Macbook Questions

[ugadog99]

My recent high school graduate is saving for a laptop to take with her to college. She is planning on going a pre-med route, and we have checked the school's website to find out about computer specificiations. There really aren't any, though. There are also no "deals" being offered on laptops through the school. She and I would both like her to have an Apple. Today I was at the Apple store just kind of looking around. I have some questions for those of you in the "know."

What is the difference in the white Macbook and the silver (almunimum?) one? (With the education discount, the white is $949 and the silver is $1249)

What "add ons" are necessary? mouse? external hard drive? speakers?

She is used to Microsoft Student for word processing, etc. Do we need to get the Mac version?

I'm sure I'll have more to ask. Thanks!!
Melanie

 

[mandy200587]

Yes you'll need to get the mac version of windows.

I'm not sure of the difference between the two colors.

The only add on I have is my carrying case and that's it. I didn't get a mouse or anything extra.

Also apple's running a deal right now for buy a computer and get an ipod touch.

 

[mckryan]

No, you don't have to get Windows to load on your Mac. Maybe the poster was talking about MS Office? Even then you don't have to get MS Office for Mac. You can get Open Office and try it out first and it's FREE!

The White MacBook is an old version of Mac, but they recently did some upgrading to the "guts." The Aluminum MacBook is the newest MacBook that came out earlier this year. Here's some details for you - http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook

White - 2.14GHz, Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB DDR2 Memory, 160GB hard drive, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics - $999.00

Aluminum - 2.0GHz, Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB DDR3 Memory, 160GB hard drive, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics - $1,299.00

Aluminum - 2.4GHz, Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB DDR3 Memory, 250GB hard drive, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics - $1,599.00

So, there's not much difference between the white and the 2.0 Aluminum. But, you do get a faster processor and larger hard drive with the 2.4 Aluminum. Another thing to consider is that Macs last longer than PCs, and with her going into pre-med, you might want to consider a MacBook Pro.

I would highly, highly recommend an external hard drive. She needs to back up her work on that regularly so that if anything does happen, she has her school work backed up somewhere secure.

 

[LSURyan]

The mac version of Microsoft Office is expensive.

I use Apple's iWork suite and I'm a teacher. iWork is much cheaper and just as good. No one has ever been able to tell that I don't use Office. I actually find it a little easier. I was never good at formatting in Word, but Pages was easy. I also found Numbers to be easier than Excel. I also rather Keynote to PowerPoint. All docs created with the iWork apps are compatible with Office.

I don't use a mouse, the track pad is fine. You'll need the same accessories for your macbook that you would think you'd need for a regular laptop. I use a mac remote in my classroom, but that's it.

As for the differences check out the Apple website and check out the differences to see which one will suit your needs.

I hope I was able to help.

 

[Carl]

You can get the Mac version of Office, which includes Word, Powerpoint, Excel, and Entourage for less than $130.00.
You don't really need Windows unless she will have to run PC programs on it.

 

[ugadog99]

Yes, MS Office is what I was asking about. I was talking to someone on the phone and typing at the same time, so maybe I didn't make much sense. While we would love the Macbook Pro, that is just out of the question financially right now. Perhaps we can do that one for med school. We are just thrilled that she is getting close to enough in graduation gifts to be able to afford the Macbook.

Anything else I need to know?

 

[mckryan]

Carl is right - MS Office for Mac for students is not expensive. Most outlets sell it for $149.95. http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/Office2008/buy-home-student-edition.mspx

You asked about it correctly. The other poster was telling you that you needed Windows, and I wanted to let you know that you don't need Windows.

 

[LSURyan]

Office - $149
iWork - $79

I would think that Office would be considered expensive compared to iWork.

 

[mandy200587]

Sorry I was referring to the Office Suite.

 

[mckryan]

Office - $149
iWork - $79

I would think that Office would be considered expensive compared to iWork.

Open Office - FREE

 

[tar heel]

Has the free Ipod deal started yet? When we got my son's Mac, we got a free Ipod and a free printer. According to the website, it's going to be an Ipod Touch this time around. If it hasn't started, I'd wait until it does to buy. You do have to pay for it, then get a rebate.

