For Computer Science, you don't know what the hell you are talking about. While the ThinkPad is a good second (only running Ubuntu) MacBook Pros completely dominate the Developer Laptop Market. Computer Help, Computer Tips, Apple Mac Computer, Apple Computers, Computer Science, Mac Tips, Mac Book, Macbook Pro Tips, Microsoft Excel Find this Pin and more on Computer & Electronics by Timothy Thompson.
Thanks to the fierce competition, Apple is under more pressure to design the best Macs ever. As a result, we’re getting better and more powerful machines like the Mac Pro 2019, which is coming later in 2019 possibly alongside the rumored 16-inch MacBook Pro.
I'm hoping to do a computer science degree, and have been looking at laptops/macbooks that would be suitable. I'm wondering if the macbook air 2012 is powerful enough for a computer science degree, or would I be better off going for an older macbook pro? But deciding which Mac is the best for students can be tricky. Some of this depends on what type of student you are, and of course your budgetary arrangements will be a significant factor. So, what’s the best Mac for you? So, we decided to put together a list of the best Macs – MacBooks, iMacs and more.
In fact, if you’d rather not wait and want to get your hands on one of the best Macs now, there’s already quite a few excellent options to choose from, especially with Apple recently giving its MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro and 15-inch MacBook Pro much-needed refresh.
To expand your choices further, the Apple computers are incredibly diverse. The best Macs cover everything from thin and light notebooks like the 12-inch MacBook, which is still on hand at third-party sites despite being discontinued, to professional workhorses like the iMac Pro.
Taking all these into consideration, it can be tricky choosing the perfect Mac for you. We put together a list of the best Macs we’ve tested ourselves – from iMacs to MacBooks – to help you with that important decision. Let’s dive in to all the best Macs you can buy right now, no matter your budget and use.
1. Mac Mini 2018
CPU: 8th-generation Intel Core i3 – Core i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630 | RAM: 8GB – 32GB | Storage: 128GB – 2TB PCIe-based SSD | Dimensions (W x D x H): 19.7 x 19.7 x 3.6cm
Hugely improved specs
Expensive
Mac Mini fans, rejoice! The Mac Mini has finally been upgraded with modern hardware, ushering Apple’s smallest Mac to the modern age and naturally warranting it the top spot in our best Macs list. This tiny thing is packed with 8th-generation desktop processors, a ton of RAM and some of the fastest SSDs we’ve seen – all while keeping the same adored form factor. It’s a tad pricier this time around, but with the raw speed on offer, you’ll find that it’s worth the price increase.
Read the full review: Mac Mini 2018
2. MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
Apple’s productivity machine gets the latest Intel tech
CPU: 9th-generation Intel Core i7 – i9 | Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 555X – 560X, Intel UHD Graphics 630 | RAM: 16GB – 32GB | Screen: 15.4-inch, 2,880 x 1,800 Retina display | Storage: 512GB – 4TB SSD | Dimensions (H x W x D): 34.93 x 24.07 x 1.55cm
Powerful
Screen remains gorgeous
Lack of ports
If you want the most performance you can get in a MacBook without needing to pull off a heist, you’ll want to look into the MacBook Pro 15-inch. Now refreshed with hexa-core 9th-generation processors and up to 32GB of RAM, you won’t be held back by anything you throw at it – especially now that you can get Radeon Pro Vega 20 graphics. With that kind of performance, the MacBook Pro takes a lofty spot on our best Macs list without breaking a sweat.
Read the full review:MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
3. Apple iMac (27-inch, 2019)
Apple’s most affordable all-in-one
CPU: up to 3.6GHz 8-core Intel Core i9 | Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 570X – Radeon Pro Vega 48 | RAM: 8GB – 64GB | Screen: 27-inch (diagonal) Retina 5K display 5120 x 2880 | Storage: 1TB Fusion Drive – 2TB SSD | Dimensions (H x W x D): 51.6 x 65.0 x 20.3 cm
Stunning 5K display
SSD upgrades are expensive
The iMac has long been one of the cheaper ways to get into the macOS ecosystem, and we’re glad that hasn’t changed. Though what has changed, we also appreciate. The new iMac is packing with 8th- and 9th-generation desktop-class processors, letting this stylish all-in-one reach that fabled 8-core performance. If you’re looking for an all-in-one Mac, the new 27-inch iMac might just be the best Mac for you, at least if you’re on a budget.
Read the full review:iMac (27-inch, 2019)
4. MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (13-inch, mid-2018)
CPU: 7th-generation Intel Core i5 – 8th-generation Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 – 655 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2,560 x 1,600 | Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD | Dimensions (H x W x D): 30.41 x 21.24 x 1.49cm
Much more powerful
Keyboard learning curve
The biggest issue with the older MacBook Pro was that it was still packing Kaby Lake processors while its rivals had moved ahead. Luckily, the MacBook Pro 2018 changes everything, making it more powerful than ever. It still has the controversial Butterfly keyboard, but that’s also been improved so that its quieter and more reliable. It’s not hard to recommend the 13-inch MacBook Pro 2018 to anyone looking for the best Macs.
