<p>The ‘Pro’ appears to be mostly a screen size difference over the non-pro.</p>
<p>The ‘Air’ is way overpriced. I guess Apple wants people to pay a premium for ‘air’.</p>
<p>The Macbooks in general are overpriced when compared to comparable PC laptops so try to find a discount that’ll bring it closer to a reasonable price point if possible. Or, just get a PC laptop.</p>
<p>Note - I’m not trying to turn this into the age-old Mac vs. PC debate - just stating some facts regarding cost.</p>
<p>Apple provides a rather nice software bundle that you’d have to go around finding on your own, either through open source or purchase. I think that the biggest benefit to getting Apple hardware is the level of service that you get at the Apple Stores. It costs money to put trained techs in stores that people can actually meet and talk with compared to doing phone service. I also like not having to run AV software which is getting to be a bigger and bigger drain on my Windows systems. Yes, you can simply run Solaris or Linux to avoid the Windows performance tax but you have to do some of the installation work yourself.</p>
<p>The Pro models usually come with more base equipment and higher-end options. In the previous generation, the MacBook Pro 15 inch models came with an LED backlit screen. The 17 inch MacBook Pro had the LED backlit screen as an option along with WUXGA resolution. The MacBook Pros (previous generation) also offer the matte/glossy option.</p>
<p>So you do pay more upfront for Apple computers. The higher level of service, software package and the advantage (for some) of running Unix under the hood may or may not be worth it to the prospective buyer. (I have 13 systems: 3 MacBook Pros, 1 PowerMac, 1 Dell XPS M1330, 2 HP Desktops, 2 Dell Desktops, 3 Inspiron Laptops and one HP Laptop. They run a variety of operating systems.</p>
<p>
It looks like Apple recommends installing AV software on Macs now -
[Apple</a> suggests Mac users install antivirus software | Security - CNET News](<a href=“http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10110852-83.html]Apple”>http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10110852-83.html)</p>
<p>Definitely wait. Also, I think MAC is offering or will soon be offering a tablet, which is even better for college.</p>
<p>I LOOOOOOVVVVVEEEE my MacBook. But I would also wait until the summer. Apple gives a nice discount to students who have a college email address, and that starts early in June. I think it’s around 10%. Plus, the past few years they also gave a free iPod as part of the deal. Who knows if that will happen again this year, economy being what it is, but that is why I would wait. I wouldn’t wait because of new editions or anything like that. Apple comes out with new stuff all the time. Built in obsolescence.</p>
<p>D and all of her peeps use MacBooks. We also use them at school. I am a teacher.</p>
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<p>The virus databases out there for Windows are massive because there are so many viruses out there that go after multiple components of Windows. Apple suggests AV products for web-based exploits. Would you care to guess the ratio of exploits on Windows vs exploits on Mac OSX?</p>
<p>Two years ago, virus databases were updated every few days and they were relatively unobtrusive. These days it seems like they are updated every time you boot up and they require considerable network and disk resources to update. It will take quite some time before Mac OSX has the same problem.</p>
<p>wait- in the summer/fall you can get a free ipod + printer with the student discount (well you get a rebate).</p>
<p>I would definitely wait. As others have mentioned, summer you can get the student discount (even if there is not one through your school, just bring your acceptance letter) and get a free iPod and printer.</p>
<p>the normal MacBook will be fine for college. If you want to play games or do other computer intensive things (video editing, etc), I would recommend the Pro. Everyone I know who got a Mac for college loves it, and a fair number of people who don’t have Macs will be on their second computer before they graduate, and a lot of those 2nd computers turn out to be Macs, after they see how much other students like theirs. Personally I am using a PowerBook from Summer 2004, and it still works great. I am upgrading soon though, as a [college] graduation present =)</p>