Macbook Tips - which to buy pro/air/normal & UPGRADES

[Djay230]

http://store.apple.com/ca/browse/hom...NOW-MACBOOKPRO

http://store.apple.com/ca/browse/hom...NOW-MACBOOKPRO

First of all, I do not want any windows users to bash me. I build windows based PC's and trust me I understand how the Macs are overpriced for what you get, however they're what you expect from a high quality retailer. They have really nice software, easy to use operating system and its lightweight + battery life & warrenty. Now unless someone can find me a laptop that has the battery life and warrenty of a mac please let me know. I have bought several laptops including a macbook and I can say that PC's battery life just doesn't cut it.

I am looking for a laptop for my university (live in) and therefore it should be able to handle entertainment too. This being said I am leaning towards the Macbook Pro, at the same time I would like to know if anyone suggests otherwise and why.

Also, would the macbook air be a good choice if I were to move a desktop computer in my dorm?

I have bought a macbook pro before but my friend has a macbook air and says its fabulous and doesn't regret buying it. I am skeptical on the macbook air being a flimsy peice of metal that cant handle real tasks like movies, simple games, photo editing etc. but NOT hardcore tasks like hardcore games, video editing...but can it?

Before buying the pro, I asked the apple store about the HEAT that the laptop would create, I got a response of "The laptop will NOT heat up or feel hot if it is kept in a ventilated area" I bought a laptop mat (fan) and kept it elevated but I seemed to get heat issues when running hardcore tasks like games, video editing, watching movies etc.

Also a main concern of mine is the add-ons. If I were to get the macbook pro I will be getting the 15 inch or the 13 inch version, the higher model ofcourse between the two.

The upgrades are a common sketchy part about apple computers since they are fairly overpriced. I am wondering if I can possibly replace some of the parts myself e.x RAM, HDD, etc.

I would look to upgrade the screen to HD, please let me know about GLOSSY/NON GLOSSY traits. Also I would need to know if upgrading the RAM, HDD (SSD) or any programs I need in order for my Macbook to be in student shape.

I am thinking about getting this, but correct me if you have another suggestion.


15-inch: 2.4 GHz
8GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM — 2x4GB [Add $210.00]
128GB Solid State Drive [Add $100.00] (and buy a external drive)


MacBook Pro 15-inch Hi-Res Glossy Widescreen Display [Add $100.00]
or
MacBook Pro 15-inch Hi-Res Antiglare Widescreen Display [Add $50.00]


Please let me know about "Apple one to one" and the extended warranty.


In conclusion just let me know if what I am getting is worth it, what screen to get, warrenty, and if i can install parts myself like "ram" "hdd" which would save me a lot of money because I know that the upgrades are jacked up in prices. And any software I should get.

[packardbell]

have been using PC all my life and this winter bought a macbook pro 15.4. Yes I know it is overpriced and when i brought it here to china to use, the after sales support is just phenomenal. Don't know how to use the damn thing and they guide you through it, no questions asked.
I too is wondering about upgrading it DIY but it looks like the whole bottom case needs to be removed to access anything, unlike PC which has a door for ram, a door for hdd, etc...
But I will try to buy a bigger hdd and bring it to the service center and see if they are willing to swap it out for me.
I didn't choose the macair since this would be doing photo and video editing.
So far it does not heat up as my Thinkpad does which is a Centrino Vpro vs the I7 quad core mac. lol!!!

[gnuman]

This is the closest thing and better spec'd unit you can get compared to an overpriced Macbook/MBP http://zenbook.asus.com/

Quite frankly if you don't like Windows OS, just install Ubuntu on there or some other easy Linux variant.

[steve-0101]

This is the closest thing and better spec'd unit you can get compared to an overpriced Macbook/MBP http://zenbook.asus.com/

Quite frankly if you don't like Windows OS, just install Ubuntu on there or some other easy Linux variant.

OP was pretty clear he is looking for a MacBook.

[Coz4k]

Get a Dell and save 200-400$ for the same exact internal hardware.

[Zelig]

Battery life in quality PC laptops with similar specs as Macbooks should be similar.

Macbook Air tops out at 4GB RAM, which I find not acceptable as a desktop replacement.

