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Don't compare a overpriced Mac to a 200 dollar Asus.

Asus for low budget students because
1) It will get the job done, especially for school you most likely wont do heavy computing work on it
2) It is 1000 dollars less in price, so its much more affordable for a student
3) It is less likely to get stolen than a MacBook
4) (My personal preference) It runs windows, so most conversions between your computer and any school computer would be easy, and for me it is also easier to use since I have almost never used OSX.

However, it has some cons to it as well.
1) It is a cheaper computer, meaning the parts might not last as long as those on a macbook
2) The computer may break easier (like physically break, not just a screen crack or dent) if it is dropped on accident

Thats my two cents, at least. If I had to choose, I would go for the asus - as much as I hate asus anyways.

Definetely the Macbook. I use one and it's great for my University studies.

I would recommend a surface as well. If all you're doing is student related things, get a surface or a Chromebook.

No offense, but you should actually make an apples-to-apples comparison. Comparing a $1200 laptop to a $300 laptop is like comparing apples (The $300 laptop) to oranges (the $1200 laptop)

FCCAGut
You are confused. Everyone knows a Mac is superior in educational tasks. I'd like to see Windows compare.

No, a Mac is not? Windows has more support, always has and always will? You are the one confused...

FCCAGutOf course what more could I expect from a PMC admin, allowing the use of Windows Server 2008 somewhere.

What does this even mean? Windows Server 2008 has it's pros. It can host things that Linux cannot. It can host everything that Mac OSX can't host

FCCAGut
Speaking of which....you are incorrect on the expensive thing, which I'm assuming would be more expensive. You have to purchase Microsoft Office so that's like another $150 and then a new Windows disk, which isn't free. Then there's the anti-virus software yearly subscriptions, etc. That's like $700 right there. A MacBook Air would be about right and then you can use Numbers. An Air isn't overkill and it's cheaper than a Macbook Pro. Of course this is just nonsense right now.

No, Going with a Windows computer is much cheaper in the long run. Office isn't 150, it's 70 dollars a year.

"Get a 1-year subscription including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive cloud storage, and Skype PC-to-phone world calling2 for 1 PC or Mac, plus 1 iPad or Windows tablet." -www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Office-365-Personal/productID.297833200

And most of the time Office comes with new computers, so that renders that false.

Why would you have to pay for a Windows disk? Windows computers come with Windows pre-installed...

And no need to pay for an anti-virus. For one, there are free alternatives that are just as good, if not better. Second, it's a student laptop. Most likely won't be getting many problems.

If you're gonna "correct" someone, at least make sure your information is correct.

Macbook, or $200 craptop?

The answer is pretty clear.

if you want cheap, go asus, if you want less viruses go mac, but you can probably find cheaper macs

You're comparing a über cheap celeron powered laptop to a mac.

Not saying you shouldn't get a laptop, but personally, I'd get a Windows Surface.

• Compact
• Easy to use
• Multi-purpose (Functions as a tablet and a laptop)

Win-win.

If you are on a budget, go for the Asus. Macs are not budget computers, they are pretty much the opposite of what you might want if you are on a budget.

Im also voting for asus....

You are confused. Everyone knows a Mac is superior in educational tasks. I'd like to see Windows compare. Of course what more could I expect from a PMC admin, allowing the use of Windows Server 2008 somewhere. Speaking of which....you are incorrect on the expensive thing, which I'm assuming would be more expensive. You have to purchase Microsoft Office so that's like another $150 and then a new Windows disk, which isn't free. Then there's the anti-virus software yearly subscriptions, etc. That's like $700 right there. A MacBook Air would be about right and then you can use Numbers. An Air isn't overkill and it's cheaper than a Macbook Pro. Of course this is just nonsense right now.[/quote]

Microsoft Office:$75
Anti-Virus:$13(mcAfee antivirus 2015)
Asus laptop:$230
Asus 11.6" Touchscreen windows 8 laptop: $250
Total:$568

Macbook Air:$899(From the apple site )
Total:$899
Macbook pro:$1300
Total:$1300
I think the Macbook would be more expensive....

FCCAGutOf course what more could I expect from a PMC admin, allowing the use of Windows Server 2008 somewhere.

This sounds like an insult to me...

FCCAGutYou are confused. Everyone knows a Mac is superior in educational tasks. I'd like to see Windows compare.

FCCAGutSpeaking of which....you are incorrect on the expensive thing, which I'm assuming would be more expensive. You have to purchase Microsoft Office so that's like another $150 and then a new Windows disk, which isn't free. Then there's the anti-virus software yearly subscriptions, etc. That's like $700 right there. A MacBook Air would be about right and then you can use Numbers. An Air isn't overkill and it's cheaper than a Macbook Pro. Of course this is just nonsense right now.

Still cheaper than the MacBook Pro. And students might not be using Microsoft Word; they could be using Polaris Office or OpenOffice or Google Docs if they wanted to. And Microsoft gives dirt cheap prices for educational institutes, I believe. And why would you need to buy a new Windows disk? The Asus already comes with Windows 8. And a lot of higher educational institutes have special stuff that let them provide all students with Windows free at any time.

