Mac Book Pro

Andytc

Andytc

Suspended / Banned
Messages
740
Edit My Images
No
I currently have a year old imac that i use for all my editing and day by day tasks...fantastic...would not be without it now after years of windows.

Now i am looking to add a new mac book pro to my collection but having never really used a lap top for any editing or viewing on location. So i feel i need to ask some questions.

What sort of memory size do you think i would need?

Does it have to be the latest model? (any new specs that make it a must?)

Does the 13inch screen allow enough room or is the 15inc a must have?

Hope you can help.....Having just had a spend at grays of westminster, i need to make sure i am making the right move lol :thinking:
 
I got a Mac book pro 15. Earlier this year, absolutely love!

I usually run lightroom 3 and photoshop on it no problem, force of habit from my pc days means I close everything else before opening and I've never had more than 0.5sec of a loading time.....

Hope that helps

Oooo and the screen is stunning but you knew that :-p
 
aethelstan927 said:
I got a Mac book pro 15. Earlier this year, absolutely love!

I usually run lightroom 3 and photoshop on it no problem, force of habit from my pc days means I close everything else before opening and I've never had more than 0.5sec of a loading time.....

Hope that helps

Oooo and the screen is stunning but you knew that :-p
Click to expand...

What size did you get re specs?
 
if you are looking at the retina mac pro and the standard mac pros's, the standard ones will be adequate, i myself couldn't find any justification as to why anyone would buy the new retina mac apart from having a better screen and looking boss. i haven't owned a mac pro but i do have a new iMac and my previous laptop was a 15" dell and i thought 15" was a good size screen for everyday things (this was before i did photo editing). haha, i know the feeling after a purchase a Grays ;)
 
I've had my mac book pro just under 4 years now and it's still going strong, runs lightroom and CS5.5 no problem at all. It's got 4Gb of RAM so can't comment on less but that or more is more than capable.
 
Get one of the older models, much more value for money. Also, prior to getting an iPad I would have said a 13" model would be way too small but now the 13" seems huge.
You can get some bargains at the apple clearance store, they come with a full 12 month warranty & you can purhase applecare

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/specialdeals
 
Firstly what are you going to be storing on it?

Secondly I'll definitely go for the 15" one because I would find the 13" too small to see what im doing...

Wether you get a new MacBook pro is mainly up to money as it is bloody expensive but with buying the new MacBook Pro you'r future proofing yourself a little bit more...
 
I'm n my second 15" (the first had the screen snapped off by my little boy).

I have a 2ghz i7 with the 500GB HD and 16GB of RAM.... It's not the latest or most powerful model but runs LR3, Photoshop, Final Cut X plus loads of admin tasks with no problems and all at the same time. Deffo Look at more RAM, just to smooth out performance with big files and catalogues (like the LR3 catalogue). 15" is deffo the smallest you want for editing on the go....

Brilliant machine, stunning display (even the ones without retina) and the ultimate take-anywhere laptop
 
Last edited:
why do mac users always have to get a windows dig in?

anyway, original MBP not the retina.. 8gb and an SSD. but upgrade it yourself to save money. job done. oh and matte "anti glare" screen option. that gloss will be a killer on location, plus its a false level of contrast.
 
I have a 2011 15" MacBook Pro as my only machine. I think if you're editing you should definitely go for the 15"... although I haven't seen anyone try it on a 13". I use Aperture, and had some problems with sluggishness, so I upgraded to 8 MB. Speed is fine now, but the darn thing now runs HOT (base hot even when asleep with the lid open), which is a right pain (literally when trying to use it on my knees like just now)!
 
neil_g said:
why do mac users always have to get a windows dig in?
Click to expand...

Because most are former PC users who are delighted after switching?

I'd advise against the retina for a couple of reasons - not all software has been updated to take full advantage of it. Secondly, its awfully unmodifiable (even by apple standards). You cannot upgrade the RAM or HDD afterwards. The current Non-retina machine is brilliant.
 
