Buying a macbook pro.

[jordan novice]

What is the minimum to look for? Don't settle for anything less than an i7 with 8gb and an ssd? Yay or nay on retina?

 

[imasoleman18]

man i wish there was an official mac thread

 

[iYen]

What is the minimum to look for? Don't settle for anything less than an i7 with 8gb and an ssd? Yay or nay on retina?

Get the entry level mbp.

Unless you're a video editor, you don't need that crap.

Porn is already in HD, the hell you need retina for?

 

[yeah]

Minimum to look for is based on your needs. What are you going to be using it for? Is it a back to school laptop, or is there specialized work that you'd like to do with it?

Processor is variable. I personally would go for the i7, but I do a lot of intensive work on my machines, so you might not need that. 8GBs of RAM should be more than enough, and unless you're going to be using a lot of Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, or other resource heavy programs, you might even think about scaling down from 8GBs of RAM as you won't ever utilize all of it.

The SSD is a good addition to any machine, but it is NOT necessary. It's faster than traditional HDs, that's for sure, but you probably won't notice it compared to the traditional disks. If you want as much space as possible for the lowest cost, don't go for the SSD.

The retina is gimmicky. Yes, the pixel density and all that are great, but unless you do photography for a living or have a very sharp eye, the difference between the Retina vs. the traditional display will be negligible. If you have the cash to spend then go for it, but if you're trying to keep costs down then don't bother with it.

I have a degree in Computer Science and work with Apple products every day at my job. Let me know if you have any specific questions for me.

 

[jordan novice]

I will be using it for school. I am a business major but want to be able to edit photos from my dslr, as well as HD video without any hassle. Also, I want to be able to utilize it for music production as well as far as programs such as Reason and Serato.

 

[king milaac]

I would get the non Retina version. You can't upgrade RAM or hard drive in the future with the Retina. Plus, the price difference to me isn't justified. 

I would hold off on buying a MBP tho. The refresh is scheduled in either September or October and will have a Haswell intel processor similar to the one provided with the MB Air. I'd say at least a 25% to 30% improvement in battery life over the current MBP. 

 

[yeah]

I will be using it for school. I am a business major but want to be able to edit photos from my dslr, as well as HD video without any hassle. Also, I want to be able to utilize it for music production as well as far as programs such as Reason and Serato.

I would go ahead with the 8GB of RAM then. But, like the poster above me said, hold off on buying a new Macbook if you can.

The new ones are due out in September. http://www.christiantoday.com/artic...ro.2013.haswell.processor.september/33764.htm

I'd wait till the new ones drop, and get the non-retina 8GB RAM, non-SSD version.

 

[mondaynightraw]

The SSD is a good addition to any machine, but it is NOT necessary. It's faster than traditional HDs, that's for sure, but you probably won't notice it compared to the traditional disks.

SSD drives are worlds faster

 

[Mactastic4167]

I read an article somewhere that unless you are in the music industry, professional photography or engineering, you only use approximately 25% of the top-of-line MBP's capabilities.

My suggestion, get the entry level. The price is reasonable and will more than likely do everything you need from it.

Save your money bruh. Computers, like phones, are constantly evolving and you don't want to invest too much dough when a new/better one will come out next year.

 

[jordan novice]

As that is true, I was also looking into buying used on craigslist. Anyone have experience in doing so?

 

[iYen]

As that is true, I was also looking into buying used on craigslist. Anyone have experience in doing so?

If you plan on keeping your mac for 3+ years, buy it new and with a warranty.

You might run into ppl who are selling stolen mbps.

To avoid this, you'd have to ask for the serial number to make sure it's legit.

Among other things, which can be annoying to the seller.

BUT, you're making a big purchase so you NEED to make sure it's legit.

Also, if you do decide to buy from CL.

Meet up first to check out the comp, but don't bring any money.

If it's legit, schedule another meetup so you can pay said seller.

Bring a friend and a hammer just in case.

 

[the hater boxden]

entry level macs not good anymore?

 

[yeah]

SSD drives are worlds faster

The difference in speed is negligible to the average consumer.

 

[jordan novice]

If you plan on keeping your mac for 3+ years, buy it new and with a warranty.
You might run into ppl who are selling stolen mbps.

To avoid this, you'd have to ask for the serial number to make sure it's legit.
Among other things, which can be annoying to the seller.
BUT, you're making a big purchase so you NEED to make sure it's legit.

Also, if you do decide to buy from CL.
Meet up first to check out the comp, but don't bring any money.
If it's legit, schedule another meetup so you can pay said seller.
Bring a friend and a hammer just in case.

What will obtaining the serial number do?

 

[iYen]

If you plan on keeping your mac for 3+ years, buy it new and with a warranty.
You might run into ppl who are selling stolen mbps.

To avoid this, you'd have to ask for the serial number to make sure it's legit.
Among other things, which can be annoying to the seller.
BUT, you're making a big purchase so you NEED to make sure it's legit.

Also, if you do decide to buy from CL.
Meet up first to check out the comp, but don't bring any money.
If it's legit, schedule another meetup so you can pay said seller.
Bring a friend and a hammer just in case.

What will obtaining the serial number do?

Let's say a seller on CL says that he is selling a such and such mbp. You won't really know which specific mbp it is until you have the serial number.

If you ask for the serial number, you'll know if said product is what he says it is.

Also, this seller may lie about how long he's had it.

If you type in the serial number, you'll know how old it is.

 

[bamez]

My boy just bought a stolen MBP, and dude from San Diego remote locked and wiped it clean... I guess when you remote lock your mbp you can write 3 lines of text, he said i wish you wouldve done the honorable thing and just return it to lost and found.  my number is..... 

so the thing is locked.. need a 4 number pin to unlock, but i read that once he remote locked/wiped it, it turns off the find my mac feature... 

 

[Bert.]

entry level macs not good anymore?

they are amazing, no ides what anyone else is talking about.

 

[iYen]

Honesly OP, I would avoid CL.

Buy from amazon or ebay.

CL is just too sketchy.

 

[senor chang]

i'll sell you mine

 

[stay lurkin]

I would have returned it even though I paid for it. Those are my own personal ethics though. Maybe he would reward him who knows. That is sad man. There is almost nothing more heartbreaking than having something that you worked hard for taken from you. Even if they found it. I would have driven 100 miles to return that.

 

[ohmygosher]

As that is true, I was also looking into buying used on craigslist. Anyone have experience in doing so?

Also, if you do decide to buy from CL.

Meet up first to check out the comp, but don't bring any money.

If it's legit, schedule another meetup so you can pay said seller.

If someone tried to pull this crap on me, I'd cancel the deal strictly on GP.

 

[TheGodFresco]

I just recently got the MBP retina with the upgraded memory. Great purchase you will hate looking at other monitors after seeing the retina

 

[wr]

SSD drives are worlds faster

Yessir.

I put my OS on the SSD instead of the HDD and my computer is miles ahead of what it used to be. I used to turn my computer on, then go grab a snack or something before I sit down to log in. I hit the power button now and Im at the sign in page in under 30 sec

 

[iYen]

As that is true, I was also looking into buying used on craigslist. Anyone have experience in doing so?

Also, if you do decide to buy from CL.

Meet up first to check out the comp, but don't bring any money.

If it's legit, schedule another meetup so you can pay said seller.

If someone tried to pull this crap on me, I'd cancel the deal strictly on GP.

Obviously the buyer would tell the seller that before he met up with him.

Also, CL is full of sketchy people, so said action should be taken.

 

[ohmygosher]

I still don't understand how that's a deterrent. What's stopping the seller from robbing you during the second meeting?