I need advice on purchasing a Macbook Pro
Hello!
I am seeking advice on purchasing my very first Mac (and notebook) very soon. I am a Graphic Design student and I'll primarily be using it for running the Adobe CS programs (photoshop, indesign etc). I don't really plan to do any gaming or major video rendering. Money is an issue here and I'll have to purchase the adobe software as well. I am looking at three options here:
13 inch Macbook Pro 2011 (2.3 GHz i5, $1,099)
15 inch Macbook Pro 2010 (Refurbished 2.4 GHz i5 $1,269)
15 inch Macbook Pro 2011 (Refurbished 2.0 GHz i7 $1,529)
The main concerns with the 13 inch MBP are the display size/resolution and the Integrated Graphics. Although I have a 22 inch external monitor at home, I am hoping the MBP's screen won't be an issue when I'm on campus or if I get a job. As for the Graphics, will it be sufficient enough for Motion Graphic programs such as Adobe After Effects or Apple Motion 5? If they aren't a problem, then I'll be leaning towards the 13 inch since I would also qualify for the $100 back to school promotion. As for the 15 inches, are the refurbished models the way to go? I'm a bit worried about purchasing a used MBP that's probably been used for around a year. If the 13 inch's screen size isn't sufficient and there are little to no problems with refurbs, then I might go with the 15 inch 2.4 GHz i5. Thanks for your time and input.
Elgato EyeTV registers the following issues on: http://snowleopard.wikidot.com/start
EyeTV Lite 1.3.2 (5247)
None.
EyeTV 2.5.3 (3313) Remote control problems. Using the play/pause and menu buttons when using EyeTV trigger Front Row and iTunes at the same time.
EyeTV 3.1.2 (5237) Some users are experiencing digital audio problems; refer to this page to get a beta preview of version 3.1.3
http://www.macintouch.com/specialreports/snowleopard/slcompat.html
says version 3.2 is already available and fully compatible. It would sound that the Wiki hasn't been updated to include those experienced with 3.2. Maybe you want to submit a wiki update when you get an Intel Mac. To confirm, Macintouch is not a typo:
http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/mainmenu/support.en.html#Snow%20Leopard
It says version 3.2 is fully compatible. Version 3.1.3 which was a beta also mentioned on Macintouch is earlier than version 3.2. That's how they go about doing versions in the software world. So barring some unforseen bug, you should be good to go with EyeTV. Use both websites listed above to determine software compatibility. Sometimes one may be more current than the other. Apple has also made a current list of compatible printers and scanners here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3669
Regardless of the compatibility, upgrading you should always make a couple backups ahead of time, in case of hidden issues with your machine. See my FAQ* on upgrading:
http://www.macmaps.com/upgradefaq.html
If you find you need a Leopard 10.5 compatible Intel Mac for your other software, purchase a used or refurbished Mac that was made prior to August 28, 2009 with the guidelines on my FAQ*:
http://www.macmaps.com/usedrefurbished.html
- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.
Message was edited by: a brody
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1. If you don't own another Mac
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b. If the machine shipped with OS X 10.6, you need the installation media that came with it: gray installation discs, or a USB flash drive for a MacBook Air. You should have received the media from the original owner, but if you didn't, order replacements from Apple. A retail disc, or the gray discs from another model, will not work.
To start up from an optical disc or a flash drive, insert it, then restart the computer and hold down the C key at the startup chime. Release the key when you see the gray Apple logo on the screen.
c. If the machine shipped with OS X 10.7 or later, you don't need media. It should start up in Internet Recovery mode when you hold down the key combination option-command-R at the startup chime. Release the keys when you see a spinning globe.
d. Some 2010-2011 models shipped with OS X 10.6 and received a firmware update after 10.7 was released, enabling them to use Internet Recovery. If you have one of those models, you can't reinstall 10.6 even from the original media, and Internet Recovery will not work either without the original owner's Apple ID. In that case, contact Apple Support, or take the machine to an Apple Store or another authorized service provider to have the OS installed.