I've got the 13" macbook pro had it for 3 years and i do all my editing on it
Lightroom 4 and photoshop cs5

i thought the screen would be too small but its the perfect size for me (great for travelling too)

i had an iMac before the macbook and i sold that as it just wasn't getting used like my macbook, if you do your editing at home you can always plug in an external monitor too (i use a 32' monitor as an external display as you can close the lid on the macbook wilst still using it as a computer so it acts as a desktop computer)

I've got a 320gb hdd and 2gb ram (soon to be upgraded to 8gb as its a cheap upgrade)
 
Thanks a lot guys, just what I needed.

It's very easy to get dragged in to spending to much
 
neil_g said:
why do mac users always have to get a windows dig in?

anyway, original MBP not the retina.. 8gb and an SSD. but upgrade it yourself to save money. job done. oh and matte "anti glare" screen option. that gloss will be a killer on location, plus its a false level of contrast.
Click to expand...

Not sure I see a dig at windows anywhere :thinking:

Agreed on DIY upgrades though.... Apple charges a fortune.
 
My wife bought me a MBPRO 13 inch for xmas and I initially thought it would be too small having got used to a 15. But it's fine and I also use it with an external 20" Dell monitor. I've put W7 64bit on via Bootcamp and it works great. Enables me to use my legacy windoes programmes. USB connections are limited and other connections need specific adaptors (ebay).

Just downloaded Open Office for Mac FOC and that works great too. So I've got benfits of Mac and Widows on one machine and I couldn't be happier :thumbs:

Pete
 
8gb ram is now minimum acceptable. I have 4 and it feels like dead. So get 16 to future proof.

the biggest difference between 13 and 15 is dual vs quad core CPU (so 15 is >2x better), and 15 has proper dedicated video card, whereas 13 only a basic integrated one.

If you intend to edit on the laptop screen you have to get retina. There is no point in having a horrible outdated TN screen for that price. I you will be using it as a semi-portable computer with external screen, then obviously it doesn't matter. Also, I expect retina one to hold value better.
 
If you don't need the Retina display then opt for the standard anti glare screen option. However watch what you are spending if you look for a SSD upgrade or memory upgrade.

Crucial at the moment only have one upgrade for the new MBP and that's to 16Gb at £135. Apple don't offer a 16Gb upgrade but the 8 Gb is £80 .Ok now the SSD that's around £160 from Crucial, a lot cheaper than the Apple version, but you've spent £75 more than the Retina Display version of MBP with these upgrades.

If you don't need the Retina display, opt for the 8Gb memory upgrade and matte screen. Alternatively go for the matte screen option only and consider the memory upgrade later
 
You should compare prices on Amazon against the online Apple Store to work out the best deal(s) that woud suit you. Apple have a refurbished section which has a number of MBPs at varying discounts up to around 32% and with full factory warranty which can be extended within the first year of ownership. Hunting around on Amazon could get you a better deal at times.

For editing purposes a 15.4 inch would serve you best. I'm on my second MBP having used Powerbooks before and there is nothing like it. You can get one of those hard plastic M covers from Amazon for around £20 to protect your MBP. They come with little feet which will help with cooling. TBH I haven't really experienced cooling issues with the unibody MBPs and love mine. The keyboard is the best I've used on any laptop and you'll love the screen.

Good hunting :thumbs:
 
decigallen said:
Because most are former PC users who are delighted after switching?

I'd advise against the retina for a couple of reasons - not all software has been updated to take full advantage of it. Secondly, its awfully unmodifiable (even by apple standards). You cannot upgrade the RAM or HDD afterwards. The current Non-retina machine is brilliant.
Click to expand...

Got to agree - I bought the current, non-retina, 15" Pro with 2.6Ghz processor and I've upgraded it with 16GB of RAM and put a 256GB Samsung 830 SSD in the main bay and the original 750GB drive in an Optibay.

It fly's and the benchmarks are much faster then the Retina Pro, plus it cost less for the whole package including upgrades!
 
My 15" retina Macbook pro, 16Gb Ram, 512Gb SSD, 2.5 GHz quad core plus thunderbolt display is all specced out. Just waiting for a cheque to arrive and it will be ordered.

My previous 2008 Macbook Pro was maxed out with 4Gb of RAM till I could get 6Gb in there.

MacOS can really make use of extra RAM hence the 16Gb in the latest machine. Thats more than I have in my Mac Pro ! The advice is always get as much as you can afford :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top