Would like to get a soon to be college student another laptop.

I would think this student would prefer Apple, currently uses Windows, but has Iphone.

Will be entering and majoring in Music (Teaching/Band).

Any negative of getting an Apple product? (I only use Windows and Android).

This will need to be carried around and I would think need a lot of memory?

Suggestions and anywhere with current good prices?
What about buying used?

God Bless,
David B.

Cost is the biggest difference. Apple laptops are 3X more...

Very simple thing to help you make your decision. Ask somebody at whatever college it is what the college uses. Odds are its windows.

At Troy, its windows. Apple users often have a lot of difficulty doing school related things because of software issues.

The IT department at his school likely would have a recommendation on what platform the student should run, along with recommended specs. Give them a call if the student has not received that information.

I used Macs at Auburn years ago, but I think IT doesn't support them now like they used to. However, the bookstore was still selling Mac products last I saw. I was in publications and graphic design, so we just had to run Macs.

I use a Mac at work even though my college doesn't support them. I find that you can get more work done on them with less trouble. I do have a PC as well.

This morning it took my PC about 45 mins to boot up I think due to some updates, which was a pain. My Mac starts up immediately every single day without issue and I can hit the ground running.

I am biased though.

Biggest thing with a Mac (should you choose to purchase) is having a microsoft office pack. (Word, powerpoint, excel). Those are the 3 main programs needed. They make a package for a mac. This is what I did for my daughter ( a junior at Troy). I did the same thing about 10 years ago when I went to grad school. The apple based products that are supposed to mimic the Windows based programs, work well, but were a hassle to convert and use for class.

I like the Macbook and that is all I have at home, but for a student. I would highly recommend getting the Microsoft Office for Mac.

Side note.....in the Spring they will have some really good deals for graduation. If your kid already has an email address for the university they will attend, you can get the Office package cheap or free. Also they will usually have some really good deals on Macbooks and will come with a nice gift. My daughters came with a $250 pair of wireless Beats Headphones.

You can get refurbished Mac's for a "good" price (compared to what they normally are). I use Mac, but PC's are fine too.

For the music part, a lot of people will say Mac. That's kind of the sweet spot for them, but also, you can do all the same stuff on a PC. So basically....

figured out what the school uses.

I had a mac in college and then switched to. Windows galaxy that I’m using now in medical school...only reason I switched was because of the “IT doesn’t support it” info that I was told and later found out was not the case. I can guarantee the IT guys are probably just as skilled dealing with either so don’t let that hold you back. I did have to buy the Microsoft package for my Mac though as mentioned earlier, but that was pretty easy/wasn’t a pain. I wish I had never switched from the Mac. I think you can do more on a Windows if you are skilled with computers (I am not), but I found the Mac had way less problems than I have had with the windows. This is just my opinion because it’s whatever the person likes more.

The only reason I use Mac is that I don't have to fool around with damn antivirus stuff. Not having that headache is worth the extra expense to me.

My daughter had a nice Dell and when she got into her major, there was a program or something that required a Mac. Just get them a basic one with Office Pack and realize that later on they may need something else, or start with a Mac.

Mac OS for the win. Just about anything is convertible now-a-days between the two different operating systems. I did purchase the Microsoft Office Suite for my MacBook, but Mac's versions of the Microsoft programs are easily converted to Microsoft with little change in content. The best thing I did when purchasing my Mac was upgrade the capacity of the memory/storage. My Mac is now 6 years old and got me through a Master's degree of GIS which is heavily computer dependent.

Keep in mind, I have seen an increasing trend towards online sourced documents and was made to utilize online document sourcing throughout my college experiences (i.e. google docs, sheets, etc.). The use of online source documentation makes for even easier submission and conversion of working documents. It was a little annoying at first, but you get used to the fact that your documents are then accessible where ever you have access to a computer, regardless whether the computer belongs to you or not. In other words, the word processing aspect of computers is not as necessary as it used to be. Online source document creating and storage is taking over for that. The computer is merely an access tool.

The most overlooked benefit of a Mac is that if you are using/running other apple products the compatibility between them is superb. I have a computer, phone, appleTV, iPad, apple watch (wife's) and everything stays perfectly synced.

Great info.

Keep posting!

Thank you!


God Bless,
David B.

I bought a macbook air my freshman year of college (5 years ago) and have no complaints. It has a 13 inch screen and is thin and light. I think it has 120GB of memory and I have never had an issue with storage. It was approximately $1100. The school should have a way for them to download microsoft office package for free and they can keep it on their computer as long as they are students. I am in law school now and use it more than ever. Most of my engineering student friends preferred windows due to some program compatibility issues but contact the school and they may give you more insight on what programs/apps he/she would be using regularly.

Additionally, apple does have a student discount that is usually offered through the school.

Mac are for music guys, graphic designers, and hippies. Windows is for the working man that needs Microsoft Excel, Project and Outlook. AU strongly preferred we bought our son a Windows laptop.

mac is much easier to use, and near about virus proof. windows OS is too stinking fiddly ...

HERE is the info from ITS for students at miss’ippi state...you can likely find the same info for the school of choice on their ITS page.

You'll feel real good about that Mac purchase and paying 3x more, until it craps out 2yrs later. Never again for me...ever

This. Apple is VERY overpriced..VERY

I used to buy several a year when I was in the publishing business but won't ever own another. Didn't Apple admit a year or two ago that they purposely design their iPads and iPhones to start slowing down after so many hours of use to force buyers to upgrade?