Read the full review: MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (13-inch, mid-2018)
5. iMac Pro
CPU: 8 to 18-core Intel Xeon W | Graphics: Radeon Pro Vega 56 - Radeon Pro Vega 64 | RAM: 32GB – 256GB DDR4 ECC | Screen: 27-inch 5K (5,120 x 2,880) Retina display (P3 wide color) | Storage: 1TB – 4TB PCIe 3.0 SSD | Dimensions (H x W x D): 65 x 20.3 x 51.6cm
Most powerful Mac you can buy
Very expensive
Professionals and creatives need something that can handle any workload they can possibly throw at it. If you’re one such user, the iMac Pro isn’t just one of the best Macs for you; it’s the only Mac to consider. Not only does it have a vibrant 27-inch 5K display with a P3 wide color gamut, but it also boasts the most powerful hardware Apple could get its hands on. It’s extremely expensive though, so it’s really only meant for folks who have deep pockets and need that unbridled power to get through their daily workloads.
Read the full review:iMac Pro
6. Apple MacBook Air (2019)
CPU: 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 617 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch (diagonal) 2,560 x 1,600 LED-backlit display with IPS technology | Storage: 128GB – 1TB SSD | Dimensions: 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.61 inches (30.41 x 21.24 x 1.56cm; W x D x H)
Lovely design
Fantastic battery life
Underpowered
Apple takes the MacBook Air (2018) and gives it a bit of refresh, adding True Tone technology to its display and an even more reliable keyboard. Unfortunately, it hasn’t upgraded the specs – which actually leads us to think that there might be a bigger update by early 2020. However, to be fair to this refresh, the 2018 version has already made our list, so this improved version is just as deserving or more so. But the best part is yet to come: this refresh is even cheaper, so you’re definitely getting more value for less.
Read the full review: MacBook Air (2019) https://oilyellow807.weebly.com/blog/best-alarm-for-mac.
7. MacBook (2017)
Small and stylish
CPU: Dual-core Intel Core m3 – Core i5 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 12-inch Retina (2,304 x 1,440) IPS | Storage: 256GB – 512GB PCIe SSD | Dimensions (W x D x H): 11.04 x 7.74 x 0.14~0.52in
Incredibly portable
Too expensive
While Apple has officially taken the MacBook out of its MacBook lineup, many third parties are still carry it. And because the 12-inch MacBook has found its niche as an ultraportable and lightweight laptop, it’s still deserving of a spot on our best Macs list… that is, until stock runs out. It’s low on ports, but that’s hardly a surprise in a laptop this thin. It can support basically everything under the sun with its Thunderbolt 3 port, anyway. It’s not as powerful as the MacBook Pro, but if you’re looking for a MacBook that’s easy to take with you wherever you go, look no further.
Read the full review: Apple MacBook (2017)
Michelle Rae Uy, Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article
Saloon Keeper
posted 4 years ago
My son is starting a 4 year program in computer science in the fall and will need a laptop/notebook computer for school. I am not a Mac user and not up-to-date on what might be required for university, so I am asking for some advise. So far, I am thinking MacBook Pro with Retina display and 16GB memory.
Questions: - How much storage is really required - 128GB or 256GB? - Is there a need to a higher speed processor, or would the lower speed be fine? - Which screen size? 13': smaller footprint, lighter, longer running time, costs less 15': more pixels, larger screen, more processing power (more threads) Thanks.
Bartender
posted 4 years ago
Ron McLeod wrote: I am thinking MacBook Pro with Retina display and 16GB memory. Wow. That's what I use and I'm a pro (though I have an SSD in mine). I don't think he's going to be needing that kind of power in an undergrad program. I'd be tempted to get him an off-lease business-class laptop (my current employer-issued laptop is the very similar HP 8560p), at least for the first two years or so. Then, once he's proven he won't lose it or break it, is serious about his studies and makes the grade, get him something top-of-the-line. That said, MacBooks are a fashion statement (All of my college-age nieces and nephews have them) and anything off-lease is going to be clunky, so if you're concerned about his rep among his peers go with the Mac. Don't sweat the specs. He won't need much storage and can always use the cloud. I'd get the 13' and a monitor for his dorm room.
Marshal
posted 4 years ago
Ron McLeod wrote: - How much storage is really required - 128GB or 256GB? Depends what type, size and number of files he'll be storing. I'd likely go big to be safe.
- Is there a need to a higher speed processor, or would the lower speed be fine?
Memory is more important that processor, and since you are wisely going with 16G the slower processor should be fine.
- Which screen size? 13': smaller footprint, lighter, longer running time, costs less 15': more pixels, larger screen, more processing power (more threads) Another 'it depends'. More screen real estate is nice for development work (IDEs and such). But for lugging around to class and such, the smaller might be more convenient.
