Macbook Pro
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- nb0
The answer to OP's question is: Don't buy one, you don't really need it.
- karj0
I use a two year old Air. It's plenty fast for everyday design (Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator, Premiere). If I worked in motion graphics, it probably wouldn't be enough, but I don't, so it's not an issue.
I'd like to have a retina screen, and more screen space might be nice. That said, I have a Thunderbolt display at the office, and an old 24" Dell display to plug into at home. As such, I can toss my laptop in my backback, and run the 7km home without feeling like there's anything in the bag.
Everyone has their own needs, but lightness/compactness is important to me. The easier the machine is to carry, the more likely I am to take it with me and use it. For example, last summer I spent a month away with family and was able to have access when necessary, without feeling weighed down.
I'd love for the Air to support two external monitors natively. Apparently there's a USB hack that can make that happen, but this hasn't been a big enough issue for me to explore it further.
No matter what you buy there are compromises. They're beautiful machines, though, and you're not going to be disappointed either way.
- nb0
- Hombre_Lobo0
Also I've heard a lot of people say the retina makes most web browsing experiences look like crap as a 90% of sites don't yet use high res images.
Is this true? Shame if so because the screen is ace. Anyone had similar experiences?
- it's fine, yes but no bigs. for instance QBN is 90's css sharpness but that logo is 211x61, fuzzy but life goes onprophetone
- Hombre_Lobo0
I'm torn between a 13" Mpb and 13" mba. If only they would make a retina MBA then I'd be sorted! :D
Any advice?
Performance between the two these days is actually not that much. It is a consideration if you are doing video or 3d, that utilises the gpu of the Mbp though.
Mbp 200g ish heavier, Mbp Retina screen is nice, but can fit less on it (1280x800 vs 1440x 900).
Mbp has a Better ips display, Mbp can power 2 external monitors.
MBA has a nicer form factor, but not black screen bezel.
Tough call!
- autoflavour0
I buy laptops when the old one dies
unfortunately i usually only get 4 years on average..
- nikdaum0
I'm still rocking a late 08 model MBP. Slow as shit in Final Cut but decent for everything else.
- Upgrade the video card and get an SSD. If you need FCP. I've also read that 7200RPM 3.5" drives are faster for video editing than SSDs.nb
- Upgrade video card — how?raf
- https://discussions.…nb
- +1 on the SSD. Make everything SSD, even your life.nthkl
- Yeah, it has an SSD. Can't stand spinning disks anymore.nikdaum
- nb0
The only reason I'm still using this 2007 machine is that I've become a little obsessed with not throwing things away. I live in a city that has one of the best waste management systems in the world, so sure, the metals from the computer will be extracted and shipped to China and melted down, and the toxics will get stored in a special toxic waste facility and the plastic will go to a managed landfill.
But, eventually, it's all going to end up in the ocean. Everyone should take it upon themselves to purchase the least amount of plastic that you can.
- Why not just sell it to someone?ukit2
- If I sold it, that person could use it for a year and then toss it because it's too slow. Replacing parts extends it's life.nb
- Apple will recycle any computer you give back to them. It's their new thing.monospaced
- Eventually, I'll sell it, of course. If the motherboard dies before then, I'll donate the remaining parts to ifixit.nb
- Recycling is good, but it only slows pollution. Reducing your consumption is so much more important.nb
- nthkl0
I got the fresh one on the bottom right. 2.6GHz Core i7, 16gb rab, retina. It works amazing with two 27" cinema displays. The SSD on it is super snappy. Don't have any lag issues working with big PSDs. Also use C4D on it and it's fine unless you are rendering multiple frames in your shot, then a render farm or tower makes sense. But for now, it's my current freelance rig and it works great.
- err0
- Miguex0
- "I can just wrap it around my scarf and I'm ready to go blog about how much of a foodie I am"Miguex
- "I'm going to download photoshop and design a logo for my boyfriends band, can't be THAT hard!"Miguex
- or open a bakeryhereswhatidid
- "I have a great pair of shiny gray jeans that would totally match my macbook air"Miguex
- "Can I be a DJ with this computer? it might be too thin though.. how many mp3s will it hold?"Miguex
- They look like normal ppl to me.err
- lol...but is it really so bad? Just a lighter version of MBPukit2
- normal people. i don't get it.inteliboy
- The jokes are funny, but I'm surprised people make jokes as the Mbp and MBA are so so similar now.Hombre_Lobo
- nb0
So I bought a cheap ($150) 240GB SSD yesterday for my 2007 MBP. Installed it myself, of course. Runs like a dream!
My new goal is to make this computer last ten years!
- Unfortunately Macintosh will corener u eventually on the software front. Mavericks almost didn't like my Mac Proprophetone
- And the next iteration might put the nail in the coffin on the ol boyprophetone
- True, but Mavericks is running fine here. I shouldn't need a new OS for 3 years. I CAN DO THIS.nb
- Also, my computer is seven fucking years old! Unbelievable that it's still working.nb
- well then shit! yo do that yo! haha i think my mac pro life could extend if i get a new graphics card tho maybe... hmmprophetone
- The 2008 version of it is known to have the nvidia chip die onboard, mine was replaced twice (covered by Apple recall)raf
- Yes, Apple replaced my NVIDIA chip in 2009 with a NVIDIA 8600M. Been fine ever since.nb
- drgs0
of all laptops with 512GB SSD Macs are the cheapest
- mekk0
And then there is this asshole who returned it, because he was unable to hold it with a cup of starbucks coffee in one hand.
- ehh, why is he an asshole? I moved from a 15" to 13" with my last purchase and would never go back.Josev
- I prefer the size of the smaller machine. I run a 24" monitor off of it for designing, so screen size is not an issue.Josev
- because of this stupid justifice.. "I need to hold my laptop togehter with a starbucks coffee in one hand or its crap" thats whymekk
- fourth0
I was always content with my 2011 mbp... until the new job gave me a shiny new 15" retina. Amazing machine... thin, light, SSD, wonderful display. buy one.
- I feel like the tradeoff of the HD size for the thinness was not necessary. How am I supposed to work with less than 1TB?monospaced
- Yeah yeah, they're fast as fuck, and there are always externals, but it's still slightly annoying. Anyway, ti's the future.monospaced
- tank020
@mekk:
That is the weirdest statement ever. I'm an interior photographer, its awesome for retouching because it gives a good reflection how its going to be print. Hell its even better than print.- That threw me off too.CyBrainX
- If you're printing, retina is great. If you're doing work that will mostly appear on non-retina displays, you need a non-retina display to checknb
- Adobe has still not updated Acrobat Pro for Retina, so your print previews are blurry too.mekk
- But can't you just adjust the resolution in Settings when you do your print work?CyBrainX
- mekk0
Retina display sucks for web design and retouching, shit is all to clear. You'll need to plug a lowres monitor in for detail work.
- prophetone0
well this is the thing, even if you spill a slurpee on it and fry it, people will but it off you for $1k in two years