Need help in buying a Mac laptop...

[PWCorgi]

So, I recieved a scholarship to get a laptop, I think I'm going to look more into a Mac.

Couple questions...

I've heard that college students get a discount for Mac computers? If so, is it a set discount? If it is does anybody know how much?

Does Microsoft Office come on Mac computers?

Any suggestions on which computer I should look into?
-I'm looking for a fast computer.
-I spend most of the time on the internet or working with Microsoft Office. -Not absolutely necessary, but I would really like a computer that I could have both Photoshop and the game The Sims on as well.
-The scholarship is for $1,300, but I have an additional $700 in scholarships from my school that I can use if I need to.

How much should I set aside for like a virus protection program, etc?

TIA

 

[DemitriousK]

dont worry about the antivirus or antispiware, there really arent any of those types of baddies for the mac at this time. Yes you can get microsoft office 2008 for the mac ( http://store.apple.com/us/product/TQ744LL/A?fnode=home/shop_mac/software/productivity&mco=MjU3NjQ ). Yes you get a discount ( http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/routingpage.html ).

You should probably get a laptop. Unless you're going into an engineering type field an macbook will probably do just fine. If you can justify it the 13 inch white with the 2gb of ram is worth the upgrade ( in my eyes... the 1299 one before the student discount ) ( http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook?mco=MTE2NTQ ) if not the basic one will do you just fine. If you're not sure how careful you can be with your equipment (for example if you have roomates, or parties, or roomates who party, etc), get the protection plan instead of the upgrade.

IIRC the student discount on the macbook is $100. putting the basic notebook at just under $1k. So in your $1300 you have some wiggle room with that you do and dont want.

Hope this helps.

hope this helps

 

[PWCorgi]

Thank you!! Helps a ton!:hail:

 

[zoe08]

You will have to get office separately for macs. And I think the sims you would have to buy the mac version also.

One of the reasons I didn't go with a mac is because I didn't want to have to rebuy everything for macs, and I didn't want to have to switch between mac os and windows all the time. I think you will also have to buy photoshop for macs.

 

[PWCorgi]

I lied, I have another question.

Without buying the Microsoft Office pack, does the computer still have some kind of document programs?

 

[Buddy'sParents]

It's a better idea to have Office, just for compatibility purposes.

Mit says the student edition might be able to be installed on multiple computers... so you may want to look into that and see if that is indeed true and see if you can split it with some folks. Good luck, Lauren.

 

[Renee750il]

I think this is what comes on it. I love it. It's SO much more efficient than MS Office. Hell, I refuse to even use MS Office on a Windows machine. If you want me to work on a Windows machine, give me Corel. http://www.apple.com/findouthow/iwork/

Nikki's right about having a copy of Office just for compatibility's sake, although I'd guess there's a way to convert files from iWork to Office for transfer.

 

[DemitriousK]

You get a *cough* trial of iWork bundled.

looks like the Home and Student edition of MS ( 150 before any possible discounts ) comes with 3 keys. So if you can I'd find 2 other people who need it and go in $55/$60 each on it (taxk, s&h)

http://www.mackb.com/Uwe/Forum.aspx...-product-keys-on-the-Home-and-Student-edition

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=419266

 

[PWCorgi]

Hmm, well I can always use Google Docs (which is compatible w/ Office) or the school computers until I can afford Office...

Thanks guys!

 

[Nechochwen]

OR you could save a ton of money and get a laptop in the $7-800 range that will be just as powerful as any macbook you can buy

 

[PWCorgi]

OR you could save a ton of money and get a laptop in the $7-800 range that will be just as powerful as any macbook you can buy

Certain brand/computer you had in mind?

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Well that's just silly...why waste her money on a POS?

 

[Nechochwen]

Sager.

Not only can you customize EVERYTHING about your laptop to suit your needs, it's cheaper too!

What size of screen are you looking to get? 13 inches is a bit small, 15.1 is a pretty good size. 17inch will seem huge and will drain the battery fairly quick.

 

[PWCorgi]

I don't really care how big the screen is, as long as I can see what's on it.

 

[Angel Chicken]

Certain brand/computer you had in mind?

I vote IBM computer/notebook.

Because they rock!

Take that, mac users!

 

[PWCorgi]

Now techies, no fighting!

*shakes finger*

 

[Angel Chicken]

Now techies, no fighting!

*shakes finger*

I'm being silly, of course! Nikki knows I love her, even if she has a Mac!

Have you owned a laptop before? I'm asking because I may be able to direct you to the proper kind of laptop... I'm the laptop queen, I've had like 5 already, and upgrade VERY often.

 

[PWCorgi]

No, I haven't AC. Though my sister has one.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

I'm being silly, of course! Nikki knows I love her, even if she has a Mac!

HAHA... AC only loves me because she's jealous she doesn't have a mac and wants to steal mine. :rofl1:

Kidding. Get whatever works for you, but as always, I recommend trying a Mac. As Renee says, once you try Mac, you'll never go back.

 

[Angel Chicken]

Okies then!

I still vote IBM However, they are expensive when you buy then new... hell, this one was bought used and it still ran us 700. But, it rocks. It hasn't died (except for the hard drive and Matt spilling pepsi on it), and it has been dropped, usb ports ripped out, all sorts of crap.... and it's still living. I've had it over a year now, which is a record for me (my other laptops would last 8-9 months before something went wrong/we upgraded).