New Convert: What Should I Buy?
Hi everyone. I'm heading to school in the fall, and I've decided I want to get a mac for my laptop instead of a PC. I know I want something fairly high end, but not suuper expensive (around the 1-1.2k range). What models would you suggest I go for.
Also I've heard that Apple has good deals for college students sometimes. Haven't they like given out free ipods or something?
What do you think would be the best laptop for me?
Also I've heard that Apple has good deals for college students sometimes. Haven't they like given out free ipods or something?
What do you think would be the best laptop for me?
Comments
What do you think would be the best laptop for this me?
A laptop is a really personal choice, any mac laptop will be able to serve your needs with respect to college work, so go with whatever fits your budget and feels a comfortable weight to carry around. Whatever you do be sure to take advantage of the educational discount - it is substantial and I think you get extended applecare thrown in for free - I certainly did.
Back to School Special: Buy a Mac for college and get $100 to spend on the Mac App Store PLUS 3% cash back when shopping at Apple Store for Education with Free Shipping.
While still deciding on what mac I'm going to get I came across this Apple discount..
Back to School Special: Buy a Mac for college and get $100 to spend on the Mac App Store PLUS 3% cash back when shopping at Apple Store for Education with Free Shipping.
I'd definitely go with the base model 13" MacBook Pro. It's a beautiful machine with enough horsepower to complete most tasks quickly in addition to fitting your budget. If, however, you want a bigger screen and something really powerful for high-end games and video editing, I'd spring for this 15" MacBook Pro. It is 50% faster than the 13" model and costs $430 more. It's an amazing difference if you're doing high-end work or play, but not necessary if you're just needing a basic laptop at a relatively low cost.
Is the Apple Care worth the extra money in your opinion? I am torn on that one... Don't know if I should get it or not
If you can afford it, laptops are pretty much the only devices I would ever spring for an extended warranty (AppleCare or otherwise, although AppleCare is pretty solid).
Laptops are (1) expensive and expensive to repair (2) portable, so they're subject to additional wear and tear, and (3) have parts that can actually wear out or have deteriorating performance over time (chiefly the HD but also ports and the screen).
AppleCare doesn't cover normal wear (keycaps and case cosmetics, say) or "consumables" (the battery) although it will also extend the period that those items can be replaced if defective (if the battery is'nt performing within expected tolerance at the two year mark, say).
In my experience you have a better shot showing up at an Apple Store with your AppleCare number in hand and getting something repaired/replaced than with one of those third party extended warranty operations. And Apple employees will often go the extra mile in edge cases, whereas extended warranty providers seem really intent on finding reasons to deny claims.
Right now a Toshiba Protege R835 has a great deal at Best Buy. Its very light (only around 3.5 pounds) much lighter than anything above a MBA. It also has all the features including a DVD drive for watching movies and installing other software. Its priced less than $799.
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Porteg.../dp/B004G8QOJS
Get a Mac after you graduate with some money in the bank.
I have both a MBP and PC at my desk. So I'm not a fanboy or anything.
$649 for a mini edu pricing + $499 for an iPad + HDTV + PS3 is a nice little dorm setup that covers 99% of the bases from homework to movies to games to mobility. Don't forget cables, keyboard, mouse, etc. Make sure the mini qualifies for the $100 app store gift card.
Replace the mini with a Dell Zino for $499 with BR if PS3+mini is too pricey.
No laptop but unless you get the Air the iPad is a lot easier to schlepp around campus.
How much is the AppleCare anyway?
Varies.
and how long is it for?
Varies. An extra year for devices, an extra two for computers.
While still deciding on what mac I'm going to get I came across this Apple discount..
Back to School Special: Buy a Mac for college and get $100 to spend on the Mac App Store PLUS 3% cash back when shopping at Apple Store for Education with this deal and Free Shipping.
How do you get the cash back?
While still deciding on what mac I'm going to get I came across this Apple discount..
Back to School Special: Buy a Mac for college and get $100 to spend on the Mac App Store PLUS 3% cash back when shopping at Apple Store for Education with this deal and Free Shipping.
