Get a new computer for med school?

[caffeine is my drug]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'll be starting med school this fall at the University of Arkansas and I'm curious about whether or not I should buy a new computer. Right now I have a MacBook Pro that I've used since senior year of high school through now as a senior in college. It's had some wear and tear (new hard drive last year) but still functions pretty well. It can be slow and Office can be glitchy but overall is pretty good. Should I retire this dinosaur and pay ~$1500 for a new MacBook or stick with what I've got?

 

[Oh_Gee]

I'll be starting med school this fall at the University of Arkansas and I'm curious about whether or not I should buy a new computer. Right now I have a MacBook Pro that I've used since senior year of high school through now as a senior in college. It's had some wear and tear (new hard drive last year) but still functions pretty well. It can be slow and Office can be glitchy but overall is pretty good. Should I retire this dinosaur and pay ~$1500 for a new MacBook or stick with what I've got?

if you have the $, you should do it. you shouldn't add computer-caused stress on top of medical school stress

 

[eteshoe]

Upgrade. Old computers have a nasty habit of kicking the bucket when you need them the most (I say this from experience).

 

[TBV]

Make sure you know where you're going and what they will require you to have! I thought I was going to one school from Nov-June and bought myself a shiny new $900 computer only to get in elsewhere where they required you to purchase a specific computer from the school. But if you have the money I don't see why not.

 

[Okazaki Frag Grenade]

And if you are leaning towards Apple, make sure to wait and see what the March event rolls out, as some of the older versions will be upgraded, meaning the current ones will drop in price.

 

[jqueb29]

You're going to be on that computer anywhere from 6-16 hours most days the next 2 years. Get a good one.

 

[HybridEarth]

Wait until July to get computers. Most retailers have good back to schools offers, like free printers and cheap office software.

 

[tick_tock400]

There should be a new Apple on the market soon, to replace the Macbook Air and Retina even the rumors say; no one knows for sure, but release should be before June or by then. I contemplated getting a new laptop for medical school for a while, and I'm happy I waited until the school year had already started so I could choose from the latest products, considering how quickly the features of laptops change and how pricey they all are! You'll probably be on the laptop a ton though; make sure to get one that works well and is reliable!

 

[NoRagrets]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but hoping to get similar advice. I am also contemplating getting a desk-top mac as I much prefer the ergonomics/screen size and my school has recorded lectures that I feel I will be utilizing more than going to actual class. I have a macbook that is a few years old and still decent. Would it make sense to go with a desk-top in this case or is there still going to be a big need for a solid laptop?

 

[smokn]

Save your money until your computer is truly gone. If it's not giving you any trouble there's no reason to replace it. If it starts crashing all the time, that's another story. And 4 years isn't a dinosaur, a good Mac should last twice that.

There has been very minimal true innovation in Macs over the past decade; keep waiting for something really impressive to come out. A SSD (which it sounds like you might have upgraded to), maxed out RAM and a new battery go a long way and can all be had for a few hundred dollars.

When you do upgrade, I encourage you to get a Mac with the new fancy touch pad. That and the processor will probably be the limiting factor in OS support in the long term.

 

[TBV]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but hoping to get similar advice. I am also contemplating getting a desk-top mac as I much prefer the ergonomics/screen size and my school has recorded lectures that I feel I will be utilizing more than going to actual class. I have a macbook that is a few years old and still decent. Would it make sense to go with a desk-top in this case or is there still going to be a big need for a solid laptop?

You could just as easily and for much less money buy a sweet monitor and use that at home. Put it in a place that would be ergonomic and get whatever size you want. I would say you'll want a nice laptop though.

 

[Optimus-Prime]

a refurbished air is only ~850, you need something that will be reliable the next two years

http://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/mac

 

[Rekt]

Or you can save money by not wasting it on a glossy white paint job and get a normal laptop at 1/3 the price with better specs.

 

[Goro]

Look, you're going to be something like $100K in debt once you finish med school. What's a an extra $250-500????

