What MacBook should I get for Sixth form?

I’ve been thinking about getting a MacBook for sixth form/ college for myself as I will be taking chemistry, biology, physics and maths and I’ve hear it could be quite useful for a levels. Any recommendations for a MacBook? I will also be doing an EPQ.

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 1

Talkative Toad

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

The air should be alright.

I’ve not properly used a MacBooks in years but the air seems to be the one that most people recommend.

Reply 2

aditkotwal

i’d suggest get ipad pro it will help more

Reply 3

Talkative Toad

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by aditkotwal

i’d suggest get ipad pro it will help more

An iPad Pro doesn’t have a desktop OS.

Reply 4

aditkotwal

you don’t need it for those subjects

Reply 5

Talkative Toad

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by aditkotwal

you don’t need it for those subjects

You might need to use desktop word, excel, PowerPoint, there might be desktop software that OP may need to access and use.

Also once you get into higher education or have a job, having something with desktop OS is pretty much essential. It’s more important to have a laptop that it is the have a tablet (you don’t need a tablet at all, however you do need a computer, and arguably a smartphone too these days). It’s better long term (assuming that the OP doesn’t already have a working laptop) for them to get a MacBook or a good Windows computer, over any tablet.

I love my iPad (probably somewhat more than my computer at this point) but if I had to choose between getting rid of my iPad or computer, it would be my iPad in a heartbeat.

Plus there are two in one computers or worse case, OP gets an MacBook Air then later down the line buys an iPad Air or mini or base model to work alongside the MacBook Air.

Reply 6

aditkotwal

Original post by Talkative Toad

You might need to use desktop word, excel, PowerPoint, there might be desktop software that OP may need to access and use.
Also once you get into higher education or have a job, having something with desktop OS is pretty much essential. It’s more important to have a laptop that it is the have a tablet (you don’t need a tablet at all, however you do need a computer, and arguably a smartphone too these days). It’s better long term (assuming that the OP doesn’t already have a working laptop) for them to get a MacBook or a good Windows computer, over any tablet.
I love my iPad (probably somewhat more than my computer at this point) but if I had to choose between getting rid of my iPad or computer, it would be my iPad in a heartbeat.
Plus there are two in one computers or worse case, OP gets an MacBook Air then later down the line buys an iPad Air or mini or base model to work alongside the MacBook Air.

ok yea ur right we need both macbook and ipad

Reply 7

Talkative Toad

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by aditkotwal

ok yea ur right we need both macbook and ipad

No you don’t need an iPad at all (even if it’s very helpful), but worse case if OP does, then they can buy one later down the line.

Having just a MacBook/Desktop OS is fine, no need for iPad OS.

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 8

sdfj

Original post by Idk23323_school

Macbooks generally aren’t touch-screen - given that you’re going to do 4 STEM subjects, isn’t a touch-screen alternative potentially better?

If anything, the MacBook Air is good value for money in my opinion.

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 9

taskmgr1

If you’re going to get a MacBook then the only MacBook you should get is the Pro.

For less than price of the Air, you can get a Windows laptop that will do exactly the same work and can last the school day. Any Windows laptop running an Arm processor should last just as long as a MacBook. However, some applications will not run on Arm. This is the same for all newer MacBooks.

If you’re still wanting to get a MacBook, I would recommend second hand Pro models with at least 16 GB of memory. You can get them in almost untouched condition for very good prices (1000-1200) and they will last for years so you can definitely bring it to uni or whatever.