Good Laptop for Freshman College Student

[diskids2]

Any thoughts on a good laptop for my DD entering college in Sept. She wants a MAC and I'm not opposed....just want to hear some thoughts.

 

[Angrypenguin]

I agree with the Mac, especially with the direction that a lot of universities are going. Their ease of use and integration into a network is really beneficial. Plus, they're built very solidly; I used to go through a computer every year, but I've had my macbook going on over 3 years now.

 

[diskids2]

Thanks for your comment.....which Mac do you have...air...pro....regular....and what do you think is important to add to the machine....when I went on the apple site I was overwhelmed to say the least!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Got my daughter a macbook with 3 years of Applecare when she went off to college. Getting the Applecare is key. There's an Apple store in the mall next to the University so when she has issues (and she has) they repair and/or replace at no charge. Over the summer they may offer a free printer and free ipod with the purchase of a macbook. We took advantage of that deal.

Any thoughts on a good laptop for my DD entering college in Sept. She wants a MAC and I'm not opposed....just want to hear some thoughts.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

What major is she pursuing?

At my dd's college any artsy or journalism path a Mac is required along with an IPHONE.

My dd also wants a MAC. She is starting in the fall as well. We are buying it thru the college campus bookstore, which will include all the necessary software, "tigernet" (wifi) and they will repair it when it breaks or she needs help with it.

 

[powellrj]

I know my DS is going to a MAC school, whatever that means! I am waiting until we go to orientation next week to see what they suggest. Someone suggested getting a net book to carry to classes, but I am not sure if thats the thing to do or not.

 

[DisneyMomOK]

111111111111111

 

[Green Tea]

I would go with the Mac. Probably not the air, but a Macbook. They really need very little added to them. Don't get Office when you order it. She can get a copy from her bookstore for about $25, or use Open Office for free. But, before buying anything, check with the college. They often have a specific package they want all the students to have.

FWIW, my child just finished freshman year, and we talked about computers just this weekend. I was asking about reliability of the various brands. He said most everyone he knew had a Macbook. His room mate had a pc and had a terrible time getting a warranty issue repaired.

Buy the Apple care and you will be covered 100% for 3 years. Service is so easy. And don't forget to shop through the education store. You save $50-100 per laptop and some on Applecare as well.

 

[Angrypenguin]

I agree, the standard macbook (1299 or 1599) should be more than sufficient. The Macbook Pro will probably be a little too powerful (unless she's an engineer, in which case I recommend bumping up to the pro). I also agree on not picking up office; she should be able to get it from the campus store for a much lower price.

 

[diskids2]

Everyone thank you so much. I told her that there was no way I was spending that much money on a Mac and she believed me!

Now I can totally surprise her with it on her graduation day from HS. I can't wait. I did know about the Itouch and she just bought one two weeks ago...BUT..my DS doesn't have one...so it will be a good Christmas gift!

I am going to check out the college website regarding office.

 

[diskids2]

What major is she pursuing?

At my dd's college any artsy or journalism path a Mac is required along with an IPHONE.

My dd also wants a MAC. She is starting in the fall as well. We are buying it thru the college campus bookstore, which will include all the necessary software, "tigernet" (wifi) and they will repair it when it breaks or she needs help with it.

She's going to be an education major...elementary education.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

She's going to be an education major...elementary education.

Does her school say what computer she needs? I would check that out.

 

[pumba]

Whatever you decide for a computer......DO take out the extended warranty on it......We did on our granddaughters when we purchased it and when she was almost done her first semester the bookshelf in her dorm fell off and hit her keyboard...the keys were broken off and they fixed it during her Christmas break....plus the warranty also included her getting one free battery in the three years.....good deal where the battery would of cost as much as the insurance on it..

 

[diskids2]

Whatever you decide for a computer......DO take out the extended warranty on it......We did on our granddaughters when we purchased it and when she was almost done her first semester the bookshelf in her dorm fell off and hit her keyboard...the keys were broken off and they fixed it during her Christmas break....plus the warranty also included her getting one free battery in the three years.....good deal where the battery would of cost as much as the insurance on it..

Yes...I am going to get the Apple Care program.


Also, I called the school and they don't ask the students to have one kind or another...the recommendations for faculty are a Macbook or a Dell.

I did send them another email right now though, asking about the software that may be needed. I have searched all over their IT website and can't find anything.

 

[Green Tea]

The older style Macbook, the white one, would be completely adequate, and save about $300 from the get go. They are $949.

 

[Longsx3]

Everyone thank you so much. I told her that there was no way I was spending that much money on a Mac and she believed me!

Now I can totally surprise her with it on her graduation day from HS. I can't wait. I did know about the Itouch and she just bought one two weeks ago...BUT..my DS doesn't have one...so it will be a good Christmas gift!

I am going to check out the college website regarding office.

I would also be sure that they are not make changes this summer to the macbooks before you buy one, I know the new iphone is suppose to be released this summer.

 

[diskids2]

I would also be sure that they are not make changes this summer to the macbooks before you buy one, I know the new iphone is suppose to be released this summer.

UGHHHHHHHHHH.....ok this is how it is going to go....I will buy the Macbook and then it will be released that they are making changes.

If I don't buy the Macbook and I wait...then they will make no changes to it.



Ok, I'm just kidding. Thank you so much for that advice and I will try and find out about it. Do you know any good sources...other then Apple themselves?

 

[Green Tea]

There will always be changes to computers. If you wait until they quit changing them, then you never get a computer. Buy what you need when you need it.

 

[Carl]

I doubt there will be much change this summer, as they introduced new models just this winter.

 

[Angrypenguin]

UGHHHHHHHHHH.....ok this is how it is going to go....I will buy the Macbook and then it will be released that they are making changes.

If I don't buy the Macbook and I wait...then they will make no changes to it.



Ok, I'm just kidding. Thank you so much for that advice and I will try and find out about it. Do you know any good sources...other then Apple themselves?

macrumors.com
appleinsider.com
9to5mac.com

I doubt they'll change the macbooks though; they go through relatively predicatible product cycles. The summer is iPhone territory, october usually the iPod, and January the Macs. You usually know what's coming based on the amount of rumors.

I'm betting the Macs (especially the macbook pro) will get a significant refresh in the november-january time frame, as that's when Intel's Nehalem architecture goes mobile.