[JavaBrewer]

Thanks to all for the feedback.

I was a bit misleading with my OP - the school posted a suggested configuration based on hardware specs. So if going with Mac it was the 15" MBP, it does not appear that ISU is biased toward PC or Mac. They also advertise online application access for folks who are sporting devices that don't meet the hardware specs to run local.

I too was a pencil/paper note taker but that was long ago. If I had access to a lightweight laptop with long battery I would have done notes on that for sure. I really like the flexibility of the Surface 3 and if pushed to spend that money would probably go there over a MBP. We are attending freshman orientation in June so I'll get a chance to ask more directed questions then.