I've had plenty of students get into a bind academically because their computers went belly-up in mid semester, so you owe it to yourself to be prepared.

I'll be starting med school this fall at the University of Arkansas and I'm curious about whether or not I should buy a new computer. Right now I have a MacBook Pro that I've used since senior year of high school through now as a senior in college. It's had some wear and tear (new hard drive last year) but still functions pretty well. It can be slow and Office can be glitchy but overall is pretty good. Should I retire this dinosaur and pay ~$1500 for a new MacBook or stick with what I've got?

 

[Inventor of Post-Its]

Protip: whether or not you end up buying a new computer, make sure there is room in your budget for an EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE, and back your computer up to it WEEKLY. An old computer is more likely to crap out and lose all your stuff than a new one, but it could happen to any computer, and it does. It's such a minor thing to have to do but it will totally save your life if/when you need it.

 

[benjamin94559]

If you have the money, upgrading is obviously a nice option. However, 2011-2012 macbook pros are actually machines that can really last quite a while and are actually really easy to upgrade. If your machine still has a traditional hard drive, look into switching that out for an SSD. I promise you the difference is truly night and day. Also if your machine has only 4 gigs or less of Ram, look into upgrading to 8 gigs, though this is probably less critical. Your battery is probably going to hell soon or is already in purgatory, so also maybe look into getting a new battery.

 

[ZezKaiEll]

I went into med school planning on relying on my old reliable comp. Less than a week before a major exam, old reliable started acting funny and scared the living daylights out of me. I panicked hard and hastily ordered a new one in the event that it died. In hindsight, I should have shopped over the summer and had a plan in mind for which one I would buy if things went south. Depending on your study style, you may or may not be able to weather an untimely loss of a computer. Personally, studying in a computer lab while a bunch of noisy undergrads print stuff wouldn't have worked. It took me to the point where I was facing this possibility for me to actually buy a new one. My experience says pony up and lower the odds of something like this happening.

 

[NotWayneBrady]

Protip: whether or not you end up buying a new computer, make sure there is room in your budget for an EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE, and back your computer up to it WEEKLY. An old computer is more likely to crap out and lose all your stuff than a new one, but it could happen to any computer, and it does. It's such a minor thing to have to do but it will totally save your life if/when you need it.

Or get an SSD.

 

[akinetopsia]

I'll add to what the other posters are saying: whatever you end up doing, hold off on buying any software - usually you can get stuff for free or with a good discount through your school.

 

[NYCdude]

I've been using the same Macbook Pro for like 6 years now. All I did was upgrade the RAM and hard drive.

It's more than adequate for what I (and you, most likely) need it for: watching lectures, reading powerpoints, typing up papers/notes, etc.

The only thing is that it has a tendency to slow down when running multiple apps at once, but it's nothing too crazy.

 

[sinombre]

It's more than adequate for what I (and you, most likely) need it for: watching lectures, reading powerpoints, typing up papers/notes, etc.

I'm trying very hard to resist a pretty obvious joke here.

Anyway, my vote is to buy a new one given the age of the laptop. My laptop hard drive died half way through second year (it was ~6 years old) and it was a pain to deal with.

 

[NickNaylor]

I agree with waiting to see what requirements, if any, your school will have for you with respect to technology. Some schools require purchase of a particular computer. Others have more general requirements.

The other thing to keep in mind is that for schools that don't require purchase of a specific computer, you might be able to get one-time additional student loan money to fund purchase of a computer. I was able to do this. I ended up buying something that was more than the additional money was for, but it helped defray some of the cost as I was purchasing a computer unexpectedly s/p theft.

 

[deleted407021]

My school apparently supports my 2011 MacBook Pro, so I'm going in with that.

Upgraded to an SSD a couple years back and it still runs better than the day I bought it. Seriously, an SSD will breathe some new life into your computer.

