Mac computer people- thoughts?

[verycontrary247]

My Windows 7 laptop pooped out on me a few weeks back. It was almost 5 years old, so not really worth fixing.

I'm considering getting a Mac laptop this time around, but feel a little daunted by all the options, particularly since you can't upgrade most of them later on.

2 front runner options. Both exact same price ($2k)

13 inch MacBook Pro, Retina display. Better processor, 2.9GHz, 16GB ram, 512 GB storage.

15 inch MacBook Pro, Retina display. Not as good processor, 2.2GHz, 16GB ram, not as much storage, 256 GB.

I like the idea of the bigger screen but- If I paid extra for an upgraded processor (still not as good- 2.8GHz) and the same amount of storage, it'd be like $800 more. Which seems excessive.

Would you get the smaller screen, technically better laptop, or the bigger, but not as good laptop?

[fuckyourcouch]

Smaller screen technically better.
But I would get a refurbished air bc I'm cheap and also bc I like USB ports.

[VillainV]

Once you go Mac you never go back. Seriously, they are a superior computer. Okay, I guess it depends on what you will use it for.....but if you are a "normal user" it's a better use of your money. I'd get the nicest one you can afford.

ETA: I would not get a 15" if you want it to be portable. They're big and heavy. Even 13" seems huge to me after using an 11" air for the last 4 years.

[verycontrary247]

May 1, 2016 15:01:19 GMT -5 kooshball said:

Which CPU does it say it's using?

13 inch has a dual core Intel i5, 15 inch has a quad core Intel i7

[celeste]

Go for the smaller one. 15" is huge to carry around.

ETA: I'm currently using a 2009 13" MacBook Pro. It's on its third hard drive (one crashed, one got full) but otherwise still works fine.

[isabel]

May 1, 2016 14:50:37 GMT -5 fuckyourcouch said:

Smaller screen technically better.
But I would get a refurbished air bc I'm cheap and also bc I like USB ports.

All of this.

[laterz]

A bit of devil's advocate depending on what you do with your laptop - I use a PC at work, and have a MacBook at home. When this thing dies I'm going back to a Windows laptop because I *hate* using Microsoft Office on the Mac. I got mine in 2011 and it didn't take long for me to upgrade to a SSD - it got slow FAST. On the plus side, my display started freaking out a few weeks back and turns out there was a known issue and they basically replaced my motherboard for free even though I was out of warranty. So there's that!

[snipsnsnails]

What are you mainly using it for? Are you running any design programs or gaming?

[nsl]

(heart) (heart) (heart)  Mac.

That's all I've got.

[Deleted]

I've had the Macbook air 13" since the fall.  I absolutely love it.  I will say that I mostly use it for surfing the web, music/photos.  I did have lots of emailed documents to deal with while applying for my out of state position.  I found the mac very user friendly for these things.  
That said, I don't need to do work on it for the most part.  I find the 13" to be a good size for me.

[verycontrary247]

May 1, 2016 21:00:27 GMT -5 snipsnsnails said:

What are you mainly using it for? Are you running any design programs or gaming?

I'm still in school, working on a degree in IT with a focus in web design, so I do use the Adobe suite often- mainly Photoshop, Dreamweaver and illustrator.

Used to be a big gamer, but haven't had the time for it recently. I'd like to have the option to go back. The computer that died was a very expensive Alienware laptop

[VillainV]

May 1, 2016 20:57:18 GMT -5 @dixiedarling said:

Keep in mind that you're likely going to end up paying more for a mac then you would pay for an equivalent PC.

Yes, but Macs last a lot longer.   I went through 3 PC laptops in 4 years because of hardware failures (screens, hard drives, touch pads, you name it -- and these were name brands like HP, Compaq, and Sony), but have had a MacBook Air for over 4 years and it runs as well as the day I bought it.   

[just]

May 1, 2016 21:46:49 GMT -5 verycontrary247 said:

May 1, 2016 21:00:27 GMT -5 snipsnsnails said:

What are you mainly using it for? Are you running any design programs or gaming?

I'm still in school, working on a degree in IT with a focus in web design, so I do use the Adobe suite often- mainly Photoshop, Dreamweaver and illustrator.

