Which MacBook is suitable for economics students?
Do you fit this profile?
You're following an economic course like business economics, commercial economics, or communication. You work on things like presentations, organization, statistics, strategy, and finance. During your studies, you write strategy and marketing plans, read and write articles, prepare presentations, and make analyses. To write a marketing or sales plan, you do quantitative and qualitative research. You also often use programs like Python, R, SPSS, Stata, and even Excel to make your own databases.
Recommended specifications for economical students
| Required | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | i5 or i7 | If you want to have a lot of programs opened at the same time, you'll need a powerful processor like i5 or i7. |
| RAM | 8 or 16GB | To do a lot of things at the same time, we recommend 8 or 16GB of RAM. |
| Storage | 256 or 512GB | Consider whether you store a lot locally or whether you want to use online storage services |
| Storage type | SSD | With the SSD, programs will load in seconds |
| Video card | Shared | Cleverly divides your system's RAM |
| Screen size | 13 or 15 inch | Often on the go? Choose 12 or 13 inches. A 15-inch model is more comfortable for home use |
| Software | Microsoft Office and data software | Python, R, Stata, SPSS, and Excel. |
Suggested model
If you add up all these specifications, you might end up with an Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch 2019. With this MacBook, you'll be all set for your economics study.
Powerful processor for multitasking and demanding apps
Besides programs like Word and Excel, you often work with data. You use programs that require more capacity like Python, R, and Stata. You want to have multiple tabs opened at the same time to quickly switch between different programs. To multitask, you need a powerful processor. Both i5 and i7 are powerful enough for that. i7 is often a little faster than i5. Performances, for example, are 5 to 10% better. In practice, it doesn't really matter whether a program starts in 2 or 3 seconds, though. Do you work exclusively with demanding programs? In that case, i7 would be better in the long term.
The more RAM, the faster your MacBook is
The statistic software or data analyses that you use for your study, such as Stata and Python, use up the necessary memory. 8GB is enough, but if you're a real multitasker, you're better off with 16GB of RAM. You also want to safely store all your marketing plans and databases. This can be done locally, online, or externally with a hard drive. Do you store a lot locally? Then you need a lot of storage space, for example 512GB. Do you store less locally and perhaps use a hard drive? Then you're good with 256GB.
A dedicated video card with its own memory
There are shared and dedicated video cards. A dedicated video card has its own memory, while a shared video card doesn't. A shared video card cleverly distributes my MacBook's RAM. It knows exactly how much RAM it needs to send to all my open programs. If I use a lot of graphic programs, a dedicated video card would be better. These programs use a lot of RAM, so a shared video card wouldn't leave much RAM for other tasks.
Compact vs luxury for your eyes
Screen size is very personal. Do you spend a lot of time on the road? Then a compact screen is often better. A 12 or 13-inch MacBook doesn't take up much space in the lecture hall or train and you don't need to carry a big bag around. If you spend a lot of time working on data files and staring at numbers for hours, a 15-inch screen might be a good idea. Of course, choosing a MacBook screen also depends on whether you have an external monitor at home.
Conclusion
Without a good MacBook for your economics study, you're nowhere. Not just because you write business plans, but mostly because you work with demanding programs like Python and Strata. An i5 or i7 processor gives you enough power to have all your programs opened at the same time. Since you do a lot of things at once, you also need enough RAM (8 or 16GB). Of course, all your data files need to be stored securely as well. 256 or 512GB definitely gives you enough space. You should also choose the screen size that suits your use. Are you often on the go? Then you should choose a compact MacBook.
