The Student Room Group

what kind of laptop to bring to uni?! macs vs windows, etc.

currently i’m considering my options for a potential upgrade to my technology as my ipad (which i used throughout all of a levels!) is beginning to struggle a bit more. it still works and i’ll bring it to uni with me as a casual user, i just don’t plan on using it in lectures etc. as the battery does struggle a bit more now and it takes quite a while to charge (it also loses approx 40-50% if left overnight so it’ll usually be close to dead if i forget to charge it after a day at uni!) meaning if i forget to charge it then i’m a bit stuck in terms of what to use in class/lectures. as such, i’m looking at treating myself to a new laptop!

as for the general use of whatever i end up with, i mostly want to do things like uni work and casual browsing etc. on it; nothing too hard. i just want something lightweight-ish with a nice battery life that isn’t going to burn up or sound like it’s going to take off when i open a few tabs! i do plan on bringing my PC to uni with me which has more power for things like games etc. so i’m not too bothered about a ‘gaming’ laptop or anything (i figured it’s a better use of my money to just bring my pc and buy a more ‘normal’ device for uni work rather than spend loads of money on a laptop capable of playing games when realistically i’ll end up moving my pc at some point anyway!). i just want something efficient and simple for uni work as well as general life really :smile:

my first thought as something similar to the ipad was obviously a macbook, however these are quite pricey and i’ve never had one so i’m not keen to invest if it isn’t going to be something i find useful particularly as it’ll be a bit of a learning curve. i do really love my ipad for it’s portability and lightweightness which i know is another thing lots of people enjoy about macbooks, the only thing i can really fault my current ipad for is wishing it could function more as a computer and have a little bit more juice in it (hence considering a macbook). i enjoy using apple products for school in terms of their functionality, and from what i’ve seen i do see really positive reviews about their computers! my main hesitation is that i’m aware lots of people using macbooks use them for things like graphics and video editing and the like i haven’t really heard much about how useful they are for the types of software i’ll be using in uni as i’ll be studying law (so lots of things like word!) rather than something like graphic design.

i have also considered a windows laptop —i’m not really keen on chromebooks having used them in school, so it’d need to be apple or windows really! i’ve used windows my entire life at home and it is what i’m more used to, but a lot of the laptops i’ve seen don’t really tick all/even most of my boxes! either that, or they’re significantly more expensive than the macbooks i’ve been looking at. i’m not sure if i’m looking in the wrong places or something as i’m honestly a bit lost on where to start with laptop buying and stuff! i do like that i have experience with windows laptops and my first thought was that i could save a bit of money by just buying a regular laptop rather than a macbook or the like, but from everywhere i’ve really looked i’ve either had the options of sacrificing my main wishes (battery life, decent processing/convenient for working on, lightweight-ish) or practically paying for an extra student accom room :’)
(edited 1 year ago)
If you like your ipad and are just concerned about battery life then why not just upgrade it - or even cheaper just get a couple of good quality (anker etc) portable battery chargers
If you decide on a Macbook, don't even consider anything lower/older than the 2020 M1 MacBook Air, as that was the first MacBook that used Apple's own chips rather than Intel. It's hard to describe with words how much better Apple's own chips are compared to the older Intel MacBooks. You can get a used 2020 M1 MacBook Air off of eBay for around £600, sometimes even less if you get lucky. While this isn't cheap, its only half as expensive as the newer M2 models and it will still last you at the very least 5-7 years before it becomes outdated. In my opinion it's definitely worth the investment. As it has no fans in it, it will be completely silent, but it will also not overheat as the Apple M1 chip is so power efficient. I've heard that some people can get multiple days worth of battery life out of a full charge as well. The 2020 model is much better value than the newest models, especially if you get it second hand. Bearing that in mind, it's hard for me to even consider a windows laptop as none that I have seen come close to the ease of use, power, form factor and longevity for the price. I really can't recommend it enough. Another bonus is that all of your current notes from your iPad, assuming you use the Apple Notes app or Google Docs etc, will likely be able to sync with your laptop. The only downside I can find about the MacBook is the storage, but in all honestly I'd just go for the 256gb model, or if you find one that's reasonably priced, a 512gb model, and buy an external SSD or hard drive if you need it as it will save you from spending an arm and a leg on a model with higher storage.
Does anyone have any specific tech recommendations for an economics degree? I was thinking of just purchasing an m2 MacBook Air and a new iPhone (the battery life on my current one is pretty poor).
Just buy a normal PC laptop. Apple products use the same hardware and just charge more for the aesthetics. They are also designed to be closed systems preventing you getting them repaired anywhere other than the Apple store where they charge a premium for that.

For literally any Apple product you find you could find a non-apple version which has exactly the same or better specs for less. You're a student, you aren't going to have a lot of money over the next few years in all likelihood. Spend it wisely.

Also please use paragraphs...
Reply 5
Original post by artful_lounger
Just buy a normal PC laptop. Apple products use the same hardware and just charge more for the aesthetics. They are also designed to be closed systems preventing you getting them repaired anywhere other than the Apple store where they charge a premium for that.

For literally any Apple product you find you could find a non-apple version which has exactly the same or better specs for less. You're a student, you aren't going to have a lot of money over the next few years in all likelihood. Spend it wisely.

Also please use paragraphs...


ah i had included paragraphs, but when i copied from my notes app (i find the TSR interface quite glitchy on my phone so will write longer posts outside then copy in) i must have forgotten to double check that formatting had worked properly! thank you for letting me know :smile: i have edited the post back to how it was meant to be…

anyway, thank you everyone for your recommendations/advice/opinions! i have a little while to think about what i’m buying so i’ll definitely be taking everything into consideration :biggrin:
Reply 6
Original post by rwnsl
ah i had included paragraphs, but when i copied from my notes app (i find the TSR interface quite glitchy on my phone so will write longer posts outside then copy in) i must have forgotten to double check that formatting had worked properly! thank you for letting me know https://fmapps.org:smile: i have edited the post back to how it was meant to be…

anyway, thank you everyone for your recommendations/advice/opinions! i have a little while to think about what i’m buying so i’ll definitely be taking everything into consideration :biggrin:

Your thoughtful consideration and openness to recommendations reflect a wise approach to decision-making. Acknowledging and rectifying formatting glitches shows your dedication to clear communication. Take your time in evaluating options; your methodical approach ensures a well-informed decision. Best of luck with your purchase.
(edited 11 months ago)
Reply 7
Original post by rwnsl
ah i had included paragraphs, but when i copied from my notes app (i find the TSR interface quite glitchy on my phone so will write longer posts outside then copy in) i must have forgotten to double check that formatting had worked properly! thank you for letting me know :smile: i have edited the post back to how it was meant to be…
anyway, thank you everyone for your recommendations/advice/opinions! https://picsartapk.net/how-to-delete-a-picsart-account/ i have a little while to think about what i’m buying so i’ll definitely be taking everything into consideration :biggrin:


I understand the frustration, especially since the TSR interface can be glitchy on a phone. Writing longer posts outside the app and then copying them in seems like a good strategy, but it’s easy to forget to double-check the formatting. Thanks for pointing out the issue; I've now edited the post to restore the intended formatting.
I appreciate everyone's recommendations, advice, and opinions! I have some time to think about my purchase, so I’ll definitely consider all the feedback.
Reply 8
if you are going to do some heavy task like machine learning or Editing, Use Windows laptop with Nvidia GPU, Else Mac is the best option its lightweight and easy to carry.
Original post by rwnsl
currently i’m considering my options for a potential upgrade to my technology as my ipad (which i used throughout all of a levels!) is beginning to struggle a bit more. it still works and i’ll bring it to uni with me as a casual user, i just don’t plan on using it in lectures etc. as the battery does struggle a bit more now and it takes quite a while to charge (it also loses approx 40-50% if left overnight so it’ll usually be close to dead if i forget to charge it after a day at uni!) meaning if i forget to charge it then i’m a bit stuck in terms of what to use in class/lectures. as such, i’m looking at treating myself to a new laptop!
as for the general use of whatever i end up with, i mostly want to do things like uni work and casual browsing etc. on it; nothing too hard. i just want something lightweight-ish with a nice battery life that isn’t going to burn up or sound like it’s going to take off when i open a few tabs! i do plan on bringing my PC to uni with me which has more power for things like games etc. so i’m not too bothered about a ‘gaming’ laptop or anything (i figured it’s a better use of my money to just bring my pc and buy a more ‘normal’ device for uni work rather than spend loads of money on a laptop capable of playing games when realistically i’ll end up moving my pc at some point anyway!). i just want something efficient and simple for uni work as well as general life really :smile:
my first thought as something similar to the ipad was obviously a macbook, however these are quite pricey and i’ve never had one so i’m not keen to invest if it isn’t going to be something i find useful particularly as it’ll be a bit of a learning curve. i do really love my ipad for it’s portability and lightweightness which i know is another thing lots of people enjoy about macbooks, the only thing i can really fault my current ipad for is wishing it could function more as a computer and have a little bit more juice in it (hence considering a macbook). i enjoy using apple products for school in terms of their functionality, and from what i’ve seen i do see really positive reviews about their computers! my main hesitation is that i’m aware lots of people using macbooks use them for things like graphics and video editing and the like i haven’t really heard much about how useful they are for the types of software i’ll be using in uni as i’ll be studying law (so lots of things like word!) rather than something like graphic design.
i have also considered a windows laptop —i’m not really keen on chromebooks having used them in school, so it’d need to be apple or windows really! i’ve used windows my entire life at home and it is what i’m more used to, but a lot of the laptops i’ve seen don’t really tick all/even most of my boxes! either that, or they’re significantly more expensive than the macbooks i’ve been looking at. i’m not sure if i’m looking in the wrong places or something as i’m honestly a bit lost on where to start with laptop buying and stuff! i do like that i have experience with windows laptops and my first thought was that i could save a bit of money by just buying a regular laptop rather than a macbook or the like, but from everywhere i’ve really looked i’ve either had the options of sacrificing my main wishes (battery life, decent processing/convenient for working on, lightweight-ish) or practically paying for an extra student accom room :’)

Get a M2/M3 Mac :smile:
Original post by artful_lounger
Just buy a normal PC laptop. Apple products use the same hardware and just charge more for the aesthetics. They are also designed to be closed systems preventing you getting them repaired anywhere other than the Apple store where they charge a premium for that.
For literally any Apple product you find you could find a non-apple version which has exactly the same or better specs for less. You're a student, you aren't going to have a lot of money over the next few years in all likelihood. Spend it wisely.
Also please use paragraphs...
Thank you everyone for your recommendations/advice/opinions! i have a little while to think about what i’m buying so i’ll definitely be taking everything into consideration
You can bring any of them
Reply 12
Original post by rwnsl
currently i’m considering my options for a potential upgrade to my technology as my ipad (which i used throughout all of a levels!) is beginning to struggle a bit more. it still works and i’ll bring it to uni with me as a casual user, i just don’t plan on using it in lectures etc. as the battery does struggle a bit more now and it takes quite a while to charge (it also loses approx 40-50% if left overnight so it’ll usually be close to dead if i forget to charge it after a day at uni!) meaning if i forget to charge it then i’m a bit stuck in terms of what to use in class/lectures. as such, i’m looking at treating myself to a new laptop!
as for the general use of whatever i end up with, i mostly want to do things like uni work and casual browsing etc. on it; nothing too hard. i just want something lightweight-ish with a nice battery life that isn’t going to burn up or sound like it’s going to take off when i open a few tabs! i do plan on bringing my PC to uni with me which has more power for things like games etc. so i’m not too bothered about a ‘gaming’ laptop or anything (i figured it’s a better use of my money to just bring my pc and buy a more ‘normal’ device for uni work rather than spend loads of money on a laptop capable of playing games when realistically i’ll end up moving my pc at some point anyway!). i just want something efficient and simple for uni work as well as general life really :smile:
my first thought as something similar to the ipad was obviously a macbook, however these are quite pricey and i’ve never had one so i’m not keen to invest if it isn’t going to be something i find useful particularly as it’ll be a bit of a learning curve. i do really love my ipad for it’s portability and lightweightness which i know is another thing lots of people enjoy about macbooks, the only thing i can really fault my current ipad for is wishing it could function more as a computer and have a little bit more juice in it (hence considering a macbook). i enjoy using apple products for school in terms of their functionality, and from what i’ve seen i do see really positive reviews about their computers! my main hesitation is that i’m aware lots of people using macbooks use them for things like graphics and video editing and the like i haven’t really heard much about how useful they are for the types of software i’ll be using in uni as i’ll be studying law (so lots of things like word!) rather than something like graphic design.
i have also considered a windows laptop —i’m not really keen on chromebooks having used them in school, so it’d need to be apple or windows really! i’ve used windows my entire life at home and it is what i’m more used to, but a lot of the laptops i’ve seen don’t really tick all/even most of my boxes! either that, or they’re significantly more expensive than the macbooks i’ve been looking at. i’m not sure if i’m looking in the wrong places or something as i’m honestly a bit lost on where to start with laptop buying and stuff! i do like that i have experience with windows laptops and my first thought was that i could save a bit of money by just buying a regular laptop rather than a macbook or the like, but from everywhere i’ve really looked i’ve either had the options of sacrificing my main wishes (battery life, decent processing/convenient for working on, lightweight-ish) or practically paying for an extra student accom room :’)

1.

