Macbooks

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Macbooks

Post by Gutter Dreams »

I've decided to get a Macbook for university - the other day I went to Futureshop to check for prices and stuff and there's two Macbooks I'm stuck between

The newer Model:has a better processor, 8GB RAM, 258 GB flash storage/solid state, with better graphics (retina display maybe?) for $1449

Or, the older model: 4GB RAM, 500GB hard drive/memory space, CD drive for $1199

I believe both are compatible with external hard drives but can't be upgraded (that's why the guy at the store said.)

They're both 13.3" laptops. I'm mainly going to be using it for writing papers, research, internet browsing and obviously for my music. Right now I have over 8000 songs in my iTunes library and obviously that number is only going to increase. So memory space is a huge thing for me, along with the ability to handle programs like Microsoft Office. I may also need to use programs like Solidworks or this coding software thing for a couple of my courses.

I'm not sure how I feel about not having a CD drive because mainly for just importing CDs - but nowadays there's a torrent for everything. I'm not into technology because it stresses me out so the only thing I really know or understand about RAM or the flash storage is that it's faster. But if those would allow me to operate the software I listed above then I think it's a sacrifice I could make.

Right now I have a Toshibia laptop with 4GB of RAM and 266GB of memory space with Windows 7. It's a massive laptop though, but I haven't experienced a boat load of problems with it - it gets the job done, but the lifespan and reliability of Windows laptops seem to be smaller or less than Macbooks. Price isn't really a concern - me and my father both expected them to be upwards of $2500.

Thoughts?


And yes Jake/Boni/Mitchell I'm well aware I've already asked you guys for input but I still don't know.
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Post by Max »

Looking at the life cycles of the current MBP's it looks like there will be an update soon - http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Mac

I don't know if you're at university already? If not, wait until you are and get the education discount.

The new model is obviously more appealing but storage space is a bit more limited. Up to you ;)
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Post by Jake »

You basically need to stop storing music. The 00's called. They want to borrow your disk space.

As Max said, Apple's educational discount is 15-20%. Make sure you use it.

As for not being upgradeable - They are. It'll just cost you.

At the end of the day, a laptop to me is a work device. I want it fast, & for that I don't need the disk space. most things I can get away with storing online/on other devices.

There is also such thing called a USB CD drive. But again, the 90's called. They want their shit back.
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Post by HandleThis »

Macs suck. Apple sucks too. Get something from HP or some other cool company.
If you still want an opinion, I'd say the newer model.


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Post by Jake »

HandleThis wrote:Macs suck. Apple sucks too. Get something from HP or some other cool company.
If you still want an opinion, I'd say the newer model.
No one asked for poverty's uneducated opinion.
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Re: Re:

Post by Gutter Dreams »

Jake wrote:
HandleThis wrote:Macs suck. Apple sucks too. Get something from HP or some other cool company.
If you still want an opinion, I'd say the newer model.
No one asked for poverty's uneducated opinion.
Be nice.

I've realized that the CD drive isn't a big thing and waiting until September might be a good idea if there's 15-20% discount. I'm assuming since its an Apple discount it's international? Would I have to buy the Macbook from apple.ca itself because there's no Apple Store in my province or would I still be able to make use of it through Futureshop?

Over at 182o, one of the guys recommended this laptop. It's technically a gaming laptop but it runs really smoothly with Microsoft Office and all that jazz. The only downside is the size and also that its running windows 8.
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Post by Jake »

Gutter Dreams wrote:
Jake wrote:
HandleThis wrote:Macs suck. Apple sucks too. Get something from HP or some other cool company.
If you still want an opinion, I'd say the newer model.
No one asked for poverty's uneducated opinion.
Be nice.

I've realized that the CD drive isn't a big thing and waiting until September might be a good idea if there's 15-20% discount. I'm assuming since its an Apple discount it's international? Would I have to buy the Macbook from apple.ca itself because there's no Apple Store in my province or would I still be able to make use of it through Futureshop?

Over at 182o, one of the guys recommended this laptop. It's technically a gaming laptop but it runs really smoothly with Microsoft Office and all that jazz. The only downside is the size and also that its running windows 8.
I'm a big Lenovo fan.

Windows 8 isn't a downside. and that does match the macbook for spec. There's no such thing as a gaming laptop.

The only thing the macbook will give you over that is battery life.

Apple's educational discount works when you access their store website from your university network. http://store.apple.com/ca/findyourschool Their shipping has always been pretty good to me.
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Post by Stef »

LENOVO FOR THE FUCKIN WIN

Only bad thing is the 100mbit lan port instand of the gigabit port, but who uses cables anyway??????????

I have Lenovo G580, 1,5 year old and still running smooth. (Games like Sim City, Watchdogs,..)
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Post by Jake »

Stef wrote:LENOVO FOR THE FUCKIN WIN

Only bad thing is the 100mbit lan port instand of the gigabit port, but who uses cables anyway??????????

I have Lenovo G580, 1,5 year old and still running smooth. (Games like Sim City, Watchdogs,..)
The one she linked had Gbit lan....
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Post by Gutter Dreams »

I'm really torn now, since the Lenovo can run the programs like Solidworks that would make life easier instead of going into the labs for the projects. But ah
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Post by Jake »

Gutter Dreams wrote:I'm really torn now, since the Lenovo can run the programs like Solidworks that would make life easier instead of going into the labs for the projects. But ah

You can run windows on a mac.
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Re: Macbooks

Post by SumGeek »

Gutter Dreams wrote:I'm not sure how I feel about not having a CD drive because mainly for just importing CDs - but nowadays there's a torrent for everything. I'm not into technology because it stresses me out so the only thing I really know or understand about RAM or the flash storage is that it's faster. But if those would allow me to operate the software I listed above then I think it's a sacrifice I could make.
I got a Macbook for school, as well. For my Graphic Design program is was a requirement; I had to get the 2012 Macbook Pro, and I actually got it for a decent price because it was open box. Well, anyway. My friend in the same program, he had to get the Retina one because that's all they had, and it didn't have the CD drive. I told him that was something I would have a problem with but he said you could buy something to hook up in the usb drive or something where you could watch what people are watching on their MacBooks; I guess connect them in some way. Maybe they have something similar in regards to the CD drive, like an extra component so you can import things. I'm sorry I don't know too much on the subject, but I just thought passing this along may be of importance.

Aside from that, I love my Mac. Once you go Mac, you never go back. :winkwink:
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