afford to bump up the ram, don’t hesitate.

 

[pmiles]

What does your University recommend/support? If you have to interface with their infrastructure in any way, you need to know that you can actually do it. M1 Macs are entirely new architecture for the Mac platform.

Also make sure the software you need to run will run natively on the device now.

AppleCare would be a must for any first generation device... these devices have zero user-repairable/replaceable components. So unless you can up and buy a new one should this one fail for whatever reason, you will find that repair costs for a M1 Mac to be quite high.

 

[LeeW]

My options are either to buy a MacBook Air M1 with AppleCare or a MacMini and an iPad. In this price range I can also find Lenovo Thinkpads with Renoir CPU. What should I opt for ?

Knowing and seeing a lot of students around my area where there is a big University, most seem to have an Ipad with them more than a laptop. Not sure what that means other than perhaps many don't need a laptop. Only you can determine what you really need.

A Mac Mini and an iPad will give you different options than being tethered to a laptop at all times.

Lenovo Thinkpads

By the sounds of it, your needs are fairly simple though and you have been used to using a Windows-based laptop, so there is nothing wrong with sticking to what you know, Lenovo Thinkpads are good machines. There is also the option of Thinkpad and an iPad, they can work well together.

Ultimately any of the suggestions you are thinking of will work, it really comes down to what you prefer.