SMAD Notebook Recommendations for Fall 2020

SMAD recommends that DVC concentrators who want a notebook computer purchase the “Best” system, as it’s the only one that has a discrete graphics processor. SMAD also notes that DVC concentrators might consider purchasing Apple’s $199.99 Pro Apps Bundle for Education; it’s a great deal on a collection of professional-grade applications that we use in our own labs and classes.

If price on any of these systems is a concern, the processor of the "Good" system could be reduced to a 1.1 GHz i5 (quad-core); the processor of the "Better" system could be reduced to a 2.0 GHz i5 (quad-core); and the ammount of memory on the "Best" system could be reduced from 32 GB to 16 GB. In no case should the ammount of memory for any system be reduced below 16GB.

Please note: storage and memory are not upgradable in Macintosh notebooks, so SMAD recommends that one buy as much of both as one can reasonably afford and thus ensure that the computer will run quickly for as many years as possible.

SMAD MacBook Air
(Good)

Available in Gold, Silver or Space Gray
1.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
16GB 2133MHz memory
512GB SSD storage
Intel Iris Plus Graphics
Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
3 Year AppleCare+ for Mac*

SMAD MacBook Pro 13"
(Better)

Available in Silver or Space Gray
2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
16GB 2733MHz memory
1TB SSD storage
Intel Iris Plus Graphics
Touchbar with Touch ID
Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
3 Year AppleCare+ for Mac*

SMAD MacBook Pro 16"
(Best)

Available in Silver or Space Gray
2.3GHz 8-core Intel Core i9
32GB 2666MHz memory
1TB SSD storage
AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 8GB memory
Touchbar with Touch ID
Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
3 Year AppleCare+ for Mac*

Our Price: $1,808.00

Apple Retail: $1,898.00

Phone Order Only

Custom-built configuration, please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.

Our Price: $2,328.00

Apple Retail: $2,468.00

Phone Order Only

Custom-built configuration, please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.

Our Price: $3,388.00

Apple Retail: $3,678.00

Phone Order Only

Custom-built configuration, please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.

*Service coverage is available only for Mac and its original included accessories for protection against (i) defects in materials or workmanship, (ii) batteries that retain less than 80 percent of their original capacity, and (iii) up to two incidents of accidental damage from handling of your Mac, each incident being subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for other damage, plus applicable tax. If your Mac has catastrophic damage from an accident or is inoperable after unauthorized modifications, you will need to buy a replacement.

Call the Madison CyberZone at 540-568-3989 to place your order.

SMAD Desktop Recommendations for Fall 2020

Memory on the “Good” system is not user upgradable, so SMAD recommends purchasing that configuration only if the other systems are unaffordable.

SMAD also notes that DVC concentrators might consider purchasing Apple’s $199.99 Pro Apps Bundle for Education; it’s a great deal on a collection of professional-grade applications that we use in our own labs and classes.

If price is a concern, the "Good" system could have its processor dropped to a quad-core i3, and the "Best" system could have its graphics dropped to a Radeon Pro 580X or its storage dropped to a 512 GB SSD. (No reduction that can be made to the "Better" system is worth the ammount of money saved by diong so.) In no case should the amount of memory for any system be reduced below 16 GB.

SMAD 21.5 inch iMac with Retina 4K display
(Good)

3.0GHz 6-core 8th-gen Intel i5
16GB memory
512 GB SSD
Radeon Pro 560X w/ 4GB memory
3 Year AppleCare+ for Mac*

SMAD 27 inch iMac with Retina 5K display
(Better)

3.7GHz 6-core Intel i5
16GB memory
512GB SSD
Radeon Pro 580X w/ 8GB memory
3 Year AppleCare+ for Mac*

SMAD 27 inch iMac with Retina 5K display
(Best)

3.6GHz 8-core Intel i9
16GB memory
1TB SSD
Radeon Pro Vega 48 w/ 8GB memory
3 Year AppleCare+ for Mac*

Our Price: $2,008.00

Apple Retail: $2,298.00

Phone Order Only

Custom-built configuration, please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.

Our Price: $2,528.00

Apple Retail: $2,768.00

Phone Order Only

Custom-built configuration, please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.

Our Price: $3,473.00

Apple Retail: $3,818.00

Phone Order Only

Custom-built configuration, please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.

*Service coverage is available only for Mac and its original included accessories for protection against (i) defects in materials or workmanship, (ii) batteries that retain less than 80 percent of their original capacity, and (iii) up to two incidents of accidental damage from handling of your Mac, each incident being subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for other damage, plus applicable tax. If your Mac has catastrophic damage from an accident or is inoperable after unauthorized modifications, you will need to buy a replacement.

Call the Madison CyberZone at 540-568-3989 to place your order.

Due to industry trends, availability and pricing on all items is subject to change or discontinuation at any time without prior notice. For these reasons, we reserve the right to cancel any order at any time. The price on the date you place the order is final. All purchases are subject to state sales tax. Purchase of academically priced merchandise is for eligible JMU students, parents, faculty and staff only, and requires a valid JMU ID Card or other proof of eligibility.

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Bookstore
Bookstore
MSC 2902
211 Bluestone Drive
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
jmubcs@jmu.edu
(540) 568-6121
Fax: (540) 568-7029