Which new MacBook Pro should I buy?

I am currently running a mid 2009 MacBook Pro with 4 GB of memory and 2.8 GHz processor. I run Parallels and a GIS system. It is now running like a dog, although I realise I need to do a bit of cleaning up. However the GIS is getting bigger and I have the opportunity to upgrade. I need to be portable and as light as possible. Is a thunderbolt drive going to be of any help.
Your input much appreciated.

I have a mid-2009 MacBook Pro with the 2.66 GHz processor and run parallels on it and use it for application development. I've upgraded mine to have maxed out RAM of 8GB, upgraded the internal drive to 1TB and, best of all, replaced the never used DVD drive with a OWC data doubler holding an OWC 240GB 3G SSD as my boot drive. The computer is very fast indeed, I am very pleased with this setup. As long as you are not CPU bound in your tasks, adding an SSD drive and maxing RAM can cheaply (compared to a new Mac) extend the useful life of a machine.

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Which macbook pro should i buy?

I am looking at buying a new macbook after 6 years with my current one which is running really slow. I will be using the macbook pro with the retina display 13 inch to -
1. Add photos and videos as well as edit them as well possibly by using adobe photo shop
2. Surf the internet
3. Update my blog
4. Basic Web design
Which macbook pro should i buy for the tasks that i plan to do??
The 256GB with the i5 processor and buy a 1TB external hard drive
or 256GB with the i7 processor and buy an external hard drive
or go max out at buy the 512GB with the i7 processor

Consider this option.
lknights1987 wrote:
or go max out at buy the 512GB with the i7 processor
Best.

Which macbook pro should I buy?? 13 or 15??

I am planning to buy a macbook pro but I don't know which macbook pro I should buy.
Games are not that important to me, however I play games such as call of duty, nba 2k, need for speed sometimes. Portability is important to me because it is compulsory for bringing laptops to school. I am confused on buying which macbook pro because the gpu of 13 is bad but 15 might be too big and heavy.
So which macbook pro should I buy?

Hi Lawrence,
You've point out some of the important factors. For me, the choice would be easy. I'd gladly put up with a bit more bulk/weight to have a 15" display. ymmv

Which macbook pro should i buy if i use finalcut7?the i5 or i7?

which macbook pro should i buy if i use finalcut7?the i5 or i7?

Either one will do the job. The more powerful the CPU, the faster it will perform. I suggest that if the budget is tight, go for the i5, if not go for what the bank account will allow.
It is nice to have a fast CPU, but they are not essential to the overwhelming applications that most people use, especially in a non-vocational context. On this forum there are the 'speed freaks' who will tout the virtues of faster CPUs, yet most have never compared two MBPs side by side and experienced the differences of real world results.
Ciao.

Which new MacBook Pro is best for a graphic design student?

Hi there, I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on which new MacBook Pro to get. I'm a graphic design student who would like to be able to use Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator at the same time, while also web browsing (I tend to have a million windows open). I won't be using the computer for any video work or heavy gaming.
Here's what I do know: I'd like the retina display, and I need the 8GB of memory (do I need more?). Other than that, I'm not too sure about what specifications I need. I'm not super knowledgeable about all of this, so apologies if these are very elementary questions. Any help would be much, much appreciated. Here are my main questions:
1. Would you recommend getting the quad core i7, or is i5 fine? For i5, do I need to pay attention to the difference between 2.4GHz and 2.6GHz?
2. What exactly is PCle-based flash storage, and would you recommend 256GB or 512GB?
3. What's the difference between Intel Iris Pro and Intel Iris?
Thanks so much!

1) Depending on which software you'll be using most of the times a quad core has more benefits (since it's more future proof). Not all software supports multiple cores (and thus rendering the extra cores of the quad "useless" if it's not supported).
2) PCI-e is what we use in desktops to attach for example a graphic card. Previous hard drives used a cable to connect it with the motherboard (in the old days we used IDE, now recent hardware uses SATA3). Basically because it's directly connected to your motherboard (there's more to it but to keep it simple) this will allow it to read and write faster from and to it. (Double the speeds of your regular SSD)
3) I reckon (haven't checked into it) that the base core speeds are clocked higher on the Iris Pro and probably has more dedicated ram to it.
What a graphical student wants would be most likely a quad core CPU with a dedicated graphics card. The extra is storage is nice if you reckon you'd need it. (I mostly work on cloud but keep my current projects on my drive because then I'd have faster access to it).

Which Macbook Pro should i buy, 13" or 15" SSD or HDD or flash drive?

