Advice re buying MacBookPro please

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CJR

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Cathy
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Hi

After considering many peoples' opinions, I'm seriously considering buying a MacBookPro, 4GB, 15", with Parallels. However, there are still some questions/concerns I have, and I'd really, really appreciate anyone's advice to help me clarify my thoughts.

I currently shoot in RAW, and use a PC with Elements 5 and PS7. The PC has a 17" screen, so I'm thinking that the 15" laptop will perhaps seem a bit small for photo editing - altho more convenient than the 17" for carrying around esp as airline cabin baggage. Also of course it's cheaper.

I still havent decided if the MacBook will be for all my photo editing, or as a supplement/alternative to the PC. But I think I understand that you can't buy PS7 any more, and that to upgrade from PS7 to CS3 for use on the Mac, I'd have to change my PS7 licence from PC to Mac first - so therefore, would I no longer have PS7 for use on the PC?? Quiet confession here - I didn't actually buy my PS7. Will that present problems when I ask Apple about upgrading?? Buying CS3 outright is financially out of the question.

Does anyone use both a PC and Mac for photo editing? Am I missing something obvious by even thinking I'd swap between the two? :thinking: :bonk:

Many thanks for any thoughts, to help me clarify my own.
Cathy
 
Hello CJR.

I was recently involved in yet another long and tedious mac vs pc argument (i'm pro-pc), but i won't go into that here, as its not important. I will say though....

i use a macbook to shoot tethered and do some on-the-fly basic editing at a shoot to show people how something might look 'post production'. (the 13" screen just about holds up to this task, but bigger would be better) i then transfer the files to my pc for the real editing work. I haven't ever had a problem with combining the use of the two. I would say if your worried about editing, then just go with whatever is comfortable. Obviously a 17" screen would be better in terms of desktop space, and a separate mouse would also be a good investment (i cant stand my mouse touch pad thingy). I have CS3 on both my pc and mac so i can't offer any advice regarding that i'm afraid! :shrug:

It's up to you to decide if you think editing on a laptop would hold you back in anyway. But i can't think of any real reasons, providing you have the processing power to back it up. Anyone else have any ideas....?
 
I use a Macbook 13", and hook it up to an external screen (24") for editing. IMO it's the best of both worlds. The Macbook is small and light enough to carry easily, powerful enough for working even if I'm away, and hooked up to the big screen is perfect for proper work.

I looked at the MBP, but found them too big for me, and the screens too small for reasonable work. Since I'd need the big screen anyway, why not take advantage of a smaller form laptop.

BTW, if you do consider that route, there was some rumour of 13" aluminium cases being ordered by Apple's laptop assembler in Taiwan, which was suggested to mean there might be a 13" MBP coming soon (as opposed to currently, where 13" is only Macbook, not Pro version).
 
CJR

If you didn't purchase your copy of PS7 and don't have a receipt then forget transferring the license. Adobe will only transfer license's for the current model of software. I'm about to do this and I had to supply them with a copy of my upgrade receipt and the original software receipt. If you don't have it you will need to supply then with an image of the original CD and case (showing serial no.).

Only then will they consider a change of license
 
Also take someone who is at uni or college along with you and look forward to a nice student discount. I saved over £300 in total with my MacBook Pro at the Apple store.
 
And after that find a teacher to buy you your CS3 and save a bucket load...thank god for Mother-in-Laws!!!
 
I have a 15 inch MB Pro and have to say that it is excellent. It is small enough to take with me yet large enough to edit photos. You can also hook it up to an external screen if you require.

I use the apple aperture program for about 90% of my work, the rest is done in elements (mac) or I use Serif Photo Plus X2, this is a PC program that has many of the higher end photoshop features at a fraction of the price. I have just started using VM Ware Fusion and I must say it is brilliant. You can run windows vista in a window on the mac and drag and drop files between the 2 operating systems! No compatibility issues so far.

The alternative is to use the free boot camp program that comes with the mac but this means re-booting to switch operating systems and is not too convenient.

Overall the 15 inch macbook is a very good compromise between portability and screen size, I personally recommend it very highly, but that's only my opinion!

John
 
Can you run the Mac book pro with an additional monitor (ie 2 screens) or does adding on a second screen disable the built in screen?
 
I only have a macbook pro now, is 15 inch widescreen so a lot wider than a standard 15 inch screen 1440*900 pixels. Have never had an issue with it !

If you are flying anywhere, buy from Dixonstaxfree it saved me 300 quid doing that ! and then bought the upgraded memory from crucial direct as Apple memory is extortionate !
 
I think I have been spoilt having a dual monitor setup with tools on one screen and then the other calibrated for editing!
 
Thank you everyone very much indeed for your advice. :thumbs: You've all raised questions I hadn't thought about, and offered potential solutions - for example, I'd not considered using the MBP with a separate screen, and didn't know about student discount. However, the software may well still be the sticking point. As I am not computer-savvy, and would not be able to do anything like upgrading memory myself, one of the things I liked about buying direct from Apple is the customer service / setting the whole thing up and transferring files / tutorials / free phone support etc. Which I wouldn't get if I bought from elsewhere. If I found a tame student to "buy" the MBP and CS3 software for me at a discount, wouldn't it all be registered in their name so I wouldn't have access to all that support.

Hmmm, much to think about. :thinking:

Cathy
 
Cathy, I don't know about the MBP, but putting memory in the Macbook is *really* easy - I suspect the Pro will be the same.

The second monitor is also the way to go IMO. I bought a Dell 24" screen which was reasonably priced, and it's a great addition to the Macbook for editing, and ease of use when at home.
 
Buying the memory and installing it yourself will probably almost save you the cost of photoshop on its own!
 
CJR said:
Thank you everyone very much indeed for your advice. :thumbs: You've all raised questions I hadn't thought about, and offered potential solutions - for example, I'd not considered using the MBP with a separate screen, and didn't know about student discount. However, the software may well still be the sticking point. As I am not computer-savvy, and would not be able to do anything like upgrading memory myself, one of the things I liked about buying direct from Apple is the customer service / setting the whole thing up and transferring files / tutorials / free phone support etc. Which I wouldn't get if I bought from elsewhere. If I found a tame student to "buy" the MBP and CS3 software for me at a discount, wouldn't it all be registered in their name so I wouldn't have access to all that support.

Hmmm, much to think about. :thinking:

Cathy
Click to expand...

You'll have access to the support :) Buy the support/warranty pack thing.
 
KayJay said:
You'll have access to the support :) Buy the support/warranty pack thing.
Click to expand...

The three year one for £279? Yes, I was definitely going to get that. But if the MBP has been bought by a student in their name with the discount, how do I get the three year warranty?

Cathy
 
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