Never Owned a Macbook - Should I Change That?

[2PMintheAM]

I'm currently finishing up my senior year of high school, and I'm beginning to prepare for college. I need a Laptop.

I consider myself much more knowledgeable in Windows devices than the average person, but I'm pretty new to the world of apple. I'm comfortable and experienced with Windows, so I never had a reason to get something different.

I've never owned an Apple notebook, but I am familiar with generally how they function compared to Windows devices, I'm just not as familiar as I would like to be if I'm going to consider throwing potentially $1200+ at a new Laptop. That's why I'm here!

I want something premium, something thin, decent battery life (8+ hours) and I do want a decent bit of power. With what I know, I've already removed the Macbook Air and the new "Macbook" from my options. I'm pretty sure what I'm looking for is a Macbook Pro, with Retina display.

Here are my main questions, but I also really really appreciate literally ANY other advice:

1. Buy a Macbook now, or wait? The latest I can wait is early August.
2. If the answer is "yes" to question 1, which Macbook? Buy one used on ebay that's a couple years old.. buy one brand new?
3. Should I consider not investing into an Apple device all together?

I'm not very involved in anything Apple, so I'm not too familiar with when Apple tends to release new devices, when's a good and bad time to buy, etc. But I obviously know about the company and the devices they manufacture. I just need to know more before I go in and purchase something!

As far as a budget, well, let's just say $1200 is a lot to me, but when it comes to something I need for college, if it's the best option I can come up with it. I have no set "budget" if I can get something powerful for cheap, why not! If it's really really worth it to spend $1200 to last me 2-3 years, maybe it's worth it.

I'm open to ANY opinions! Please! Say anything! If you read all of that, and there's possibly something you can say to give me some advice, I can't explain how much I appreciate it.

This is my first post here on Mac Forums, so, hello Maybe down the road I'll be able to answer other's Apple related questions

Thanks

 

[pigoo3]

I've never owned an Apple notebook, but I am familiar with generally how they function compared to Windows devices, I'm just not as familiar as I would like to be if I'm going to consider throwing potentially $1200+ at a new Laptop. That's why I'm here!

I think that you need to get more familiar with Apple computers & the Mac OS. What would happen if you spent $1200+ on an Apple computer…and hated the computer and hated the Mac OS?? Not a pretty picture I would say!

Also. I didn't see any real reasons mentioned in your post why getting an Apple computer would be a better choice for you vs. a Windows computer (which sounds like you are MUCH more familiar with).

Unless you have strong reasons to stop using Windows computers…why are you even considering an Apple computer??

- Nick

 

[2PMintheAM]

I think that you need to get more familiar with Apple computers & the Mac OS. What would happen if you spent $1200+ on an Apple computer…and hated the computer and hated the Mac OS?? Not a pretty picture I would say!

Also. I didn't see any real reasons mentioned in your post why getting an Apple computer would be a better choice for you vs. a Windows computer…which sounds like you are MUCH more familiar with.

Unless you have strong reasons to stop using Windows computers…why are you even considering an Apple computer??

- Nick

I should have said I'm much more familiar with Windows over Mac OS. I am somewhat familiar with Apple, even without ever owning one myself, just because of how involved I am in technology, I usually know more about a Mac than anyone I know who owns one themselves, with some exceptions course.

The reason I'm considering an Apple computer is because of the reliability, the design, and truly the simplicity. I'll be taking my Windows Desktop to college as well, so I'm not leaving Windows all-together, but when I think to myself about what I want in a Laptop, I want something portable, sleek, simplistic, powerful, and reliable. From reviews I've read and just with my personal experience with Macbooks in school or with family, they seem to fit every request of mine.

I've owned several Windows laptops in the past, and as much as I love my Windows PC, I've honestly disliked all of the Windows laptops I've owned. They have their pros, but each laptop seems to have several problems that take away from the overall experience too much. Very loud fans, terrible battery life, glitchy and sometimes unresponsive trackpads, poor build quality. In my opinion, it seems Macbook's strengths and pros far outweigh the cons, but please correct me if I am wrong!

 

[pigoo3]

I should have said I'm much more familiar with Windows over Mac OS. I am somewhat familiar with Apple, even without ever owning one myself, just because of how involved I am in technology, I usually know more about a Mac than anyone I know who owns one themselves, with some exceptions course.

The reason I'm considering an Apple computer is because of the reliability, the design, and truly the simplicity. I'll be taking my Windows Desktop to college as well, so I'm not leaving Windows all-together, but when I think to myself about what I want in a Laptop, I want something portable, sleek, simplistic, powerful, and reliable. From reviews I've read and just with my personal experience with Macbooks in school or with family, they seem to fit every request of mine.

I've owned several Windows laptops in the past, and as much as I love my Windows PC, I've honestly disliked all of the Windows laptops I've owned. They have their pros, but each laptop seems to have several problems that take away from the overall experience too much. Very loud fans, terrible battery life, glitchy and sometimes unresponsive trackpads, poor build quality. In my opinion, it seems Macbook's strengths and pros far outweigh the cons, but please correct me if I am wrong!

With what you mentioned in this post it sounds like you are more familiar with Apple computers & the Mac OS then how things sounded in post #1.

As long as the Apple laptop you get will do what you want it to do. And as long as you have the budget to purchase it. Go for it. I guess you just need to decide what to get.

- Nick

 

[2PMintheAM]

With what you mentioned in this post it sounds like you are more familiar with Apple computers & the Mac OS then how things sounded in post #1.

As long as the Apple laptop you get will do what you want it to do. And as long as you have the budget to purchase it. Go for it. I guess you just need to decide what to get.

- Nick

Perfect, thank you!

Another question now

I'm unsure when apple tends to release new products, is there any chance there would be a new Macbook Pro coming out between now and August?

The latest I can wait to purchase is August, and I don't want to purchase a Macbook now, and in say.. Late April, a new Macbook Pro is released.

Would you say purchase now, or August, doesn't matter, or definitely wait until right around when it's the latest I'll need a Laptop?

 

[pigoo3]

I'm unsure when apple tends to release new products, is there any chance there would be a new Macbook Pro coming out between now and August?

Apple just 2 days ago announced:

- new 13" MacBook Pro models
- new MacBook Air models
- new MacBook models

Does this count?? I don't think that we'll be seeing anything new from these product lines before August.

- Nick

 

[chas_m]

There is likely to be a revision to the 15 inch MacBook Pro sometime later this year, in case you're looking at one. It's hard to tell in advance, of course, but a good bet would be in June, when Apple holds its worldwide developers conference.

I have no idea what they plan to do with the 15 inch MacBook Pro. They might redesign it, they might update it, they might discontinue it. But we'll probably know by early June.