Used to be a big gamer, but haven't had the time for it recently. I'd like to have the option to go back. The computer that died was a very expensive Alienware laptop

I find it hard to find games that run well on OSX and I don't want to install Windows or Linux on my Mac, so that may be a restriction.

I find that Adobe runs great on my mac, but you'll want good ram, a decent processor (although I've found that the cloud versions of Adobe are more lightweight than usual), and I like a bigger screen for design work. BUT I didn't want to sacrifice portability, so just bought an external screen and Mac adaptor (cos nothing works with the new airs!) and use that when I need to do that.

[paddywagon]

I went through two Macs in less than 2.5 years because of crappy hardware.
I've never had a problem with my HP or Sony laptops, which four of the six are 7+ years old now and still work perfectly. They were mid-range when they were purchased.

If you like Apple's operating system, then buy all means buy a Mac. But I personally don't think they're anymore or any less reliable than decent PCs.

[imhischeeseburger]

May 1, 2016 21:46:49 GMT -5 verycontrary247 said:

May 1, 2016 21:00:27 GMT -5 snipsnsnails said:

What are you mainly using it for? Are you running any design programs or gaming?

I'm still in school, working on a degree in IT with a focus in web design, so I do use the Adobe suite often- mainly Photoshop, Dreamweaver and illustrator.

Used to be a big gamer, but haven't had the time for it recently. I'd like to have the option to go back. The computer that died was a very expensive Alienware laptop

I don't think either the 13 inch or 15 inch would make a good gaming computer, but you probably already know that since your last one was an alienware. My husband built his own gaming desktop (he plays WOW, D&D, etc.) and I asked him to help me with getting a laptop that could run WOW without lagging and Adobe Photoshop. He built me a dell (upgraded almost everything) and a Mac with comparable specs and the MAC was 1,000 dollars more. Anyways my laptop lasted me 5 years, never had a problem.

[snipsnsnails]

Given your needs and these specs, I'd go for the 15".

Do you need portability? iMac will give you more bang for your buck, design-wise!

[verycontrary247]

May 1, 2016 22:43:40 GMT -5 imhischeeseburger said:

May 1, 2016 21:46:49 GMT -5 verycontrary247 said:

I'm still in school, working on a degree in IT with a focus in web design, so I do use the Adobe suite often- mainly Photoshop, Dreamweaver and illustrator.

Used to be a big gamer, but haven't had the time for it recently. I'd like to have the option to go back. The computer that died was a very expensive Alienware laptop

I don't think either the 13 inch or 15 inch would make a good gaming computer, but you probably already know that since your last one was an alienware. My husband built his own gaming desktop (he plays WOW, D&D, etc.) and I asked him to help me with getting a laptop that could run WOW without lagging and Adobe Photoshop. He built me a dell (upgraded almost everything) and a Mac with comparable specs and the MAC was 1,000 dollars more. Anyways my laptop lasted me 5 years, never had a problem.

Yeah, I know. The primary purpose of this computer will be for school, may tinker with a few games casually but I really don't have the time for much more. I'm just sick of dealing with Windows right now >.<

My laptop was running fine until I shut it down to do Windows updates. Afterwards, wouldn't power back on. Just gives an angry boot error beep.

Id eventually like to build a desktop gaming PC, but priorities lol.

[gilmoregirl]

I agree go with the smaller. I had the larger mac book pro for work and it was so annoying and heavy to carry around. Even having it on my lap it was super heavy! When I upgraded my personal laptop I went with the smaller Mac Book pro. I wish they would out with a Pro in Gold!! I would love an air but I love how great the Pro works for the stuff I do and my H gently reminds me I won't be happy with an air every time I have envy.

[jenstar]

I love my Macs. I have a 13" Pro and an Air and they're both 3+ years old, need a little tidying up but generally run great. I use the Adobe CS often and the pro is by far the best computer I have used those programs on. After all, they were written for a Mac. Before the pro (which I use for work) I had a number of PC laptops and none of them lasted more than 2 years.

My MacBook before I got my Air was 7 years old. I've never had any PC run for that long.

Anyway, none of that is prob helpful lol but I'd get the smaller model, they're heavy AF if you're lugging it around. GL

[papie]

I find that 13 inch is plenty, and like others said, it is more portable and light that way.