I'm a Graphic Designer, and looking to buy a new Mac. Believe it or not, i've been using a Powerbook G4 for more than 10 years, the best of its kind, until recently the Hard drive died and the OS on the computer can't be upgraded any more. I can still use Adobe CS3 on it. Its an awesome device but hard to part with. The exterior is in great shape, looks almost new.
I've heard a lot of negatives on the newer Mac Book Pros, it's battery life, etc. Are there any Graphic Designers that can help with reviews and experiences using the new ones. I don't care so much for the Retina display, recently Apple made it available for most all except one option and the price jump stinks.
I'm actually considering the 13" macbook pro w/o Retina that way i can upgrade the RAM and HD. I will be using Adobe CC on the macbook pro once i buy it.
Can anyone suggest a better configuration, is 13" sufficient?, which should i choose SSD or Flash drive. I would like to keep the budget somewhere between $1500-$1750. Also do people recommend taking Apple care?
Thanks any advise is much appreciated.
CR

You will love the new mac's. An SSD is 2-3x faster than an HDD when it comes to startup and loading apps. SSD and flash drive is the same thing, flash drive is just a faster SSD.
I would say you could go with the non-retina mac's but you are doing graphic design after all, and a retina display has much better graphics. The retina display also weighs a whole pound lighter which is a very noticable difference.
The battery life is very good. The 13" processor should be powerful enough for everything you need. The 15" will be at least $2,000 which would not fit your budget.
I would go for the mid model 13" with 8GB ram and 256GB space. It will be around $1,399 + tax with the education discount. You will be fine with 8GB ram as the new OS is very efficient when it comes to memory management.
http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/macbook-pro

New to Macbook pro,,, should I buy used for $600?

Hi guyz ....
I am posting something first time to this community and also going to be a new macbook pro user ..
I was looking for a used macbook pro and recently i found one with the following configurations
Macbook pro 13.3''
RAM 4gb HDD 256GB
core 2 duo Mac OS 10.7
this macbook is used and mid 2009 model and also repaired .
should i spend $600 on it?
you response is much appreciated
thanks you
danny

According to KB Article http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1159 Mac OS X versions (builds) for computers, that model came w/Lion pre installed. If the seller is not including the system DVDs that originally came w/the computer (per Apple's license agreement), I would not purchase. You would be purchasing a glorified door stop.

Which new MacBook Pro for Logic 9 bigger sessions?

Hello!
I'm fixin to buy a new MacBook Pro to make records while on the run. I generally work in Logic 9.1.7 with many layers of VSL, Guitar Rig, and Battery and such and have hit the limit at times on my old machine. Can anybody weigh in on which new model to buy? retina or not? specs?
you rock.
Grabbin'

Ram & HD speed will make the most difference with audio recording, although you could always use an external drive to record on. You could buy the On-the-Go USB3 2.5 external drive and it will fit in your hand and allow for a lot of tracks. Buy a 2.5 drive with 7200 RPM for that external drive. You could also load the MBP with an SSD HD and 16 Gigs of RAM and have all the speed in the world.
However, I would recommend the (mid) 2012 MBP 2.3Ghz 15.4", which will allow for upgradable RAM & HD. Upgrade to a SSD drive and 8 Gigs of RAM. You won't need the Retina, if fact you're better off without it, for now.
Happy Recording!!

New macbook pros should I get 802.11g or 802.11n

I'm about to get one of the new Macbook Pro's with the Intel Core Duo 2's. I'm getting a new wireless router as well. I was planning on getting the Linksys WRT54GL, which is 802.11.
Would I gain anything by getting an 802.11n router instead? If so, anyone have any recommendations?
macbook pro 2.16 Intel Core 2 Duo

I have the Belkin Pre-N Router and it has been great with my MBP Core Duo. My new Core 2 Duo MBP has a different card and it is working very well also. No one is sure what the nature of the wireless adapter in these new books is, but it appears to be some sort of N-like technology, however, Apple has it behaving as if it is the same as the others. The reason being that there is no established N yet and they are waiting. My guess is that we will receive a firmware update to get them running at N speeds once the specs for N are official. Until then, I would not spend too much money on a Pre-N or Draft N router because it could very well be useless for N speeds when N is released. I got the Belkin for $100 and the speed is very nice and the range is exceptional. Anyhow, that is my two cents...if it's worth that much.

Which macbook pro should i buy for architecture/interior design?

