Which is better for High School, iMac or Macbook?

[seb-opp]

The thing with the iMac is, my current desk can't fit a 21.5 inch screen, mainly because it has shelves over it...

Problem solved! If you desperately need a mac right now, get the macbook.

However.... Only get one if all the other kids take laptops to school. Otherwise you'd be the class geek and get beaten up. Im sure you have a family computer so why bother getting a desktop?

Personally, I think you should wait until you go to college before you get one, Im sorry that this sounds patronising but do you really need one for high school?

 

[thegoldenmackid]

I don't think the OP has answered many of the questions that a lot of suggestions have been based on:

1. What are your needs that you know of?
2. What do you have now?
3. When do you need it?

Additionally, the EDU discount doesn't apply to high schoolers unless something has changed in the past eight months. Any reports of people getting it are not normal; believe me - I tried plenty of times over.

 

[mikes63737]

Apple offers special education pricing on Apple computers, software and select third party products to College Students, or Teachers, Administrators and Staff of all grade levels.

Just so it's 100% clear, you CANNOT use the education discount.

Get the MacBook unless you don't want portability. Since the MacBook and iMac are comparable in price, and you won't be needing the extra power of the iMac, you can enjoy the portability of the MacBook around the house.

 

[Lolitsmike4883]

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[Lolitsmike4883]

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[bumzo1]

Well, I was thinking of taking some photo and video editing classes along with regular classes...

First of all I take a video editing class and we never have assignments to do outside of class. In fact most people don't even own a mac in that class. Also my school does allow people to bring their laptops but most people don't. I personally have an iMac and when the 2nd generation of the iPad comes out I am going to purchase one and end up using that with my Wireless keyboard at school. If I were you I would go with the macbook because if your like me you are going to get tired of sitting at a desk.

 

[iMacThere4Iam]

Based on what you've told us so far, I would go with the MacBook. The MacBook is a very popular laptop, and would be just fine for your uses, and should last you through high school. You would save $200 over the cost of the iMac, and you can use that money for apps like iWork or Office for Mac, because you will definitely need a word processing app for writing reports. You can also download Open Office or Bean for free.

If you can wait until summer, Apple always throws in a free printer, and an iPod (after rebates), and that's a nice bonus. Save your money.

If you know a teacher or college student, ask them to go to the Apple Store with you (if there's one nearby) and use their i.d. to get, I believe, $50 more off the MacBook. No one at the Store will give you or them a hard time about the discount.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

If you can wait until summer, Apple always throws in a free printer, and an iPod (after rebates), and that's a nice bonus. Save your money.

If you know a teacher or college student, ask them to go to the Apple Store with you (if there's one nearby) and use their i.d. to get, I believe, $50 more off the MacBook. No one at the Store will give you or them a hard time about the discount.

The former is true for the EDU discount, which is not applicable for high schoolers. The latter is not guaranteed and also involves plenty of risks for the person who is using their I.D., particularly if they are faculty.

 

[kmaute]

Depending on the store, you might be able to get it. When my mom bought her macbook, the guy saw my little sister and gave her the education discount. YMMV.