Buy a MacBook Pro - Questions?

Ady N

Ady N

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Currently have a powerful Windows PC for everyday use and image manipulation with CS5. I also have an oldish netbook which I use for Internet/Skype/general messing about but it has slowed to a crawl and is a bit dated. I was thinking of a tablet such as the Nexus 10 or even an Ipad (haven't had an Apple since my Apple II back in 1980). But, instead of spending 3-400 notes on a tablet why note save a bit and get a lappy? I had a play with my niece's MacBook Pro 2.5 last year and was very impressed so I am seriously considering splashing the cash on one. Would probably get LR5 initially - how fast is the combination (2.5ghz)? Should I stretch to the 2.9ghz? Will I regret having a windows PC and Apple laptop? How accurate is the colour rendition?
Any help appreciated.
 
first off, you wont "benefit" from getting a mac. its the same underlying hardware as any other PC but with a different graphical layout. spec for spec they should perform roughly the same etc (providing you dont fill either platform with rubbish programs which slow things down), PC are generally cheaper. laptop screens arent the best to work on, whatever you get should be calibrated anyway.
 
If you want good colour rendition on laptop - retina is the only way. Obviously calibration is very encouraged after the purchase. As it doesn't run windows, you will be a lot happier and more relaxed about buying things online, and so on.

Max out RAM, but CPU will make little difference (it is just a few % more speed)
 
Cheers guys, seems to be cheapest on Amazon. Retina display model in my sights.
 
daugirdas said:
If you want good colour rendition on laptop - retina is the only way. Obviously calibration is very encouraged after the purchase. As it doesn't run windows, you will be a lot happier and more relaxed about buying things online, and so on. Max out RAM, but CPU will make little difference (it is just a few % more speed)
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lol I see you've been borderline trolling this across several threads ;)

Incidentally you've still got that god awful gloss on the retina mbp , why they dropped the matte "anti glare" ill never know.. Oh wait that's right, marketing.
 
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Don't buy now, new ones will be out in the next few months. I'm seriously considering the new iteration of the MBP as in terms of general feel and quality, I've not found anything else which matches up to it. I just hope they don't go the same way as the Retina and the Air with the 1.8" SSDs and soldered RAM. I want to retain a bit of upgradability.
 
George7 said:
Don't buy now, new ones will be out in the next few months. I'm seriously considering the new iteration of the MBP as in terms of general feel and quality, I've not found anything else which matches up to it. I just hope they don't go the same way as the Retina and the Air with the 1.8" SSDs and soldered RAM. I want to retain a bit of upgradability.
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this.

I have been waiting as a new one could well be released in the next fee weeks - better processors as well as other stuff.

I have no problem with a glossy screen and personally not bothered about retina.
 
once you buy retina you will notice the difference and wonder why you never bought it before
 
Just remember that workflow is different between windows and OSX, and you *may* find the mac intensely frustrating because it doesn't behave the same. This will not be obvious when just playing around, but windows organises workflow on the desktop through the taskbar, where as OSX relies on individual applications to manage workflow within the application, and applications are either on the desktop or on the dock - if you have multiple windows open then they can be difficult to navigate well.

FWIW I use OSX, Windows and Linux of various flavours. None of them are wrong, but the differences can be greater and different than expected.
 
ancient_mariner said:
Just remember that workflow is different between windows and OSX, and you *may* find the mac intensely frustrating because it doesn't behave the same. This will not be obvious when just playing around, but windows organises workflow on the desktop through the taskbar, where as OSX relies on individual applications to manage workflow within the application, and applications are either on the desktop or on the dock - if you have multiple windows open then they can be difficult to navigate well.

FWIW I use OSX, Windows and Linux of various flavours. None of them are wrong, but the differences can be greater and different than expected.
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My dad found osx a nightmare when he got a mac but now would not go back to windows. Its all down to what your used to - whether you go to windows from osx or vice versa, it will be strange and you will often think its not as good as the one you left. Give it some time and it will be fine.
 
There's differences but what I approve the most is the same keyboard shortcuts, this makes things soo much easier half the time i.e. cmd + c, cmd + shift +g etc etc!
One thing I like is that I don't feel like I'm being nagged at by OSX, windows just seemed to have a problem all the time whether that was asking for my permission or whether there was a driver / win32 error :D

Windows:

''Are you sure you want to do that? Are you positive?''

Mac:

''I just did that for you, I didn't ask why because I know that's what you wanted to do''
 
cambsno said:
My dad found osx a nightmare when he got a mac but now would not go back to windows. Its all down to what your used to - whether you go to windows from osx or vice versa, it will be strange and you will often think its not as good as the one you left. Give it some time and it will be fine.
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It's a good point. If I could have easily transferred my data across from OSX to windows then I'd have gone back a long time ago. Both OSs have strengths and weaknesses and also suit some users better than others. 'Home' for me is the KDE environment these days, but there's a strong chance I'll replace this Macbook with a W8 machine in the new year.

Dave - in the case of OSX - "you're too stupid to make that kind of choice, so you'll have what I tell you & kiss my bum". Windows - "I'm OK, I've got just what you want, but you're going to have to hunt a little for it".

