03-20-2008, 01:44 PM

Hiya!
Im a dual major in Computer Science and Business Management.
Now using VAIO (for a year already) and wanna have a new Mac.

But Im wondering MacBook and Macbook Air which one is better..
I use C++ to write program sometime..is mac work well wif C++?

Any suggestions?

03-20-2008, 02:16 PM

Do you need an ultra portable machine?

Can you live with no internal optical drive?

03-20-2008, 02:22 PM

I don't know what hardware you require for coding, but as far as Macbook vs Air? Well, for $300 more for the Air you get a lot less compared to the top level black macbook. 80gb HD compared to 250gb, a single USB port, slower processor, no optical drive.

I would imagine if you are do lot of coding/compiling you will need some good HD space and would likely need a CD/DVD burner. I would go Macbook for sure. The air is probably, no, it is the sweetest LOOKING laptop around. But if you are doing anything other than surfing and light office type work it's not the most practical thing.

03-20-2008, 02:41 PM

I would say macbook as well, especially for college.

03-20-2008, 04:55 PM

i just bought a black macbook. its seriosusly the sickness....i would go with it because you can always upgrade it, when need be.

03-20-2008, 05:09 PM

i am agreeing with the rest a macbook would be the best choice for your needs.

03-20-2008, 05:15 PM

If it's programming that you will be doing, I'd say go with the Macbook Air. One rarely if ever needs an optical drive these days. And if you do, you will always have a desktop or your Vaio around to share it.

03-20-2008, 05:36 PM

For what you get for the price...Im agreeing with others here and saying Macbook!

03-21-2008, 12:21 AM

For a college student, Macbook. I love mine!

03-21-2008, 01:20 AM

Macbook 100%

Bigger hard drive. Some of my business classes require a windows machine, and if you ever run into that a bigger hard drive would be beneficial for a dual boot. Also, I would worry being in a class and randomly being handed a CD and being told "load this," would not want to have to carry around an external drive in that case.

the air may be great for Computer Science, but I definitely could see those in the business department saying "what do you mean you don't have a DVD drive" or "you have to use windows even though you can make the exact same spreadsheet on a mac." At least that has been my experience.

Great dual major by the way, best of luck!

--Adam

03-21-2008, 02:20 AM

If ur willing to spend on an Air... why not consider a 15" MB Pro?

03-21-2008, 08:55 AM

im really starting to think that people that make these kind of topics already know that they want the macbook air but know that its stupid to spend that kind of money on what you get. they just come here to make us talk them out of it.

anyways buy a macbook. i think for what you get, the $1300 macbook is the best deal apple offers for laptops. if you want to waste another $200 bucks then buy the black one.

03-21-2008, 09:11 AM

Go with the Macbook.

I 2nd dammitdan57's comment

if you want to waste another $200 bucks then buy the black one.

Personally I'd rather buy a Whitebook then put in what RAM and Speed/Size/Manufacturer hard drive I want rather than pay Apple's bloated prices for it.

Kat

03-21-2008, 11:44 AM

It sounds like price is not really a concern of the OP'er, or at least hasn't been mentioned. So leaving that aside, you'd have to consider other issues. Most people want the MBA because it's just sweet and they don't mind paying the money for that. Even though many people may disagree, you have to do what you want, end of story.

I think if you have a desktop or some other primary computer at home, and the MBA is just going to be a portable workhorse with no major hard drive capacity or other resource demands on it, and you really want it, get the MBA. I'm in grad school for management, and I can say from my experience that I haven't encountered a situation in class where a disc drive was required. Many students don't even bring laptops to class. And as far as course material goes, most schools have a online resource system for class information and files. I can't imagine there ever being a situation in a class where a prof hands you a CD or DVD to run. They'd have to bring enough for every student, which is just crazy this day and age. And if such a situation ever did come up, that's what USB drives are for! Copy the file from the guy next to you or just have him email it to you.

Hey, if the resources of the MBA fit your needs and you really want it, just go for it!

03-21-2008, 12:44 PM

Due to the lightness, and ease of carrying around, i personally would get the air, even though it's more $.

(Am i like the only one who's said that- yeah)