Mac Book for Graduation - Storage / Processor / Etc (1 Viewer)

[russinfortworth]

Not a real techie, but son wants and will get a new laptop for college next year.

He wants an apple, as they will be most compatible with what is at his dorm and in class rooms. So what are the requirements/specs (storage/processor) that I "need" to get, and what would be really nice to have, and what would be considered a waste. He will be a Kinesiology major it that is valuable information.

TIA

 

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Important question:

Will this be a desktop replacement (His only computer) or will it just be something portable he'll take when leaving the dorm?

Even the base model machines offer plenty of horsepower for most anything he'll encounter.

 

[russinfortworth]

This will be his only computer in his apartment. I'm assuming that he'll carry it with him to class, etc.

 

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If it's his only computer I would suggest a 12 -13" machine then. The 11" MacBook Air is probably a bit too small for a "primary machine".

IMO:

If budget is tight: MacBook Air 13" for $999 (128GB model).

This is an extremely compact machine with ample horsepower. The 128GB hard drive is small, but the onboard SDXC slot will allow him to double the onboard memory for stuff like photos and music via a 128GB SDXC Class 10 Card for $50. Also available in a 256GB model for an upcharge of $200 or so.

If you can swing it: MacBook Pro 13" with retina display for $1299 (128 GB model)

This is a measurably more potent machine overall, while still remaining very portable. Retina display, force touch touchpad, etc are all very current tech, while still retaining very good portability. This has the same ability to expand storage via SDXC slot, or you can splurge on the 256GB model if you'd like for an extra $200.

256GB Storage upgrade:
If money isn't a big issue, upgrading to 256GB storage is nice, as a 128GB hard drive is pretty limited (and the SDXC card is reasonably fast but not nearly as fast as the on-board hard drive). Unfortunately all computer manufacturers overprice this badly, Apple is among the worst. Difference between 128 and 256GB SSD is about $50-75 at retail.

Processor upgrades:
I wouldn't sweat the processor upgrades... I doubt he'd see much difference in real world use. Same goes with onboard RAM upgrades. WIth these machines being fully solid state with flash drives, the latency gap between HDD and RAM has narrowed immensely.

TIP:

If you're down to save more $$$, don't be afraid of Apple's Refurbished machines section. I've heard very good things.

 

[russinfortworth]

Thanks for the information. Good stuff.

 

[cheeseypoof]

Just bought my son a 13" MacBook Pro w/ retina display for college. Went with the 8GB memory and 512GB hard drive. With the education pricing, the computer, mouse, external cd/DVD drive and apple protection cost about $2k (no sales tax as we got it at the Apple store in Delaware). I got his old Dell laptop.

 

[ShamrockPride]

Another option is skip out on the internal memory and you can by any of a number of brand's portable hard drive's. Can usually find a 2tb one for $80 or $90 dollars. Those things are small enough to carry in your pocket should he need to go anywhere with some extra memory.

 

[ffldrew]

Where is he going to college? Check with the bookstore/IT sales there - they usually get a discount (although not much on Apple) - and more importantly can service it while he is on campus. We bought my daughters Mac laptop when she went in for orientation at Auburn

 

[Mr. Ected]

I would also look into getting AppleCare for him. You extend Warranty up to 3 years, as well as free Apple tech Support. This is spectacular. I think it will be $200-250, but worth every penny, especially with a college guy away from home.

 

[Slapdash]

If it's his only computer I would suggest a 12 -13" machine then. The 11" MacBook Air is probably a bit too small for a "primary machine".

IMO:

If budget is tight: MacBook Air 13" for $999 (128GB model).

This is an extremely compact machine with ample horsepower. The 128GB hard drive is small, but the onboard SDXC slot will allow him to double the onboard memory for stuff like photos and music via a 128GB SDXC Class 10 Card for $50. Also available in a 256GB model for an upcharge of $200 or so.

