Macbook and student usage.

Just a quick question here, but would purchasing a Macbook ($1,799) be worth it for a new graduate student, if I have no plans to do anything related to photoshop usage (Photos, movie editing, graphic programs, etc...)?

I really love the design and quality of Apple laptops, but hesitate to buy one because they seem to cater more toward graphic work (This is an assumption of mine based upon what little research I've done), while my primary usage of a laptop will be web browsing, word processing, and research. It won't be a desktop replacement, but rather something I'll use to take to the library and likely store all my school documents.

Would it be worth picking this machine up? I'd really like to wait until the supposed Ibooks with dual core processors are released, but I've got to make a purchase soon. I'm hesitating towards just grabbing a $1,000 Dell machine, but the Macbook is very appealing from an aesthetic standpoint, and right now money isn't a huge issue.

Edit: If I were to pick up an Apple laptop, I'd have a PC desktop with it so I'm not sure how those two will correlate.

 

For this I think you'll be fine.

 

Thanks for the response.

I know on a Macbook I'll be able to do what I need to, but I guess my feeling is that I won't get the full usage out of it, or maybe it's above what I need for a notebook.

 

Just think about it this way.... It will make you look wayyy cooler. It's an attention getter. I'd buy it just for the fact that it's different. I think it will be my next laptop late summer. Also, what program degree do you have? If it's related to computers, it's a good idea to learn the inside/outside of a Mac too...better chances of better jobs that deal with both platforms.

 

Dude. Save your money. You won't even come close to fully utilizing this computer if this is all you'll be doing. Attention getter, yeah. Wise purchase, no.

 

Most people don't push their laptops performance wise. There certainly are cheaper alternative, but if you have the cash and want to get it there is no reason not to.

 

Don't get me wrong, there's a lot to said for a sexy laptop (and these fit the bill!). Similarly, having performance capabilities above and beyond what you would absolutely need is certainly not a bad thing. He does say that he's got a PC desktop, and if he's concerned about the easiest way to maintain consistency in his computing, maybe he should consider other alternatives.

Hutch, have you worked on the Mac platform before?

If you are attracted to the design aspects of the laptops, you might want to check out Asus notebooks as well. They have some more affordable alternatives that are extremely well built and sharp-looking.

 

If that's what you'll be using it for, and you prefer a Mac, save your money and buy a Mac Mini with core duo processor or better yet, wait for the intel iBooks.

 

From reading these responses, I've realized that my desire to get one of these is more from an aesthetic standpoint. My degree is in nothing related to computers (Physical therapy), so looking at the big picture yea a Mac probably isn't worth it for me, and I've never used one as well.

I'll probably end up with a Dell or maybe look into an ASUS, despite it being a little more expensive.

 

I mainly do the things that you do Hutch with my notebook and i am very glad that i purchased mine. I do not intend to take my notebook out very much at all if ever hardly ever so it is not about looking cool for me.
I buy a high end notebook once about every three years and for me the Mac Book Pro came out when i was ready to buy and was the nicest model that i saw that i liked so i went with it. Plus i wanted a change from Windows as well as i was bored with it.

Don't forget as well that the Mac Book Pro has got some other excellent fun features that you may end up using as well such as I-Chat, Photo booth and Garage Band which enables you to make your own music. I had no intention of using some of the these things that are a feature of the Mac but I have already been having some fun with them already.

 

I'm considering getting one of the new intel ibooks for the reasons you got the macbook. Boredom, wanna try something new.. I was playing around on a friend's new intel mac desktop the other day. Some of the little things like how do you toggle between two or three open windows at a time got me puzzled?
With windows you just tab between them at the bottom. How's it work? I'm sure i could figure out the small stuff but i'm impatient somewhat

 

"Mac OS X: The Missing Manual" by David Pogue. Super resource.

 

Hi in Safari you can just select to open a new window under the File section and this way you can have more than one window open. You can also adjust the size of the window as well to make things easier if you want to have more than one tab open.

 

Hutch,

If you are on a college campus somewhere, ask someone who uses Macs to see what the machine can do. There are some very handy features to Macs that might work well for you. An experienced user probably knows a few things that you wouldn't even think to ask about. The graphical environment isn't just functional for Photoshop and video; it makes it easier to take screen shots and move items around, and so forth. I notice on our campus that a fair percentage of students use Macs.

 

B.S.!!! I'm an Exercise Physiologist and I still think theres no harm in buying a notebook for its robust computing power. Not to mention that there are plenty of texts now that use interactive software to diagram some of things you'll be covering in class. Given your situation though, I would keep in mind the systems availible to you at school/work. Def do have an advantage though because most schools have an online storage(Datastor @ my school) and macs can access your school files from anywhere. If your needs are really that basic, then step down to the sleeker powerbook's or the New asus build IBooks with duo core. My roomate just bought a Dell and already It needs repairs. You should take into account the company's reliability.