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What is the best lap top for college students?
Posted on 12/15/14 at 3:57 pm
Posted on 12/15/14 at 3:57 pm
What brand/model/etc. would be the best bet? Looking for all around performance from hauling to class for taking notes to goofing off on the web.
6
Posted on 12/15/14 at 3:59 pm to geauxnc0308
Surface Pro 3
Posted on 12/15/14 at 5:05 pm to geauxnc0308
Worry less about brand and model or even internal specs for that matter. Find one that's lightweight and with good battery life. What's your budget?
If you say $300 like everyone else here does, just go to best buy, close your eyes, and pick one.
If you say $300 like everyone else here does, just go to best buy, close your eyes, and pick one.
Posted on 12/15/14 at 5:58 pm to geauxnc0308
I'd go surface pro 3 or Macbook Air.
Depends on user preference.
I really like that surface pro 3
Depends on user preference.
I really like that surface pro 3
Posted on 12/15/14 at 6:21 pm to ILikeLSUToo
Haven't set a budget, but I want something decent that will last her 4 years (ie it can be updated/upgraded)
Posted on 12/15/14 at 6:21 pm to geauxnc0308
MacBook Air
Posted on 12/15/14 at 6:32 pm to geauxnc0308
This should do fine. And its got a great deal on amazon right now Dell Latitude
Posted on 12/15/14 at 8:00 pm to XxxSpooky1
quote:
MacBook Air
This or 13" macbook pro.
Posted on 12/15/14 at 8:21 pm to LSULaw2009
You dumb
Posted on 12/15/14 at 9:12 pm to lsufan_26
quote:
You dumb
MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.
Posted on 12/15/14 at 11:47 pm to geauxnc0308
MacBook. Doesn't really matter which one. They are reliable and rarely need any service. They also hold their value much longer than competing brands/models so you will have the ability to sell it when you graduate to help with those student loans 
Posted on 12/16/14 at 12:17 am to geauxnc0308
While the MacBook air and MacBook Pro are both excellent laptops for students due to their great battery life and light/slim form factor as well as good construction, you definitely want to make sure that whatever major you're in doesn't require some kind of software that isn't available for the Mac. More and more stuff is available for Macs nowadays but there are still a few things that are Windows-exclusive.
Posted on 12/16/14 at 6:16 am to efrad
quote:
you definitely want to make sure that whatever major you're in doesn't require some kind of software that isn't available for the Mac.
Order a Mac from MacMall you get Parallels for free. Use you student ID to download Windows for free--there is no issue.
Posted on 12/16/14 at 7:54 am to TigerGman
quote:
Order a Mac from MacMall you get Parallels for free. Use you student ID to download Windows for free--there is no issue.
Not everyone really wants to buy a computer only to have to install virtualization software and a second alternate operating system just to get their normal work done.
And this is coming from someone who uses a Mac but uses Parallels for work-specific software.
This post was edited on 12/16/14 at 7:55 am
Posted on 12/16/14 at 7:55 am to WITNESS23
quote:
great deal
Posted on 12/16/14 at 11:21 am to efrad
quote:
Not everyone really wants to buy a computer only to have to install virtualization software and a second alternate operating system just to get their normal work done.
Why not? It;'s free. It's a piece of cake to install and even easier to use.
How many typical college students need actual Windows anymore anyway? If they do there's a free and seamless solution. Once you have it installed it runs side by side concurrently. Not like it slows you down in the least or anything.
Posted on 12/16/14 at 2:07 pm to geauxnc0308
quote:
I want something decent that will last her 4 years (ie it can be updated/upgraded)
Since there's a lot of MacBook Air spewing about in this thread, I will point out that the MacBook Air cannot be upgraded later other than increasing storage. However, for a student's use, there is no reason it would need to be upgraded for the minimum 4 years she'll use it. That also applies to pretty much any PC within the ballpark of that price point. Even "upgradeable" laptops are generally limited only to RAM and storage upgrades, with everything else being impractical at best.
If she's used to Windows AND most of her software is Windows only (the latter being highly unlikely), it would be stupid to pay more for a machine with the internals of a $500 laptop just to run Windows. Otherwise, the MacBook Air is not a bad choice because of its battery life and the OS being suited for non tech-savvy users.
If she has a preference for Windows anyway, there are a few Lenovo models that compete very well.
Not trying to talk you out of a MacBook Air at all, but I do want you to properly see the other options and understand that Apple is not your only option for performance, portability, and longevity.
This post was edited on 12/16/14 at 2:09 pm
Posted on 12/16/14 at 3:09 pm to ILikeLSUToo
What is the specs for Surface Pro 3 compared to that group?
TIA
TIA
Posted on 12/16/14 at 4:19 pm to LSU9102
Here's the i5 version added in for the closest comparison
One thing to note is that the Surface Pro 3 price shown does NOT include the keyboard, which is over $100 more I believe. The biggest cause of the price disparity is in the panel. Microsoft went full top notch with the multi-touch IPS panel with the high pixel density. By contrast, the 1366x768 TN panels in the MacBook Airs are extremely cheap to make and essentially the minimum standard. I still don't consider the Surface Pro to be reasonably priced for student use. It's the ideal setup for the business traveler.
One thing to note is that the Surface Pro 3 price shown does NOT include the keyboard, which is over $100 more I believe. The biggest cause of the price disparity is in the panel. Microsoft went full top notch with the multi-touch IPS panel with the high pixel density. By contrast, the 1366x768 TN panels in the MacBook Airs are extremely cheap to make and essentially the minimum standard. I still don't consider the Surface Pro to be reasonably priced for student use. It's the ideal setup for the business traveler.
Posted on 12/16/14 at 4:32 pm to ILikeLSUToo
My roommate hasn't touched his macbook since he's gotten his SP1 a few months ago. He said its the best purchase for school he's ever made
Edit: and he had never owned a Windows device prior
Edit: and he had never owned a Windows device prior
This post was edited on 12/16/14 at 4:34 pm
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