MacBook Air

[sheilas]

I am considering buying our grandson a MacBook Air for Christmas. He plans on using this for homework. Can I buy the basic MacBook and add what he will need to it later on or does this have to be done at time of purchase?

 

[heathpack]

I am considering buying our grandson a MacBook Air for Christmas. He plans on using this for homework. Can I buy the basic MacBook and add what he will need to it later on or does this have to be done at time of purchase?

I don't know the answer to this, but if you buy tomorrow (black Friday), this computer will be $100 off the normal price.

H

 

[am1]

You can just buy the Macbook Air.

Software, a case and extras can be added later. You may have to buy an extended warranty at the time of purchase if wanted.

If it will be his sole laptop you may want to get him a Macbook Pro. The size is still pretty small but has for features.

The Air would be great as a second computer.

 

[SueDonJ]

You can wait until after the purchase, and if your grandson brings the MacBook Air with him to one of the stores then the Apple guys will be able to load whichever programs he buys at the time. Plus, if he has an old computer and brings it with him then at the same time they'll be able to transfer his settings and files from the old to the new. I love that Genius Bar!

The other day in the store they recommended that appointments for the Genius Bar be scheduled ahead because they're expecting a whole lot of after-Christmas transfers. I don't know if you'll want to to schedule it or if your grandson should do it as soon as he opens it.

Very nice gift, your grandson must have been a very good boy this year.

{eta} Adding on to what am1 said, definitely purchase the extended warranty at the time you buy it. Their in-store, online and telephone support is wonderful and we've gotten more than our money's worth from the extended coverage.

 

[sheilas]

He would like to carry this to school with him. Is the macbook pro heavier, his bookbag is already very heavy.

 

[am1]

He would like to carry this to school with him. Is the macbook pro heavier, his bookbag is already very heavy.

Not really. I think the Air is almost too small/light. Not sure it is more likely to be damaged when dropped.

 

[puppymommo]

I don't know how much heavier the Pro is than the Air, but my brother who works for Apple recommended that my niece get a Pro rather than the Air. My daughter, who we recently bought a Mac for, also preferred the Pro. The Air seemed too fragile.

I would also be concerned with a student (not sure what grade) taking a laptop to school. Unless the school is encouraging it, it sounds like a bad idea to me. Easily stolen, etc. If he really wants something to take to school, perhaps an iPad would be better.

 

[lvhmbh]

For what it's worth - our 15 yr. old is required to have a computer for school (private school) and when he went in to see the tech department they told him they did NOT recommend the Air but DID recommend the Pro! He got the Pro and doesn't find it too heavy. I don't know about configuring it as Apple sent it directly to the school's tech dept. to configure.

 

[fishingguy]

go with a Pro imo

I'd also second the recommendation on the MacBook Pro, since the Air is surprisingly light and thin. [It is almost a cross between an iPad and MacBook in many ways.] Especially if this will end up being his primary computer.

The smaller storage capacity of the Air (64-256gb max) will limit the amount of games/music/pics that can be stored on it because of the solid-state drive. Whereas, the MacBook Pro comes with larger conventional notebook drives and has better cooling.

 

[sheilas]

I think the MacBook Pro sounds like the wiser thing to do. Now, can I just purchase it and then have him bring it to the store and have anything added that he may need? I don't know anything about this in order for me to have it installed for him.

Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it !!

 

[fishingguy]

yes, but....

Yes, you can take it into a local Apple store and they will fix you up. I suggest he go with you after you give it to him, but make him do some homework to see what applications, accessories, etc. he will likely need ahead of time. After all, Apple sales staff will need some specific insight into his actual situation.

Now having read through this post, I'd also echo the concern about taking a laptop to school/class. If he is responsible enough to deal with theft, handling, use, etc., then fine.

 

[Ken555]

AppleCare (extended warranty) may be purchased at anytime up to one year from date of purchase. It will extend the warranty to three years.

The Air is a fantastic computer, but I also would question it's applicability for students. Unlike the older iBook or MacBook (not Pro) the new laptops are not as rugged and can (and will) be damaged. They are still quite strong using the new(er) single piece enclosure. I'd suggest the 13" MacBook Pro. Be sure to also buy a backup drive or a Time Capsule which would automatically backup the laptop when home wirelessly every hour.

There are some great case sales going on this week as well. For instance, I know Brenthaven is having a 30% sale and free shipping (I think the code is 'BH' upon checkout).

 

[DebBrown]

Another vote for Macbook Pro. My granddaughter wants a Mac for her birthday. We looked at other laptops but it is not what she wants. <sigh> We did not, however, have a $1000+ birthday budget. So I found a 1 1/2 year old used Mac for $500. I've already fallen in love with it.

Caveat: We live in the Chicago area so there are tons of computers for sale on craigslist. I was able to meet the owner and check out the computer before buying.

Deb

 

[sheilas]

If I buy the computer from amazon or another website can I still bring it into the Apple store to have extras put into it?

 

[fishingguy]

Yes you can still take it into Apple for extras.

 

[pjrose]

Air is lighter weight, but perhaps not as sturdy as Pro.

With educational discount (in a physical apple store or online) you get ~50-100 off, also there's a government/military discount, probably the same.

I recommend a refurbished one - apple.com, store, then bottom left for refurbished. You'll save at least a few hundred $, more as the price of the computer goes up. It will have the SAME warranty as new, and you likely won't be able to tell it from new except it'll come in a plain box.

I've bought at least 5-6 refurbished Macs (we're a big Mac family here), and only once was there a problem - something not tight on the screen, and with a quick phone call I had a replacement computer in a day or so, as well as a pre-paid shipping box to return the other one.

Both new and refurbished come with a 12 month warranty; the extended warranty, Apple Care, turns this into 36 months, and doesn't need to be bought immediately. Just do it before the first 12 months expires and you can add the extra 24 month.

Note that Apple Care is (or at least was) less expensive buying with the education discount.

Re any non-Apple software, check with his school or college for whether he can get any educational discounts. For example, many colleges have site licenses that allow home use of MS Office for a very low cost, if he decides to use that instead of Apple's equivalent.

 

[pjrose]

If I buy the computer from amazon or another website can I still bring it into the Apple store to have extras put into it?

Yes you can still take it into Apple for extras.

Yes but it'll likely cost more. If you use an authorized Apple reseller (many local computer stores) will charge less per hour than Apple itself.

If you order from a site such as MacConnection.com or MacMall.com they'll put in extra RAM etc if that's what you want. There really aren't many extras, though - the computers are already pretty fully configured

 

[Glynda]

Love love love...

Love, love, love my Air!!! Might agree that it could be a bit delicate for a teen to carry around though.

 

[heathpack]

Shhhh....

... Nobody tell him but Mr. H is getting a MacBook pro for Christmas. Got my Black Friday $100 off.

He is also getting a nice fat Apple gift card so he can trick the thing out to his liking.

H