How do you get the cash back?
I'm not sure what the 3% thing is about... you can go to the online Apple store (store.apple.com or for Canada store.apple.com/ca), scroll down on the left side until you see "Education Store" and click on that. Then let them know what school you go to. You'll be returned to the store, but everything will be at least $50 cheaper. The MacBook Pro is $100 off. So it's not really cash back, it's just cheaper to begin with.
If you click on the Mac App Store banner on that page, it says that you just get an iTunes card along with the computer when it ships. Note, it's an iTunes card, so I would think you can use it on the Mac App Store, iTunes Music/Movie store, or iOS App Store.
Also, you can click on the computer you're interested in and then scroll down to add in whatever features you want - more RAM, bigger hard drive, iWork (which is $71 for the disk, or you can get it on the App Store for $60), or Apple Care, which for the 13" MacBook Pro is $219 for a total of 3 years coverage.
I hope that helps you guys (girls?) out. Basically your best bet is to just play around on the online store and see what fits your budget and what "extras" you want. Check out the printers, too - if you buy a printer with your Mac, Apple will usually give you $100 rebate.
Hi everyone. I'm heading to school in the fall, and I've decided I want to get a mac for my laptop instead of a PC. I know I want something fairly high end, but not suuper expensive (around the 1-1.2k range). What models would you suggest I go for.
Also I've heard that Apple has good deals for college students sometimes. Haven't they like given out free ipods or something?
What do you think would be the best laptop for me?
Easy
Wait for a Macbook Air with Sandy Bridge and hopefully Thunderbolt. Whether it's the
11.6" or 13.3" display it's the perfect student notebook IMO.
Very fast for productivity apps and light @ 2.9lbs.
I'm not sure what the 3% thing is about... you can go to the online Apple store (store.apple.com or for Canada store.apple.com/ca), scroll down on the left side until you see "Education Store" and click on that. Then let them know what school you go to. You'll be returned to the store, but everything will be at least $50 cheaper. The MacBook Pro is $100 off. So it's not really cash back, it's just cheaper to begin with.
If you click on the Mac App Store banner on that page, it says that you just get an iTunes card along with the computer when it ships. Note, it's an iTunes card, so I would think you can use it on the Mac App Store, iTunes Music/Movie store, or iOS App Store.
Also, you can click on the computer you're interested in and then scroll down to add in whatever features you want - more RAM, bigger hard drive, iWork (which is $71 for the disk, or you can get it on the App Store for $60), or Apple Care, which for the 13" MacBook Pro is $219 for a total of 3 years coverage.
I hope that helps you guys (girls?) out. Basically your best bet is to just play around on the online store and see what fits your budget and what "extras" you want. Check out the printers, too - if you buy a printer with your Mac, Apple will usually give you $100 rebate.
How do you get the cash back?
The 3% cash back deal I found online on a student discount website. You basically just use their link to go to the apple ed store online and they give you 3% back on your purchase on top of whatever apple is offering.
I'll have to play around online and figure out what I'm doing. Thanks
Easy
Wait for a Macbook Air with Sandy Bridge and hopefully Thunderbolt. Whether it's the
11.6" or 13.3" display it's the perfect student notebook IMO.
Very fast for productivity apps and light @ 2.9lbs.
Wait for it, when's it coming out?
Wait for it, when's it coming out?
No one can possibly know. Soon.
The 3% cash back deal I found online on a student discount website. You basically just use their link to go to the apple ed store online and they give you 3% back on your purchase on top of whatever apple is offering.
I'll have to play around online and figure out what I'm doing. Thanks
Sorry I have another question about the cash back...does this apply to computer purchases only or can you also get cash back on software?
Sorry I have another question about the cash back...does this apply to computer purchases only or can you also get cash back on software?
Applies to any purchase from the apple ed store.
oh sweet so I can use it on software too. Lightroom or Photoshop??
That'd be implied when he said "any purchase", yes.