Anyone have a macbook pro??? Help this computer dummie.

[TraceyDisney2008]

My daughter is leaving for University soon and has been looking for a new computer, She has found a macnook pro and thinks it has everything she needs. I know nothiing about computers so I would love to hear some reviews on the macbook. Any information would be appreciated.

 

[Witch Mountain]

I switched to one from pc based laptops last year. What do you want to know?

As a college student, I love:
That I don't have to plug in for a 4 hour lecture (I get 6-7.5 hours per charge, depending on what I'm doing)
Some of the software I use is cheaper for Mac (MS Office for students was 65 bucks at the college book store)
It has less 'hiccups' than my pcs did.

I've got a 13" Macbook Pro and it can run windows and Mac o/s's, which I why I got it in the first place, but I've only encountered one software program that we use in my major that doesn't come for Mac and everything I've created in Adobe for Mac has worked on PCs, so it's not an issue.

If you wait until June to purchase, they usually do a special where you get a free (actually a rebate) iTouch or iPod with your purchase. That's when I bought mine, and my son was very happy to get an iTouch out of the deal.

 

[Cinderella94]

I have just a regular Macbook, but I will never ever own a PC again!

 

[honugirl]

I have a 13" macbook pro. I like it. I'm still learning to use it, but I don't think I'd go back to a PC. Depending on what she's planning on studying, there are some software glitches. I have one chemistry program I can't use on the mac because it doesn't translate well, but most every thing else works fine.

 

[mrsxsparrow]

I've never owned a PC so I might be a little biased

I'm a college student and I love my Macbook Pro. At this point the thing I love most about Macs is the service. First off, I've had less issues than any friend with a PC I know. Also, when something happens, all I have to do is go the the Genius Bar at an Apple store. They've helped me SO MUCH. My battery died (it wouldn't hold charge) and they replaced it right there, for free, and also gave me an extra charger. Something weird happened with my display -- they shipped it off and two days later I had it back good as new. Two years after my warranty ended, my hard drive died. I also had some cracks on the laptop's case (totally my fault -- got in a fight with the roommate and slammed it shut). The replaced both the hard drive AND the case -- completely free, even without the warranty -- with the same two-day turnaround.

Also love the look and ease of use of a Mac -- but again, I've only ever used a Mac.

But seriously the customer service is pretty amazing. And to me, that's the most important.

 

[suzanna1066@comcast.]

Switched to a Mac Book Pro last year and will never, ever buy another PC. It is great!

 

[Lorem Ipsum]

I have also switched and will never return to a PC. My computer is the envy of our home. It is so fast that I sometimes find I run out of internet before time I had to surf. I am a grad student and it has been fantastic.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

As I am sitting in class right now writing on my MacBook Pro, I can say that I love them. This is my 5th MB. For school, I just love them...BUT there are some school programs that just will not run on my Mac. As far as some of the assignments I have had. So you might want to check with the school to see if it is Mac friendly.

unfortunately not all school work, works with a Mac. Now that said. This is the BEST machine you could get! I would recommend the 13 inch. Great for carrying, I have the 15.4 and with heavy science books, that part sucks.
Make sure to get the Windows office ...but as far as specs.
you are good to go with a Mac.

just keep in mind what I said about the programs thou..
you might also want to invest the 99 bucks for the Apple school too, so she can learn about her laptop thou out the year if and when she needs the help!
that is the best 99 I ever spent. I did have some school work that they helped me with the programs.

 

[TraceyDisney2008]

Thanx everyone, you have reinforced what I have heard. The school is mac friendly and she has checked that all classes will use mac friendly programs. I guess we are off to the apple store today.

 

[mckryan]

Make sure you get the educational discount on your purchase! Also, please get Apple Care. It extends your warranty to 3 years and gives you phone support for that time, as well. I think that 99% of my calls were answered by someone in the United States that spoke english as their first language. We have 4 Macs and 1 PC in our house. We all love our Macs!