My question is about the 13" or the 15" pro. My wife is starting out in architecture/interior design and she already knows she'll be using photoshop cs3, Rhino and auto cad. Her concern is the weight of the unit and the price and is therefore leaning towards the 13". But I've been pushing her to the high end 15" because of the better video card and processor.
All said and done is the extra $1000 worth it, considering she'll be using it for the next 4 years? She is the careful one with the money, so I need a better way to rationalize the extra $1000 for the 15" than just saying that its "better". As far as she's concerned, I'm just buying into the apple occult over the best shiny new thing!
Another question concerns whether, if she can make it through first term without a computer, we should wait until the next refresh. My friend told me that macbook pros might become like the mac airs. If that's the case it'd really solve our weight problems.
Thanks!

The AIR is the way it is because it's stripped down and has lousy integrated graphics where the CPU handles it, thus they overheat. A Windows PC laptop would be the same and a lot leas expensive (although not as thin), dragging the external optical drive around is a real pain too.
Your correct about the 15" for the software she needs to run, namely Photoshop and AutoCad, and likely VMFusion and Windows too.
I would get the 2.2 Ghz 15" MacBook Pro and the anti-glare high resolution screen, the glare of the glossy screens makes it unsuitable for most professional uses.
Don't go by my word 100%, just read the posts from professionals here
https://macmatte.wordpress.com/
and the general computing public here.
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2011/05/23/glossy-vs-matte-screens-why-the-pc-indus trys-out-of-touch/
The 15" and 17" MBP are the only anti-glare screen computers Apple still makes, so grab a powerful 2.2 Ghz while they still sell them and make it last as long as possible
That would make the lowest annaul cost of ownership possible, as the software wouldn't need to be replaced as soon, the softwares combined is likely to cost more than the machine.
The AIR is nice, if she used it as a consumer computer, but she's got "Pro" intentions and the AIR, the 13" and the 2.0 Ghz 15" doesn't cut it, especially in the graphics/3D rendering which AutoCAD is sorely needed a strong video card to render fast.
Some get a/iPad for light portable uses and the MaBook Pro for the heavy lifting, that could be a option for a extra $500,
Good Luck.

Architecture student, Which MacBook Pro should I buy?

I want to buy a macbook pro, i'm going to study architecture, but I don't know which model is the best one to run AutoCad and other architecture programs.
I think I need a i7 chip, but I don't know if the 13-inch MBP i7 dual-core 8gb Ram or 15-inch MBP i7 Quad-core 4Gb Ram, what do you think?

Well I got the MBP 13" 2.9 GHz. I weighed all the options the price differences and pros and cons. I'm am very happy with my dission.
The Retina was way out of price range for what you get. The ability to no upgrade unit was a huge turnoff. And to buy it fully loaded was not even worth it. I don't have that kinda dough to throw around, and I think it highly over rated. It's new and has a wow factor, but does not make sense. Millions of great photos connived and edited before retina display, so to say its needed or worth it at that price is not logical for me.
The 15" was a close to me, but $700 difference out of pocket still was not sure for me after selling my old MPB. portability was issue, and if my old 13" MBP did my editing ok in PS CS5 and Lightroom 4 then the new 13" should be no problem.
What I got:
I got MBP 13" 2.9MHz i7. I figured it have a better resale value in long run over the 2.3MHz i5.
the size is perfect as I travel all the time. I'm a pilot full time so it fits in my camera bag perfect.
I added my already owned 256GB SSD drive in it, and upgraded to 16GB RAM for $110. It's amazing fast. 4 sec open PS CS6.
I have been using it to edit my photos in LTR4 and PS CS6, no problem and fast. In the 14 days owned I have not even opened the cover of my laptop, it's always been used on external 27" display. So money saved I upgraded my gear New CF Cards, USB 3.0 HUB, USB 3.0 Card Reader, USB 3.0 External Hadrive. Still money saved, cause I sold all my old USB and Drives and Cardsbon EBay too. The USB 3.0 was main reason I upgraded, it's worth it to. 3.0 makes a differencebandni can see the transfer speed differences. So much faster.
So theres my reasons for doing what I did.

Which Macbook Pro should I buy for recording, making music and editing videos?

I really have a huge interest in music and editing videos and I want to make it as a part of my career so I want to start making some videos/music videos, etc. I have an iMac, but I share with my whole family, so I don't really have the time and I don't have the privacy that I need. I was thinking about buying a PC but that gets viruses easily unlike the Mac OS. I really hope someone could help me. I was thinking about the 13 inch Macbook Pro with Retina display (8GB Memory and 500+ Flash Storage). That's what I could afford right now.
Thanks.

