Is the 13" MacBook air a good laptop for online school?

Good Afternoon,

I submitted a similar question about the MacBook Pro 15" but I want to pose the same question for the 13" MacBook Air. I am in school online and the Windows laptop I currently have is old and since the Windows 8 upgrade has given me nothing but problems. I want a Mac but now am torn between the Air and Pro models. I am leaning towards the Air because of the price (it's cheaper than the Pro) but I want to make sure that it's a good laptop for school, email, social networking and web surfing with a little online shopping thrown in from time to time. 🙂 Any advice from the community will be greatly appreciated.

Posted on Aug 16, 2014 1:40 PM

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6 replies

Aug 17, 2014 7:45 AM in response to egyptian37

Memory on a Mac OS works differently then it does on Windows. The operating systems of windows really uses a lot of memory than a Mac OS. 4GB is fine and I choose the 11" model because I wanted the more flexibility of carrying it around. I work over 65 hours a week and take my computer to work and back it has a lot of travel to it. This computer is fine for what you need it for. Like I said in my other post of yours the Macbook Pro is mainly for powerhouse. Its purpose is to replace a desktop that would run a lot of graphics or simulations for architects, design, and rendering of graphics. Only thing I cannot stress enough though since you're going to UOPX is to download the chrome browser for school and when you order your computer make sure to order Microsoft Word. I don't know if you've ever owned a Mac before so installing certain software is far different then on the Windows operating system. I would suggest you buy from inside an Apple Store if you have one nearby just so they can help you with setting it up and answering any of your questions. As for me my computer works excellent for school, surfing the web, writing papers, and watching Hulu/Netflix so I can watch my korean Dramas. If you're not a design student who will be rendering a lot of graphics then the Pro would be an unnecessary purchase. Apples are not throw away junk computers like Windows these are made to last for several years. Also, look into getting the Speck cover for the Macbook. I have a clear one to prevent mine from being scratched and I really love it. I've been a Mac owner for 10 years now. 🙂

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Aug 16, 2014 8:42 PM in response to egyptian37

Good Evening,

As SteveJobsFan0123 pointed out is it great for casual computer usage. The pro models are more designed towards graphics powerhouse and running digital design or architech apps. I am going to the University of Phoenix and use my Macbook Air with no problems at all. In fact my Air is the only computer I run. It is not like a chrome book or netbook its a fully functional notebook. It just doesn't have the graphics speed that the pro model would have or a disk drive. Really how often do you use those things anyways? I have never really needed a disk drive even when I thought I would. Mostly everything is cloud based now and I feel that a macbook air model would be a great decision for online school.

Aug 17, 2014 8:05 AM in response to InfamousMacBook

Thank you so much, you've really helped me out! No I've never owned a Mac so this will be my first one. I'm definaty going be putting MS Office on it and thanks for the tip about Chrome. I take it UOPX doesn't like Safari. I do have an Apple store near me as well as BestBuy so I. An go into either one to get a feel for it. Thanks again for your help! 🙂

Aug 17, 2014 8:10 AM in response to egyptian37

When you purchase purchase from Apple and let them know you are a student with your acceptance letter from UOPX and they can give you a Student Discount. Safari will work on the UOPX website but, it has some difficulty with the labs. So does some other browsers I have tried. Chrome just seems to be a sure bet. If you want feel free to add me or email me. It is my username@me.com (infamousmacbook)@me.com with out parenthesis (so I don't get robot scams).

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Is the 13" MacBook air a good laptop for online school?

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