To get a Macbook for dd?

[Dancergirl]

Tricky one. Both my older dds have a largish sum of money saved up given from various relatives over the years.

About 18 months ago, dd1 wanted to use some of her money to buy a laptop. We did some research, shopped around etc and we advised her not to spend too much on it as there were some good models around for less money. So she bought one for about £350 (can't remember the make, it begins with A). She's generally happy with it, can be a bit slow to start up.

Now dd2 would like to do the same and she has her heart set on an Apple macbook. People we've talked to say they really are worth the money, they last longer and have resale value. Took dd2 to John Lewis yesterday, we looked at all makes but she's really keen on the macbook. She has a (second hand) iPhone 5 which she loves so I suppose she's a bit of an Apple convert.

It is her money so it's really her choice (but she has a birthday coming up so may give her some extra towards it) but dd1 might be put out that we advised her to get a cheaper one and now we are going back on our word!

I think Macs are attractive to the second hand market.

I got a MacBook Air for Christmas. I have a perfectly good 2 year old MacBook Pro that I no longer use. I was told I'd get around £500 for it.

I think macs are slightly pointless for word docs/excel etc but they are perfect for designers/creatives etc. I'm a graphic designer and couldn't use anything other than a Mac. I agree with previous posters that a teenager doesn't need a Mac and it's about being 'trendy'

The only advantages are that they don't get viruses and they are pretty quick in comparison to other laptops. They do have better resale value than other laptops also relatively small though

One small note. The new MacBooks come with the battery built in. If there's a fault - this is very expensive to fix if your not insured.

I think macs are slightly pointless for word docs/excel etc but they are perfect for designers/creatives etc.

Why? Pages/Numbers have all the same features and you can export them to their Windows counterpart in seconds.

Apple I think it's pointless spending over £1000 + on programmes that runs perfectly well on a Windows laptop system. Every computer and laptop I've ever used struggle to run Adobe programmes, Photoshop, Lightroom, in design, etc. The only one that doesn't is a Mac in my opinion

Personally, I think if dd1 only bought cheaper under your instruction, then dd2 should be told to do the same. Otherwise, I would be prepared to upgrade dd1 to the same value if she then expresses a desire for it. It just isn't fair otherwise.

I'm also interested in the "Macs are perfect for designers" line of thinking. TBH the only advantage I've found is the "recently-used folders" feature when saving files to multiple folders. Aside from that, I actually find workflow easier on the PC. What am I missing?

What about an iPad air 2(always in an otter box) and wireless keyboard, easier to transport, the advantage being certain apps work on them such as dragon dictate, ireadwrite and other education related stuff.

Can I hijack the thread?

My dd11 is wanting a laptop for her birthday. In secondary school she'll need it for homework etc (we don't have a 'house' computer).
I'm a professional creative who has used desktop Macs since the old blueberry bubbles ones. Md and Dh have iPhones, dd has an old iPad. Dh's old PC laptop died last year and he got a MacBook and loves it.

Question - seeing as myself, dh and dd are all so familiar with the Mac platform (to be honest I've never yard windows and wouldn't know where to start), do we look around for a second hand Chrome-book for instance? She'll only need it for homework and internet but I don't want her to feel unfamiliar with it. To be honest, I've noticed a lot if the schools are using Macs now.

Tbh, I love my MacBook but I wouldn't buy one for a young teenager. They simply don't need one. Acer do good laptops. Toshiba also used to be very good. Bad one for years before my Mac. 8 years on it still works.

I am an absolute pc fan. I don't care for most apple products. However having said that. We purchased 2 computers 5 years ago. A pc dd1 wanted and a mac for dd3 that she wanted. Dd1 has twice updated her laptop since. Once we did it last time she chose too. Dd2s is still using the mac and is happy with it. We are vaguely talking of her getting a new one last year to help her media course. But nothing settled yet. We have spend the same amount on the 2 over the years now with replacing dd1.

