Adding Reply Archived Topic: It will not be bumped to the top of the forum. Topic New laptop for college? Membername   Not a member? Sign Up Free (takes 20 seconds) Password   Forgotten your password? Post Font: Verdana Arial Black Georgia Comic Sans Impact   Size: Tiny Normal Big Huge   Color: Default Dark Red Red Orange Brown Green Olive Cyan Blue Dark Blue Indigo Black [ Check Spelling ] [ Post Preview ] [ LiveTags ] FAQ Keyword Search: Post Options Favorites Manager Notify me of new replies to this topic by email Notify me of new replies to this topic by private message Original Post Frisky Dingo Posted at 10:39 am on July 16, 2008 So I want to buy a MacBook.  Don't even try to persuade me otherwise, I WANT TO BUY A MAC. But listen, I'd appreciate it if you could tell me what custom things I definitely need to add.  I know a lot of people going to my school are getting Final Cut, but I definitely don't need that.  I just want to design the best MacBook I can without killing myself financially. Aka. Under $2000. I'm poor, shutup.

Replies badgeriii Posted at 9:46 am on Aug. 13, 2008 Have you looked into a Macbook Pro? If you use the student discount, you can get a Macbook Pro for $1799, and you will be happy. 100x better than macbooks. I have both and I rarely use my macbook. I got my whole package for under $2000, If you can stick with the macbook pro. I have a MBP with 2gb of ram, 2.2gh processor and it is still way faster than my macbook with 4gb of ram and a 2.4gh processor. You really only need Office 2008, unless you are into all the photo and video editing. Then maybe FCP or Photoshop. And for everyone who are mac haters? Have fun buying another laptop in 2 years after yours crashes. Yes Macs are more expensive up front, but the longevity of mac's and macbooks are unparalleled. marshmellowman Posted at 11:28 am on July 16, 2008 Quote: from Dimebag Darrell at 7:23 pm on July 16, 2008 Quote: from marshmellowman at 11:18 am on July 16, 2008 Any laptop will break or cause problems if you step on it? All I said was to be careful with it, not that you should take precaution before handing. As for the RAM issue, fuck man, just get the upgrade. If its worth doing, its worth overdoing. Not really. 4GB is quite excessive, plus this is a student so it's not like the money just grows from trees. Even if they do have the money I'd say don't get it because it'd just seem like a waste tbh. Dimebag Darrell Posted at 11:23 am on July 16, 2008 Quote: from marshmellowman at 11:18 am on July 16, 2008 Any laptop will break or cause problems if you step on it? All I said was to be careful with it, not that you should take precaution before handing. As for the RAM issue, fuck man, just get the upgrade. If its worth doing, its worth overdoing. marshmellowman Posted at 11:18 am on July 16, 2008 Quote: from Dimebag Darrell at 7:00 pm on July 16, 2008 but a couple of my friends have had them stepped on and shit so take care of it. And? Any laptop will break or cause problems if you step on it? Look after it like a normal laptop, it's not like you need to keep it in 5inches of foam. marshmellowman Posted at 11:16 am on July 16, 2008 Quote: from Frisky Dingo at 6:50 pm on July 16, 2008 Quote: from Dimebag Darrell at 1:43 pm on July 16, 2008 Get a 4GB RAM upgrade. Your computer will be fast as shit. That's what I did. It'll come out to $1700, subtract $100 for student discount + free iPod after mail-in rebate. There, okay. Thanks. All I was really wondering, if I needed 4GB. And everyone's baffled because they think you can't buy a MacBook for under $2000, what the fuck? Of course you can. Nah, I don't think it's really needed. Unless you're going to want to run Final Cut Pro (which won't even run I don't think on a MacBook) the stock 2GB RAM is perfectly enough. I have the CS3 applications and photoshop loads fine and so does In Design etc. I even have VMware Fusion running Windows XP virtualised and I don't have problems with that either. If you're going to store a lot of music and videos it might be worthwhile getting the 250GB HDD upgrade from the stock 160GB but even that's fine. Dimebag Darrell Posted at 11:00 am on July 16, 2008 Quote: from Frisky Dingo at 10:50 am on July 16, 2008 Of course you can. When you're buying a mac, the price also includes branding and its stunning appearance. Generally, getting laptops w/ this type of spec would be at least $300 less, which people tend to exaggerate. Macbooks are worth the price, but a couple of my friends have had them stepped on and shit so take care of it. Frisky Dingo Posted at 10:50 am on July 16, 2008 Quote: from Dimebag Darrell at 1:43 pm on July 16, 2008 Get a 4GB RAM upgrade. Your computer will be fast as shit. That's what I did. It'll come out to $1700, subtract $100 for student discount + free iPod after mail-in rebate. There, okay.  Thanks.  All I was really wondering, if I needed 4GB.  And everyone's baffled because they think you can't buy a MacBook for under $2000, what the fuck?  Of course you can. branflakes Posted at 10:48 am on July 16, 2008 MacBook White 2.4GHz 160GB HD 2GB RAM $1,299 usblogger Posted at 10:47 am on July 16, 2008 Quote: from Dimebag Darrell at 10:43 am on July 16, 2008 Get a 4GB RAM upgrade. Your computer will be fast as shit. That's what I did. It'll come out to $1700, subtract $100 for student discount + free iPod after mail-in rebate. I agree. RAM upgrade is key. Office if you want. That's really all you need. A lot of other softwares are open-source now. blitzerdog Posted at 10:44 am on July 16, 2008 macbook specs can be maxed out with a budget of 2000. However if you take a look at the macbook pro's... they have a 15.4 inch and 17.0 inch laptop. For college I would say get a 15.4 inch or less... since you might have to carry around with you and they can get heaver if you have the 17 inch laptop. However mac's are very overpriced. Check out these forums.. I'm also on these forums. www.notebookreview.com On the website hit "discussion" -Many people can help you out there. Dimebag Darrell Posted at 10:43 am on July 16, 2008 Get a 4GB RAM upgrade. Your computer will be fast as shit. That's what I did. It'll come out to $1700, subtract $100 for student discount + free iPod after mail-in rebate. xXxLiberOxXx Posted at 10:42 am on July 16, 2008 yeah, really. good luck. RockerTori106 Posted at 10:42 am on July 16, 2008 Under 2k? Okay, first off if you want a Mac under that price, chances aren't good. Also, how is under 2k poor? I got my Dell for around $800 and I love it. It'l definitely last me through college and has everything I could ever want on it and tons more space to spare. I've never had a problem with Dell. Frisky Dingo Posted at 10:42 am on July 16, 2008 Quote: from Roxilynn at 1:41 pm on July 16, 2008 BEST Mac in under 2k? good luck. I said best without killing myself.  Really, I didn't think what I said was so complicated. Roxilynn Posted at 10:41 am on July 16, 2008 BEST Mac in under 2k? good luck. Most recent 15 of 15 previous replies displayed.