What computer should I get for college?

I'm starting to get mad at Windows. I have XP and Vista in a dual boot on one hard drive and I had to reinstall Windows XP twice this week because I got the BSOD. So on with my rant

I'm looking to buying a Mac very shortly, but what kind? I don't know yet. I want to get an iMac, just because I heard that they're upgrading their 20" monitors from 1680x1050 resolutions to 1920x1200 resolution. I also want a desktop just to have it at home with out worrying about it too much.

Another idea is to buy the iMac (20 inch) and then when it comes time to college, I'd get a Mac Book for classes and stuff. I mean, if I needed a laptop for class, depending on my major.

But since I'm going to college in almost a year or so, I'd want a laptop too. That's where the Mac Book Pro comes in. I want to get the 15" model and then buy a 24" monitor of some sort to hook my MBPro up to. Then get a USB Hub and get a USB external keyboard along with an external mouse.

So my overall question is, what would you do in my situation? I'm 17, I'm going to college in a year, and I want a Mac. Thanks for any replies / suggestions,

-Matt.

//Thread Retitled. I added a bit of much-needed clarity, especially as this wasn't technically a poll . -NC

#460902

I would stop breaking my Windows if I were you. You have to be nice to Windows.

Most college courses, you don't need a laptop. If it's a computer-related class, they will have the hardware available (Most likely both PC and Mac) and you can get by with a flash drive with some portable apps on it (if you even need them). Since you have a nice Windows box (albeit a cranky one), I'd get either a super-powered desktop Mac or if you're feeling adventurous a beefy Ubuntu box with Beryl etc.(since you're so into customizing and flashy). Laptops are nice, but I still prefer my desktop and it's beefy goodness. I also have an old Windows box I turned into a Linux zombie for fun and when I want to do a bit of coding. I think the only real reason, I use my laptop anymore is to "borrow" any wireless networks I please.

#460905

It's not nice to run two different versions of Windows on the same drive.

Please tell me you at least have them on different partitions?

As for the Mac, wait for the newer iMac. You can dual boot it if you need to and you'll get a better display.

Laptops have a tendency to grow legs at college.

#460914

the imac screen is not upgradable as far as i know. The 20" is 1680 x 1050 and the 24" is 1920 x 1200

#460920

you dont necessarily need an mbp, even for college.

The only differences between mb and mbp;

*size.

*casing

* graphics card (useful if your studying graphics design at college, or gaming, but otherwise, no need)

* More expandability in terms of ram/hd (i may be wrong).

* chicks dig the MBP's shiney metal. (something very important to remember for college )

#460922

* chicks dig the MBP's shiney metal. (something very important to remember for college )

Because clearly, when they see that shiny MBP it's like the Axe Effect on steroids...

#460924

Well, for college since I'll end up going to a NY State or private college (Still deciding) I'll need a job to start paying of my car once I get it, and then pay off the iMac. For a major, I'm looking into computer science or business. I'd take the laptop to class to write out the class because I suck at writing notes and I forget stuff fast.

This is just a tough decision because I'm 17, I'm getting my car soon, I have a job that pays well only to pay off my car once I get it.

And when you guys said be nice to Windows, I am. I'm on my desktop playing solitare and the BSOD popped up. No reason for it either. And yes, Windows XP is on one partition, Windows Vista is on the other

#460959

then a bottom of the line macbook will be the way to go mate. This thing can do just about anything apart from gaming

#460975

Because clearly, when they see that shiny MBP it's like the Axe Effect on steroids...

Very true. The MBP is like the iPod before everyone and their grandmas (quite literally) owned one.

/me hugs my 2G iPod proudly

Though, if you're really worried about getting the chicks, in 6 days the iPhone releases .

Get the MacBook if you need a laptop, otherwise wait for the iMac updates. RJS is right about laptops at colleges though, unless you are very responsible, and even if that, they're going to walk away.

#460994

Yeah, I'm kind of leaning towards the iMac for home, Mac Book (if I need one) for college

#461008

The Macbook is good for school because it's small and light. But your looking at dropping A LOT of money if you think about getting both macbook pro and iMac. I would wipe out the vista on your hd (Vista is useless), keep your xp and buy a macbook.

#461013

You think it'd be a good buy to keep a Mac Book and a XP machine?

#461027

The Macbook is good for school because it's small and light. But your looking at dropping A LOT of money if you think about getting both macbook pro and iMac. I would wipe out the vista on your hd (Vista is useless), keep your xp and buy a macbook.

So far my Vista has run every app I need or want minus a few customizing apps. It runs faster and starts up faster than XP and seeing as XP is getting phased out, you might want to keep Vista around for functionality. I'm not sure what you're doing to get all the blue screens, but I've had vista since it's release in January without a single crash. (I've had to tweak a few settings and run programs as admin to get them to work, but no crashes.)

If anything, keep your xp, kill the vista, and save your vista for later.

Also, small and light == easy to steal.

#461038

Haha. I don't think I'd ever take my eye of a Mac Book if I did get one for college. But thinking about it, that is a smarter idea. I could buy the Mac Book and keep that for everything except gaming around my house. Then when I do go to college, I'll be prepared. And when I'm done, I can just make a workstation out of it at home and get a bigger monitor. It sounds like a plan to me. But still need some input..

#461040