Hi, With my batch 7 prep mail out, it’s getting in my mind again. And I’m still debating between the 14” m3 pro 18 512 model and the Framework 13 R7 with a 1TB SSD and 32GB of ram. Can’t decide because they both have pros and cons. The framework will cost 1429+~170=€1600 for ssd and ram and the Mac with student discount will cost me €2000. And with the better battery life and screen etc. I’m still debating with myself and can’t choose :( So my question is how do decide because I can’t find a definitive choice for myself. Thanks already for the answers
Get the Framework and I will tell you why. From looking at your profile you are going to be an Economics major and thus will need access to Microsoft Excel for at least a fair portion of the work. The Apple version of Excel is downgraded without as many features and that means things that ‘just work’ on the Windows version never even shows up on the Apple version, resulting in limited functionality and limited access to information regarding the data that you’re working with.
Worth noting that this may vary from university to university regarding exactly how much Excel exposure you have. It is important to know going into the workforce though.
Can confirm, macos office alternatives suck but they do look pretty. I consider most of it bloat however and just uninstall it
m3 pro for performance, screen and battery life. framework for maintenance, upgradability and cost.
Framework for versatility, MacOs for really specific tasks to justify the price
7840u for performance and openness. it’s far more futureproof
You shouldn’t look at the hardware but at the software. For what will you use the laptop? What Applications do you plan to use. Are there Mac specific things you plan to do. Or do you have windows specific tasks. Or even would Linux the best platform for you.
If price is not a factor the software that supports your daily work the best will should be the decider.
Apple hardware is unquestionable superior to anything made by other PC makers IMO, but it locks you into the Mac ecosystem which is a deal killer for me. Doesn’t stop me being supremely jealous of the M3 power, overall design, and battery life of the latest Macbooks though!
Under the lens of repair, Apple is inferior to every other manufacturer, even beneath Dell and HP. The locked down bootloader is part of the SSD beginning with the M1, so if your SSD goes, your expensive computer becomes a brick.