[Asking smart questions] [About Bear] [Books by Bear]
Marshal
posted 4 years ago
I'll respectfully disagree with Joe about the 'fashion statement' Sure Macs look great, but that's far from the most important reason to get one, which to me is OS X.
[Asking smart questions] [About Bear] [Books by Bear]
Marshal
posted 4 years ago
My personal development, and all round do anything else, machine is an entry level 11' MacBook Air. I throw all sorts of stuff at it, all sorts of programs in all sorts of programming languages, including the development snapshot of this here CodeRanch forum software. I have no problems with it at all.
My point is, if a chap like myself who programs for a living and for the craic can be perfectly happy with a bog standard model MacBook Air, then there's sure as anything absolutely no need for a Student to have a $2000 Retina MacBook Pro. The other positive point about having a Mac is that it is a BSD based operating system, and getting familiar with the command line environment will set your son in good stead for working with UNIX based application servers.
Bartender
posted 4 years ago
Bear Bibeault wrote:I'll respectfully disagree with Joe about the 'fashion statement'
I somehow lost in editing that statement the clarification 'for college students'.
author and jackaroo
posted 4 years ago
I think there is an important question missing here: what is he using it for?
If he is doing a Computer Science degree, then he probably wants something beefy. Or two machines - a beefy desktop sitting in his dorm, and a lightweight machine to go to class with. If he is doing a course that requires a lot of graphics manipulation, then he again probably needs something beefy, and probably needs SSD. If he is only writing his thesis on it, then the specs could be much lighter.
The Sun Certified Java Developer Exam with J2SE 5: paper version from Amazon, PDF from Apress, Online reference: Books 24x7Personal blog
Marshal
posted 4 years ago
Andrew Monkhouse wrote:If he is doing a Computer Science degree, then he probably wants something beefy.
Hmm, good point. This is kinda what I assumed.
[Asking smart questions] [About Bear] [Books by Bear]
Ranch Hand
posted 4 years ago
Given the fact that nothing can be added later with the current version of the Mac Book Pro models, 16 GB RAM is a must I would say. A 256 GB HDD should suffice unless you don't want to store tons of images and videos. The Mac Book Pro is definitely worth the buy! After using a couple of Lenovo's with Windows, I started using a Mac Book Pro since 2012 and I can never see myself going away from this machine! It is awesome! I simply love the OS X!
https://oilyellow807.weebly.com/blog/best-genealogy-software-for-mac. SCJP 1.4, SCWCD 1.4 - Hints for you, Certified Scrum Master
Did a rm -R / to find out that I lost my entire Linux installation!
Saloon Keeper
posted 4 years ago
Thanks for all the feedback.
The motivation for a MacBook over a Dell/HP/Lenovo is like what Bear said, OS X. His daily driver is an iMac, and OS X is his platform of choice, but needs something that he can take to class. Also, OS X seems to be the preferred OS in Science and Engineering faculty at the university that he will be attending. As Andrew mentioned, the reason for looking at some more than a Air is the horsepower. In addition to papers and presentations, I would expect that it will be used for development, modelling, as a test bed, and may need to host a couple of VMs. I'm thinking a 13' MacBook Pro with 16GB memory, 256GB flash drive, and a 2.7GHZ Dual Core i5 processor. Cost with education discount would be around 1,900CAD/$1,550USD.
Bartender
posted 4 years ago
![]()
At the risk of offending all you Mac fans, might I suggest an alternative:
Get a good Windows laptop with a similar spec to your chosen Mac, with at least 16GB of RAM (preferably with the ability to add more later if the machine survives more than a year of college life). Shrink the Windows partition and install Linux e.g. Linux Mint in dual boot mode. He's studying CS so this will be a great (but not too difficult) learning exercise. Use the remaining $1000 to buy a nice big monitor for his room, plus some insurance for when he drops the laptop/accidentally lets his 200 pound room-mate sit on it/has it stolen/leaves it in a bar/drowns it in beer.
Marshal
posted 4 years ago
No offense taken, but there is no way I'd trade OS X for another OS.
[Asking smart questions] [About Bear] [Books by Bear]
Ranch Hand
posted 4 years ago
Apple Mac Computers Best Price
Bear Bibeault wrote:No offense taken, but there is no way I'd trade OS X for another OS.
I share the same opinion. I recently had a chance to use Windows 8.1 and the more I use it, the more I hate it! I love OS X. It is one of the reason why I would never buy any other notebook other than a Mac!
SCJP 1.4, SCWCD 1.4 - Hints for you, Certified Scrum Master
Did a rm -R / to find out that I lost my entire Linux installation!
Bartender
posted 4 years ago
Bear Bibeault wrote:No offense taken, but there is no way I'd trade OS X for another OS.
On my usual hardware budget, I've never felt able to justify the massive premium for Mac hardware compared to PCs/laptops (especially now the components mostly come from the same sweatshops anyway), but I haven't really thought much about people paying specifically for OS X. I think I'm just going to have to save my pennies until I can afford a Mac and find out what all the fuss is about, eh? Best Mac For Computer Science MajorComments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |