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NS Help Me Customize a MacBook

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Christian[MN]
Posts: 759 - Karma: 363
So for a graduation present my grandparents are throwing down and buying me a laptop for college. Money isn't that big of an issue (but i don't wanna spend a huge amount) Ive came to the conclusion that i want a Macbook Pro. In the apple store there is a page full of upgrades that they offer you such as Processor, Memory, and Hard Drive upgrades. I plan on using the computer for a lot of HD Video editing so i'm gonna want a faster overall computer. So what i'm really trying to get at is there any upgrade that is essential that i should add?



Thankyou.
May 10 2011 10:23PM
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Big_Spence
Posts: 16177 - Karma: 4,352
1. get the fastest processor and most memory you (your grandparents) can afford.
2. cheapest HD option and purchase externals later.
3. don't get a MBP.
May 10 2011 10:45PM
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BuSkiz
Posts: 2240 - Karma: 65
i see what u did there
May 10 2011 10:55PM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
The best "upgrade" to a Macbook/Pro is a good external monitor. I'd rather take the baseline model and a good screen than a maxed out model.
May 11 2011 4:36AM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
i am looking at the 15" and it looks like it is the same price for a 500 GB 7200 rpm or a 750GB 5400 rpm. If you can, opt for the 7200 rpm, as it will be much faster, and then buy a 1TB external (very cheap) for storing stuff. This is a free upgrade which will make it much faster. also, not to threadjack, does anyone have advice on glossy vs matte, especially if I tend to get headaches from too much time on my imac?
May 11 2011 7:35PM
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Mt_Baker_Man
Posts: 2012 - Karma: 105
Hey, instead of spending WAY too much on a Macbook, you should instead buy a high end intel chipset laptop for half the price, and then install Mac OSX on it.

Less money, better hardware, dual boot.
May 11 2011 8:30PM
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Mt_Baker_Man
Posts: 2012 - Karma: 105
http://dailyapps.net/2007/12/hack-attack-install-leopard-on-your-pc-in-just-one-step/
May 11 2011 8:32PM
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special_k10101
Posts: 1498 - Karma: 72
yeah go for the 7200. i made a mistake in getting the 5400 rpm hard drive and it's the weak point in my laptop's performance. a faster hard drive can actually help your computer's performance much more than one might think, especially on hard drive intensive tasks like video editing.

as for processors, look at the benchmark differences online and you can figure out what you really need. already, the base 13 inch macbook pro from this year is almost as fast on standard tasks as the i7 15 inch from last year (mine), so just weigh your options on that one because they are all incredibly quick processors.

and to p.hawk i recommend the matte screen definitely. i wish i'd gotten it too because the screen is higher resolution, low glare and absolutely beautiful.
May 12 2011 4:22PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
thanks man, when i looked online it showed that both (glossy and matte) were available as high res, but if you get matte, it is automatically high res. Also, is it an issue for anyone using the 15" that even the high-res monitor (glossy or matte) isn't full 1080p? I just thought it could get annoying at times, but I also realized that the few people in the position of needing a 15 (portability or whatever other reason) probably use an external monitor when they need to do serious editing etc.
May 13 2011 3:20PM
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special_k10101
Posts: 1498 - Karma: 72
it's really not a huge deal i don't think. even the standard display isn't bad at all. you'd probably need to look hard to even see pixels on the high-res display. i did get a mini display port to hdmi adapter to watch movies and stuff on my roommate's tv. if i were going to do a lot of editing then i'd probably grab an external monitor though. they're pretty cheap these days.
May 13 2011 9:38PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
thanks again man, +k
May 13 2011 10:09PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
i loove the matte screen. way better IMO
May 14 2011 4:00AM
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nashbuck
Posts: 2723 - Karma: 39
i have the matte and it is amazing. i guess you can pretty much dial everything down for colors to be absolutely perfect.
May 14 2011 9:30AM
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.cam.
Posts: 1852 - Karma: 48
to do this do you need a copy of snow leapord and what does it do to my computer? Any down falls?
May 14 2011 11:02AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Not true. No Macbook Pro screens calibrate correctly. This is why you need a good additional monitor.
May 14 2011 3:55PM
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