13" Macbook pro tops out at a dual-core cpu, which I find not acceptable as a desktop replacement. (But less of a problem than only 4GB of RAM)

RAM and HDD are easy to replace yourself, and should absolutely be done, Apple prices for anything other than the base models are obscene. Apple has guides on their website for replacing the RAM/HDD.

Apple really shouldn't be selling an MBPs without SSDs anymore, get an SSD.

I don't like glossy screens at all - matter of personal preference though.

Dunno about warranties and such, I never pay anything extra for warranties.

I dunno how we can really answer questions about programs - get whatever programs you need to do stuff you do... only pay-for programs I have on my Mac are MS Office and Steermouse. (Lets me configure the mouse acceleration curve to not suck in Mac OS - it's good for trackpads by default but awful for mice.)

Quite frankly if you don't like Windows OS, just install Ubuntu on there or some other easy Linux variant.

My problem with Linux as a primary OS is that every desktop environment I've tried is really ugly.

Windows and Mac OS are really much nicer, even if I have to deal with huge shadows around all my Mac OS windows cluttering up my desktop.

[Kasakato]

Get a 13" MBP, upgrade to a 120GB SSD and 8GB RAM yourself, its easy. Ive been running the same system for about two years and its sold - it can handle anything you throw at it. Heat is a non-issue, ventilation is handled much better than any other laptop I have used. The air intake and output is along the screen, making it less likely to collect dust.

Apple Care is reasonably priced if your a student. With an on campus Apple repair centre, fixing anything that breaks is fast and free. While I could diagnose a problem myself, its easier to just drop it off at noon and pick it up, repaired, a few hours later.

[bargain man]

i would most definitely buy the ram and hdd seperate. I understand where you are coming from to go for the mac as i was in a similar situation. I instead went with the asus u36sd after some research

http://www.asus.com/Notebooks/Superi...specifications

its battery is rated @ 10 hrs, but from experience i get about 8 when web browsing/word processing. The build quality is pretty nice and it also does not get too hot. Also comes with 2 years warranty and 1 year of accidental damage warranty.

However if you are set on a mac, i would buy 2 x 4gb ddr3 1333 so-dimms for about $40 and install them myself instead of paying a ridiculous $210 (how is the ssd cheaper upgrade?). Also i would choose to buy the model with the hdd and buy an ssd separate. That way you can remove the hdd and buy an enclosure and toss the drive in the enclosure. This gets you the ssd and the external hdd (exactly what i did with the u36sd)

[Djay230]

Get a Dell and save 200-400$ for the same exact internal hardware.

Please read as I have already asked all windows fanboys to not reply

a $200 dell will run for 1-2 hours then stop running, it will give a low quality speed, loading times, it will have errors above errors, preinstalled anti virus, pre installed softwares, and it will not last more than a year.

I am looking for a high quality product and not a piece of trash.

i would most definitely buy the ram and hdd seperate. I understand where you are coming from to go for the mac as i was in a similar situation. I instead went with the asus u36sd after some research

http://www.asus.com/Notebooks/Superi...specifications

its battery is rated @ 10 hrs, but from experience i get about 8 when web browsing/word processing. The build quality is pretty nice and it also does not get too hot. Also comes with 2 years warranty and 1 year of accidental damage warranty.

However if you are set on a mac, i would buy 2 x 4gb ddr3 1333 so-dimms for about $40 and install them myself instead of paying a ridiculous $210 (how is the ssd cheaper upgrade?). Also i would choose to buy the model with the hdd and buy an ssd separate. That way you can remove the hdd and buy an enclosure and toss the drive in the enclosure. This gets you the ssd and the external hdd (exactly what i did with the u36sd)

Yes, windows base computers/PC's that have a "battery life" estimate is fake , once you start doing REAL tasks like web browsing, playing videos the battery life is garbage and its not what im looking for so thanks for your input and your advice, this is mainly why I am getting a mac.

Mhh, I am very skeptical about putting cheap products in my PC's, which is why I thought mac's hardware would be great, while the 2x4gbdd3 1333 does sound fine I might just go ahead and get the mac one. The thing about ram is not only does the speed of it matter, the latency, volts, clockspeed, and all the other nitty gritty things about ram will affect both performance and the durability.

