Minimum Spec I should go for with next Laptop

cambsno

cambsno

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My current Macbook is now over 4 years old, and looking to get a new one. There looks like there will be some tweaks and updates on around June 10th, so looking at getting something in the next month.

I run LR3 at the moment, as well as iMovie and standard other stuff. Starting to be a bit sluggish and the other day only had 1gb free on a 320gb hard drive!!!

I WILL be staying with a Macbook but not sure on the spec. Think I want 8GB RAM, but dont understand the real world difference in processors. Would like to get a retina one (down to size and weight as much as the screen), probably a 13" one, but the solid state drives are expensive and small in size. Do I go for a standard HD like 750gb, and save money while also getting a faster processor?

I may well start doing more with CS so it needs to handle that as well, and want it to be good enough for at least 4 more years (i,e, in case i get a d800 and large files in 2 years).

Budget is up to around £1800, but if I can get what I need for £1200 then so much the better as would want to keep cost as low as possible.
 
hang fire, the new 4th gen intel chip models are being released soon.

but otherwise the usual advise stands.. i5 Quad chips, 8gb is good 16 is better. SSD if you can afford it.
 
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neil_g said:
hang fire, the new 4th gen intel chip models are being released soon.

but otherwise the usual advise stands.. i5 Quad chips, 8gb is good 16 is better. SSD if you can afford it.
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Not on a laptop. The i5s are dual core.... So i7 on laptops... But yes, wait for the Mac refresh if you can. 8G will do you if you only use Lightroom. I'd want 16 if I were using PS or any video editing.
 
neil_g said:
hang fire, the new 4th gen intel chip models are being released soon.

but otherwise the usual advise stands.. i5 Quad chips, 8gb is good 16 is better. SSD if you can afford it.
Click to expand...

Rumours are that in a month or so the Hatswell (?) chips will be used.
 
So i5 are dual core, and i7 quad core? Is there a noticable difference?

TBH would get 8gb and then upgrade after if needed (cheaper too).
 
cambsno said:
So i5 are dual core, and i7 quad core? Is there a noticable difference?

TBH would get 8gb and then upgrade after if needed (cheaper too).
Click to expand...

you cant upgrade the memory in the retina, its soldered on.

personally id always go quad core these days for any editing. for the i7 you want the CPU numbers suffixed QM for quad core.
 
neil_g said:
you cant upgrade the memory in the retina, its soldered on.

personally id always go quad core these days for any editing. for the i7 you want the CPU numbers suffixed QM for quad core.
Click to expand...

Didnt realise that about the RAM.

Hypothetically, what is better, 8gb ram but i7, or 16gb ram and i5?
 
cambsno said:
Didnt realise that about the RAM.

Hypothetically, what is better, 8gb ram but i7, or 16gb ram and i5?
Click to expand...

There's no right or wrong answer to that. If you are running CPU intensive applications, then you should go for the fastest CPU you can. If however you are rung applications which will benefit from lots of RAM, but that hardly tax the CPU, then naturally you should opt for more RAM.

As you can't upgrade either, I would be more inclined to go for more RAM over extra CPU cycles, as the lack of enough RAM can lead to a very frustrating experience when running low.
 
Just checked, and current range you only get quad on 15" but I favour the 13".

Just need to wait and see if there are any news.
 
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