MacBook Air, MacBook Pro Retina, or Non- Retina for academic high school student?

I will be going into high school in September and am thinking of getting a MacBook for school. This is my first computer except for the family PC desktop. I am in all academic classes, and am taking business and exploring technology ( designing and building things) I would use the laptop for schoolwork as well as gaming ( nothing too intense, just stuff like portal and Garry's mod), internet, iTunes, and ilife. It will be a gift from at least 7 people, so price is important, but not a huge factor. I think a 13" screen in perfect for my needs. Would a MacBook Pro Retina, a MacBook Pro non- retina, or a MacBook Air be the best choice for me?

If you use DVDs and CDs more than often (most people don't) then go for the MacBook Pro nonretina. I would go for the MacBook Air or pro retina because their graphics cards are much better then get a $40 usb DVD drive to load movies and other content. The MacBook Air and MacBook Pro retina also have "flash storage" and haswell chips making them super fast at opening files and applications and boosts oversell performance. You sound like you're not going to be doing any editing or graphics intense work so I would recommend the MacBook Air with 8gb ram and however much storage as you want. For around $100 more you could get the MacBook Pro retina that has the amazing display and better graphics. In the end, if the retina display would be the only real upgrade for you and price is in consideration, I would recommend the MacBook Air (also apple usually releases new model macbook airs in June so you could get one now or just wait. I would wait).

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MacBook Pro vs. MacBook Air - which is better for a high school student? Tips/suggestions?? Thanks

I can't decide if I want to purchase the MacBook Pro or the MacBook Air for my high schooler. It has to have multiple life purposes such as social networking, webcam, word processing etc. I am probably buying a refurbished laptop from this website. Any other tips are appreciated!

Remember: the MacBook Air does not have an optical drive, so you can't use CD's or DVD's. However, if you do not plan on using the computer for gaming, video editing, or large-file storing go with the Air, as it is much less expensive, but just as fast and responsive as the MacBook Pro. Not to mention that it's $200 cheaper.

HT204384 SD Card will not mount on Macbook Pro Mid 2012 (non-retina), tried everything

I am trying to use a PNY 4GB SD Card on my Macbook Pro Mid-2012 (non-retina), but I cannot get it to mount or for the Macbook to even see it's there. I read some people had success slightly pulling it out, pushing it in faster, cleaning the port, etc. which I have tried all of these, but to no avail.
Anybody have an idea?
Thanks,
-Justin B.

Had problems reading SD cards after a Mountain Lion update. Try this XQuartz solution that fixed this for me. I'm using a 13" MBP mid-2012. All you have to do is install this programme and re-insert your SD card.
XQuartz no longer comes with new Macbooks, only X11.
See this support page from Apple on where you can download XQuartz.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5293?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
You can download Xquartz directly from here:
http://xquartz.macosforge.org/landing/
This should be the most up to date version. If not check for updates once you have downloaded it.
Simply re-insert your SD card and voila!

MacBook Pro (summer 2012) non-retina display and SSD upgrade?

Looking to upgrade to a SSD in my MacBook Pro (summer 2012) non-retina display. Are there ones that work better in a MacBook Pro?

In theory at least, any SSD will work fine. There are some additional considerations to make, however. It mostly revolves around updating the drive's firmware. Many SSD companies do not offer Mac-friendly ways to perform this procedure. From the list Clinton provided, you can drop Corsair and Samsung immediately for this reason.
I would not consider OWC, Intel, or any SSD that uses a Sandforce chipset because of spotty reliability. Yes, improvements have been made, but I still do not trust them. Of the dozens of SSDs I've owned and deployed over the last 2-3 years, the only ones to need replacement were ones with Sandforce.
That leaves Crucial, Plextor, and OCZ. The former two basically use the same Marvell chipset. While I can't speak for Plextor, Crucial's firmware updates are OS agnostic. You simply down an .iso file, burn it to CD, boot from that disc, and perform the update. It works perfectly on a Mac. Doing a quick check of Plextor's support site, it seems the proedure is the same.
For OCZ, I'm only focusing on the Vector and Vertex 4. The former is brand new, having just hit the market within the last couple weeks. If you're looking to buy right now, I would stick with the Vertex 4 as it's a more proven commodity. OCZ has created a suite of tools that you copy to a USB flash drive. You can boot from it, and it takes you to what I think is a very heavily modified Linux distribution. From there, you can do a firmware update, check drive health, and perform a SATA secure erase to return the drive to its "out of the box" state. To get the most from the tools, you should have a USB mouse plugged in. Also, firmware updates require the use of a hard-wired Ethernet cable; you can't use wireless.
Bottom line - for an SSD upgrade, stick with Crucial, Plextor, or OCZ as they are the most Mac-friendly (aside from original Apple parts, of course).