 

[Taddy Mason]

I bought an iMac with top specs and put a new hard drive into my 2007 MBP which I gave to my spouse before first year. Found out in orientation that all exams and quizzes are taken on computers - had to take back the MBP from my spouse (we lived apart first and second year because of her job) and the iMac pretty much only gets used for Civilization (which is pretty seldom). I'd recommend waiting until orientation and finding out exactly what the school requires. MBPs will last forever if you take care of them. Mine is pushing 10 years and still runs fine. The only major issue was replacing the hard drive after 7 years (original one wasn't SSD).

 

[wholeheartedly]

not a med student, but I've had the same mac book pro for almost 8 years. I had an SSD put in when I purchased it. Only thing I've done since was just replace the battery (did it myself for about 50 bucks). It runs great and has taken quite a bit of abuse throughout my time in grad school.

 

[Sailor Senshi Dermystify]

What is a SSD

 

[dvmhopeful2018]

What is a SSD

Solid state drive (like a thumb drive, but larger capacity)


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[BeachBaby]

What about an ipad? Should I get a mini that could fit in my pocket for rotations later on or the ipad pro or air?

 

[MatCauthon]

I think you should exercise financial restraint. Unless you are independently wealthy why waste the money?

a. If your computer crashes, just make sure you have the important stuff backed up. Med schools have plenty of computer labs to use in an emergency situation.
b. Don't waste money on a new Mac.

 

[akwho]

My mac died and I just repaired it by installing a new battery, a new SSD, and new RAM, now its running like butter so I'll hook y'all up with the process.

1. Purchase supplies, I did pretty extensive research and I think these are the best replacement parts on the market:

• Samsung 850 EVO 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Internal SSD
• Key Power New Laptop Battery for Apple A1322 A1278 (MacBook Pro 13 inch - Mid 2009, Mid 2010, Early 2011, Late 2011, Mid 2012)
• G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Laptop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-8GBSQ
• Boxer 30 Pcs 4mm Precision Screwdriver Set - PK30 (screwdriver set to remove back of laptop)

2. Back up your work onto an external hard drive
3. Install new battery and new memory. Make sure both work.
4. Install new SSD and take your macbook to the genius bar. They will install the newest iOS free of charge.
5. Add whatever files from your backup you want to save. I've found it best to do a clean install (ie don't use time machine, just save the documents you want to transfer), and then you have time machine if something goes wrong with the new install.

Viola, brand new functioning macbook for like $250.

 

[smokn]

My mac died and I just repaired it by installing a new battery, a new SSD, and new RAM, now its running like butter so I'll hook y'all up with the process.

1. Purchase supplies, I did pretty extensive research and I think these are the best replacement parts on the market:

• Samsung 850 EVO 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Internal SSD
• Key Power New Laptop Battery for Apple A1322 A1278 (MacBook Pro 13 inch - Mid 2009, Mid 2010, Early 2011, Late 2011, Mid 2012)
• G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Laptop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-8GBSQ
• Boxer 30 Pcs 4mm Precision Screwdriver Set - PK30 (screwdriver set to remove back of laptop)

2. Back up your work onto an external hard drive
3. Install new battery and new memory. Make sure both work.
4. Install new SSD and take your macbook to the genius bar. They will install the newest iOS free of charge.
5. Add whatever files from your backup you want to save. I've found it best to do a clean install (ie don't use time machine, just save the documents you want to transfer), and then you have time machine if something goes wrong with the new install.

Viola, brand new functioning macbook for like $250.

To add to this, search for Carbon Copy Cloner (free trial), buy a $12 USB enclosure for your existing 2.5" HD and save a trip to the Genius Bar. As an added bonus, you'll get a new external HD for more backups!

 

[Oh_Gee]

What is a SSD

here is the long explanation

http://arstechnica.com/information-...revolution-how-solid-state-disks-really-work/

but in short

SSD
pros: waaaay faster (boot up time should be 5-20 seconds), no moving parts so is completely silent, uses less energy
cons: expensive (about 2.5-5x more if you're looking a 1 TB ssd vs 1TB old school HDD) but prices continue to drop as tech advances,

the pros for HDD are basically the opposite of SSD pros

there's probably some other things i'm missing or should elaborate on but i need to go to work