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

Make sure you get the educational discount on your purchase! Also, please get Apple Care. It extends your warranty to 3 years and gives you phone support for that time, as well. I think that 99% of my calls were answered by someone in the United States that spoke english as their first language. We have 4 Macs and 1 PC in our house. We all love our Macs!

they are ALL answered in the US, Austin is the main center and then there is one in Cali!! This is a HUGE plus behind an Apple for me!!

 

[mckryan]

they are ALL answered in the US, Austin is the main center and then there is one in Cali!! This is a HUGE plus behind an Apple for me!!

I guess I should have been more clear - 99% of the people answering my calls spoke english as their first language. I think I've spoken to one person with an accent, but I was able to understand him well enough to get my problem solved.

 

[Ilivetogo]

My daughter is also heading off to college this fall and she just got the Macbook Pro. This is because she will be in the art field and most of the really good artsy software is in Mac. The art department at her school uses only Macs - so she's used to it already. She absolutely loves it.

.

 

[tvguy]

My daughter is also heading off to college this fall and she just got the Macbook Pro. This is because she will be in the art field and most of the really good artsy software is in Mac. The art department at her school uses only Macs - so she's used to it already. She absolutely loves it.

.

My daughter has the 13" Mac Book Pro and loves it. She has had issues with software and websites she could not use, but she always blames the software maker and the website owners, not her computer!
So I think she realizes she always also has to have access to a PC too.
As for the art field, no question, Mac has great art software, but the reality today is cost, the bottom line. Apple refuses to cut prices, and a lot of major companies have switched to Windows based art software that is "good enough" because it is so much cheaper.
My wife and I both work for companies that were wall to wall Mac 5 years ago in the graphics departments.....now it's all PC, and all the Macs ended up in the e-waste bin.

 

[castmember19]

I've been using my MacBook Pro for the past year of college. It's really wonderful! I can still write essays and make PowerPoints on it because my college offers the entire Microsoft Office for a discounted price. You would have to buy the Office stuff separately even if you bought a PC.

I have friends who considered the Macbook too "fun" or not "serious" enough for college but I get everything done on mine.

The only downside to my Macbook Pro is that it's heavy to carry around campus, but my boyfriend has a Toshiba and that is even bigger and heavier. I don't know if other computers make a difference. Also, the Macbook has to be cleaned pretty constantly, especially with the amount that I use it. The screen is a fingerprint magnet.

Honestly, I don't think I could ever use anything but a Mac at this point...

 

[Lynne M]

I'm a software engineer working for a commercial software developer. My company sells Windows applications, so I've been coding on Windows, working exclusively on PCs for 17 years.

Every computer I've purchased for home use in that time has been a Mac.

Go with the MBP. You won't regret it.

 

[KPeterso]

I got my Macbook Pro last June. I love this computer. There is no comparison between it and my PC laptop I have for work that is newer than my macbook. I did a lot of research and visited the Apple store probably a dozen times before I bought. I am still thrilled with my purchase. I got the Apple Care One to One plan ($99 that someone else mentioned), and I have loved the sessions. I have learned so much at the sessions and feel they were so worth it. I will not go back to a PC for my home. Unfortunately, I fear I will always have a PC at work.

 

[tvguy]

II did a lot of research and visited the Apple store probably a dozen times before I bought..

Our Apple Store is a nightmare. We ended up buying my daughter's Mac Book Pro at Best Buy.
We did take DD's computer in for diagnostics, and the Apple store "accidentially" not only did the diagnotic tests, but did $200 in unauthorized repairs. I will give them credit, they immediately (okay, after about 15 minutes of investigation into why the tech did the repairs when all the paperwork said diagnostic test only) said, no charge.

 

[SookieStackhouse]

I have a regular MacBook and I love it!

If she holds off until summer to buy one, they might be doing that promo where you buy a computer get a free iPod Touch. You can then sell the iPod and offset the cost of the computer (that's what I did). Also, Apple is due a new OS (Lion) in the near future. Might be a good idea to wait just a little while, then pounce.

 

[nmmom95]

I have a MacBook Pro and I love it!! I switched last year and will never go back to a PC.