Purchasing a MacBook for College: Pros and Cons

Apple laptops – I’m sure we have all seen them and maybe you’re considering purchasing a MacBook. I know I have definitely seen them around! It seems that wherever I go, a couple of students would often work on their Apple laptops – or MacBooks. 

Initially, I was against the idea of buying a MacBook. Just like anybody else, I didn’t want to jump on the bandwagon. And because so many students were purchasing one, I decided that perhaps, a cheaper option would work better for me. 

However, I was later convinced that perhaps, the MacBook was the right answer. My friends around me kept on telling me about the benefits of purchasing a MacBook. So, I decided to purchase a 13-inch Macbook Air in 2021. And I’m happy to say that I don’t regret the purchase in itself. I was genuinely surprised by the quality of the MacBook compared to my previous laptops. 

But at the same time, I do agree that there can be some improvements with the MacBook itself. And I often would question; is the price of a MacBook really worth it for the quality? 

The Pros and Cons of Purchasing A MacBook

So, if you’re a student and you’re deciding on whether or not to buy a Macbook, I have listed a few pros and cons. Here are some of them: 

The Pros of Purchasing a MacBook

Lightweight Design

I know you’re going to argue that every company produces laptops of various sizes and weights, with some being lighter than the others. But hear me out – it seems that MacBook laptops were designed to be slightly lighter than other laptops which are around the same screen size. 

Let’s take a look at the 15-inch Macbook Air as an example; the competitors within the same screen size are the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5, the Dell XPS 15 OLED, and the Razer Blade 15. And although the laptops may seem similar in size from afar, the reality is the 15-inch Macbook Air weighs the least out of all of them. 

As a student, you’ll realize that having a lightweight laptop does indeed help a lot, especially when you’re walking around campus for the whole day. It’s easier on your shoulders, and you won’t be so tired after class. 

Compatibility with Design-Based Applications 

Let’s say you’re in a design program. Most likely, you’ll have to install further software applications, including Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Though the process may seem like a hassle initially, many design softwares actually integrate quite well with the MacBook. There is a reason why many designers decide to choose Mac over a PC after all. 

Specific Tools and Applications 

If you’re working on a project where you’ll have to record a presentation from your screen, you don’t need to worry about choosing a specific video editing software, especially if you have a MacBook. 

MacOS has a screenshot and recorder tool. Once you launch it, you’ll notice that there are multiple options; you can capture the entire screen, or select the area that you want to record. You’ll just need to press “Command + Shift + 5” to launch the recorder. 

Other than that, you can also access tools such as Final Cut Pro, and iMovie for video editing. Or GarageBand for creating some catchy tunes. So, you may have more resources on hand than you’d ever expect. 

Integration with Other Apple Devices

Those with other Apple devices may find it easier to purchase a MacBook instead. And that’s mainly due to easy and efficient integration.

Let’s say that you’re at a friend’s house and you want to complete your school assignment. But there’s a problem – you don’t have your friend’s full WiFi network details. Fortunately, your iPhone is connected to the internet network. So, instead of manually entering the password and reconnecting the network from the computer, you can just move your iPhone close to the MacBook, and automatically connect your MacBook to the specific network. 

Due to this, you can also easily sync data between the different devices. You can pick and choose the information you want to sync as well, including music, movies, TV shows, and podcasts. 

Decent Battery Life 

The newer editions of the MacBook have longer battery life compared to other laptops. For example, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 can last up to 21 hours. So, if you forget your charger at home, you don’t need to sweat about your laptop dying in the middle of the lecture. Your laptop can also make it through other extracurricular activities outside of school as well. 

The Cons of Purchasing a MacBook

Cost 

Everyone knows how expensive purchasing a MacBook can cost. Although other entry-level PCs may range from $300 to $500, a MacBook can cost up to – or more – than $1000. And for those on a budget, spending a thousand dollars can be off-putting. 

Challenges with Microsoft Office Applications

Although there are tons of applications and resources on a MacBook, and many designers choose to purchase MacBooks simply because of their compatibility with Adobe software, the compatibility with Microsoft Office Suite on MacBooks is another story. 

I remember trying to complete a Microsoft Excel test on a MacBook. It started well. And then, suddenly, the laptop itself started lagging. The application would not load, regardless of how much I tried to refresh the page. I had to forcibly close the file, and reopen it again to complete the task. 

And for those of you who use Microsoft Access, you’ll be sad to hear that Access unfortunately cannot be downloaded on a Mac computer. Why? Simply because the operating systems are incompatible. Access mainly runs on a Windows operating system, and cannot run on MacOS. 

Unexpected Restarts 

I’ve faced this problem for quite awhile. Sometimes, whenever I’m surfing the internet on my MacBook, the page itself starts to lag for a long time. And sometimes, it’s to the point where I’m forced to restart my computer. 

This can be mainly due to software or hardware issues. You may need to update macOS, or any of the hardware on the laptop. 

Low Storage 

Compared to Windows’ computers, Mac computers often have limited storage capabilities. The maximum storage options on the MacBook are less than 1TB, or sometimes, 2 TB SSD storage. This may lead to issues such as unexpected restarts or lag. 

Incompatibility with non-Apple devices

If you have an Apple iPhone or another device, it may be easier to pair the device with the MacBook. However, if you have a phone or device from another brand, it may be much more challenging as you probably may need to purchase more tools for integration. 

For example, one time, I wanted to connect my MacBook to a TV screen in my university’s study room. But my MacBook did not have an outlet for an HDMI cable. So, I had to purchase an adapter. These small purchases do eventually add up. 

Should You Get a MacBook, or Not, For College? 

Purchasing a MacBook highly depends on your own values and needs, including the program that you are studying and the resources which you may need access to.  

If you’re in a graphic or creative arts program, perhaps a MacBook may be a good answer due to the compatibility with Adobe and other arts-based applications. 

But if you’re in a business or computer science program, you may find it difficult to install the software that you may need on your laptop. For example, you won’t be able to install Microsoft Access or other applications due to the lack of storage or support from macOS. 

Final Thoughts on The MacBook For College

In the end, there are various factors to consider when purchasing a laptop. You’ll need to see what your program requires in order to make your decision. And you’ll need to examine your own interests as well.

But whatever it is, don’t feel peer pressured to buy the correct laptop, because you know what’s best for you. And don’t jump on the bandwagon too. 

About the Author

---