Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Want To Get A Macbook For College

M

MJGB

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 3, 2009
10
0
Manchester, UK
Hi Guys,

I'm currently in Sixth Form (High School in US) and am approaching second year. My current desktop is old, slowly dying and in need of being replaced. Was thinking of getting a Macbook as a big fan of Apple products and the added portability would help with studies.

As a student, price is a big factor. I'm not looking for a high end Macbook, just something to ease me into the Mac market, and something capable of internet surfing and running a couple of applications for my studies.

Was thinking of getting ;

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook?mco=MTE4MTY

If I get this for £749, I'll be able to afford this by December (few purchases i need before then).

Just wondering whether you thought it would be a good initial investment for a new potential adopter of the Macbook / Mac series. The RAM seems sufficient, screen size and other specifications I'm happy with.

Cheers, Matt
 
MJGB said:
Was thinking of getting ;

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook?mco=MTE4MTY

Just wondering whether you thought it would be a good initial investment for a new potential adopter of the Macbook / Mac series. The RAM seems sufficient, screen size and other specifications I'm happy with.
Click to expand...

That machine (and, actually, any computer Apple is currently selling, in addition to any of the previous few models) is certainly capable of the tasks you mention. As a random side-note, being a United-States-ian, I converted the quoted price to USD, and I have to say it's quite a bit more expensive than it is here. I know Apple machines tend to be a bit higher overseas, but I wasn't expecting over $300 USD (about 175 GBP) more. But that is probably normal...

A couple tips to save money if you are interested:

  • Buy refurbished--they are inspected, re-certified, and should literally be good as new. Clearance is also an option, although these will be previous models, not always much of a discount, and possibly less of a discount that you could find elsewhere. But refurbished models are usually a good bet (they have both older and, if it's been out for long enough, current models listed depending on what they have in stock; it changes day to day). You can find a link to the Refurbished store on the left side of the store.apple.com page. The most notable way in which they differ from a new machine is the packaging: instead of Apple's fancy white (or whatever-colored) box, you get a standard brown-ish cardboard box. Unless you're particularly attached to packaging, it won't matter (personally, I only see the box once or twice in the time that I own the computer :)).
  • If you're a college/university student, Apple has educational discounts. In the US, they aren't always that significant for lower-priced machines (maybe, for example, $50 USD), but it can be worth looking into and comparing it to other options.
This assumes that these options exist in the UK; I'm not sure if Apple does educational discounts outside the US, but I'm sure they still have a refurb store. Used is also a fairly good option (check eBay, for example), but then you'll have to worry about a couple things (condition of the machine, warranty status, seller trustworthyness) that you wouldn't otherwise--but you can often save a lot.

And one final note, when you decide to bid this machine goodbye, Macs tend to hold their resale values better than PCs, so if you want to upgrade to a better machine later, you can always sell it on eBay or the like. I've done this with my last couple computers (although I only held on to them for a couple years at most--I think I've settled down now!) and managed to recoup about 2/3 the cost towards the purchase of a new one.

Good luck!
 
either the dollar has really lost its value, or thats a really expensive macbook!

Can't you just buy one on ebay and buy the magsafe cable for the uk?
 
It's always been more expensive here, and our VAT is 15%.

But as education customers, we can buy AppleCare for the MacBook for around £60 (only available at the same time as computer is bought).
 
I purchased the same machine a few weeks ago when they updated and I am very satisfied with my purchase. It was my first mac and first time using OSX and it took me maybe a week to get comfortable with the differences with windows. The machine will easily get you through everything you listed as will almost any laptop shipped in the last few years. I bought this model to get the mac experience at a price in my budget. In a year or two, once I graduate from university, I might switch to a more high-end computer from the Apple lineup of products.

Hope I could help and have fun with your future mac.
 
Cheers guys. Good to know It will be good a buy.

And I looked through the higher education discount which will save £45 and get an iPod Touch free! So big thanks for suggesting that. Now just to resist spending too much whilst I save.

Cheers, Matt
 
You wont get the touch for free if your buying in December as the touch offer finishes on september the 8th
 
MJGB said:
I realised after I posted :( Still, I wasn't expecting a discount or free item so I'm still happy with 8% discount.
Click to expand...

Good to hear! Be sure to checkout the refurbished selection online, as well (unless you have a problem with refurbished, but I don't because they're practically new) because there are often significant discounts there, too. Assuming, of course, Apple does refurbs internationally--but I'd assume they would. In any case, at least you have the educational pricing.

Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back