Should I buy a Macbook Pro for college? If so which one?

Going to college in a couple of weeks. I was planning on buying a Macbook Pro but I don't really know if I need it or if it's worth the price. I was looking at the 13 inch i5 and i7 versions. If I would buy the i5 one, I would like to upgrade the hard drive to 500G for an extra 50 bucks but was wondering if it was worth just going for the i7 processor version which already includes a 500G hard drive. It would be an extra 250 dollars. Also, if I buy either one of these, will it last me 4-6 years of college? I know that technology goes by fast and would rather spend an extra couple hundred dollars if its going to last me longer. I am majoring in Petroleum Engineering and will not be using much video editing or gaming.
I've been reading many reviews and statements about Macs from all over the internet but I have a few more questions about Macbook Pros. I have always been a PC guy.
Do Macs really stay fast longer? Like doesn't slow down as much.
How limited is the compatibility now days?
Worth the big price tag?
How big of a difference is the i5 and i7 processors?
Can you put a laptop lock on it? It will probably be a big target for thieves and I hear there are many in college.
Should I get Apple Care?
Is there more programs I would need to buy? I am getting a 100 dollar gift card thing to the apple app store but wondering if I need Microsoft Office or something that isn't from the Apple store
The reason I ask these questions is because I would rather have an answer from a community of people with multiple answers and opinions than a biased website or reviewer. Well there will be some biased since this is an apple forum but please answer truthfully and as unbiased as possible please! Thanks!

Mac 101
http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/
http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/
http://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro

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I am going to buy a macbook pro for grade 12, and I need to know wheather I should get a macbook pro or a macbook pro retina. If someone could tell me (in a very simple way) which one is,better for me and why, I would be ever so apprreciative.

I am going to buy a macbook pro for grade 12, and I need to know wheather I should get a macbook pro or a macbook pro retina. If someone could tell me (in a very simple way) which one is,better for me and why, I would be ever so apprreciative.

Why do you need a expensive MacBook Pro?
Your attending high school and unless everyone else is rich also your likely going to be a target by the more poorer students for theft or damage to the machine.
You could keep it home, but if you need it for class then your exposed again.
Also at that age your not very careful yet, a MacBook Pro is a expensive and easily damaged machine.
Unless your made of money and so are others at your school, I would recommned a low profile, just does the job cheap Windows PC.
If it dies, gets lost, stolen or damaged because of your inexperince handling senstivie electronics then it's no big deal.
You can buy a Mac later on when your sure you have a need for it, currently there isn't much advantage of owning a Mac compared to a PC, they do just about the same things now, one just looks prettier than the other.
Since 95% of the world uses Windows PC's your going to have to install Windows on the Mac in order to keep your skills up there or be unemployed, so it's a extra headache and expense.
good luck

Should I buy the MacBook Pro?

i start college in late september so I want a MacBook Pro for college. I know apple has it's back to school sale and was thinking right now it's a good time to buy or should I wait for new MacBook Pro or buy now?

If you need a notebook purchase it. However do make certain that the unit will be compatible with the studies that you will be involved with.
Do not ignore the Macbook Airs as a possibility. They are lighter and have far superior battery run times than a Macbook Pro. Though on paper they may seem very inferior top a Macbook Pro in performance, they are more than adequate to meet the needs of an overwhelming majority of college students.
Ciao.

Should I buy a MacBook Pro 13-inch or a MacBook Pro Retina Display 13-inch??

Should I buy a MacBook Pro 13-inch or a MacBook Pro Retina Display 13-inch??

MacBook Pro 13-inch - Compare Mac notebooks
http://www.apple.com/mac/compare/notebooks.html
If you have no use for super drive, buy MacBook Pro 13-inch with Retina display
with 8GB RAM and higher capacity SSD storage if budget permits.
Best.

Why should i buy a macbook pro while the i7 windows laptop comes with more features and with a lesser price??

why should i buy a macbook pro while an i7 windows laptop comes with greater specs with less price???????
i love mac but i need strong points for mac to convince my father!!!!

osamawazarat wrote:
why should i buy a macbook pro while an i7 windows laptop comes with greater specs with less price???????
i love mac but i need strong points for mac to convince my father!!!!
For me, presonall, becasue the Mac will run OS X, while the windows machine will run, well, Windows. Seriously, whenever given the option, I greatly prefer to use OS X over windows without hesitation. I buy Apple hardware because I prefer OS X to Windows and have since the OS X public beta. Apple hardware is very good quality, but so are many Windows PC (Lenovo IMO makes some great hardware, if picking a Windows machine).
I use windows at work because that's what they give me, but I'd not pick it if given the choice.

I'm getting a MacBook pro for college and just wanted to make sure I was correct on how to transfer everything to it such as iTunes. All I have to do is turn on home sharing and then log into iTunes on my new Mac right?

I'm getting a MacBook pro for college and just wondered how to transfer/share everything from my desktop pc to my Mac?

home sharing will work but won't transfer playcounts, ratings, and original "date added".
if you wish to keep those, use the instructions in this article here.

