Posted: 2/24/2017 10:20:13 AM EDT
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I'm starting grad school soon and it's a good excuse for a new computer. I have a 2015 15" MacBook Pro that I don't want to haul around.
13" MPB Macbook Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Maybe even a 10" iPad Pro with a keyboard I'd like to be able to hook up to a monitor because I want that sweet LG 5k. Can I do that with the surface pro? I'm thinking a MacBook is the most versatile and I prefer Apple products. But I use windows for work and it's not the worst thing. |
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I have a surface, and you can plug in a monitor with an external dongle (which I have in now). Pain in the ass, but I don't think any newer things have as many plugs and ports, so I'm guessing it's a dongle with the macbooks too.
I love the size and light weight of the surface. Keyboard and having 50 things hanging off edge to plug in to sucks. |
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He said he wanted something portable. uhhh, it's all in one dude Attached File |
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uhhh, it's all in one dude https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/349123/imac-three-quarter-large-152951.JPG Quoted:
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He said he wanted something portable. uhhh, it's all in one dude https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/349123/imac-three-quarter-large-152951.JPG Attached File |
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Depends on the discipline. In my program there was specific software we pretty much had to use. A few people went outside the box and used alternatives at the outset, but it only complicated their life. If that's the case in your field, then try not to be different. (A mac would have only complicated my life then).
Late in grad school I switched over exclusively to Linux. The basic versions of Windows at the time restricted memory and I needed lots of it for the software I was using. I couldn't afford Windows NT or Server. I've found I can do everything and then some without having to resort to Windows. But it would have been difficult to make a switch like this in my first year. It all depends on what you will need to do and how well you can already navigate the differences between Macs and whatever they use in your program. I do know that some disciplines (polisci, etc) are more likely to use Macs than others. ETA: If it's an MBA or something like that, go with what you're comfortable with. If it's engineering or math, go with exactly what everyone else is using. |
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I just got this, and love it so far:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-notebook-7-spin-2-in-1-15-6-laptop-intel-core-i7-16gb-memory-1tb-hdd-128gb-ssd-platinum-silver/5339103.p?skuId=5339103 Less than half the cost of a macbook pro or surface with same/similar specs. |
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My traditional thought would be go Mac, in your case a macbook air, but recently it's become clear that without Steve Jobs at the helm, Apple is well on it's way to the inevitable decline.
I've been using Apple products since 1986 and for the first time, I really don't know what I will get next, I want a computer that simply works, and works better than anything else out there. Mac used to be that. Now they seem to think that commenting on politics is better for their business than putting out insanely great products. Fuck them. |
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My traditional thought would be go Mac, in your case a macbook air, but recently it's become clear that without Steve Jobs at the helm, Apple is well on it's way to the inevitable decline. I've been using Apple products since 1986 and for the first time, I really don't know what I will get next, I want a computer that simply works, and works better than anything else out there. Mac used to be that. Now they seem to think that commenting on politics is better for their business than putting out insanely great products. Fuck them. I know, right? That's why their stock is getting slaughtered! |
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I know, right? That's why their stock is getting slaughtered! Quoted:
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My traditional thought would be go Mac, in your case a macbook air, but recently it's become clear that without Steve Jobs at the helm, Apple is well on it's way to the inevitable decline. I've been using Apple products since 1986 and for the first time, I really don't know what I will get next, I want a computer that simply works, and works better than anything else out there. Mac used to be that. Now they seem to think that commenting on politics is better for their business than putting out insanely great products. Fuck them. I know, right? That's why their stock is getting slaughtered! Is it? I don't watch the stock, I simply use their products every day and I've noticed the decline. |
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What's your major? If it is something in business or finance then you will be spending a lot of time in Excel. Office is better on Windows devices even though the Mac version is improving.
