Hi everyone! I'm an incoming freshman heading into business/law, and I need to pick out a new laptop for college. I don't need anything crazy powerful—just something that can handle school work and a bit of light gaming. I play games like Minecraft, GTA V, and Fortnite occasionally, so I'd like decent graphics quality for that. I also do quite a bit of streaming.
My current setup includes a Ryzen 5 3600XT CPU, 32GB of RAM, a GTX 1660ti GPU, and a 1TB SSD, so I'm hoping to find something that can at least match that. I'm looking for a machine that can comfortably run accounting software, Excel, and other business-related applications, as well as support multiple screens since I'll likely have a monitor or two mounted in my dorm room. Ideally, I'd like at least 1TB of storage to keep all my files, especially since I need to manage a lot of legal documents.
I'll be using this laptop throughout my undergraduate studies, and I want it to last for about six years. I'm trying to decide between a MacBook and a Windows laptop. My grandma is willing to buy me a MacBook Pro with the M4 Max chip, but I'm hesitant because I'm not very familiar with Macs and worried it might have a learning curve. Plus, they can be quite pricey! Is there a way to get a student discount?
If I decide against the MacBook, what would be a good Windows alternative? And for those who have used the nano-texture glass on a Mac, is that worth it for outdoor studying? Also, I'd love advice on getting a laptop without too much bloatware. Thanks for all your help!
3 Answers
Honestly, if your grandma's willing to get you the MacBook Pro, look into student discounts. They often have app sales that can save you quite a bit. Just make sure the specs fit your needs since it sounds pretty powerful.
If you go with a Windows alternative, look at the Dell XPS line or the ASUS Zephyrus series—those are fantastic for both work and light gaming without a hefty price tag. Plus, you can usually find them with minimal bloatware.
Make sure to check if your college has specific software requirements before you pick a laptop! Some programs might need Windows or Linux, which could steer your choice. If they do have a requirement, that’ll help narrow down your options.
Also, if you go with a Windows laptop, there are a lot of options that can match the specs of the MacBook Pro but might save you some cash too!
Good point! I haven’t looked into that part yet. I'll definitely check with my college.
If you're into gaming, I'd definitely lean towards a Windows laptop. Apple silicon like the M4 Max isn't really built for gaming. You'll have way more options that can handle your gaming needs better on Windows.
I'd suggest checking models with a dedicated GPU if you want good performance for those games. Plus, Windows laptops are generally more flexible when it comes to upgrades down the line.
Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely keep an eye out for those specs.
I've heard mixed things about the M4 Max. Some folks say it's a beast for productivity but struggles with gaming. If you're upgrading from a GTX 1660ti, you might notice better performance with a Windows machine for games like GTA V. If you do go Windows, look for something with at least an RTX 3060 or higher!
Awesome, thanks for the recommendations! Dell XPS is high on my list now.