My laptop died right before we moved down here, and I am in dire need of a new one. Jared and I haven't had great luck with our last few laptops, so we've decided that I should make the Macbook jump to see how we like it. Plus, we know some people who have recently made the switch and are "never going back." Sounds promising to me, but if you're a Mac-hater and want to try to talk me out of it, go ahead an do your worst. I just want to be an informed human!
My main questions are:
(A) Why do you prefer (or not prefer) your Mac to a PC?
(B) Which type of MacBook would you recommend getting? My uses for it are, I'm sure, similar to many of your uses for your computers. That's why I thought this blog would be a good place to ask for advice. Of course I'll be using it to edit and write and use the internet, but I also really want to get into photo and movie editing, because heaven knows I need more hobbies down here. I know a lot depends on how much I'm willing to spend. I found a great upcoming Black Friday deal for a 13.3" MacBook Pro with Retina Display. It's a little bit more than I wanted to pay, but if it's above-and-beyond the best option, then I would be willing to spend the extra hundred beyond my budget. Oh, plus it has 8GB memory and 256GB flash storage, where most of the less-expensive Macbook options offer half that. My other options are the MacBook Pro without the retina display and, of course, a MacBook Air. How much difference does the retina display even make? There isn't an Apple store here (surprise?) so I can't go check it out myself.
(C) How long has your MacBook lasted you?
Thank you in advance! I'm getting pretty excited about the online Christmas shopping that's going to be happening over here in the next few days.
I prefer Macs for the operating system. It's kinda complicated to explain, but I prefer it for programming (which is what I do a lot on my computer). I would get the Pro w/ retina display for sure! It's quite a bit thinner than the Pro without retina (but it also doesn't have a CD/DVD drive, so keep that in mind.) Also, the retina display is beautiful. I upgraded from a macbook air to a 15" pro with retina display and there is a huge difference. if you like pretty displays, it's definitely worth it. My work provides me with my computers so I've never really had one for more than a year before I get an upgrade, so I can't answer that last question. but I do have a friend who still uses the original macbook from 2006 and it works fine! which is pretty crazy. if you want to get into video creation, iMovie is a great free option if you have a macbook. Final Cut Pro X is the best of the best, but it costs quite a bit. good luck!
ReplyDeleteI was hoping you'd comment! You little computer genius. Oooh, I would love a 15"! Someday, someday. I'm to the point where I'm realizing that I use my computer for pretty much everything, so I need to be done with the cheapy laptops and just commit to a good machine. Thank you so much for your input! I think you've talked me into the retina display. Stoked :)
DeleteI LOVE my macbook pro. I have the 13.3'' retina display. The above commenter made the point that retina display doesn't come with the CD drive, but it doesn't really bother me. I actually don't think I've really needed to use it once. And with a retina display next to one that doesn't have it is a huge difference. I had a toshiba for two years before and I wouldn't switch back now. I've had my mac for a year now (last year christmas gift) and it's performance/speed/quality/display.. everything I feel is the same as when I first opened it! My husband also has a macbook and loves his :) Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteI've noticed the same thing about CD drives. My last laptop didn't have one either so I got an external drive, but I only ever used it to watch DVDs, and let's be honest, Netflix has got my back in that area now. I had a Toshiba too. It did me well through college, but in the end it crashed and burned in a dramatic way. Thank you so much for telling me about how the speed has held up! That's the one question I forgot to ask, and that was one of my biggest concerns. That's two votes for the retina display then. I'm basically sold on it now. That helps a lot--thank you!
DeleteI do prefer Macs-- I have a MacBook Pro. I currently own the second-newest model (without the retina display.) I've had it for almost three years, and it's still going strong. It's fast, has a great display, has all available ports, and its sound quality is spot on. Hope this is helpful!
ReplyDeleteIt's really gone strong for three years? Sheesh, what have I been doing without a Mac? My other laptops all slow down after two years. Thank you so much!!
DeleteIf there was a fire in my house, I would grab two things: my child and my MacBook. This baby holds everything on there and has been with me for six years! I use the basic iMovie to put together my family home videos, which works great for that, but I don't know what kind of movie editing you're going for. I can have the internet, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, iTunes, and other small applications open and it doesn't slow down. Macs are more expensive, but there's a reason behind it - because they kick PC's trash ;)
ReplyDeletemust...resist......
ReplyDeleteDang I feel like I've been talked into a mac now too!! Maybe when I get a real job haha!
ReplyDeleteMACS ARE THE BEST. I bought mine used, and it still is going strong. Mine is a 2009 model (17" baby) and I loooove it. They don't make them this big anymore, but if you are wanting to get into design-y stuff I would recommend a 15" screen. I can't work in InDesign on a 13" screen, there's just not enough space... Derek recently got a 13" MacBook Air retina and he loves it. There is a difference between retina and not-retina, but personally I don't think it's that big of a deal (or worth the price difference). I also use my DVD drive like crazy, so I would have a hard time giving that up. Extra hard drive is always good tho, especially if you want to be designin' and making movies.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you decide to do, don't underestimate used computers! I saved $1,100 by buying used, and my compy has worked phenomenally.
1. they're easier to use and esthetically pleasing. like they are very organized and it's easy to find everything for those of us who are technology geniuses. i also think it has like naturally virus blocking stuff, and it just works really well. i've never heard anyone complain about their mac.
ReplyDelete2. i like non-airs, because the air is light and everything fun like that, but it has less memory storage and it doesn't have a cd insert. i have the macbook pro and i really like it.
3. i've had a 2012 macbook pro since the summer of 2012 and it's been awesome. i haven't had any troubles with it.