MacBook Air (M1 or M2)

2.

Pros: Excellent battery life, lightweight, quiet, and powerful for academic tasks. Ideal if you enjoy Apple’s ecosystem and portability.

3.

Cons: Learning curve with macOS if you’re new, but generally easy to adapt to.

4.

Dell XPS 13

5.

Pros: Sleek, solid battery, and familiar Windows interface. Great for multitasking and highly rated for its quality keyboard.

6.

Cons: Premium pricing, but comparable to MacBook Air in features.

7.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5

8.

Pros: Portable, great for note-taking and academic work, decent battery, plus student discounts available.

9.

Cons: Slightly less battery life than MacBook Air, but still reliable.

10.

HP Spectre x360

11.

Pros: Convertible, solid battery, and touchscreen for added flexibility.

12.

Cons: More premium, but often discounted for students.

Recommendation: The MacBook Air (M1) is ideal for battery life, portability, and quiet performance. If you prefer Windows, go for the Dell XPS 13 or Surface Laptop for a reliable, comfortable study experience.
4o
Reply 13
Original post by userhelp99

1.

MacBook Air (M1 or M2)

2.

Pros: Excellent battery life, lightweight, quiet, and powerful for academic tasks. Ideal if you enjoy Apple’s ecosystem and portability.

3.

Cons: Learning curve with macOS if you’re new, but generally easy to adapt to.

4.

Dell XPS 13

5.

Pros: Sleek, solid battery, and familiar Windows interface. Great for multitasking and highly rated for its quality keyboard.

6.

Cons: Premium pricing, but comparable to MacBook Air in features.

7.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5

8.

Pros: Portable, great for note-taking and academic work, decent battery, plus student discounts available.

9.

Cons: Slightly less battery life than MacBook Air, but still reliable.

10.

HP Spectre x360

11.

Pros: Convertible, solid battery, and touchscreen for added flexibility.

12.

Cons: More premium, but often discounted for students.

Recommendation: The MacBook Air (M1) is ideal for battery life, portability, and quiet performance. If you prefer Windows, go for the Dell XPS 13 or Surface Laptop for a reliable, comfortable study experience. Or find more at https://influencergonewild.net/.
4o
Thanks for sharing this.
Reply 14
When deciding between a Mac or Windows laptop for university, it depends on your academic program and personal preferences:
MacBooks

Pros: Excellent build quality, long battery life, and optimized for creative fields like video editing or design.

Cons: Higher price point and limited compatibility with certain specialized software, especially in fields like engineering or programming.

Windows Laptops

Pros: Wide variety of models to suit different budgets, excellent compatibility with diverse software, and versatile designs (e.g., touchscreens, 2-in-1s).

Cons: Durability and performance can vary, especially with lower-cost models.

Factors to Consider

Course Requirements: Ensure your laptop supports the specific software your program requires. For example, many engineering and programming tools run better on Windows.

Portability and Battery Life: A lightweight laptop with long battery life is ideal for campus life.

Budget: Windows laptops often offer more options across price ranges, while Macs are a premium choice with solid longevity.

Original post by rwnsl
currently i’m considering my options for a potential upgrade to my technology as my ipad (which i used throughout all of a levels!) is beginning to struggle a bit more. it still works and i’ll bring it to uni with me as a casual user, i just don’t plan on using it in lectures etc. as the battery does struggle a bit more now and it takes quite a while to charge (it also loses approx 40-50% if left overnight so it’ll usually be close to dead if i forget to charge it after a day at uni!) meaning if i forget to charge it then i’m a bit stuck in terms of what to use in class/lectures. as such, i’m looking at treating myself to a new laptop!
as for the general use of whatever i end up with, i mostly want to do things like uni work and casual browsing etc. on it; nothing too hard. i just want something lightweight-ish with a nice battery life that isn’t going to burn up or sound like it’s going to take off when i open a few tabs! i do plan on bringing my PC to uni with me which has more power for things like games etc. so i’m not too bothered about a ‘gaming’ laptop or anything (i figured it’s a better use of my money to just bring my pc and buy a more ‘normal’ device for uni work rather than spend loads of money on a laptop capable of playing games when realistically i’ll end up moving my pc at some point anyway!). i just want something efficient and simple for uni work as well as general life really :smile:
my first thought as something similar to the ipad was obviously a macbook, however these are quite pricey and i’ve never had one so i’m not keen to invest if it isn’t going to be something i find useful particularly as it’ll be a bit of a learning curve. i do really love my ipad for it’s portability and lightweightness which i know is another thing lots of people enjoy about macbooks, the only thing i can really fault my current ipad for is wishing it could function more as a computer and have a little bit more juice in it (hence considering a macbook). i enjoy using apple products for school in terms of their functionality, and from what i’ve seen i do see really positive reviews about their computers! my main hesitation is that i’m aware lots of people using macbooks use them for things like graphics and video editing and the like i haven’t really heard much about how useful they are for the types of software i’ll be using in uni as i’ll be studying law (so lots of things like word!) rather than something like graphic design.
i have also considered a windows laptop —i’m not really keen on chromebooks having used them in school, so it’d need to be apple or windows really! i’ve used windows my entire life at home and it is what i’m more used to, but a lot of the laptops i’ve seen don’t really tick all/even most of my boxes! either that, or they’re significantly more expensive than the macbooks i’ve been looking at. i’m not sure if i’m looking in the wrong places or something as i’m honestly a bit lost on where to start with laptop buying and stuff! i do like that i have experience with windows laptops and my first thought was that i could save a bit of money by just buying a regular laptop rather than a macbook or the like, but from everywhere i’ve really looked i’ve either had the options of sacrificing my main wishes (battery life, decent processing/convenient for working on, lightweight-ish) or practically paying for an extra student accom room :’)

