Best Laptop for a University Student

[Egdisney]

I haven't read any replies, but I recommend a MAC as I can guarantee that it will still run well in 4 years, another brand may not. I grew up using Macs, but switched to PCs when I had to pay for my own, and we have now made the switch to Macs. I have the MacBook Air, my husband has the Pro, they just run so much better, and for so much longer.

 

[4shinystars]

My DD graduated last year from college with a degree in Art and design, and loved her Macbook Pro. Never any viruses or problems, and the university also had a Mac Lab, so it was easy to work in the lab, then on her laptop. It was pricey, but she bought it with her HS graduation money. She still loves it and will never go back to a windows PC.

 

[leebee]

One thing mentioned upthread… You might want to buy this new computer through her school's computer services. I know Mac gave a slight student discount (about $150 at the time) when buying through the school. Also, when DD was using her PC (the Lenovo she'd bought with her HS graduation cash), the computer service folks were happy to work on it when it became overwhelmed, but they are happier servicing the laptops THEY sell.

 

[tvguy]

I'd wait, what she has most certainly will get her through at least her first semester.
Then she decide if she needs a new computer, she can figure out if PC or Mac will work best for her.

70% of all college students graduate with a degree in a major different than what they started college with. Another reason to wait until she has a few semesters under her belt and knows what she REALLY wants to major in.

 

[GoofyMB]

Definitely talk to someone at the school before doing anything. We bought my son a laptop for when he started last year. His University charges all students a "technolgy fee" and provide a laptop. He uses the school laptop for all his work and ended up leaving his personal one at home which his siblings have now claimed.

 

[tiggerluver12]

my DD18, high school senior, just got her MB Pro and absolutely LOVES it. Says its super fast and has extra memory (courtesy of her grand dad). Apple products do not get viruses.

Once at college in the fall, she will probably purchase an iPad with a keyboard to take to classes, leaving the laptop in her dorm room.

 

[tvguy]

Apple products do not get viruses.
.

No. Apple products are much much much less likely to get a virus, but they can and do get viruses. When 92% of the computer are PC, just easier to target PC's rather than Macs

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000737.htm

 

[bumbershoot]

No. Apple products are much much much less likely to get a virus, but they can and do get viruses. When 92% of the computer are PC, just easier to target PC's rather than Macs

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000737.htm

DH, a pc guy, says that people rarely make viruses for apples because they are *using* apples. Ha ha.

 

[edk35]

Invest in a Macbook...... my daughter has had hers for a few years...still works as good a the day she got it. She killed her HP laptop in about 2 years. We have a Mac desk top too...LOVE IT. I am on my 5th laptop since 2006. Spend the money...you get what you pay for.

 

[livsmom04]

Definitely got with a MacBook Pro! I do a lot of graphic design and it works wonders for it. I am also in college and use it mainly for that too.

 

[jsmith]

I haven't read any replies, but I recommend a MAC as I can guarantee that it will still run well in 4 years, another brand may not. I grew up using Macs, but switched to PCs when I had to pay for my own, and we have now made the switch to Macs. I have the MacBook Air, my husband has the Pro, they just run so much better, and for so much longer.

That's bold-would you be willing to purchase her a new one when that failed to be true? Both my sons had MACBooks Pros in college-as physics and math majors they needed the extra processing power freed up by the lighter weight OS-and both of them were complete pieces of crap. Both went back for repairs-one on a mother board and one on memory, before they were a year old. I have a Toshiba PC laptop purchased in 2003 with Ubuntu Linux loaded on it that still funcitons just fine. So the truth about hardware life is actually something based on Personal experience.
OP I would advocate that you wait to purchase and see what the University requires-some don't want MACs on their networks because of Operating system vulnerabilities. While they are less susceptible to virus's than Windows Machines do to the fact that there are simply not many out there the operating system its self is far less secure and can not be hardened to the standards some Universities require. I will concur that the MAC is probably the best choice for a design student but I would certain let her find out what the school requires.

 

[PlutoPony]

We found that at summer orientation the kids talked a lot among themselves about computers and the +/- of the various systems. My son's school does have pretty specific computer specs (some of which vary by major) but that does leave you with probably 8-10 choices, none of which are inexpensive. This was also a hot topic in meetings for each major both for parents and students. So you might get some good guidance on this at orientation.

IMO this is a purchase that the student really needs to take the lead in deciding. My son spent a fair amount of time looking at various screen sizes and playing with the different machines. The deciding factor for him was surprisingly the keyboard...... feel of the keys, layout, etc. This was not his first PC either - he had a MacBookPro all through high school (which I inherited ) but needed to move to a PC for college. The adjustment from Mac to Windows 8 was uh interesting to say the least .

Good luck!

 

[sk!mom]

College is very expensive. The cost of a nice laptop is a tiny fraction of it, so invest in the best computer you can possibly afford. The 15" macbook pro retina is actually quite a reasonable choice. 90 percent of college work is done on the computer these days and you don't want to be dealing with a computer that slows you down and frustrates you. I just got a 13" macbook pro with retina display and I don't know how I even lived with slower systems before.

See this is what I have been thinking. After reading the responses along this line, DH is thinking the same. We will be getting her a pricey grad gift. Another thought is that we hate to spend a lot on jewelry or something similar and then have to buy a computer soon after.

We will follow up with UNT to check on discounts, requirements, etc... If a Mac will run the programs that she will eventually need, I think that we are leaning toward a Mac Book Air.