:)
 
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Wouldn't worry about the differences in OSX and Windows. I've used both and they both work fine. In most cases very similar. Some things are in different places but a day or so and you'll be fine with it. My son bought a MacBook Pro last year and converted from Windows. I think it took him about an hour to get familiar with the new system

As far as colour is concerned If you can go for the Retina display. It's very accurate and is very close to the sRGB colour gamut. It also calibrates nicely and is very close straight out of the box. Well at least mine was.

Best bet . Go to the Trafford centrer and spend some time in the Apple store. You wont get hassled and the guys are reasonably knowledgeable. Just see how you get on with the Mac. If you like it and can afford it fine, buy yourself a Mac. If not buy a PC.

New MacBook Pro's announced yesterday with a price drop so that can't be bad.
 
Chappers said:
Wouldn't worry about the differences in OSX and Windows. I've used both and they both work fine. In most cases very similar. Some things are in different places but a day or so and you'll be fine with it. My son bought a MacBook Pro last year and converted from Windows. I think it took him about an hour to get familiar with the new system
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Yes, the worst things are preconception and fear of change. This is the only reason MS has retained PC market share.
 
One of my fears with the rMBP is that I intend to run a Windows installation alongside (most likely 7, as I prefer it and have a spare license) and without all the scaling in OSX, surely the size of the everything on the screen in Windows will be miniscule. Also means games will be far more difficult to run :( Starting to look at the MBA again. Will also look out for good deals on a mid 2012 MBP.
 
George7 said:
One of my fears with the rMBP is that I intend to run a Windows installation alongside (most likely 7, as I prefer it and have a spare license) and without all the scaling in OSX, surely the size of the everything on the screen in Windows will be miniscule. Also means games will be far more difficult to run :( Starting to look at the MBA again. Will also look out for good deals on a mid 2012 MBP.
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You might want to check, but I suspect W8 will cope better with rescaling according to screen size & res. since it has been designed with tablets in mind. What you'll likely find with games is that they'll run full screen but at whatever res you set, so from that POV it won't make a difference. Do make sure you buy a machine with a proper graphics chipset instead of the Intel 3000/4000 series.

I'd gently like to suggest fear of change and preconception are the very least likely of reasons why Microsoft have retained the software PC market share, and that it's almost entirely to do with cost of hardware for consumers, and in addition Microsoft office being the international standard for written documents and spreadsheets for business use. Probably not a useful debate to have though.
 
The inability to upgrade RAM with the retina Macs is really putting a bit of a downer on purchasing one, to the point I don't even know if I want to.

Ideally I'd go for 8gb and upgrade if needed, but I can't. And £150 for an extra 8gb is asking a lot.
 
Yep, you're pretty much screwed on that one
teardown-120613-2.jpg


:(
 
This will probably reduce the uptake by serious computer users, but is unlikely to make much difference to their sales overall.
 
ancient_mariner said:
This will probably reduce the uptake by serious computer users, but is unlikely to make much difference to their sales overall.
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Exactly. A whole mix of people buy apple. Design types who find macs the best and happy to upgrade, students, trendy types and people who just like the design and way it works. It people are not really the target.

Apple will have done plenty of research to see what will work best.
 
The trendy mac buyer will normally have no idea about the specs, they'll just want one because it's cool, swanky, clean, everyone's got one etc etc. Then you have the other part of the market where they require a given spec (i.e. us, other professions) of which we are quite a small chunk compared to the below 25 age bracket. If it's going to be one of those purchases that lasts at least 3 years then 8 gigs of ram should be treated as a bare minimum, we don't have a clue what kind of updates and new software will be out in the future which will become more reliant on specs and that's not even taking into account the kind of processes and software that you use currently etc
 
Quite, Dave.

This Macbook came with 2Gb and a slow 160Gb HDD - it's now at 4Gb (should really be 8Gb) and SSD, and is quite acceptable but by no means as fast as might be expected (maybe a Mavericks upgrade & fresh reinstall will help there). But if I'd been restricted and unable to upgrade it would have been shifted 2 years ago at least, and I'd be back with Windows again. I may try for an upgradable last model soon, or may just give in and re-embrace Microsoft.
 
Just a quick question. I'm now looking at a brand new non retina MBP to retain some upgradability, I'd also would be looking at buying some Apple Care so I'm covered for 3 years. My question is, if I choose to upgrade the RAM/HDD, does that void the Apple Care?
 
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I don't think there is a problem if the memory is designed to be replace, i.e there is a specific cover that can be opened. However if you start undoing the case then that may present a problem. However Give the guys at Apple Care a ring and ask them. Apple probably have the best retail after sales operation in the computer industry. If you ring 9-5 you'll probably end up speaking to someone in Ireland.
 
I agree about checking with Apple, but AFAIK upgrades which the computer is designed to receive (like RAM and HDD) do not affect warranty. However IF you ever had a warranty claim in an area that might be related I would strongly advise putting the original RAM back in before returning it to the store. Apple are VERY reluctant to acknowledge faults in kit IME, even when the Apple forums are full of people whose machine has the same design flaw. In my case it was a faulty graphics chip on the Mobo, and we spent an hour testing my 3 month old machine in the MK store before the 'genius' would accept there was a hardware fault & return it (they replaced the Mobo).

I've heard all kinds of tales about the generosity of Apple, but my own experience was somewhat the opposite.
 
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