Buying an Apple Mac

[Deleted User]

You can just get insurance with Endlseigh who have specific policies for students and their living accomodation

BigBouncyBall

FreheitOverture wrote: »

Generally animation will require 3DS Max (my course certainly does, as do the animation courses at my uni)

I think OP has already stated Maya is the weapon of choice which runs on a mac (slightly buggy in all honesty - but it runs just fine)

I would consider a desktop for this. I use a mac pro and run maya and shake in Mac OS X, but i also use windowsXP for some other software which only runs on a PC (plus it's nice to use windows every now and again for a change)

But the mac pro is perfect for animation/VFX courses.

Marty_J

I was the one who brought up Maya solely in reference to GPUs and performance. We don't know what software the OP's son will be using, aside from that he needs the MacBook Pro for computer graphic and animation work. I would assume that it is Mac software if the university told him he needs a Mac.

[Deleted User]

Interesting that they've recommended a laptop for Maya, when surely if it has to be a Mac then an iMac would be a much more reasonable purchase?

Marty_J

be_alright wrote: »

Interesting that they've recommended a laptop for Maya

They didn't; I just happened to mention Maya in passing with regards to something else.

[Deleted User]

Marty_J wrote: »

They didn't; I just happened to mention Maya in passing with regards to something else.

In any case, the recommendation for a laptop has surprised me.

I would have thought that a larger monitor that you'd get with an iMac would be easier to work on, plus you'd have a better performing machine.

I've just asked someone I work with if they had a laptop at uni. They did and spent most lectures playing Unreal Tournament rather than doing any work. I knew a few like that. Funnily enough, they got a lesser degree than me who just used to take a pen and paper..

Portability, I can kind of see why you'd want one, but with USB memory sticks so cheap and large now it doesn't make sense to cart a laptop around campus much anymore.

Wiggynut

I'm doing digital Media in Sept and I've decided to get an iMac - I think it's far better to get a desktop type computer rather than a laptop for digital work.

(I've worked as a Photographic Retoucher for a few years too so not a total noob to macs/pc/graphic stuff etc)

I will either get a cheap laptop if I need one - and I wont mind (too much) that it gets pinched or broken and there's the possibility that you could lose all your work.. who manages to back up daily!)

If he is working on animation, graphic type work then it's usually advisable to buy a separate monitor to plug the laptop into when at home... I couldn't personally do detailed work on a laptop - but I guess some people could!?
If work needs to be taken to Uni (and you don't get a cheapy laptop) then just get a large memory stick to transfer files to Uni if I need to.

I've heard the Refub options at Apple are very good!
But I may wait for the student offers to come through (sometime in August I think) possibly a free Ipod touch given away (not refurb option though).
The apple site also gives £60 towards a printer if you need one.

I can't wait to get my IMac.. .wanted one for ages - got a refurb PC at the moment but work with Mac at work.

Chili

Thanks - lots of info there for me to digest.

I dont know what packages he will be using as they have not specified. I take on board the points about a desktop vs. laptop some good things mentioned there. Will show my son this post and he can make a choice as the uni have said either a desktop or laptop will do.

I will get the insurance sorted out also, thanks for reminding me about that one!

Didnt know apple would have student offers though, thats very helpful.

Thanks to all as all info is of great help being a novice to apple mac.

Wiggynut

Chili wrote: »

Thanks - lots of info there for me to digest.

I dont know what packages he will be using as they have not specified. I take on board the points about a desktop vs. laptop some good things mentioned there. Will show my son this post and he can make a choice as the uni have said either a desktop or laptop will do.

I will get the insurance sorted out also, thanks for reminding me about that one!

Didnt know apple would have student offers though, thats very helpful.

Thanks to all as all info is of great help being a novice to apple mac.

Student discounts are 15%... there is a education section of the apple store and you type in the name of the place he'll be attending OR he can access it via his uni servers (you can also ring them if he can't access his Uni's email address and they will tell you the discount cost).

do you know about the education software that is soooo much cheaper to buy than the usual cost?

I'm buying the software package that has everything ... CS3, Dreamweaver, Flash... there's about 10 software packages only costing £410!)
oooh... just looked again and the price has dropped :T
http://www.student-software.co.uk/shop/prd645

as I said... I reeeeaaaallly can't wait!

Marty_J

I'm pretty sure your son would get a bigger discount going through the Apple Store for further education (which he can only access from his university) than he would getting it from the normal education store.