Best computer for Graduate Life? (Do I really need to save up for a MacBook Pro?)

[Bleep_Bloop]

My department is mac-centric. I bought a macbook pro when I started my program a little over three years ago. It's the only computer I use (writing, web browsing, light photo and video editing using photoshop elements and imovie), but the battery is slowly starting to decline and I might just use a recent bonus to upgrade. The battery holds for less, and it takes longer to recharge. I'm not entirely convinced that I need to buy another pro, but I'm unsure which would be more appropriate: the macbook or the macbook air. There's a $400 price difference, but I've been told that the macbook air is slowly being phased out by Apple (I've read that processors are two generations behind, making it slower even though it has a great battery). Can anyone speak to the benefits of the macbook over the macbook air in terms of overall quality, but especially speed and battery life? Worth the extra money?

[ayasofaya]

The advantage with a Mac is definitely Apple Care and/or the Genius bar. You're paying for the convenience of the Apple Store, and knowing that whatever happens to your computer wherever you are in the world, chances are you have a designated place to get it repaired by a team that knows your specific machine inside and out. I've had my pro since 2011 and it works like new because if and when I have the slightest issue, I bring it to the apple store and say "Fix it," and they fix it. It only costs money if they have to order a physical part, and Apple Care Covers that cost for the first 2 years (the plans are much more inclusive for a computer than a phone).  Even if you don't have Apple Care, at the very least you can trust that while getting your repair, you're not getting scammed or paying for upgrades/repairs you don't need.

As far as required software, it really just depends on your program, like earlier stated. A lot of engineering  and 3D modeling software is only supported on Windows. I went to design undergrad so we had to have the best of both worlds. We were required Macbook Pro and ran Bootcamp so we could switch to Windows when we needed Solidworks or Rhino. If you have strong preferences, there are always options.

 @Bleep_Bloop I got my battery replaced for 80 Swiss Francs (I happened to be in Switzerland when it died. Made no difference to my ability to get it fixed. Convenience!), and the website says $130 to $200 depending on how advanced your model is. There is absolutely 0 reason you should buy a whole new computer. Just get the battery fixed. You have YEARS on that thing. If you're doing anything involving Adobe you don't want an Air. The battery life is longer on average because no one is trying to do anything too ambitious with it.