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Apple Users

Gidney N Cloyd

(19,847 posts) Fri Jan 6, 2012, 11:22 AM Jan 2012

Need advice on purchasing (some type of) Mac [View all]

I work in an almost entirely PC-based higher-ed environment and we're seeing a natural increase in the number of Mac users, particularly as our online classes increase. That means we need to expand our support to them. I've had a little Mac experience but really haven't kept up with the different lines and models available.
If I wanted to get our department one Mac to have around to test things on, preferably something portable, what would be a good model to get? Doesn't have to be anything super-duper, just something that would allow us to "try it on a Mac" when issues come up.

Thoughts?

16 replies

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Need advice on purchasing (some type of) Mac [View all] Gidney N Cloyd Jan 2012 OP

What's the budget? What do most of the student users have? And what does "portable" mean to you? struggle4progress Jan 2012 #1

I think we're on the same page... Gidney N Cloyd Jan 2012 #2

I only actually own a white MacBook, several generations of Minis, and a Mac Pro struggle4progress Jan 2012 #3

I've seen MacBook Pros, the 13 inch model. originalpckelly Jan 2012 #9

I'd go with a 13" MacBook Pro and here's why Stinky The Clown Jan 2012 #4

Very helpful. Thanks. Gidney N Cloyd Jan 2012 #5

A word about Blackboard, specifically . . . . Stinky The Clown Jan 2012 #6

My iMac is the cheap one, and it is better compared to the MBPro 13 inch. originalpckelly Jan 2012 #10

I'd get the 13" MacBook Air CreekDog Jan 2012 #7

I'll check the model out. Unfortunately this is a gummint purchase so no refurbs. Gidney N Cloyd Jan 2012 #8

Damn. originalpckelly Jan 2012 #11

Mac Book - there's an education discount for those REP Jan 2012 #12

If you are needing to troubleshoot things like accessibility, online access/compatibility etc suffragette Jan 2012 #13

I'd guess most students are running Snow Leopard (10.6.8) or Lion REP Jan 2012 #14

I'd also guess most at Snow Leopard with a few on earlier systems suffragette Jan 2012 #15

Yes. I know :-) REP Jan 2012 #16