I found an Acer Aspire 14 AI on sale for €620 during Black Week in the EU, featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon X1-26-100 processor and a 14" WUXGA 120 Hz display. I'm uncertain if this is a good deal or if I should spend about €530 more to get a MacBook M4. The MacBook is significantly pricier, but it generally retains its value better and tends to last longer. Reviews on the Acer haven't been very favorable. Since I plan to study Computer Science for the next five years, and will need a laptop for daily development work, I have some concerns. I often get annoyed by the fan noise and frequent Windows updates on other laptops. Plus, I've read that the Snapdragon processor might have some software compatibility issues. The MacBook M4 I'm considering is currently priced at €1,148 and comes with 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. Should I go for the budget Acer or make a long-term investment in the MacBook? I already have a high-end gaming PC that I don't use much, so gaming isn't a priority for either laptop.
3 Answers
For CS, I’ve always used a Mac, and it really pays off in terms of software support. I've had issues with libraries on Windows. When I try to do dev work on my Acer, I face software-related hiccups.
Go for the MacBook! If it's the Air, that’s more than enough for your needs. And don’t forget about student discounts; Apple sometimes offers promotions that make it more affordable. Plus, finding a decent refurbished MacBook is also an option.
Honestly, I'd recommend the MacBook. It's got better battery life and support for various software that you might need during your studies. Plus, with a Mac, you’re less likely to run into compatibility issues compared to that Acer.
While I see the point, remember that the Acer can run Linux which might give you a nice development environment. Just be cautious since the ARM CPU won't have great support.
Good tip about the discounts! I might look into refurbished options if I decide on a Mac.