Based on reports here and elsewhere, I'm not sure buying a Retina MBP is such a great investment of your money as Retina Displays make much higher demands on the systems... and provide a lower overall performance with CPU/Sub Systems intensive and timing reliant/critical applications such as Logic Pro X
While I understand the 'draw' of Laptops.. because of their portability etc... there are drawbacks that should be taken into account too.. and compared to a similar priced iMac/Mac Mini.... you get much better power/cost ration with an iMac/Mac Mini than you will ever get with a MBP....
Simply put you will spend roughly twice as much for a MBP compared to an iMac/Mac Mini to obtain the same performance... and while Retina does provide for a very good clear screen... the overheads that places on the systems of a MBP.. can often outweigh its real benefits when used with an App like LPX where Retina really serves no useful purpose/benefits....... especially for the extra cost.
Example..My nearly 3 year old 3.4Ghz i7 32GB iMac which cost less by some degree as my top of the range 2013 2.5 Ghz i7 16GB MBP with Retina.. 'smokes' the MBP so easily..... when using identical versions of LPX/LP9 under Mavericks.. Even my 2010 Mac Mini Server 2.0 Ghz 16GB gives the MBP a good run for it's money in comparision.. and that cost me less than $800 plus Monitor!
Note: This is just a personal opinion and should be viewed as such....

Which Macbook Pro should I buy: Refurbished Oct 2012 13.3" model with Retina display or the 2013 version?

I am a average user, watch a lot of movies, play music, word processing, lots of internet browsing etc.
I am currently considering the following:
Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro 2.6GHz Dual-core Intel i5 with Retina Display
Originally released October 2013
13.3-inch (diagonal) Retina display; 2560-by-1600 resolution at 227 pixels per inch
8GB of 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
512GB Flash Storage1
720p FaceTime HD camera
Intel Iris Graphics
OR
Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro 2.9GHz Dual-core Intel Core i7 with Retina Display
Originally released October 2012
13.3-inch (diagonal) Retina display; 2560-by-1600 resolution at 227 pixels per inch
8GB of 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
512GB Flash Storage
720p FaceTime HD Camera
Intel HD Graphics 4000
They are both roughly the same price.

I would tend to opt for the newer one. Even though the CPU specs suggest that the 2012 is faster, from a practical perspective you will be hard pressed to notice the difference in 'real' world conditions.
Ciao.

Which Retina MacBook Pro Model to Buy?

Hi everyone!
I am studying engineering and are about to buy a new notebook. I have been using macs since 2008, so that is an obvious choice. I am also sick of my hard drive, so I want SSD models for sure. And I have tried out the retina models and I am certain I want one of those. Beyond that I am hesitant which one to buy.
I am an engineering college student. Here is what I need it for:
- mostly everyday stuff
- I don't mind if I can edit a full HD video conveniently on it once in a while, I don't mind however if I have to wait 3 minutes longer for it to export a video
- I regularly have to do some CAD editing (that would be done under windows) this is however merely stuff that are needed for college, so we are not talking about entire power plants with billions of parts being loaded onto the screen, but rather smaller constructions
- I never play video games. Somehow I don't feel the need, so that's not a factor for me whatsoever
- I have tested the 13 and 15 for wheight, and I find the 15 to be fairly light too, so I don't think portability is a major issue with either machine
However performance-wise I can't decide.
For the activities listed above should I go for 15 or would a 13 suffice? I am aware of the imminent upgrades, and OS X Mavericks as well.
Thanks for your advice.

Not sure you know this but you can put a SSD in any standard computer, including all Macbook Pro models. Nothing new about that. It is just Apple doesn't offer the standard MBP with a SSD as standard equipment. A SSD can be included during the ordering process or you can install one yourself. An even better option is to install one of the hybrid SSD+Rotating HDD being offered by Seagate. It combines the speed of a SSD and the storage space of a conventional HDD for much less than a real SSD.

Which new MacBook Pro matches my needs

Hey all,
I'm in the market for a new laptop. I've owned windows laptops before, but that one crapped out on me in 2011. I bought a dell desktop to replace it, and have had to replace the motherboard and sound card since then. I have always had problems with all my computers, and think its time for a change.
I have always considered a mac, and now am comfortable making the switch to mac from windows. I'm looking for a laptop with enough power under the hood for the following:
Mild gaming, such as WOW (mostly), Diablo 3, Starcraft 2, minecraft, sim city, all on medium settings.
Heavy photoshop CC.
Browsing the interwebs.
Possible podcasts/radio
Heavy programming/cadsoft eagle circuit board design.
Basically I want to know if the $2599 15" MacBook Pro configured with 2.6Ghz is overkill for me, and I should just go for a 13" MacBook Pro with an i7 and 16 gb ram :)
Money is not an issue

I think for gaming the 15" MBP is sutable but for other purpose 15" is a big one. Considering your requirements I recommend you to use the 13" with more features. For more information please go to : http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/macbook-pro
Thank you.

Which new MacBook Pro should I buy?

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