What Mac should I get?

[.lencon]

So I've read some threads but I'm just not sure. I like my current mac (desktop) that I share with my little brother a lot. But it's getting super slow. It's taking me so long to do my homework right now. It's not that old it's just not powerful enough for me.

It has like 4GB of ram and has a 2.5 ghz Intel i5. So I'm getting a laptop here in the next month for college. Which one should I get? Should I upgrade the MacBook Air as much as I can or should I get a MacBook Pro? I don't want to break the bank but my current computer is so slow and I need something powerful. Putting together edits for school, ski edits, photography, and homework is quite a bit of stuff for this computer to be working with.

 

[ascent_studios]

I have a 2016 13" Macbook Pro with Intel i5 and 8 Gbs of RAM. When I edit I don't hear the fan at all (1080p Premiere Pro) but when I play shred sauce fullscreen the fan screams. You should be fine with a Macbook pro

 

[eheath]

Whats your budget?

 

[.lencon]

Whats your budget?

Well it might be a graduation gift from my parents. So I'll have some money from them and myself.

 

[eheath]

Well it might be a graduation gift from my parents. So I'll have some money from them and myself.

I can't really help you without knowing your budget, if you have $3k then fuck it ball out, but if you have $1200 then you have to figure it out.

 

[.lencon]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I should invest in a large ram and storage space if I want more power right? Isn't the i5 stuff pretty much the same? I don't know too much about computers

 

[.lencon]

I can't really help you without knowing your budget, if you have $3k then fuck it ball out, but if you have $1200 then you have to figure it out.

My guess is that my parents would be willing to pay for a more lower end MacBook Air or pro and I could put some money on the table as well. Also I think with the apple education discount that could help. So I'd say with the discount my budget is probably around $1500

 

[eheath]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I should invest in a large ram and storage space if I want more power right? Isn't the i5 stuff pretty much the same? I don't know too much about computers

Storage isn't a big deal at all, 240gb would be legit. i7 and 16gb of ram would be ideal.

My guess is that my parents would be willing to pay for a more lower end MacBook Air or pro and I could put some money on the table as well. Also I think with the apple education discount that could help. So I'd say with the discount my budget is probably around $1500

Pimped out mb air would probably be your best option, or refurb 15" mbp

 

[erikK]

I'd recommend trying for the 15" screen. I don't have experience with refurbished Macs personally but I assume Apple does it right. If a new 15" MBP is out of your budget, could be worth looking into. If you're going to a have a good external monitor then it's not as big of a deal.

The 15" still fits fine in a backpack, and I just find it that much better for... everything. Writing reports, watching shit when you're away from your external monitor, and of course editing photos/videos. Definitely worth it in my opinion.

On another note, your Imac shouldn't really be that slow for what you're doing on it. I think it'd be worth a shot to completely reboot the thing while you wait for the new laptop.

 

[.lencon]

I'd recommend trying for the 15" screen. I don't have experience with refurbished Macs personally but I assume Apple does it right. If a new 15" MBP is out of your budget, could be worth looking into. If you're going to a have a good external monitor then it's not as big of a deal.

The 15" still fits fine in a backpack, and I just find it that much better for... everything. Writing reports, watching shit when you're away from your external monitor, and of course editing photos/videos. Definitely worth it in my opinion.

On another note, your Imac shouldn't really be that slow for what you're doing on it. I think it'd be worth a shot to completely reboot the thing while you wait for the new laptop.

Alright thanks! And yeah I didn't think it should be that slow. I was streaming music, doing on online class, and editing a 3 minute video for school and I just had to quit doing my work because it was so slow. So maybe a reboot while I wait isn't a bad idea.

 

[GANDALF]

I just bought a brand new 13 inch MBP yesterday. My wallet hurts

 

[Grishnackh]

I'm a Apple Certified Macintosh Technician (ACMT). I work on them for work but I use PC's personally. Knowing that you will be doing some edits on the system, I suggest steering away from the Macbook Air. It's price point is tempting but you aren't really getting a whole lot of computer compared to what you will be able to to with a 13 or 15 inch pro.

I recommend at least 8GB of RAM. 16GB depending on how serious you are about video/photo editing. The Adobe creative suite contains pretty resource hungry applications and if you want your computer to handle it efficiently then you will want the RAM to back it up.

The processor is not as important as the RAM but it is something to consider. The i7 that are in the 15 MBP retinas right now support hyper threading (google it), which the Adobe creative suite will take advantage of. But an i5 will handle it all the same.

As mentioned before in the thread, knowing your budget is important, then we can know what you will be able to get away with.

Feel free to message me with any questions.

 

[Grishnackh]

I don't have experience with refurbished Macs personally but I assume Apple does it right.

As long as it is an Apple branded refurb then it is solid. They run the gambit for pristine condition to "holy shit did a monkey put this together?".

If you do go this route then I highly recommend buying AppleCare with it. It works exactly the same as it does on the brand new ones only you will most likely use it on a refurb before the coverage expires.