Buying a Macbook pro for the first time and i need your opinion

Hello everyone! I'm buying a Macbook pro for the first time and i need your opinion. I'm a Web Developer / Graphic Designer, and i need this macbook for my work. Currently i have these 2 options:
1) Macbook Pro with Retina (13")
128GB SSD, 2.5GHz Intel i5 Processor, 8GB Ram
2) Macbook Pro i7 (15")
Intel i7 2.6 Processor, 8GB Ram, 750GB HD
So my dilema is. Do i go for the newest 13" Macbook Pro Retina & SSD drive or do i go for the 15" Macbook Pro i7 non-Retina, non-SSD hard drive?
Help this first time Macbook buyer (me) to decide which model to choose

Injektil wrote:
Hello everyone! I'm buying a Macbook pro for the first time and i need your opinion. I'm a Web Developer / Graphic Designer, and i need this macbook for my work. Currently i have these 2 options:
1) Macbook Pro with Retina (13")
128GB SSD, 2.5GHz Intel i5 Processor, 8GB Ram
2) Macbook Pro i7 (15")
Intel i7 2.6 Processor, 8GB Ram, 750GB HD
So my dilema is. Do i go for the newest 13" Macbook Pro Retina & SSD drive or do i go for the 15" Macbook Pro i7 non-Retina, non-SSD hard drive?
Help this first time Macbook buyer (me) to decide which model to choose
Your 2nd choice
2) Macbook Pro i7 (15")
Intel i7 2.6 Processor, 8GB Ram, 750GB HD
is user upgradable. The Retina is not.
No matter what for your needs I would max out the 16GB of RAM

I'm looking at buying a MacBook Pro for uni and I was wondering what the best type would be to get? One with retina display etc

I'm looking at buying a MacBook Pro for uni next year and I'm not sure what type to get. I've heard different things about the retina display and that people only get it to edit photos etc but then people have said that it is quicker and makes the laptop lighter. I'm also unsure of how much storage I will need. If anyone can help that would be great!!

There are two screen displays available - Retina and non-Retina - and there's a world of difference between them. The Retina has non-user replaceable RAM and flash storage (well, the latter without voiding your warranty) and the non-Retina has user replaceable RAM and HD/SSD. And then, of course, there's the difference in the resolution of the screen itself... and a difference between the 13" and 15" screens (available in both 'flavors').
How much storage you need will depend on your needs.
I don't recommend the Retina models at this time - too many issues with tinting (on Samsung displays) and image retention (on LG displays).
So take a look at what the non-Retina machines have to offer - you can customize to your heart's content but remember that you can always upgrade the RAM and the hard drive in the non-Retina machines yourself.
My 2¢...
Clinton

After college, should I buy a Macbook Pro or Ipad?

I will be graduating college this summer. I currently have a white 13 inch macbook that is slow and cracking and is on its way out. I think it is time to upgrade. I cannot decide between an Ipad or a 13 inch macbook pro with retina display. I am not attending any more school after I receive me bachelors degree. My main uses will be searching the internet, using apps, facebook, twitter, instagram, message boards. I am nervous about leaving the laptop behind and going to an ipad because I feel secure with my laptop. That i can do anything. However an ipad is signicantly cheaper and seems to be made for simple internet browsing. I do not intended on writing anymore essays, or editing/making movies/videos. What do you think? Thanks!

If your goal in the end is to have both, but buying one of them sooner, and then another later, in my opinion I'd buy the Macbook Pro first. Seems to me the differences and features added between Apple computer refreshes are less significant than the updates to the iOS devices, particularly the iPhone and iPad.
Ask anyone still using an iPhone 3G with the latest software updates installed how their experience today is. Aside from not having the newer features & functions, I've been told by several friends that the iOS updates have **** near crippled the thing, and it's slow as **** to do any of the basic functions (quite the contrast to when it was originally released).
This is largely due to the rapid increase of CPU speed and amount of RAM on the newer models which has lead to software development that's more demanding of the hardware. No doubt next years iPad will have a dual core chip in it, so I can't help but speculate the iPad 1 will inevitably suffer the same fate, and later on the iPad 2, etc... Oh and it will also probably have a flashy new HD camera similar to the 720P iSight found in the new MBP's for facetime calls instead of the current VGA camera (640 x 480)....again though, I'm talking speculation and opinion here.

Should I buy a MacBook Pro or a MacBook Air

I am currently going into high school and have saved enough money to buy a macbook. However, I am debating to if i should buy a MacBook Pro or a Macbook Air. I would use the laptop for these things
1. Basic Microsoft programs(Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc. for school)
2. I will also be Parallels on my mac
3. Light amount of gaming (League of Legends)
4. Websurfing/Research ( usually with an abundance of pages open)
5. Studying ( as any student would do)
6. Video Watching
7. Music
I am willing to upgrade the internals of the macbook but have a budget of about 1,250 dollars. Advice about which laptop to pick as well as what upgrades may need to be made for the internals will extremely help. Thank you

In addition to what Japib wrote
You might be able to shave $50 or so via education pricing at online Apple Store
Parallels has education pricing, ditto MS Office. Your school (district) might have some education prices for software.

