r/UNCW • u/fleuritics • 8d ago
Question Business Students, What Laptops Do You Guys Use?
Back again with another question as I'm on track to graduate CFCC next May. Since I'm aiming for admission into CSB to major in Accounting and/or MIS, do y'all tend to use PC laptops or Macbooks? Is there any special software necessary for certain concentrations, or is everything web-based?
I'll be commuting by bus as an off-campus student once I get admitted so I don't want to lug around a heavy laptop on top of textbooks if I can help it.
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u/devoidmeat 8d ago
Microsoft Access is the only piece of software that I see students on a regular basis needing a PC for. Otherwise, most of the other software runs perfectly fine on either. If you go the Mac route, you can borrow a PC from TAC or use windows programs through Apporto. I personally prefer Macs for 2 reasons. 1. The battery life is far better than any PC right now. 2. The trackpad is lightyears better than any PC I have used, and it is the main way you interact with the computer. You can get a Macbook Neo for $600 with a student discount and its about as much computer as 90% of students need. The Neo would be a terrible gaming computer, so factor that into your decision.
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u/fleuritics 8d ago
I have a gaming PC here at my house so that's taken care of. I've had my eye on the Neo for months just because it ticks all my boxes for a small, portable laptop. I'll keep this in mind!
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u/getbent9977 8d ago
PC if you're going accounting route. Your likely job prospects are going to be heavily PC and while Mac can run excel it isn't quite the same. It is exceedingly frustrating how poorly recent graduates are with Windows and office products. MIS is a coin flip so whichever you like best.
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u/fleuritics 8d ago edited 8d ago
Yeah I figured that would be the case. Right now it's between a MacBook Neo or a Microsoft Surface laptop (the 13" version). Both are on my list based on their size and how lightweight they are, so thank you for the heads-up with accounting 🫡
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u/getbent9977 8d ago
My office laptop is a 15 in surface, amazing battery life and very portable. Hasn't choked on anything I've thrown at it yet that I expected a laptop to run.
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u/fleuritics 8d ago
That sounds great! I do see a new version of the 13" model coming out in a few days, so I'll keep an eye out over the next few months for decent deals
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u/Coors_LiteYear 8d ago
I wouldn't necessarily worry about lugging around textbooks. I can't speak for every single class, but all of mine so far have had the textbook built into canvas electronically. If the textbook isn't provided in Canvas, I rent or buy it electronically somewhere else.
As far as laptop, Mac books. Mac books everywhere. I personally have a Lenovo that I love. In MIS 213, Mac users do face some compatibility issues, the university does provide a way for students to use their Mac's though.