 

[edai]

I'm running a refurbed 15" 2011 MBP. 1TB seagate SSD, dual graphics cards, 16gb ram, anti-glare monitor. $1300 on ebay, fully warantied. i brought it in 6 months after purchase apple replaced the logic board and a few dented panels for free (original cost wouldve been around 500). just do a solid examination of your seller.

 

[cdip]

Why do you want mac?

You can make a custom computer for cheaper with the same specs as one. I am not hating on macs but you can save a lot more money with windows or go even stronger with the same budget.

 

[.lencon]

Why do you want mac?

You can make a custom computer for cheaper with the same specs as one. I am not hating on macs but you can save a lot more money with windows or go even stronger with the same budget.

It just works nice since I have an iPhone and I'm already used to mac. No use in relearning to use a computer and not have it be as compatible with my other stuff

 

[toasttt]

I would definitely strongly suggest a mac book pro. Especially if you are using it for ski edits or any video for that reason, simply for the fact that it has more ports on the side including a CD slot and SD card slot.

 

[eheath]

I'm a Apple Certified Macintosh Technician (ACMT). I work on them for work but I use PC's personally. Knowing that you will be doing some edits on the system, I suggest steering away from the Macbook Air. It's price point is tempting but you aren't really getting a whole lot of computer compared to what you will be able to to with a 13 or 15 inch pro.

I recommend at least 8GB of RAM. 16GB depending on how serious you are about video/photo editing. The Adobe creative suite contains pretty resource hungry applications and if you want your computer to handle it efficiently then you will want the RAM to back it up.

The processor is not as important as the RAM but it is something to consider. The i7 that are in the 15 MBP retinas right now support hyper threading (google it), which the Adobe creative suite will take advantage of. But an i5 will handle it all the same.

As mentioned before in the thread, knowing your budget is important, then we can know what you will be able to get away with.

Feel free to message me with any questions.

my i7 mb air benchmarks better than a 13" mbp at the same price range. 8gb i7 with the newest integrated graphics for like $1300 is pretty decent. To get a dedicated graphics card you have to buy the $2000 + mbp. Either buy a pimped out mb air for $1300 or a pimped out mbp for $2500 you choose. lower end mbps will be $1500 for the very base model and will perform the same as a pimped out mb air.

I used a mb air for a couple years of casual editing, it works fine, I could get shit done on the road when i needed to and when at home with a huge monitor attached to it.

That being said OP its late night and I dont wanna sleep yet, so im gonna toss you some recommendations.

#1 recommendation, only buy refurb products directly from apple, new products will have tax and you might get an education discount, but buying directly from a 3rd party website save you more with no tax.

MB air option $1229 to your door. 2.2gh i7, 8gb of ram, 128gb SSD (265 option is $1399 if you so please, but I always use externals)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1128911-REG/apple_z0rh_mjve3_13_3_macbook_air_notebook.html

MB pro cheap option (equivalent to mb air option) $1549 3.1GH i7 8gb of ram, 128gb SSD (again 256gb option is $1585 with 16gb of ram)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1128942-REG/apple_z0qm_mf8394_13_3_macbook_pro_notebook.html

MB pro pimped out option $3000 2.8gh i7 16gb ram 1tb SSD and M370X graphic card
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...0rg_mjlt24_b_h_15_4_macbook_pro_notebook.html

oh that last one is nice

Refurb is always a great option too

pimped out 13" mbp for $1699
http://www.apple.com/us-hed/shop/pr...-27ghz-dual-core-intel-i5-with-retina-display

cheaper mbp with i5 processor (slower) $1269
http://www.apple.com/us-hed/shop/pr...-27ghz-dual-core-intel-i5-with-retina-display

anyways, browse the refurb section, lots of good deals on middle ground stuff, not worth buying new but refurb youd get a decent deal if you find the right one
http://www.apple.com/us-hed/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/mac

I'll vouch hard for refurb from apple, I bought a pimp 17" mbp a few years back for like $1900, it shit the bed, logic board busted some shit, and they gave me a brand new 17" mbp worth $3000, worked out well.

That all being said, looking at some of these 13" mbp prices, you couldnt go wrong with the i7 13" mbp for $1549 but the 13" mb air for $1229 would perform basically the same, have longer battery life, same inputs and shit, little smaller. Whatever works for you.

If you can blow some more cash you could get a refurb 15" and it would be worth it as well. I don't really recommend buying the i5 versions to save $100-200 because in the long run you'll be stoked you went with the faster processor. I hope this helped

 

[nutz.]

That all being said, looking at some of these 13" mbp prices, you couldnt go wrong with the i7 13" mbp for $1549 but the 13" mb air for $1229 would perform basically the same, have longer battery life, same inputs and shit, little smaller. Whatever works for you.

If you can blow some more cash you could get a refurb 15" and it would be worth it as well. I don't really recommend buying the i5 versions to save $100-200 because in the long run you'll be stoked you went with the faster processor. I hope this helped

Also if you can find the older macbook pros with a cd drive still for sale, they'll probably be pretty cheap and you can swap out the cd drive for an extra hard drive. Mine's a mid 2010 and it has an i7 in it, just wish it had more ram

 

[Grishnackh]

my i7 mb air benchmarks better than a 13" mbp at the same price range. 8gb i7 with the newest integrated graphics for like $1300 is pretty decent. To get a dedicated graphics card you have to buy the $2000 + mbp. Either buy a pimped out mb air for $1300 or a pimped out mbp for $2500 you choose. lower end mbps will be $1500 for the very base model and will perform the same as a pimped out mb air.