Should I buy a macbook pro or an iPad 2?

Here's the thing: I want a macbook pro and an iPad 2. I already have a PC laptop that works and looks great and recently bought house computer, but I am an Apple lover at heart. So my question is should I buy an iPad 2 or a macbook pro? Whichever I don't buy this summer, I am going to buy next summer or for christmas. I have also read that both devices will be updated next year. What do you guys think I should do? This stress is started to make my head pound...

If your goal in the end is to have both, but buying one of them sooner, and then another later, in my opinion I'd buy the Macbook Pro first. Seems to me the differences and features added between Apple computer refreshes are less significant than the updates to the iOS devices, particularly the iPhone and iPad.
Ask anyone still using an iPhone 3G with the latest software updates installed how their experience today is. Aside from not having the newer features & functions, I've been told by several friends that the iOS updates have **** near crippled the thing, and it's slow as **** to do any of the basic functions (quite the contrast to when it was originally released).
This is largely due to the rapid increase of CPU speed and amount of RAM on the newer models which has lead to software development that's more demanding of the hardware. No doubt next years iPad will have a dual core chip in it, so I can't help but speculate the iPad 1 will inevitably suffer the same fate, and later on the iPad 2, etc... Oh and it will also probably have a flashy new HD camera similar to the 720P iSight found in the new MBP's for facetime calls instead of the current VGA camera (640 x 480)....again though, I'm talking speculation and opinion here.

If i buy a mackbook pro for college, can i get a free ipod with it?

can i get a free ipod touch if i purchase a mackbook pro for college this summer?

In the past the Apple Store has offered that promotion. Last year when I purchased my Macbook Pro I was not offered a free iPod. The Apple Store did run and summer promotion that year for college student; if you purchased a computer through the college portal in the Apple Store you recieved a $100 Appstore gift card, which came quite handy with some apps that cost money. But personally I would of been happy with an iPod instead.

Should i wait with buying a macbook pro for the mac os x lion software?

Hi there,
I've been saving up some money to buy myself a MacBook Pro 13", but I've been told to wait for the new lion upgrade.
It's not that I need the macbook right now, I mean, I can wait, but I don't want to wait for a system that's not refined yet.
I'm afraid the system might have bugs or issues or things...
So my question: should I wait till June/July with buying, or buy one now and have a good working system?
And do any of you guys know whether there'll be some kind of a grace period where they give you the new upgrade for free?
Thanks in advance!

My take is to buy it when you need it. If that's now then buy it now. You can always upgrade to Lion when it comes out.

College student. Should I buy a Macbook Pro or Air 13"?

I'm having a hard time figuring out whether to buy a Macbook Air 13" or a Macbook Pro 13". I'm a Psych major in college so no I don't use any crazy software and I dont game at all. I take notes on an Ipad so I don't carry my laptop around all day but I would like something more portable than my 17" PC and I want to be able to use it for years before I get another laptop. I mostly use my laptop now for internet searching, writing papers/school work, photo storage and itunes. Help me please and thanks!

Get the MBP and use it with your iPad. The latter provides portability.

Macbook Air vs. Macbook Pro for college

Hello,
I am currently in college and need to upgrade my laptop. I have never owned a macbook before but some of my friends have them and they love them. I am a music major and I just added a photography minor. I need a laptop that can handle editing large amounts of photos. I will also need to have Word and Powerpoint on my laptop. I will be taking my laptop to class to take notes, so portability and battery life is also something I need to take into consideration. I have been looking into buying one of the refurbished macbooks simply because they are cheaper. Also, is there a major difference between LED and Retina display? Any suggestions as to which model I should get would be appreciated!

The MacBook/Pro has more processor options and additional
upgrades as part of a configure to order when buying online.
There also is a higher RAM capacity in the /Pro, which can
help several top-heavy applications (or a newer OS upgrade)
run better than without. All things considered, there is little
an owner can do after purchase to upgrade these.
The Retina is likely a bit sharper and is of higher resolution
but some users don't say that means a lot to them; however
the way the display is assembled may be better w/ Retina.
And consider the optional AppleCare extended plan.
The basic MacBook/Pro with optical drive & non-Retina panel
may be OK, and maybe less a theft magnet than higher end.
In the refurbished store, the saving could almost equal the
cost of the AppleCare extended plan. However items sold
in that discount area don't offer any upgrade to hardware.
Mostly the specifications of the Applications, and OS X version
that likely would see an upgrade before long, along with the
prospect of multiple-tasking several things at once, would lead
one to consider the /Pro & any options in processor/RAM/HDD.
Some older models allow you access to swap a hard drive, or
add RAM: the newer ones appear intended to not allow much.
Check the iFixit and other online guides if looking into an older
Mac model to see if they say anything about user upgrades.
Also, with a new model an unauthorized upgrade may void an
AppleCare plan coverage of an issue resulting from tampering
if something is broken where one is not supposed to go...
The MB/Pro with or without Retina, looks best for processing
and large file manipulation, layers of image editing, etc.
Good luck & happy computing!

Should I buy a Macbook Pro for college? If so which one?

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