Macbook Pro 15 inch retina vs non retina refurbs

Hi Everyone,
I know this question has been asked 100s of times, but I feel in this case it might be best to ask directly.
I am buying a new macbook pro, which I will be using for primarily video editing (using, fcpx, PP and Avid)
There are two avaiblable refurb models, a retina and non retina. Normally, I would lean towards the non retina, because of its user replaceable parts.
However, the cost of upgrades to the non-retina would be almost 500 dollars more to get it close in line to what the retina model offers out of the box.
Same specs in both, 500 dolllars more for non retina with upgrades. So in short my question is, is there anyone here who would still go with a non-retina model with that 500 dollar price difference? Has anyone had any serious issues with the retinas?
Would love to hear peoples thoughts.

Thanks for the Reply Marcus,
I know it almost seems like a no-brainer, but the non-replaceable parts really concerns me. I've had my current macbook pro for 5 years now, (having to replace a few things in the last year) and I would like this next purchase to last as long. If say something goes after the 3 year apple warranty expires, do you know how much something like the hard drive or audio jack or battery would cost to replace? Also, the non retina is a high res matte screen, if that makes any difference to anyone.
Thanks again,
jeremy

Please recommend between Macbook pro retina and non-retina.

I need to buy Macbook pro 13 but confused between Retina & non-retina. My main use is internet browsing, watching movies, & email (movies with mainly bluray) So what would you recommend? Does the non retina plays movies (bluray) with good quality?

A BluRay movie is only 1920x1080 pixels at most. Any Mac display would show it just fine - the Retina display doesn't give you any advantage. As the previous poster pointed out, though, you need a BluRay player connected, and software from MacGo. It actually works pretty well in my experience.
http://www.macblurayplayer.com/
The Retina display is great for displaying high resolution photos, but movies are much lower resolution. Email and Internet won't benefit at all.
Matt

Which is better for music production: macbook air or pro?

Which is better for music production: macbook air or pro?

The MacBook Pro has higher specifications, depending
on the model, and then CTO additional upgrades.
The Air does not have a Retina display, but has lesser
specs, so that may make a difference. They still offer a
low-end MB/Pro w/ optical drive, w/o Retina; specs vary;
it may work in your instance. You'd have 14 days to take
a new Apple computer back, so keep that in mind.
Good luck!

LR 5.2 and macBook, air or pro?

Hi,
I am considering buying a macBook to use for images using LR, some video too (don't know which software I will use yet).
Is macBook Air good enough or should I go for the macBook Pro? I am looking at the 13" models, but I also have an eye for the 15" models too if the 13" models is not good enough.
Is the retina display necessary, is that only for the little extra? I am considering getting an extra monitor too, which means retina is not really important I guess.
- Terje

The 13" Pro has a more powerful processor than the Air, which will be beneficial for the Develop module, exports, preview rendering, etc. and certainly for your video editing.
Having used the Retina display for nearly a year, my 'normal' screens appear really fuzzy now. I'd miss it if I had to go back to a standard screen.

MacBook Air or Pro for iMovie editing?

I am getting a Macbook. I want the air, but i'm concerned that there won't be enough GHz for the imovie projects that I create. Is the air good enough? Or should i get the pro?
Thanks in advance.

You should also ask this in the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air forums. This is the forum for the 13” white and black plastic MacBooks that were discontinued in 2010. You should also post this question there to increase your chances of getting an answer.
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_pro
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_air

Macbook Air or Pro for gaming.