2. If you do own another Mac
If you already own another Mac that was upgraded in the App Store to the version of OS X that you want to install, and if the new Mac is compatible with it, then you can install it. Use Recovery Disk Assistant to prepare a USB device, then start up the new Mac from it by holding down the C key at the startup chime. Alternatively, if you have a Time Machine backup of OS X 10.7.3 or later on an external hard drive (not a Time Capsule or other network device), you can start from that by holding down the option key and selecting it from the row of icons that appears. Note that if your other Mac was never upgraded in the App Store, you can't use this method.
3. Partition and install OS X
a. If you see a lock screen when trying to start up from installation media or in Recovery mode, then a firmware password was set by the previous owner, or the machine was remotely locked via iCloud. You'll either have to contact the owner or take the machine to an Apple Store or another service provider to be unlocked. You may be asked for proof of ownership.
b. Launch Disk Utility and select the icon of the internal drive—not any of the volume icons nested beneath it. In the Partition tab, select the default options: a GUID partition table with one data volume in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format. This operation will permanently remove all existing data on the drive.
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d. After partitioning, quit Disk Utility and run the OS X Installer. If you're installing a version of OS X acquired from the App Store, you will need the Apple ID and password that you used. When the installation is done, the system will automatically restart into the Setup Assistant, which will prompt you to transfer the data from another Mac, its backups, or from a Windows computer. If you have any data to transfer, this is usually the best time to do it.
e. Run Software Update and install all available system updates from Apple. To upgrade to a major version of OS X newer than 10.6, get it from the Mac App Store. Note that you can't keep an upgraded version that was installed by the original owner. He or she can't legally transfer it to you, and without the Apple ID you won't be able to update it in Software Update or reinstall, if that becomes necessary. The same goes for any App Store products that the previous owner installed—you have to repurchase them.
4. Other issues
a. If the original owner "accepted" the bundled iLife applications (iPhoto, iMovie, and Garage Band) in the App Store so that he or she could update them, then they're irrevocably linked to that Apple ID and you won't be able to download them without buying them. Reportedly, Mac App Store Customer Service has sometimes issued redemption codes for these apps to second owners who asked.
b. If the previous owner didn't deauthorize the computer in the iTunes Store under his Apple ID, you wont be able to authorize it immediately under your ID. In that case, you'll either have to wait up to 90 days or contact iTunes Support.
c. When trying to create a new iCloud account, you might get a failure message: "Account limit reached." Apple imposes a lifetime limit of three iCloud account setups per device. Erasing the device does not reset the limit. You can still use an iCloud account that was created on another device, but you won't be able to create a new one. Contact iCloud Support for more information. The setup limit doesn't apply to Apple ID accounts used for other services, such as the iTunes and Mac App Stores, or iMessage. You can create as many of those accounts as you like. -
I just purchased a macbook pro and was wondering about an install disk. It seems to be missing some of the applications that should be on it from a fresh install. I was wondering if I would have to purchase a new OS and do a fresh install?
Ahhh, well you never mentioned that before. You need to contact your friend from whom you purchased the computer. He/She should have any and all install discs for any third-party software included as well as for OS X and the original pre-installed software.
Apple will gladly sell you replacements for any discs that did come with the computer originally, but they will not do anything for you because you purchased the computer used. If it's in warranty still, then you can get any warranty covered things taken care of through AppleCare:
Apple Store Customer Service at 1-800-676-2775 or visit online Help for more information.
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I am studying Graphic Desing and im looking to purchase a Macbook Pro 13-inch: 2.5 GHz
Hi, If I purchase the Macbook Pro 13-inch: 2.5 GHz, will this model reach the requirements and specs that I will need for my course (Graphic Design) in regards to using Photoshop/Illustrator? apart from purchasing these programs do I need any add ons to the laptop itself?
If you're able to afford it, I would opt for a 15.4" screen - the larger screen real estate is almost a must for Photoshop and Illustrator (and InDesign, in particular, which I assume you'll be purchasing as well - Adobe has very good educational discounts on the CS6 Design Standard package: it's horrible to try to work with two page spreads on a small monitor - even 15.4" is just barely enough).
You can get the base 15" 2012 model for $1,799 (less your student discount). It only comes with 4GB of RAM and I would upgrade that to at least 8GB, but I would not purchase the RAM upgrade from Apple. I would buy third-party RAM from Crucial or OWC and install it yourself (or have someone that is computer-savvy install it for you).
Good luck - call back with any questions. Boy do wish that we had Macs when I was in school...
Clinton
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