Have had the same Mac for several years and have had zero problems with it. I recommend a Mac.

 

If I may ask, what type of degree is your grad wanting to pursue? That can influence what type of computer to get.

Nursing at UK

 

 

Many times colleges also tend to work with specific computer companies like Dell as well as others so they recommend you getting those types of computers and software to support you. UK, for example, works with and recommends Dell and also has support for McAfee anti-virus users. Just from my personal experience, after getting a Dell I will never get another one and McAfee offers little bang for your buck based on what you pay and what you get (I'd recommend WebRoot but thats for a different thread).

 

Honestly, the whole "support" program that these schools say they will offer those who have Dells, etc. doesn't really matter too much because in the end I had one or two issues with my computer and they helped me out no problem and walked me through what to do. I think the only time it really matters is when there is an actual physical problem with computer but I could be wrong on that one because I was never truly in that situation.

 

My advice? Get the laptop of your choosing and that you think is currently best for kid.

 

Just be forewarned, Macs cannot do everything a PC does because unfortunately some of the software, etc. hasn't all been retrofitted for those laptops. However the Macs can still do plenty but you won't ever have any issues with PCs as you have much more versatility in what you can do. Still Macs are becoming more and more like the PC laptops everyday as developers get access to the Macs coding and hardware to make their programs and software compatible. This is especially true for Games though on the PC. I don't know if your child is much of a gamer or not but if they are I would definitely stay away from a Mac because not all games are compatible with them.

 

Hope this helps!

Really like the Mac. But concerned with what you mentioned about UK and Dell.

 

Thanks to all for the info.

Also of note, IMO Mac's have a much longer lifespan than a PC.

A PC in a comparable price range to a Mac will last just as long as a Mac and give you comparable performance. If you are going to compare a $700 PC with a $1500 Mac, then you are right. My Toshiba Satellite A505, which I paid more for than I did my MacBook, runs circles around my MacBook and is just as durable.

Nursing at UK

 

My ex was a nursing student and had a Mac that she loved. Then again it's not like some majors which require special programs that can only be run on a certain system.

A PC in a comparable price range to a Mac will last just as long as a Mac and give you comparable performance. If you are going to compare a $700 PC with a $1500 Mac, then you are right. My Toshiba Satellite A505, which I paid more for than I did my MacBook, runs circles around my MacBook and is just as durable.

This was some what my point before. You're not going to get a 700 Mac. I'm sure there are some PC that for the same price do very well. There are other factors like a virus or ease of components and such that play factors. I do feel in general Macs last a little longer. You also can take into account that you can buy two PC over the life of one Mac for about the same oringal cost.

 

Disclaimer: I do art and design so I go with Apple products.

I switched to Mac and love it, still use my windows 7 desktop too.

You can run a program called parallels and also put windows on your Mac, I use

Football stat software that won't work with 64 bit windows pc's so I have windows Xp running on parralels and have both operating systems and can do whatever I want in one op system or the other. I may put windows 7 on it this summer if I ever get free time

Right now apple is running their back to school promotion where you buy a laptop you get an apple gift card for the app stores, iTunes etc for $100. I did that last year.

Right now apple is running their back to school promotion where you buy a laptop you get an apple gift card for the app stores' date=' iTunes etc for $100. I did that last year.[/quote']

 

You use to get an iPod and a printer. But I'm old now so I would say that deal is long gone.

Then again it's not like some majors which require special programs that can only be run on a certain system.

Alrighty then. This whole thread.....never mind.

We got our 2 older kids Dell's for college and both are still in use (older one had hers since 2006) our youngest graduAtes this year and we will probably stick with Dell. I heard great things about MAC but the price holds me back. Dell can run more programs via windows than a Mac so we stick with Dell

You use to get an iPod and a printer. But I'm old now so I would say that deal is long gone.

 

That was a great deal too. It shows that we are getting old.

When I went to college in 2000 I got a Compaq Presario. Found you a good deal. I graduated so they must be good

 

Compaq Presario 5BW131 US 5000 Series Desktop Computer | eBay

This was some what my point before. You're not going to get a 700 Mac. I'm sure there are some PC that for the same price do very well. There are other factors like a virus or ease of components and such that play factors. I do feel in general Macs last a little longer. You also can take into account that you can buy two PC over the life of one Mac for about the same oringal cost.

 

Disclaimer: I do art and design so I go with Apple products.

 

Which is one of the BIG edges for the Mac when compared to the PC when it comes to capabilities, ease of use, etc. If that is something that your kid likes to do then I'd definitely go with the Mac. I do some designing of T-shirts and such and I always use a Mac for those purposes... Video rendering and such would be a bigger advantage for PC's based on my experience as well. There are things each one does better than the other.

Heard on the radio that the best time to buy a new laptop starts in ~ 2 weeks. Big sales for back to school.

Pulled the trigger on the Mac Air.

No regrets.

 

Not just for the college kid.

I want a Mac Air, too! :lol2: