Macbook vs macbook pro

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I have no idea the difference with all the Mac computers. I was looking at a macbook from 2007 and one from 2009 and also a macbook pro can't recall the year (I'm on eBay looking) but I am clueless as to what the differences are. Which is the better option ?

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Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

Any reason you specifically are looking at Macbooks from six years ago? In computer terms, those are pretty dated and will definitely show their age. You could probably buy a decent PC based laptop new with a warranty (entry level computers with all you'd need for school are like $400.)

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I bought an HP thru some refurbished company and got it in the mail and its just too bulky and heavy and terrible battery life. I just heard macs last forever. I am just so fed up looking for a computer ... I'm just lost.

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Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

What's your budget?

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

The oldest MacBook I would get is 2011

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Under $300

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Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

Under $300 is going to be a stretch for any computer.

Acer TravelMate B115-MP-C23C - Celeron N2940 / 1.83 GHz - Windows 8.1 SST 64-bit - 4 GB RAM - 500 GB HDD - no optical drive - 11.6 touchscreen 1366 x 768 ( HD ) - Intel HD Graphics - black at TigerDirect.com

This is in your budget, and it's really portable. It's an actual windows based operating system so you'd be able to use microsoft office for school. Because the macbooks you were looking at are so old, even though the CPU in this laptop is considered underpowered by todays standards, it should offer similar performance as the used macbooks you're looking at, and harddrive space is considerably more now -- 500gb with the travelmate compared to 60-120gb standard on the macbook. It's 11.6" which is the same size as the smaller macbook air and super easy to carry around in your backpack.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

For me, the reason for a Macbook Air or Pro is reliability. I was in IT for 30 years prior to switching to nursing. PC's typically have a life span of 3 to 5 years if used hard... Consumer reports continually, year after year after year without a single break in the track record rate Apple laptops as having fewer repairs, lasting longer, etc. So if it TCO (total cost of ownership) over time. If you will have a lot of money to spend over time on replacing computers or repairing broken parts, go for a PC... if you want to purchase something with a proven track record of lasting very long.. get a Mac.

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Do you think 2007-2009 is too old of a Mac to purchase ?

For me, the reason for a Macbook Air or Pro is reliability. I was in IT for 30 years prior to switching to nursing. PC's typically have a life span of 3 to 5 years if used hard... Consumer reports continually, year after year after year without a single break in the track record rate Apple laptops as having fewer repairs, lasting longer, etc. So if it TCO (total cost of ownership) over time. If you will have a lot of money to spend over time on replacing computers or repairing broken parts, go for a PC... if you want to purchase something with a proven track record of lasting very long.. get a Mac.
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Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

2007-2009 in computers is ancient and obsoleted. Even if Apple products have less problems over time compared to PCs, a computer that old is antiquated when it comes to running newer software.

Apple products have really great build quality and aesthetics, but inside they are made of the same components as PC's now -- same intel CPUs, same RAM, same SSDs; you're paying a lot of the engineering of their chassis that makes them so small and light while able to deal with heat and have longer battery life. For instance their chassis are made of aluminum while most PCs are made of plastic. But, you're not just paying for the computer, you're paying for the brand and recognition of an apple product so you're going to be paying more for that quality.

If $300 is your budget, and you really want the full productivity needed for a student, either buy a new PC or buy from a certified refurbished outlet center (one ran by the company who made the computer that offers a warranty and service). If you're set on Apple, look at computers newer than 2011. They use CPUs that are very similar to ones offered in systems today. The hard drives will be smaller and slower, but it will be able to run productivity software a lot better than macbooks based of the Core2Duo or older CPUs.

Personally, I would probably save up to $400-$500 and get a new consumer grade 13-14" laptop with an i3 or i5 processor and buy an extended warranty. I had a dell warranty for a laptop I bought my kids and they either sent a repair technician to my house the next day or overnighted me a box to send it to a depot to be fixed. When my kids spilled a bottle of formula on it, they literally replaced it with a new system that was way better than the old one (which wasn't made anymore so they couldn't replace it).

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I am a lifelong Mac/Apple user. Getting a 2007 or 2009 MacBook is not a good idea, especially in 2016. I would encourage you to get a new MacBook Pro because 1) they're better and 2) I'm biased :yes: but if $300 is your budget, then I would advise you get a cheap modern non-Mac.

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I decided to return the computer I had bought, and just make the one I have work for now :) I got tired of thinking and deciding over computers lol.

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