Mac for University?

Hi i am buying a new mac probably this month. I was planning on getting the Macbook Pro! I need a new computer and i thought, why not get a laptop because then ill have it for university. The thing is...I'm at the end of my grade 10 year so i wont be heading to University for another 2 years. Will my macbook pro be outdated and crappy by the time i have to go to university???

thanks!

MAC for University?

Hi i am buying a new mac probably this month. I was planning on getting the Macbook Pro! I need a new computer and i thought, why not get a laptop because then ill have it for university. The thing is...I'm at the end of my grade 10 year so i wont be heading to University for another 2 years. Will my macbook pro be outdated and crappy by the time i have to go to university???

thanks!

No it won't be.

There will definitely be a newer model out by the time you go to university, but that doesn't mean that your MBP will be crappy. It comes down to this, if you don't need it now, and only need it for university, then wait. But if you would be using it now, then get it now. Mac's can last for years, especially if you have an applecare warranty (they are very good about replacing parts if you need it)

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No Cross posting the same thread in multiple forums please. Thanks.

ntt333 said:

Will my macbook pro be outdated and crappy by the time i have to go to university???

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My question back at you is...Even if the MacBook Pro was outdated & crappy in 2 years...How would that impact your MacBook Pro purchase now?

If you need or want a computer now...you need or want a computer NOW.

Just trying to help,

- Nick

If you by a macbook pro today you could easily get a few years in it, as in a few I mean about 4 or without any upgrading really needed. At my moms work(a preschool) they let the kids use apple 2s and they are still in full working condition.

Outdated? As in it won't run any software you might need to put on it. Highly unlikely.
Crappy? Well, that all depends on how well you take care of it over the next two years.

sorry, i shouldve been more specicfic. when i said outdated i meant like. iff a new software program comes out and i need it, will my 2 year old mac be ok to run it? will it keep up? stuff like that.

thanks again
(sorry for the double thread post mr. moderator)

well since its for college, u will need office (word and powerpoint, maybe excel) ... and im sure current macbook pro's will still be able to run the next version of M$ office..... so since u are asking specifically about having a computer for college, i would say that it would be fine cause thats all u really need for college. i got a emac my freshman year and it lasted me my whole college career.

hope that answers your question

Go ahead and get one now you dont have to wait, the MBP may not be the newest model out when you go to college but it will run all the software the new ones will be able to. Thats why I switched to mac, apple is on top of everything.

Computer hardware has reached that point where you don't really need to upgrade every couple of months just to keep up with software demands. A computer you buy today should be able to easily run several revisions of software beyond what's available now. For example, your Macbook will run Office 2008 very smoothly. There's a high probability that it'll run whatever version is out in 2012 just as smoothly.

I bought my Macbook in December 2006. It's been over two years and it still runs all the latest software just as quickly as it did when I first got it. I'm fairly certain that it'll continue doing so for many more years.

The only exception to what I just said is when it comes to games. That's mainly where hardware starts to show signs of being outdated. However, if you're not gaming, then this is a moot point.

Crappy then??

Have you looked at a G4 recently? They are quite 'old' now and they still look really nice.

I suppose I'm beyond peer pressure, but you really need to sort out whether you want a computer or a fashion toy.

I've been 'mac' for just over a year now and this MBP still flies compared with any PC I've used.

Either way, good luck. Personally, I think you could do a lot worse, even though they are relatively expensive.

As a college student, my advise is to buy when you need a computer. I would buy at least a few months before you move, so you can get your files transfered over, and get comfortable. I wouldn't say two years would be necessary, but I guess that's up to you. Many kids on college campuses carry around the newest MacBook Pro to check their facebook page, which makes me think they may have just wanted one to have one. Make sure you buy what's right for you, and with care, it will not be outdated anytime soon.

MacGnG said:

well since its for college, u will need office (word and powerpoint, maybe excel) ... and im sure current macbook pro's will still be able to run the next version of M$ office.....

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While this has nothing to do with this thread, I disagree. I got through all of undergrad using Office maybe once. I used OOo and it worked like a charm. Now, if you are absolutely dependent on the OOXML format for some reason, Office is probably a good bet. My advice would be to try all the Office suites - MS Office, iWork, OpenOffice, NeoOffice and Lotus Symphony (the last three being free of cost) and decide what works best for you.

I hope this thread isn't dead, but I just wanted to offer my input. Ultimately, if you want/need a macbook now, no matter what we say, you're gonna get it. I asked a very similar question this past december. The only difference is, it was a matter of going to college in 8 months for me, but for you, its 2 years. My advice would be that if you can easily live with whatever computer you have now, do it. Even if the macbook could last until you go to college, it won't be the newest available. Despite being able to run software, you have to keep in mind that you will be surrounded with people with the newest macs available. This isn't a huge issue, but just one that you should keep in mind (especially if you only want a mac now for the sake of having one, rather than legitimately needing one). Not saying thats where you fall, just giving you something to think about.

So to summarize, I say wait. If you don't need a new computer, wait until your senior year of highschool (at the earliest) to get it. If you do need a new computer, then buy a macbook pro. Its really up to you.