I've got a Surface Pro 4 and really like it. You can hook an external monitor up via a mini-DP port. I think the max resolution is 4K. There is also a dock you can pick up for about $120 that has Ethernet, 2 mini-DP ports, audio out, and 4 USB ports on it. The ideal setup would be to use the SP4 and Surface keyboard in class and then have the dock, external monitor, printer, and a bigger Bluetooth keyboard and mouse for use at home. Be sure to get the pen. Taking notes where you have to diagram ideas is much easier to sketch out than to write a description. If you want a more traditional laptop with attached keyboard I'm hearing good things about the HP Spectre x360. It's not cheap though. |
| I'd stick with the Macbook, personally. I just put a new hard drive and RAM into my mid-2009 macbook and it was like getting a new computer for about $100. I don't take mine to class, it's not that useful for my major. I like my handwritten notes, it helps me to remember what the professor was saying when I wrote them. Say what you want about Apple, but their products will run until you break them in half. I don't know anybody who has had a windows laptop for more than 4 years. I would agree with the others though, who said it depends on your major. |
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OP, what degree field? Will you need processing power? I used my MBP retina for grad school because it was just papers. I'm going to start over with a business BA in the next year or two and I'll probably use that same laptop for it. Don't need much. Business program. My wife needs a ton of computer but she won't be using this. |
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 Don't need much. Business program. My wife needs a ton of computer but she won't be using this. Also, utilize cloud storage (dropbox/Google Drive) for your assignments. I learned the hard way when I was just working off thumb drives. |
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Don't need much. Business program. My wife needs a ton of computer but she won't be using this. Quoted:
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OP, what degree field? Will you need processing power? I used my MBP retina for grad school because it was just papers. I'm going to start over with a business BA in the next year or two and I'll probably use that same laptop for it. Don't need much. Business program. My wife needs a ton of computer but she won't be using this. Just get a Dell laptop. While I could run Windows on my MBP, I opted to buy a separate Windows laptop for school to run Office, Project, Visio, SPSS and what not. See what the school recommends. |
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Ipad Pro with the Logitech keyboard
got the pencil.. nearly useless to me (more fun than business ) Works awesome cannot complain would use it all the time but its mine and well work provided me a laptop.. so I use that for business But I use the ipad pro for home and its top notch |
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Exact opposite. 13'' mbp is a pita, 15'' is usable. Quoted:
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stick with MacBook. Get Office for Mac if the Apple stuff doesn't do what you need. I have a 2015 13" MacBook Pro and don't miss a 15" screen. Exact opposite. 13'' mbp is a pita, 15'' is usable. it is all what you get used to. |
| Have you checked out the computer requirements for your program? They should be on the department website. I wound up with a refurbed 2010 thinkpad t410 that I upgraded with an SSD and twice the RAM, it's a fucking beast. It handles all the CAD/CAE programs I need for classes with ease. |
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if I was that mobile, I'd get the 11" macbook air, and a good external monitor for my house. Great performance for size, super ultra portable. real keyboard unlike PITA tablets.
really it's the best of all worlds. I am a huge carcass of a human, so I have a 13" MBA that fills the same roll for me. But I have used the 11" and they are fine. good enough to type notes and take recordings on, unobtrusive in class, you can easily see over them, and they literally are almost unnoticeable in your bag. |
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My traditional thought would be go Mac, in your case a macbook air, but recently it's become clear that without Steve Jobs at the helm, Apple is well on it's way to the inevitable decline. I've been using Apple products since 1986 and for the first time, I really don't know what I will get next, I want a computer that simply works, and works better than anything else out there. Mac used to be that. Now they seem to think that commenting on politics is better for their business than putting out insanely great products. Fuck them. I'm using a brand new 2017 15" macbook pro right now. I'd agree. Loud "clicky" flimsy keyboard. PITA USB-C ports everywhere. It's not as good as the last gen Macbook Pro. OP I recommended an 11" MBA, consider the 2015-2016 model vs the brand new one. The new ones aren't any better other than the cool gunmetal gray color. Either is fine though. The previous gen keyboard is better. It's quieter than the newer one. |