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I am a Student in mechanical engineering and I require a computer to take around to my classes, as my main computer is stationary. I’d like to go with a Mac because I have a bunch of the ecosystem but I’m not sure which one to buy, or if I should wait for M4 to drop. I’d be using it for everything I can besides the heaviest of workloads and gaming bc I like apple’s security more than windows defender. Can anyone help me out?
No one else can answer that. Only you.
First, ask your instructors, as schools tend to have expectations or even requirements for which operating systems will be useful for students. They may well tell you to use Windows 11 on Intel, for instance. Going against that recommendation adds overhead to your time at school, and costs focus.
If they tell you Mac is an option that they’d recommend, then MacBook Air is going to be generally lighter and less capable and cheaper, and MacBook Pro is heavier and more capable and more expensive.
Air has passive cooling, while Pro has active cooling. That can affect how hard you can push the particular Mac.
Low-spec M-processors provide two displays, while upper-spec M processors (Pro, Max, Ultra) can provide three or potentially more total displays.
As memory and storage are not expandable, I would not go below 16 GB memory, and more storage than you think you will need over the usable lifetime of the Mac. This recognizing that system and app and personal usage will likely all increase over time, too.
You’ll want an external hard disk of roughly three times internal storage capacity for Time Machine backups. Given hard disk pricing and common internal storage configurations, four to six terabytes works well for many folks, though configurations with more internal storage are becoming more common.
For note-taking and web access and such, iPad and that possibly transiently configured with a keyboard when lots of text is needed, can suffice. An iPad with no keyboard is light, small, and robust. Supports Pencil for drawing, too. And any recent Mac will work for note-taking, web browsing, and similar tasks.
There will always be a better Mac coming of course, with M4 being available only in iPad Pro at present and not (yet?) in any Mac. Apple did a Mac announcement in October 2023; last year. When they might next announce a Mac, and with what hardware configuration?
No one else can answer that. Only you.
First, ask your instructors, as schools tend to have expectations or even requirements for which operating systems will be useful for students. They may well tell you to use Windows 11 on Intel, for instance. Going against that recommendation adds overhead to your time at school, and costs focus.
If they tell you Mac is an option that they’d recommend, then MacBook Air is going to be generally lighter and less capable and cheaper, and MacBook Pro is heavier and more capable and more expensive.
Air has passive cooling, while Pro has active cooling. That can affect how hard you can push the particular Mac.
Low-spec M-processors provide two displays, while upper-spec M processors (Pro, Max, Ultra) can provide three or potentially more total displays.
As memory and storage are not expandable, I would not go below 16 GB memory, and more storage than you think you will need over the usable lifetime of the Mac. This recognizing that system and app and personal usage will likely all increase over time, too.
You’ll want an external hard disk of roughly three times internal storage capacity for Time Machine backups. Given hard disk pricing and common internal storage configurations, four to six terabytes works well for many folks, though configurations with more internal storage are becoming more common.
For note-taking and web access and such, iPad and that possibly transiently configured with a keyboard when lots of text is needed, can suffice. An iPad with no keyboard is light, small, and robust. Supports Pencil for drawing, too. And any recent Mac will work for note-taking, web browsing, and similar tasks.
There will always be a better Mac coming of course, with M4 being available only in iPad Pro at present and not (yet?) in any Mac. Apple did a Mac announcement in October 2023; last year. When they might next announce a Mac, and with what hardware configuration?
The M4 series is due this year, according to some reports. Personally, I would wait because the rumours suggest big AI enhancements. I have the M3 Max, 128 GB, the best computer I have ever owned. I may trade this for the M4 Max if the change-over appears worth it.
Go for a 13” or 14” MacBook Pro or a 15” MacBook Air. These options could suit your needs.
Thanks for your help guys!
Thank you man, I appreciate it!
Dang that’s one heck of a computer!
ur welcome :)
Which Mac should I grab?
