Is a 128gb MacBook Pro enough for a student?

128GB could work for you if you externalized your data and just used the SSD for the OS and the Applications. All your video, music, raw and native files would go on an external HD, in which the extra for less than $150 more you could use an external mechanical drive with upwards of 4TB of storage - slower but significantly more storage.

I don't know what your actually requirements are but if 128GB may be enough and 256 could be enough then 4TB is more than ample.

Hi,

We get quite a few posts here about how to create more free space on Mac with only 128GBs of storage as people's Macs run out of storage space. I don't believe 128 is enough for anyone after awhile, even if it's enough to start. I've never heard of anyone complaining about too much storage, but plenty of people wish they had gotten more storage, quite often those who got the base 128GBs. I strongly urge you to get at least 256GBs.

I MBP running OSX and many , many apps will use up about 75% of your 128gb SSD.

Music, and large files will take up a lot of space.

256gb. is the preferred minimum disk space for a MBP.

500gb if you plan to run boot camp dual boot OSX / MS-Windows.

Personally, I have found that an installation of OSX with the default apps and iWork suite will only use up about 30gb. of disk space. Leaving lots of room for docs, photos, and small files.

Many of my macs have only 128gb SSD and they work fine. It is all the disk space I need.

If you plan on storing music and videos and large files an external USB flash drive is an option that can be very reliable

as you don't have to worry about loosing your files if your computer should die.

Also a portable external 1tb. hard-drive ( USB ) or larger is a must for off loading files and creating system backups.

Seagate or WD. these sell from $50 on up.

Nobody can tell you how much space you are going to need. Go for the bigger one and have a margin. You would have to spend something anyway for external hard drives etc. if the 128gb turns out to be not enough.

Education Pricing and Student Discounts - Apple

Regards.

A portable with an external drive is the least useful portable one can get.

You may be able to get by on little space but do you really recommend school as a sensible place to have too little space.

Just keep in mind that, with current MacBook Pro models, you cannot upgrade the storage or RAM after the fact. Noting is "socketed"--RAM and storage are soldered to and integral with the logic board. "What you buy is what you're stuck with."

I will be the one to tell you that it is not enough.

No it is not enough.

I don't know what kids store on a computer now a days. But when I was in college I got by with a 120mb. hard-drive

So, why aren't you recommending a 120mb drive, could it be because things change?

You're welcome. 🙂 I really do think that's a good idea.