Treating your children equally does it mean treating them the same. So o i don't think because dd1 has a pc you HAVE to ensure Dd2s has one. I would speak with dd1 and acknowledge perhaps it was not the right advice to give her. Nothing g to stop you to help dd1 get one a year or two down the lane.
Just be honest with dd1. It is good for her to see mum and dad recognised they learnt something and felt they perhaps didn't give the best advice

Macs are great for creative stuff. Photo editing, graphics, videos etc. They are fast and efficient, and do seem to last a long time.

Trouble is, if you have any problems with them they are expensive to sort out. I've had to replace my charger twice in 3 years, at a cost of 80 odd quid each time. My old Macbook also used to destroy batteries and I'd have to buy new ones every few months. I understand with the newer models you can't replace the battery yourself, so you'd have to take it in.

A decent refurbished one would be a more sensible idea, putting money aside if you need repairs in future!

MacBooks are infinitely better than Windows laptops. It's just a fact.

If your daughter has the money and you didn't know MacBooks were better, don't stop her. £350 laptops are a waste of money. I've had 5 before my MacBook.

www.apple-core.co.uk/welcome/

This company are always good for refurb apples, they go really fast, so worth contacting them and mentioning what you are looking for.

"You can get a Windows laptop for £750 that'd beat a MacBook hands down."

I don't believe that. After a few months it'd be slow to start up and slowing down generally.

I really do think Macs are worth spending more money on. I spent years buying midrange Windows laptops from a variety of manufacturers (Dell, Asus, Samsung). The Dell was the best but all required replacing within 18 months because even after upgrading the RAM they would get so clogged up that they ran ridiculously slow, the battery life would deteriorate to such an extent that it was hardly worth calling it a laptop, they are prone to viruses etc.

DH then bought me a MacBook Air and I've had it since 2011. Never had a virus, battery life is still good, never crashes, runs as fast as it did the day I got it.

The difference in price between a MacBook and a decent Windows machine is not that great and I think is well worth it.

No point shelling out over £800 for a teenager to go on Facebook, YouTube and maybe use office a bit.

MacBooks are very expensive to repair ! I have Apple care on mine ( 1 year now ) and I don't know what I'll do if my mac needs repairing! I had to replace Hence why I suggested not to get a Mac for a 12 year old.

Mac are pointless for Microsoft etc. They really are. But are excellent for softwares etc.

yes, it's her money, but as adults it's our job to guide our children into learning to be sensible with their money and to buy large / expensive purchases based on sensible reasoning, not "my friends think it's cool"

Yes exactly, totally agree with this goodnight

I have a PC laptop - never had a virus, or spyware, never crashed, runs as fast as it did the day I got it.

Cost £500 less than the mac equivalent.

Dh has an Acer laptop, think he's pretty pleased with it.

Me624 I agree. Just not for a 12 year old.

No point shelling out over £800 for a teenager to go on Facebook, YouTube and maybe use office a bit.

This.

And thanks dancer :)

If it is her money, her sister shouldn't have any input into this decision whatsoever - imagine this was happening to you; you'd saved up £1000 for something, then told because your DH doesn't have one you can't have it.

IMO you're lucky I'm not your daughter because I would have ordered it myself off apple.com and not told you about it.

How is it fair on your DD2 to miss out because you persuaded DD1 to get a different laptop when she could have had a laptop too?

I have 2 DDs aged 13 and 14. One is gadget and brand aware and the other is not. I don't treat them equally when advising them on how to spend their own money as they have very different attitudes to money and possessions. This doesn't cause disharmony but there would be wars if I started saying one couldn't have something just because the other doesn't.

That said DH has had computers since early childhood and works in IT. After a brief Apple flirtation we now have a houseful of Dells and HPs. I have a Chromebook and think it is ideal for a teenager. DD1's laptop cost about £300 and there have been no complaints.

I think a cost / benefit analysis is a great suggestion. I make my spendthrift DD2 do this. I also make miserly DD1 do it as otherwise she would sit at home just looking at her full piggy bank.

No point shelling out over £800 for a teenager to go on Facebook, YouTube and maybe use office a bit.

+1