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Unsure about which Macbook to buy for college

T

thatguy101

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 5, 2009
6
0
So, I'm gonna be attending UC Santa Barbara next year, and I'm gonna be doing Chemical Engineering. I really wanna get a Macbook, I'm pretty set on it, but I'm not sure which one I should get. My dad is buying me the Macbook for my graduation present, but I can't go all out and get the most expensive one. My choices are:

Regular Macbook 13" 2.13ghz (just the basic stock model) for $999 + Student Discount + itouch
Macbook Aluminum 13" 2.0ghz for $999 + itouch. I also get a free printer worth about $80.
Macbook Pro 13" 2.26ghz. for $1150 +student discount + itouch.

I really don't know what the Macbook Aluminum is. Like, the difference between that and the Pro/Regular.

Anyway, and input would be greatly appreciated. I have a feeling its not gonna make much of a difference. Like I said, I'm gonna be in Chemical Engineering, so although its engineering, I won't be using my computer extensively. I'm really just looking for a computer that's very reliable. That's why I'm looking at Macbooks in the first place. Anyway, thanks a lot for any advice!
 
How long do you plan on keeping your computer?

Screw it, you won't go wrong with anything you chose and quite frankly won't notice a huge difference. I'd go with option three because it is the best machine and we are talking about a $150 difference, which it is worth.
 
Please, go to the Apple store and see and feel the difference between the white MacBook, unibody MacBook, and the MBP. The MBP has a backlit keyboard, a better screen, and slightly better specs. The backlit keyboard might even convince you!

I would go with the 13" MBP (the one I am going with! :))!
 
Working for a college campus computer store, the 13" MacBook Pro has blown everyone away. It's easily the best choice.
 
Hmm... what's the difference between the Pro and the Aluminum? Like I'm not really sure I understand. Is it just that the Pro is faster? Or what? You're right that $150 isn't big of a difference, but if its mostly just minor things, I'd rather not spend. But it really is THAT much better, then I might as well.

Also, I'm planning to have it for about 4-5 years, depending if I decide to do the 5 year master's plan at UCSB. But yeah, I just want something really reliable that will last me until the end of my undergrad.
 
thatguy101 said:
Hmm... what's the difference between the Pro and the Aluminum? Like I'm not really sure I understand. Is it just that the Pro is faster? Or what? You're right that $150 isn't big of a difference, but if its mostly just minor things, I'd rather not spend. But it really is THAT much better, then I might as well.

Also, I'm planning to have it for about 4-5 years, depending if I decide to do the 5 year master's plan at UCSB. But yeah, I just want something really reliable that will last me until the end of my undergrad.
Click to expand...

The 13in Macbook Pro is basically the unibody Macbook renamed Macbook Pro with better specs.
 
pro is faster, better screen and it has a BACKLIGHT KEYBOARD! for those late nights lol and a 7 hour battery firewire and an sd card slot
 
MacBook Pro 13" 2.26 GHz from the refurb store.

Just have to keep your eyes peeled for it.
 
Well it sounds like the Macbook Pro really is worth it. I might as well go for that then. I heard that it almost pays for itself anyway, because its battery life lasts 1000 recharges, while the Macbook only lasts 400. So it has like, 2.5 times the battery life.
 
thatguy101 said:
Well it sounds like the Macbook Pro really is worth it. I might as well go for that then. I heard that it almost pays for itself anyway, because its battery life lasts 1000 recharges, while the Macbook only lasts 400. So it has like, 2.5 times the battery life.
Click to expand...

Well, no I don't think that's true... the battery might last almost twice as long on one charge, though.
 
thatguy101 said:
Well it sounds like the Macbook Pro really is worth it. I might as well go for that then. I heard that it almost pays for itself anyway, because its battery life lasts 1000 recharges, while the Macbook only lasts 400. So it has like, 2.5 times the battery life.
Click to expand...

13in Macbook Pro > Unibody Macbook
 
Jack Flash said:
Well, no I don't think that's true... the battery might last almost twice as long on one charge, though.
Click to expand...

That's just what the guy in the store said when I asked him about differences between the Pro and the normal Macbook.
 
The backlit keyboard and the better battery makes the MBP such a better buy in my opinion :)
 
Then there's really not a point in getting a refurbished one. It'll save me a little bit but I'm getting ~$200 from the itouch
 
thatguy101 said:
Then there's really not a point in getting a refurbished one. It'll save me a little bit but I'm getting ~$200 from the itouch
Click to expand...

Hmm. Well the refurb is indistinguishable from the new, but it's only $100 cheaper. If it were $200 cheaper I'd recommend pocketing that and waiting for the Touch refresh in the fall, then picking one up. If only.
 
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