same issue i was facing last year.
Original post by rwnsl
currently i’m considering my options for a potential upgrade to my technology as my ipad (which i used throughout all of a levels!) is beginning to struggle a bit more. it still works and i’ll bring it to uni with me as a casual user, i just don’t plan on using it in lectures etc. as the battery does struggle a bit more now and it takes quite a while to charge (it also loses approx 40-50% if left overnight so it’ll usually be close to dead if i forget to charge it after a day at uni!) meaning if i forget to charge it then i’m a bit stuck in terms of what to use in class/lectures. as such, i’m looking at treating myself to a new laptop!
as for the general use of whatever i end up with, i mostly want to do things like uni work and casual browsing etc. on it; nothing too hard. i just want something lightweight-ish with a nice battery life that isn’t going to burn up or sound like it’s going to take off when i open a few tabs! i do plan on bringing my PC to uni with me which has more power for things like games etc. so i’m not too bothered about a ‘gaming’ laptop or anything (i figured it’s a better use of my money to just bring my pc and buy a more ‘normal’ device for uni work rather than spend loads of money on a laptop capable of playing games when realistically i’ll end up moving my pc at some point anyway!). i just want something efficient and simple for uni work as well as general life really :smile:
my first thought as something similar to the ipad was obviously a macbook, however these are quite pricey and i’ve never had one so i’m not keen to invest if it isn’t going to be something i find useful particularly as it’ll be a bit of a learning curve. i do really love my ipad for it’s portability and lightweightness which i know is another thing lots of people enjoy about macbooks, the only thing i can really fault my current ipad for is wishing it could function more as a computer and have a little bit more juice in it (hence considering a macbook). i enjoy using apple products for school in terms of their functionality, and from what i’ve seen i do see really positive reviews about their computers! my main hesitation is that i’m aware lots of people using macbooks use them for things like graphics and video editing and the like i haven’t really heard much about how useful they are for the types of software i’ll be using in uni as i’ll be studying law (so lots of things like word!) rather than something like graphic design.
i have also considered a windows laptop —i’m not really keen on chromebooks having used them in school, so it’d need to be apple or windows really! i’ve used windows my entire life at home and it is what i’m more used to, but a lot of the laptops i’ve seen don’t really tick all/even most of my boxes! either that, or they’re significantly more expensive than the macbooks i’ve been looking at. i’m not sure if i’m looking in the wrong places or something as i’m honestly a bit lost on where to start with laptop buying and stuff! i do like that i have experience with windows laptops and my first thought was that i could save a bit of money by just buying a regular laptop rather than a macbook or the like, but from everywhere i’ve really looked i’ve either had the options of sacrificing my main wishes (battery life, decent processing/convenient for working on, lightweight-ish) or practically paying for an extra student accom room :’)

It sounds like you're looking for a reliable and lightweight laptop that can handle your uni work without being too expensive. Both MacBooks and Windows laptops have their pros and cons, but since you prefer something simple and functional for tasks like Word processing and browsing, a Windows laptop might be a good option to save some money, especially if you're used to it. MacBooks are sleek and portable, but they can be pricey and may take some time to get used to. You could also explore some budget-friendly Windows models that balance battery life and performance well. And if you're working on projects with images, you could consider tools like "quitar fondo con ia" for easy background removal!

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