You might want to see whether the university provides software. My son's school provided a licensed copy of MS word to every student, so we didn't have to buy word processing software.

My DS got a desktop instead of notebook b/c he wanted the big screen -- he's an art major. He absolutely LOVES his APPLE and wouldn't consider a PC even after his Mac with no warning whatsoever CAUGHT ON FIRE. I will say Apple, after investigating, stood by the product and shipped him a new one. That took a little while, though, and we had already purchased him a new one -- now DH and I have a Mac! DS did the trial of Apple's software and loved it, so no more MS Word for him. If you do want to buy MS Word, you should get it for roughly 1/2 price with the new computer. Even though he did the trial of the Apple software, he got it for a discount by taking his computer purchase receipt in within a certain time.

The aluminum is not going to melt like DS's plastic one did, but it is much heavier. Besides the material difference, it's bigger. He used to put his old one in the box with the handle on it and carry it home from school etc., pretty much like you would a laptop. The new one is just too big and heavy for that.

You certainly don't need Windows on a Mac. . .

 

[stevenpensacola]

We've got a wireless mouse we use when we're using the Macbook on a desk.

If she has to do a lot of number entry, you might want to consider getting a USB "numbers" keypad.

We've got a white Macbook, about 1.5 years old...things I wish it had: lighted keyboard and a separate numerical keypad.

other than that...WE LOVE THIS COMPUTER.

My daughter bought a Dell laptop...it does everything she needs, but she has grown to despise it after using the Macbook.

 

[Green Tea]

A licensed copy of Office for the Mac will be about $25 from the college bookstore, or even free from their IT website. Order the Mac without the office software.

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Just a suggestion. I work at a University and we get the "student and educator" discount on all computer hardware and software. The discount can be small...but it is usually pretty big. I know I buy software for usually less than 1/2 of the list price.

Congratulations to your graduate!

K

 

[ugadog99]

Thanks! You all answered my questions. We will hold on purchasing the Office software until she gets to college. I'm hoping that Emory will have some kind of discount on that. While $149 doesn't sound like much, for us, it is right now with all the other "stuff" she has to get for school. I know one big difference in the silver and white macbook is that the silver one does have the backlit keyboard. The free ipod deal has started, but for the cost of the itouch (which we have to pay for and then get the rebate), she can get the silver macbook. (Yes, I know no rebate, but the initial cost is the same and she has a perfectly fine ipod classic that she loves.) I'm also hoping for the free printer or at least a good rebate with it, too. We will not be making any purchase until our "tax free" weekend here in Georgia which is at the end of July/first of August.

Thanks again, everyone. If there are other ideas/suggestions, please let us know.

 

[mckryan]

Only the aluminum 2.4GHz has the backlit keyboard. The 2.0GHz does not. I just want to make sure you get the right one if you are looking for the backlight keyboard. She'll love her Mac. My daughter is going to GT this fall (we live in the same county!!), and she's definitely getting a MacBook. She's trying to steal mine all the time. She wants to go get it now, now, now. LOL

 

[ugadog99]

Only the aluminum 2.4GHz has the backlit keyboard. The 2.0GHz does not. I just want to make sure you get the right one if you are looking for the backlight keyboard. She'll love her Mac. My daughter is going to GT this fall (we live in the same county!!), and she's definitely getting a MacBook. She's trying to steal mine all the time. She wants to go get it now, now, now. LOL

Thank you. I didn't realize that. Hmmm....back to the decisions.

 

[Praying Colonel]

Open Office - FREE

DD19 used Open Office for the Mac until she was able to get a free version of Mac Office at college. Open Office worked just fine. She probably would've stayed with that if the Mac version of Office had cost anything.

 

[ugadog99]

I think she's going to try Open Office and see how she likes it. Thanks!

 

[mckryan]

The Worldwide Developers Conference is going on, and they just made some MacBook announcements. New configurations begin shipping today! I hope you haven't purchased the MacBook yet! http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10257637-37.html