Why an Apple MacBook might be value for money buy for you

Apple laptops are generally costlier but if you choose the right one, it will improve your productivity while giving maximum bang for your bucks.

Choosing a right laptop.

Target Audience

1. A college student who needs a Laptop for their need. Please check first if iPad/Android Tablet suffices for your requirement.
2. You already own a windows/Linux laptop ($500 — $1000) but looking to upgrade.

You are looking for

• You want to buy a laptop with good performance and durability.
• Good performance with compiling source code, running simulators, and other workflows related to software development.
• Good performance for your video and image editing workflow.
• Excellent quality keyboard.
• Excellent display.
• Third-party software support.
• Excellent trackpad.
• A laptop that ages well.
• Looking forward to maintaining the laptop for at least 5 years and good resale value.

Your options

Operating System choices

1. Windows laptop
2. Linux-based laptop (system76 or install ubuntu).
3. Mac OS

Sane hardware choices

1. At least a hex-core processor with the latest gen technology. As of writing 12th gen intel processor or Apple M1 chip.
2. At least base frequency of 2.0 GHz.
3. At least 16 Gb of ram.
4. At least a full HD display.
5. 14”-16” display in the smallest form factor possible.
6. Thunderbolt 4/USB C ports.
7. At least 15 hours of battery life.
8. At least 512 GB fast SSD.
9. Nonexistent fan noise and heating issues.

My Choice

I have spent enough time on Ubuntu/Windows laptops. I usually spend around $1200-$1500 and still miss the features I listed above. With Apple transitioning to Apple silicon, it has beaten all the laptop chips in the market and it has brought a revolution for which Intel/AMD is forced to innovate and deliver the performance today which they might have given to us 5 years later.

MacBook Air with 16GB of ram starts at $1100 and it has all the features I listed above. No laptop comes even close to Macbook Air today at this price point. I believe Apple will beat everyone in the market in terms of performance for the next few years. If you are looking for MacOS, there is no better time to buy a laptop today.

Apple is no saint and it charges exorbitantly if you move up from Macbook Pro 13 but still, other companies won’t be able to match apple at that price point too in terms of performance. I think you can safely pick between Macbook Air(2020) and Macbook Pro 13 (2020) safely and you won’t regret it.

PS: If you time your shopping then you might get an even sweeter deal at eCommerce websites. It is cherry on the cake if you use education pricing by apple.