If you can swing it: MacBook Pro 13" with retina display for $1299 (128 GB model)

This is a measurably more potent machine overall, while still remaining very portable. Retina display, force touch touchpad, etc are all very current tech, while still retaining very good portability. This has the same ability to expand storage via SDXC slot, or you can splurge on the 256GB model if you'd like for an extra $200.

256GB Storage upgrade:

If money isn't a big issue, upgrading to 256GB storage is nice, as a 128GB hard drive is pretty limited (and the SDXC card is reasonably fast but not nearly as fast as the on-board hard drive). Unfortunately all computer manufacturers overprice this badly, Apple is among the worst. Difference between 128 and 256GB SSD is about $50-75 at retail.

Processor upgrades:

I wouldn't sweat the processor upgrades... I doubt he'd see much difference in real world use. Same goes with onboard RAM upgrades. WIth these machines being fully solid state with flash drives, the latency gap between HDD and RAM has narrowed immensely.

TIP:

If you're down to save more $$$, don't be afraid of Apple's Refurbished machines section. I've heard very good things.

If it is his only CPU and OP doesn't mind, the 15' is also a good play.

 

[ShamrockPride]

^^^ The 15" is significant bump in price but worth it if you need it. The 15" versions (there are 2) are the only laptop Apple makes that comes with a quad-core. Also comes with 16gb ram. The higher end version comes with a top end graphics card. Just need to figure out if that extra power is needed for video editing/photoshop etc. But they're built to be your main CPU. A true workhorse of a machine.

 

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I use a 13" MBP at the office daily and IMO is the sweet spot between performance and portability. A 15" laptop is too big to tote around everywhere... It's certainly doable, but the trade off isn't worth it.

I'd get a feel by taking to the kid if possible.

 

[[icon]]

^^^ The 15" is significant bump in price but worth it if you need it. The 15" versions (there are 2) are the only laptop Apple makes that comes with a quad-core. Also comes with 16gb ram. The higher end version comes with a top end graphics card. Just need to figure out if that extra power is needed for video editing/photoshop etc. But they're built to be your main CPU. A true workhorse of a machine.

Are you a mac guy? Your impression of resources required for light/moderate video editing and photoshop work seems like its rooted in PC world.

 

[Mario Kart]

I'm an Apple user. Have been for the last ten years and have no problem with them or their portability. However, I'd seriously look into a Surface Pro 3 and see if he likes it. I'd wait to see what the Surface Pro 4 is all about when news comes out about that.

The Surface 3 might be too small if he only has one computer there however check out the Pro 3 just to compare a little.

 

[ShamrockPride]

^^^ The 15" is significant bump in price but worth it if you need it. The 15" versions (there are 2) are the only laptop Apple makes that comes with a quad-core. Also comes with 16gb ram. The higher end version comes with a top end graphics card. Just need to figure out if that extra power is needed for video editing/photoshop etc. But they're built to be your main CPU. A true workhorse of a machine.

Are you a mac guy? Your impression of resources required for light/moderate video editing and photoshop work seems like its rooted in PC world.

Nah I guess I'm more just speaking from a perspective of future proofing a machine that costs so much, especially the 15 inchers.

 

[cstu]

I'm an Apple user. Have been for the last ten years and have no problem with them or their portability. However, I'd seriously look into a Surface Pro 3 and see if he likes it. I'd wait to see what the Surface Pro 4 is all about when news comes out about that.

The Surface 3 might be too small if he only has one computer there however check out the Pro 3 just to compare a little.

Surface Pro + dock and big monitor =

 

[Mario Kart]

I'm an Apple user. Have been for the last ten years and have no problem with them or their portability. However, I'd seriously look into a Surface Pro 3 and see if he likes it. I'd wait to see what the Surface Pro 4 is all about when news comes out about that.

The Surface 3 might be too small if he only has one computer there however check out the Pro 3 just to compare a little.

Surface Pro + dock and big monitor =

Why would he need a dock and a big monitor? No need.

 

[Otis]

The new base 12" MacBooks are awesome. I've been drooling over them in the Apple Store for weeks. Buy one and don't look back.