ellyk

I sell Apple products so I'm a bit partial, but I personally think owning a Mac is well worth the investment. The most significant difference between Apple computers and PCs is that Apple owns the hardware and the software, so if anything goes wrong, they know exactly how to fix it, rather than having to figure out who fixes what on a PC. With AppleCare, you'd be covered for 3 years, which covers everything except accidental damage (dropping it, spilling something on it). For portability and everyday usage, the MacBook Air is a great option (I have the 13" Air) because it will do everything you need to do and it's a very well built computer that will last you a long time. Also, if you have any other Apple products (iPhone, iPod, iPad), with iCloud, you will have access to your contacts, notes, calendars, photos, documents (using iWork, not Microsoft Office), and more on every single device, all linked through your Apple ID. This will come into great use if you're reviewing for an exam and left the file you needed on your computer and it's something you can easily pull up on your phone when you're out of the house. As far as compatibility between Mac and PC, you're going to find that a majority of the things you would need to use a PC for you can do on a Mac, and if there are specific Windows programs you need to use, you can always use Bootcamp or Parallels to boot up Windows right on your Mac without a problem.

In your case, the 11" or 13" MacBook Air would be great for your needs. You'll get the long battery life and portability and it's a great computer for your typical everyday usage. Unless you're doing something that requires more processing power, such as video editing or making music, you don't need a Pro. The Air doesn't have a disk drive, but most companies are doing away with needing disks anyway, and there are many workarounds if you do need to access a CD from your computer using a nearby computer that does have a disk drive or by using the portable disk drive you can purchase from Apple that plugs in via USB.

With the new Time Magazine Cover coming out, does anyone have any thoughts on attachment parenting? I have not done much research into it, but would like to know others thoughts on the pros and cons for development of the child with this style of parenting.

Personally, I'd choose Michigan over Boston, with the biggest weight in my decision being the program. I think overall fit between you and the program will be most important in the long run for getting the best education you can in your area of interest. You could always relocate afterwards if you still want to live and practice in Boston. I just feel that the program's fit should be the most important factor when making your decision. Plus you get to save money over the long-term, which could be put towards getting a car if necessary. I grew up near AA so I know the area fairly well, and while I don't think you will have the same number of opportunities as you would in Boston for field placement, the surrounding area should provide plenty of opportunities to find a good placement.