And an anti-virus software subscription??? My school computers don't even have any anti-virus! They can't fit any with all the bloatware...But seriously, why would they need to get a paid anti-virus? They have no need for such security, and even if they did, Windows Defender would've done the job.

*EDIT* Sorry for my slightly offensive tone. Was just in a tiny bit of shock at your post.

*EDIT 2* Final answer. Definitely going with the Asus. I don't know what these students are doing, but chances are, 4GB of RAM and decent integrated graphics will do the job. They don't need absolutely flawless FPS, or at least, I personally as a student wouldn't mind going through quite a bit of lag in exchange for a large sum of money saved up that I can put elsewhere.

For example...anybody up for adding some tablets together with the Asus laptop? It'll help with the productivity and portability. The tablet also works as a handy little Micro SD card reader.

That's easy. The Asus. A ~$1500 computer of any brand is way overkill for most students, both in price and power. Unless you're planning on using it for other things, like gaming or lots of rendering, it doesn't make sense to buy an expensive computer for word processing and basic internet use. "Good keyboard" or "less lag" does not justify spending that much for such simple tasks.

"On a budget" that automatically leaves out the Mac. Not even a contest.

I mean Mac book cost a lot but less lagging/freezing , then maybe Windows 7 Or just a mini computer around 200$

I hope I'm not breaking the rules by making 3 posts in a row, but they're all separate and different replies.

I noticed that a lot of people in the polls voted for the MacBook Pro instead of the Asus. It got me wondering how weak this cheap laptop can possibly be. I just looked at the specs, though, and it is still stronger than my Inspiron; that Asus should be able to work just fine with typical programs students are going to use. Of course, they'd be bad if you tried to do gaming on them or more heavy things, but it is unlikely the students will do such things (or maybe the fact that this Asus laptop won't go very well for playing this games will end up being a plus for the teachers).

Now, you said the school is a highly technological school.

What applications are the students going to use?

*EDIT* I haven't voted yet, and I also have the urge to vote for the MacBook Pro due to the sheer overkill of its power that will have a 100% chance of getting the students' job done. But I still believe that perhaps the Asus will fare better. Waiting for OP to respond.

*EDIT 2* Asus has bigger screen, btw. Bigger screens are always handy.

Sorry, I mistyped Asus as Acer. Fixed them in both posts.

ANDDDDD, consider this; for the price of one MacBook Pro, you can buy 5 of the Asus laptops. Now consider this scenario; if 5 Asus laptops were then shared between 5 students, that means that 5 students will be on EXACTLY THE SAME working grounds; same OS, likely same software, same ports and instructions to go through, etc.. These 5 students will always be on the same page, so tech support and general work will be easier since they can easy ask each other for help, and all of them know how the others' computers work.

So logically the Asus laptops would also be a good and easy choice for getting the whole class as a, umm, class, instead of a big mess of different machines that are all operated differently.

Also, OP, are the students bringing their new devices to school? Because if they are, it brings in a new factor; device safety. Bringing ANY form of digital device is already dangerous (for the device, I mean) due to risk of robbery. In this case, it's incredibly obvious that an Asus will probably not get stolen considering there'd be tons of other computers around that are similar in strength or stronger, whereas if you had a MacBook Pro, it'd stand out as a powerful and expensive machine that is also easy as hell to snatch off, so the raw robbery safety is horrendous on a MacBook Pro.

SnowyfoxThe students are on a budget. A Macbook Pro is wayyyyyy off the charts for these guys. Also, as others said, OP, please, umm, slim down the gap between the two choices.

HOWEVER, logically, the Acer will definitely fare better due to its native usage of Microsoft Windows. Most educational institutions are far too deep into usage of Windows and Microsoft-related products that a Macbook Pro would be considerably odd and tough to deal with due to some incompatibilities. A lot of instructions and the such would also be considerably different on a Macbook Pro.

Sure, you can run Windows on the Macbook Pro but that requires extra effort and you still can't bypass SOME restrictions. Overall the Macbook Pro is far too pricy and overkill for the job. Acer wins.

Agreed

The students are on a budget. A Macbook Pro is wayyyyyy off the charts for these guys. Also, as others said, OP, please, umm, slim down the gap between the two choices.

HOWEVER, logically, the Asus will definitely fare better due to its native usage of Microsoft Windows. Most educational institutions are far too deep into usage of Windows and Microsoft-related products that a Macbook Pro would be considerably odd and tough to deal with due to some incompatibilities. A lot of instructions and the such would also be considerably different on a Macbook Pro.

Sure, you can run Windows on the Macbook Pro but that requires extra effort and you still can't bypass SOME restrictions. Overall the Macbook Pro is far too pricy and overkill for the job. Asus wins.

Macbook
-Longer Battery life
-Goodish keyboard (Although you could always get a ducky mini)
-Good OS

If your planning on writing a lot, get the MacBook. The first thing I look at on a laptop is the keyboard, if you overlook it you're going to dread using it for the rest of your life. The MacBook has one of the best keyboards to type with, those and Lenovo ideapads.

Why are you comparing a $1300 MacBook Pro to a ~$300 Asus laptop?

I say a mac book less viruses

Also, feel free to leave any pros/cons that you think of either laptop.