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What is the best laptop for single male college student?
- Thread starter pinkblobkirby
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It depends, what will you be using it for? And also are you looking for a notebook or a desktop?
Intense web browsing, hardcore email checking and Skype with my mom back on the ranch. ALL AT ONCE.
Do I need a Macbook Pro?
Right now I would recommend a MBP over the Macbooks since they haven't been updated for a while not, but a MBA will also fulfill your needs. Don't worry you will be able to Skype with your mom. Whats your budget?
About $2000. Does the Macbook Pro have enough mega-power for Counter-Strike?
Yes, it should, I'm not sure about the 13" with the HD3000, but CS is a old game, so it should play, but for gaming you want to go with the 15" or 17".
Is there an application like Microsoft Word already installed when bought? Or will I have to buy it?
You will have to buy Microsoft Office, or you could buy iWork in the Mac App store if you think that will work.
The Macbook Air should do great for your needs, unless you're going to do intensive gaming.
The Macbook Air has a SSD, which makes it faster booting up and opening applications. The Macbook Air should be refreshed soon, either late this month or next month. So if you're interested in the Macbook Air, I suggest you wait, unless you need to go to college soon.
If you don't need the real estate, I would recommend the Air assuming you don't have to huge load of files and play intensive games. BTW it does come with a higher resolution screen, although of a lesser quality (viewing angles worse) compared to the MBP's.
Anyways, it's really a decision you have to think about. Think about how much space you will need for your files, apps, etc., how much you're going to carry it around, and your major uses. If email and web browsing is all you do, the Air should be a beast.
MBA Starts at $999, 949 with your student discount.
MBP Starts at $1200, but $1100, with your student discount.
You can always buy refurbished as well.
I'd recommend a baseline MBP. It doesn't seem like you're going to be doing any real CPU intensive work (most people don't) but if you do, the 4 gigs of ram and upgraded processor will be a help to you.
I have an upgraded BlackBook myself with 4 gigs of ram and it's just as fast as the new MBPs when opening apps side by side; my friend has a 2010 MBP and they are both "equal" in speed.
Overall, you need to think about how much space you are going to need; since you have the money, upgrading the HDD a bit and maybe getting the 15 inch one would be a good choice, I'd stick with the 13 though because you're probably going to be carrying it around with you all day and you want something portable and lightweight.
Its basically new. Comes with a new battery (if it needs a new one) and keyboard and full Apple Care.
Cheffy Dave will always tell you that he only buys refurbs and will also kill you to death by saying that he is happy with his 3 11" Macbook Airs with one having an OWC 360GB SSD. lol. He always posts that!
LOL this seems so robotic. It's like a police questioning.
BTW, for what you are saying, both the Air and the Pro 13 will serve you. I personally prefer the 13" because it has more power and it doesn't weight too much.
BTW, for what you are saying, both the Air and the Pro 13 will serve you. I personally prefer the 13" because it has more power and it doesn't weight too much.
I'm done, you take over now please.
I'm going to go somewhere. You now hold the key. 
I recommend the MacBook air for you since it meets all your needs would be faster than a MacBook pro possibly cheaper and looks amazing.