I used a mb air for a couple years of casual editing, it works fine, I could get shit done on the road when i needed to and when at home with a huge monitor attached to it.

Sounds like you have a lot more experience with that stuff than I do. I only fix them when they break, I don't use Apple computers personally.

That being said. With the MBA all maxed out on options, it will be totally viable.

 

[Grishnackh]

my i7 mb air benchmarks better than a 13" mbp at the same price range. 8gb i7 with the newest integrated graphics for like $1300 is pretty decent. To get a dedicated graphics card you have to buy the $2000 + mbp. Either buy a pimped out mb air for $1300 or a pimped out mbp for $2500 you choose. lower end mbps will be $1500 for the very base model and will perform the same as a pimped out mb air.

I used a mb air for a couple years of casual editing, it works fine, I could get shit done on the road when i needed to and when at home with a huge monitor attached to it.

Sounds like you have a lot more experience with that stuff than I do. I only fix them when they break, I don't use Apple computers personally.

That being said. With the MBA all maxed out on options, it will be totally viable.

 

[.lencon]

Storage isn't a big deal at all, 240gb would be legit. i7 and 16gb of ram would be ideal.

Pimped out mb air would probably be your best option, or refurb 15" mbp

Yeah so my parents will chip in like 1300 and i might put in a few hundred more if I need be...

Im going to the Apple Store next week and ill either get a pimped out mb air or ill see how low they'll go on a upgraded mb pro..

Also does anyone know if I need proof for the education discount?

 

[Frosty]

Also does anyone know if I need proof for the education discount?

As long as you look like a kid in high school/college, they don't really care. I might bring your student ID just in case, but you don't need anything like a transcript.

 

[.lencon]

As long as you look like a kid in high school/college, they don't really care. I might bring your student ID just in case, but you don't need anything like a transcript.

Thanks man, I was thinking about bringing a letter/receipt of some sort from the university just in case.

 

[nutz.]

Thanks man, I was thinking about bringing a letter/receipt of some sort from the university just in case.

doesn't hurt to be overprepared, better that than to have to go back home and get it after going to the store haha.

Do you need the laptop now though?

There's a decent chance apple will drop the new mbp's at wwdc in June, which usually means a price drop in the older models, not 100% sure though.

 

[.lencon]

doesn't hurt to be overprepared, better that than to have to go back home and get it after going to the store haha.

Do you need the laptop now though?

There's a decent chance apple will drop the new mbp's at wwdc in June, which usually means a price drop in the older models, not 100% sure though.

No I don't need it right now. I guess I could ask them when it's dropping when I go down. My dad is also going down for a business meeting so it's not like we're going out of the way and need to get one

 

[pockets*]

Strange, i know, but Groupon sometimes has some good deals on MBP's. I wasn't really in the market for a new computer. Bought it anyway. Found a 15" Retina with 16gb ram, 256gb SSD, 2.5ghz processor, 2gb dedicated gfx card for $1,250. Stupid good deal. With that, definitely keep your eyes on groupon, especially if you're ok with getting refurbished stuff.

 

[HarkStudios]

Also if you can find the older macbook pros with a cd drive still for sale, they'll probably be pretty cheap and you can swap out the cd drive for an extra hard drive. Mine's a mid 2010 and it has an i7 in it, just wish it had more ram

@OP I am assuming you got your computer already, but incase you didn't, nutz is 100% on the money.

I got my Mid 2012 MBP with the 750gb hdd, 2.9ghz i7, and 8gb of ram. Yanked the CD drive out, and threw in a 2tb hdd and then tossed 16gb of ram, and I can safely say it is a workhorse.

I am looking at new storage options as well as different raid options, but I think you would be hard pressed to find a better deal than the non-retina's. my 9,2 is running 16gb of ram, 2.9ghz i7, and 2750gb of storage and it is an absolute joy, being able to do upgrades is super nice.

 

[.lencon]

@OP I am assuming you got your computer already, but incase you didn't, nutz is 100% on the money.

I got my Mid 2012 MBP with the 750gb hdd, 2.9ghz i7, and 8gb of ram. Yanked the CD drive out, and threw in a 2tb hdd and then tossed 16gb of ram, and I can safely say it is a workhorse.

I am looking at new storage options as well as different raid options, but I think you would be hard pressed to find a better deal than the non-retina's. my 9,2 is running 16gb of ram, 2.9ghz i7, and 2750gb of storage and it is an absolute joy, being able to do upgrades is super nice.

I have not gotten my computer already. I was supposed to go down today but I have work. There's a solid chance Apple will come out with some new MacBooks In a few weeks at the conference and I think I might wait and see if they're worth getting or they'll just make the current ones cheaper.

I haven't really found many older ones unfortunately