Hi i was wondering if any of you could answer a couple of questions for me, i am looking to buy a new macbook air or pro (not sure which) but i was wondering if i could play a PC game via bootcamp? would it work okay? Also would a wireless PS4/3 or Xbox 1/360 controller work wirelessly?
Which laptop would be more suited to this?
Thanks, Jake.

Take some time to read through:Boot Camp: Frequently asked questions about installing Windows 8 and also visit the BootCamp support site at http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/

This is my 3rd macbook air and pro that kicks me out my yahoo email all the time and tells me my password is wrong when its not this been going on 2 years 3 different macs sometimes it dont do it for months after a software update

this is my 3rd macbook air and pro that kicks me out my yahoo email all the time and tells me my password is wrong when its not this been going on 2 years 3 different macs sometimes it dont do it for months after a software update

Don't switch email providers. Switch to another email client on your Mac. It is not Yahoo. I have 3 Yahoo accounts and never have any problems getting or sending mail from/to those accounts. But I don't use the built in Mac Mail program. I use Thunderbird. I use thunderbird on both Mac OS X and Windows. Been using it for some time now with no problems getting my Yahoo mail, Google gmail mail or form my work email account.

Whats the difference between an i pad2 / macbook air or pro

whats the difference between an i pad2 / macbook air or pro .im considering buying an ipad2 for school !!

abraham from san antonio wrote:
whats the difference between an i pad2 / macbook air or pro .im considering buying an ipad2 for school !!
A iPad is a touchbased tablet, it has a poor Atom level dual core processor that can do some things, but not a whole lot. The storage isn't so great on them and it needs a computer to operate. Can only run software from the App Store.
The MacBook Air is a lightweight laptop with a real keyboard, but limited other features like no cd/dvd drive, it's the best for ultimate portability and lightweight uses with good features. Can run a lot of third party software no problem.
The MacBook Pro 13" is a mid range laptop with cd/dvd drive, but poor integrated graphics. (little 3D gaming)
The MacBook Pro 2.0Ghz is slightly above that, it has both a integrated graphics and a dedicated graphics card with about the same performance. (not good for 3D gaming)
The 2.2, 2.3 Ghz 15" and 17" MacBook Pro's are professional level laptops and 3D gamers machines with very powerful graphics cards, these are the crown jewel machines in Apple's lineup.

Choice of keyboard layout buying a refurbished Macbook Air or Pro?

Do I have a choice of a certain keyboard layout when I buy a refurbished Macbook Air or Pro?
I like to buy a Macbook Air or Pro in the Swiss Apple Online Store.
There seems to be no information at all which kind of keyboard layout (e.g. US QWERTY or German QWERTZ) is built in.
Thanks.
Timo

Ghost48 wrote:
Do I have a choice of a certain keyboard layout when I buy a refurbished Macbook Air or Pro?
No further configurations are allowed. You would have to find one with the keyboard you want already present on the mac. I'm not sure where you can find info on how the keyboards in the refurb store are configured. I would assume QWERTY unless otherwise specified (at least in the U.S. Apple refurb store).

Help! I am trying to decide between the Macbook Air and Pro.

If I got an air I would get the largest screen/processor combo but with the Pro as the price is a bit more I would go with the smaller. Which would you recommend?

You should also ask this in the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air forums. This is the forum for the white and black plastic MacBooks that were discontinued in 2010. You should also post this question there to increase your chances of getting an answer.
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_pro
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_air

Are the answers/solutions given for a MacBook Air and Pro interchangeable?

Notice that responders list MacBook Pro as the device they are using and expert in, I have a MacBook Air -- are the answers given for the Pro applicable to my MacBook Air (MacBook Air 13 inch (mid 2013) updated to Yosemite 10.10.2)?

Unless it's an issue that's specific to the hardware in a MBP that doesn't exist in a MBA, pretty much, yes. There's not a lot of difference between them.

MacBook Air, MacBook Pro Retina, or Non- Retina for academic high school student?

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