Choose between Mac or Windows laptop depending on your school needs.
Choose between Mac or Windows laptop depending on your school needs.
Sure, just to keep things simple, I’d pick a Dell XPS 13 or 15 for Windows and a MacBook Pro 13” for macOS, both with a minimum of 256GB storage.
Instead of a Windows laptop, consider a mac unless it's specifically suggested otherwise. There are plenty of alternatives, including convertibles that fit well in small desks. You'll save significantly on hardware costs*, making it easier to upgrade to something reliable within 4-5 years without feeling outdated or slow. *Surface options aren't much better either.
Choose what most students at your school use for the best help from IT and others. I relied on a Windows laptop throughout high school, which made things simpler compared to my final year Mac experience. Everything about connecting to Wi-Fi was frustrating. The Mac is solid, but it mainly needs IT support for basic tasks like printing assignments.
Choose the Macbook Air if you prefer a lighter option, or the Macbook Pro for superior performance at a higher cost.
The MacBooks are quite old and not very useful. The only worthwhile purchase is the MacBook Pro. All others seem to lack sufficient power and aren't worth it.
Yes, the MacBook Pro can play certain games, though performance depends on the game's requirements and your system specifications.
Be mindful of the 2017 Macs; although they are slim and lightweight, you’ll need to account for the weight from all the cables and adapters you carry—like charging phones or USB drives. Most people I know with a 2017 Mac have at least two dongles on hand.
OSX isn't simpler than popular Linux or Windows versions unless you explore advanced settings like the Registry or Group Policy Editor. In my opinion, I wouldn't choose premium options unless you plan heavy academic or gaming work. For a Mac, I highly suggest the 15" MacBook Pro with a dedicated GPU. Although costly, they tend to last longer and retain value better. Their performance is solid for gaming, and the CPU plus battery life fit well for their size. If you prefer Windows, consider Dell Inspiron 7000 Gaming Line, Dell XPS, Alienware, ASUS ROG, Thinkpad T or P, Acer Nitro 5, or a Microsoft Surface if you're into art. Linux laptops, especially those running Ubuntu, are worth checking out too—they offer a similar feel to OSX and support 15" dGPU setups.