I might use the HDD enclosure idea, however I am still thinking weather the apple SSD would be a good purchase (upgrade).

The last time I bought a macbook was early February, I got the upgraded RAM and the SSD, it booted in 3 seconds (actually) and was super fast, ran all the tasks I wanted but the heat issue made me return it.

I have decided to wait until april for the new release of the macbook pro 2012, then I will either buy the 2011 one for a huge reduced price (probably 200-300$ cheaper) or I will go ahead and purchase a 2012 model with the new ivey bridge processor

mods please close this thread, I have found unfortunately little to no experienced members here that know about apple technologies and windows technologies. I thought maybe some technology enthusiast would look at my thread but I have failed to find any. I did however find some genuine answers of previous experience at the same time I have received answers from 2 year olds that have no idea what a computer is.

[sexyj]

Lol give me a break. Stop being a apple fanboy.

Any windows laptop at similar price point with macs have the same if not better battery life.

Low qualty speed? Wtf is low quality speed?

people are trying to help you save money, but since you are being an apple fanboy. Why are you even asking for opinions when you are already claiming only apple make "quality" products

Please read as I have already asked all windows fanboys to not reply

a $200 dell will run for 1-2 hours then stop running, it will give a low quality speed, loading times, it will have errors above errors, preinstalled anti virus, pre installed softwares, and it will not last more than a year.

I am looking for a high quality product and not a piece of trash.

[packardbell]

i want to upgrade the 4GB of ram to 8GB plus also change 500GB @5400rpm to a SSD in my MBP. How do you clone the HDD to SSD?

[GroceryBagHead]

210 bucks to upgrade to 8gigs of ram? Just get it yourself for $40 and install it. Not too hard. Same goes for SSD.

While Air looks mighty nice, it's not really upgradable. So I'd take take the MBP.

[pattypatpatster]

or I will go ahead and purchase a 2012 model with the new ivey bridge processor

That's the reason I'm waiting it out for my first MacBook.

[Juggs88]

If you can wait a few months, its rumored that new MBP may be released. It may be worth it to hold off and see what's offered

[Coz4k]

Please read as I have already asked all windows fanboys to not reply

a $200 dell will run for 1-2 hours then stop running, it will give a low quality speed, loading times, it will have errors above errors, preinstalled anti virus, pre installed softwares, and it will not last more than a year.

I am looking for a high quality product and not a piece of trash.




Yes, windows base computers/PC's that have a "battery life" estimate is fake , once you start doing REAL tasks like web browsing, playing videos the battery life is garbage and its not what im looking for so thanks for your input and your advice, this is mainly why I am getting a mac.

Mhh, I am very skeptical about putting cheap products in my PC's, which is why I thought mac's hardware would be great, while the 2x4gbdd3 1333 does sound fine I might just go ahead and get the mac one. The thing about ram is not only does the speed of it matter, the latency, volts, clockspeed, and all the other nitty gritty things about ram will affect both performance and the durability.

I might use the HDD enclosure idea, however I am still thinking weather the apple SSD would be a good purchase (upgrade).

The last time I bought a macbook was early February, I got the upgraded RAM and the SSD, it booted in 3 seconds (actually) and was super fast, ran all the tasks I wanted but the heat issue made me return it.

I have decided to wait until april for the new release of the macbook pro 2012, then I will either buy the 2011 one for a huge reduced price (probably 200-300$ cheaper) or I will go ahead and purchase a 2012 model with the new ivey bridge processor

mods please close this thread, I have found unfortunately little to no experienced members here that know about apple technologies and windows technologies. I thought maybe some technology enthusiast would look at my thread but I have failed to find any. I did however find some genuine answers of previous experience at the same time I have received answers from 2 year olds that have no idea what a computer is.

Apple is using the exact same component as other PC makers....

Same samsung ram
Same intel processors
Same toshiba/hitachi HDD
Same wifi/bluetooth chips
Same everything


The only difference is that it sells for 400$ more and have a more aesthetic aluminium casing.

When i see someone with an Apple computer i know instantly that this person does not shiet about computers.