What laptop should I get to accompany my iPad
I’m going to be doing mechanical engineering at uni and have been using an ipad air for a-levels, which works great for note taking and marking up documents. However I do also want a laptop as well and am undecided between windows or macbook. I’ve heard that some programs only work on windows but a macbook would be a lot more compatible to use with the ipad and I would be able to sync up notes, documents, etc. What would be the best, weighing up the pros and cons?
(edited 1 year ago)
Hi @daisyz
I think there are lots of different factors to consider when buying a laptop. Personally, I have a preference for windows just because it is what I know, and you can get a windows laptop for much cheaper than a macbook. Firstly I would look at budget and determine if you could afford a macbook (either new or secondhand). That could actually end up making your decision for you.
Secondly, as you said, some software or programs may only work on windows, so it may be a good idea to research what you will need for your course and see if they will be available on both.
Sharing the notes would be useful, however this is not essential. I have a tablet that doesn't sync up with my laptop, and I find it much more useful when writing essays or doing coursework to be able to have my notes available without having to change tabs on my laptop, so this is something else to consider.
Obviously it is ultimately your own decision, but I would definitely make sure to consider the practicality of both for your course, as well as have a look around for what you can actually afford.
Hope this helps!
- Laura (Lancaster University Student Ambassador)
I think there are lots of different factors to consider when buying a laptop. Personally, I have a preference for windows just because it is what I know, and you can get a windows laptop for much cheaper than a macbook. Firstly I would look at budget and determine if you could afford a macbook (either new or secondhand). That could actually end up making your decision for you.
Secondly, as you said, some software or programs may only work on windows, so it may be a good idea to research what you will need for your course and see if they will be available on both.
Sharing the notes would be useful, however this is not essential. I have a tablet that doesn't sync up with my laptop, and I find it much more useful when writing essays or doing coursework to be able to have my notes available without having to change tabs on my laptop, so this is something else to consider.
Obviously it is ultimately your own decision, but I would definitely make sure to consider the practicality of both for your course, as well as have a look around for what you can actually afford.
Hope this helps!
- Laura (Lancaster University Student Ambassador)
I would check two things in particular.
1) Programmes. It's no longer the case that there are issues with programmes generally not working on Macs. Just about everything mainstream does now. The main exception is that specialist programmes in certain industries sometimes do not work on Mac. To give an example that I just happen to know about, Trados is a programme widely used by translators that isn't available on Mac. I cannot fathom why it still isn't, but it isn't. So if you're a translator and want to use Trados, a Mac simply isn't a practical option. The same may be true of programmes that you need on your course with something like mechanical engineering. With a course of that nature I would be very surprised if there was a programme you needed that isn't available on Mac, but it's something you certainly have to check.
2) Cost. With Unidays you can get a new M1 MacBook Air for about £900. Second hand or refurbished you may be able to bring that down further. That's really good value in my view and a great investment, but it is also by no means a small amount of money. If you can't afford it, then a Mac isn't the right option for you.
Those two points aside, to my mind for something like multi year study and work where reliability and longevity are important, a Mac is the better choice, and I say that as someone who has used Macs and Windows laptops throughout my career. It always used to be that you had to pay more for the reliability of a Mac, and that higher spec Windows machines were always available for a much cheaper price, but with the M1 (and now M2) Mac the gap in that regard has closed significantly. My M1 MacBook Air is a work machine. It's the usability, reliability, weight and battery life that mean the most to me day to day. But it is also powerful enough to be a viable gaming machine, with performance that has exceeded the GTX 1050Ti. I basically never use it for gaming, but it is illustrative of the power for when you're using more intensive programmes. So yeah, from experience of using Macs and Windows laptops in demanding but non specialist work environments, for me Mac is the pretty easy choice. Unless you have specialist requirements or cost is an issue, I'd be going for a MacBook.
1) Programmes. It's no longer the case that there are issues with programmes generally not working on Macs. Just about everything mainstream does now. The main exception is that specialist programmes in certain industries sometimes do not work on Mac. To give an example that I just happen to know about, Trados is a programme widely used by translators that isn't available on Mac. I cannot fathom why it still isn't, but it isn't. So if you're a translator and want to use Trados, a Mac simply isn't a practical option. The same may be true of programmes that you need on your course with something like mechanical engineering. With a course of that nature I would be very surprised if there was a programme you needed that isn't available on Mac, but it's something you certainly have to check.
2) Cost. With Unidays you can get a new M1 MacBook Air for about £900. Second hand or refurbished you may be able to bring that down further. That's really good value in my view and a great investment, but it is also by no means a small amount of money. If you can't afford it, then a Mac isn't the right option for you.
Those two points aside, to my mind for something like multi year study and work where reliability and longevity are important, a Mac is the better choice, and I say that as someone who has used Macs and Windows laptops throughout my career. It always used to be that you had to pay more for the reliability of a Mac, and that higher spec Windows machines were always available for a much cheaper price, but with the M1 (and now M2) Mac the gap in that regard has closed significantly. My M1 MacBook Air is a work machine. It's the usability, reliability, weight and battery life that mean the most to me day to day. But it is also powerful enough to be a viable gaming machine, with performance that has exceeded the GTX 1050Ti. I basically never use it for gaming, but it is illustrative of the power for when you're using more intensive programmes. So yeah, from experience of using Macs and Windows laptops in demanding but non specialist work environments, for me Mac is the pretty easy choice. Unless you have specialist requirements or cost is an issue, I'd be going for a MacBook.
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