Laptops for college?

[AllTPedOut]

We've been trying to get a head start by doing the college tours for our high school junior early. So far, we've visited 10 schools in the last 6 months, and we're always told that both Windows and OSX are supported platforms. However, it appears that Macbook(s)(Pros) are the laptops of choice on campus, and some of the colleges even have onsite Apple stores!

I'm not interested in debating which is better. I would however, like to get some realistic feedback as to whether or not it would be prudent of me to start chasing down Macbooks now in anticipation of the need down the road. One concern I do have is that there's a "premium" attached to acquiring Apple computers as compared to our beloved Thinkpads, but I guess it's no fun being the only PC in a sea of Macs!

So, what do you think?

[craigmontHunter]

I am using a T61 for my University Engineering course, it does everything I need, including Pro/Engineer solid modeling and intellicad. There is not a force on this planet that would make me trade that for a macbook, or anything else. I would reccomend a refurb T series, especially if you can get it from the IBM store, I have had good luck there with both laptops and desktops.

EDIT:

And it will cost a lot less than a macbook.

[pianowizard]

Apple computers depreciate much slower than PC computers and so even the original MacBooks are still quite expensive. Would the G4 PowerBooks suffice? Those are now fairly cheap, and may be powerful enough. My colleague has the 12" model and its build quality is amazing.

[sir_synthsalot]

I wouldn't buy anything older than Core Duo personally. I wouldn't be chasing them down, unless you're looking to buy used and looking for the right deal.

However, it appears that Macbook(s)(Pros) are the laptops of choice on campus, and some of the colleges even have onsite Apple stores!

It that cause you will be the cool anti-conformist rebel by using a PC, and not the other way around.

[rossmosis]

As amazing as PowerPC was, they just wont do in 2011. You can get amazing deals on the T410 now that the newer version is out if you ended up getting a ThinkPad. There really isn't a need for an Apple over a PC in college, a friend of mine got a MBP for college and really regrets it due to the lack of compatibility in the engineering school. There are a lot of Macs floating around but the only thing the hipsters use them for is Facebook

[RealBlackStuff]

I gave my daughter (freshman at HPU) a T61 with Intel graphics and a 14.1" Standard 4:3 SXGA+ LCD, running Windows 7 Pro.
Not easy to find, I admit, but a well-constructed all-round laptop. She loves it.

[pianowizard]

I know AllTPedOut well enough to know that he already knows a lot about Thinkpads and that he owns more Thinkpads than most of us -- at least a dozen different models! He didn't start this thread to find out which Thinkpad would be best for his daughter. Rather, he wants to get some advice on the following:

I would however, like to get some realistic feedback as to whether or not it would be prudent of me to start chasing down Macbooks now in anticipation of the need down the road. One concern I do have is that there's a "premium" attached to acquiring Apple computers as compared to our beloved Thinkpads

[RealBlackStuff]

One major question would be what the laptop will be used for.
If graphics design, then perhaps a Mac, but there are equal programs available for IBM-compatibles.
Can't think of any reason to prefer one over the other, unless the college 'prescribes' a specific type.
W7 is mature enough, and will be supported for at least another 4-5 years.
If your child is currently used to one type, stick with it.
Apparently it's no fun for an IBM-compatible user having to learn all the quirks of a Mac (and probably vice versa).
Personally I have never even seen a Macbook. The last aberration I can remember was the small all-in-one Macintosh.
Not sure I'd fancy an Apple...

[craigmontHunter]

IMHO, Unless she is going into a course that specifies a macbook, I would reccomend a windows-based laptop (preferably a thinkpad ). It may seem diffrent from everyone else's, but I don't beleive that there is a program that you can come across that is only for macs, or at the very least does not have a windows equivelant.

Ultimately it has to be something she likes, otherwise it is not going to work - and if she is just going to run windows on a macbook, it is even more pointless.

[AllTPedOut]

@rossmosis: Ha, you're probably right about the MBP-Facebook connection!

@RBS: That's too funny Dominic...must be one of the early Apple prototypes And I love how "INCOMPATIBLE" is peeking out in the back!

@PW: Thanks Kwoon, yes you do know me well (waaay toooo many TPs!)...do you see a large number of Macs on your campus too?

It would be easy for me to hand my daughter a Thinkpad for college, which in fact, is what she's using at home now. It's funny how in middle school they used Apple computers, but in high school it's primarily Windows! (yes, same school district!) So, she can work on both platforms without a problem.

The concern for me is more a matter of getting support quickly. With onsite Apple stores and a larger population of Macs, one would think that getting a Mac "fixed" would be done quicker than a Windows PC, since there are also a variety of manufacturers/hardware that one would need to work through to get a problem resolved.

So, maybe it's my imagination, and not having recent first hand experience that I am relying on the folks who are on campus or grads who can point me in the right direction!

Thanks in advance!

[Harryc]

My son is a Senior in college and I bought him a Macbook on day one from the school store. It has been a solid machine and has served him well. The fact that he/she can get hardware support on campus is a huge plus. I am not an Apple fanboy, but I do own a Macbook and a Mac Mini. They are great machines and worth every penny. If your student is into all things Apple, .e.g owns an iPhone and/or an iPad as well, then a Macbook is the perfect companion to those. If you are looking for a used Macbook, send me a PM.

[AllTPedOut]

@Harryc:
Thank you! That is exactly what I'm trying to figure out...hardware support should not be a showstopper! Is he using the same Macbook from day one and did he need to get help for it in the last three years?
I'm curious if anyone has any stories to share about Windows support on campus?

[Harryc]

Well, it needed a fan, but I was the tech support when he was home for a visit . Other than that, no issues.

[ajkula66]

Whatever you end up getting, make sure that it's not something that has to be chained to your daughter's (if I remember correctly) wrist/ankle 24/7/365 so it doesn't grow legs of its own...