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Which Macbook for college

C

CAPkuang

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 15, 2012
32
1
I have done lots of research (Googling) but every other website/forum is telling me the opposite thing. Im planning on buying a Macbook for college but Im stuck on whether to get the Macbook Pro 13 inch or the Macbook Air 13 inch. What it comes down to is whether to get a faster processor (Pro) or get an SSD (Air). As of right now, the only tasks I will need to use is Internet browsing, Microsoft Office and Photoshop Elements 10. I also cant decide on whether upgrading from 4gb of RAM to 8gb of RAM. I intend to use this laptop through my years at college.

If there is a thread just for asking these questions please redirect me as I hate to clog up the forums with these kind of questions.
 
CAPkuang said:
I have done lots of research (Googling) but every other website/forum is telling me the opposite thing. Im planning on buying a Macbook for college but Im stuck on whether to get the Macbook Pro 13 inch or the Macbook Air 13 inch. What it comes down to is whether to get a faster processor (Pro) or get an SSD (Air). As of right now, the only tasks I will need to use is Internet browsing, Microsoft Office and Photoshop Elements 10. I also cant decide on whether upgrading from 4gb of RAM to 8gb of RAM. I intend to use this laptop through my years at college.

If there is a thread just for asking these questions please redirect me as I hate to clog up the forums with these kind of questions.
Click to expand...

Unless you need an optical drive, get the MBA. You can get an external DVD burner for the rare occasions you need one.
 
As a university student who has used both, I ended up sticking with the Air. It is really a cost/benefit problem, but I found that since storage space wasn't an issue for me at 128GB or 256GB the size and weight of the Air was more important. The SSD really improves performance for everyday tasks, which in university is pretty much everything that is required. As far as RAM, upgrade to 8GB, Apple is now on a 1 year operating system upgrade cycle, and with upgrades seem to come new requirements. If you want it to last, it's worth it. But in the end it is a difficult decision, because it is a personal one. For some limited HD space is a deal breaker, but CPU seems to be an ever lessening concern for most people, especially with the new chipsets inclusion of turbo boost. Hope it helps, good luck.
 
Go with the Air. The processors aren't really that different, being both dual-cores with similar clock frequencies (when you take in consideration the boost frequencies). In fact, the upgraded i7 in the Air is faster than the base i5 in the Pro. The difference is much greater between the Air and the 15" Pros, since those give you quad-core CPUs and discrete GPUs. Overall the Air will give you a better experience, unless you need an optical drive or an easily upgradeable computer.
 
CAPkuang said:
I have done lots of research (Googling) but every other website/forum is telling me the opposite thing. Im planning on buying a Macbook for college but Im stuck on whether to get the Macbook Pro 13 inch or the Macbook Air 13 inch. What it comes down to is whether to get a faster processor (Pro) or get an SSD (Air). As of right now, the only tasks I will need to use is Internet browsing, Microsoft Office and Photoshop Elements 10. I also cant decide on whether upgrading from 4gb of RAM to 8gb of RAM. I intend to use this laptop through my years at college.

If there is a thread just for asking these questions please redirect me as I hate to clog up the forums with these kind of questions.
Click to expand...

With those requirements, you could get away with a 12" PowerBook.
 
I've just finished my first year at university. I went through the same considerations last year. But last year it was the upgraded 11 inch MBA that cost £999 and the base 13 inch Air was over £1000. That was too much for me considering the inconvenience of having to store my iTunes library on a portable hard drive. But now the 13 inch base Air is £999. It's a no brainer. :) Air wins.
 
I'm in University, and the Macbook Air is great. As I commute (do not live on campus), carrying the Air in my backpack does not add a lot of weight.

The SSD is insanely fast! No time is wasted in turning it on/off or loading apps.
 
Unless you need a optical drive, ethernet port, or planning to upgrade the RAM/SSD in the future than I would go with the MBA. Personally, I prefer the weight, form factor, SSD, and higher res matte display the MBA provides.
 
I just finished my first year at college and let me tell you this: if you're going to be lugging your laptop around campus, definitely go for the air. I originally bought the 13" pro but recently sold it and bought the new 2012 air. It's just so much lighter and faster for everyday tasks. Plus, the design of the machine is amazing. I'm still amazed at how thin this machine is... the 13" Pro is more of a legacy machine and at this point in time, I have to say that the MacBook Air is Apple's latest and greatest 13" machine.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to go with the air. Would I need to upgrade to 8gb of ram for my basic tasks or should I upgrade it just in case since its only 90 dollars more
 
CAPkuang said:
Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to go with the air. Would I need to upgrade to 8gb of ram for my basic tasks or should I upgrade it just in case since its only more
Click to expand...

If you feel like running a lot of applications (maybe Safari with Pages and Keynote and Photoshop) or Photoshop files at the same time, go get them.
 
What is your spending limit? you can always get a high Mac air if it is within budget

I went with the macbook air and I got 1 TB external for backing up or leaving old movies I don't watch on it on there. For me the size the key once I need a new Macbook. Books and notebooks are enough not including anything else you carry. The air is awesome but ultimately its a personal decision and make sure it fits your needs and what you will be happy with in your college experience.


Best of lucK:):apple:
 
Get the Air

and max out the RAM, it'll be worth it in the long run

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It will do all that you need & more & is so light its great!
 
After reading all these helpful replies and tips, I bought the 13 inch MBA with 8gb of ram. Thanks for helping me decide on my first laptop and Mac. Now all there is left is the waiting period
 
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