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Macbook pro?

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AG3
Posts: 58 - Karma: 9
Is the macbook pro really worth the money. I'm not sure if i should get one i really need to get a new laptop. it looks really reliable and looks like it will last me threw the rest of high school in to college. So should i get one. and does it matter what year i get will an older one pretty much do what a newer one can do.
Jan 14 2013 4:35PM
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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,399
As someone with a 09 MBP who has used windows all their life, yes. So happy with my 13" mbp
Jan 14 2013 4:36PM
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DeRizzo
Posts: 3827 - Karma: 3,485
Yes. I use mine a ton. I'm on it right now.
Jan 14 2013 4:38PM
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seward
Posts: 5233 - Karma: 2,174
no.
because if you dont know the difference between older ones and newer ones you really dont need one.
Jan 14 2013 4:39PM
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deepfriedtwinkie
Posts: 434 - Karma: 389
Yeah the only thing that sucks about them is that the battery life sucks after having it for a couple of years.
Jan 14 2013 4:41PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
.
Jan 14 2013 4:49PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
Anwser this question:

I spend most of my computer time:

A) Watching cat videos
B) Sharing cat videos on Facebook
C) Writing about cat videos on my blog
D) Creating cat videos while on an African Safari

Jan 14 2013 4:57PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
You pay a lot for OSX, the nice screen, huge glass track pad, and durable metal body. It's still a computer as capable as any other, but you are charged for those luxuries. I'm very happy with mine, it has outlasted 2 Windows PCs from HP and Fujitsu and I use it waaaaaaay more often.
Jan 14 2013 5:01PM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
whatever you get, invest in a solid state drive and a clean install of OSX/Windows
Jan 14 2013 5:06PM
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white_van_man
Posts: 59 - Karma: -9
Its definitely worth it. My family bought a new PC at the same time that I bought my 15" macbook pro and their PC is slow as shit now. My mac is still as fast as it was on day 1.
Jan 14 2013 5:33PM
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volvotom
Posts: 2045 - Karma: 712
Switched from PC to Mac as my every day computer about 6 years ago. My first gen MacBookPro is still working fine. But I upgraded to the 13in unibody about 3 years ago. Great computer. Wild never go back to windows. I will admit that I still have windows and Linux boxes at home to run various software packages that I don't feel like running virtualized on my Mac.
Jan 14 2013 6:19PM
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.SG
Posts: 138 - Karma: 47
If you've got the cash, I think they're worth it. I've got a 1st gen Macbook Pro that's served me well throughout university. I've spilled water on it, spilled beer on it, threw up on it, and it's still going strong.
Jan 14 2013 7:08PM
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Mtougas
Posts: 870 - Karma: 77
OR! you could buy an equally good computer (not Mac) + a car for the same price. lol. so many threads about this already.
Jan 14 2013 7:48PM
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Nieds
Posts: 832 - Karma: 1,926
I've had mine for 3 years and it's still running strong. If I were you i'd buy a brand new one though.
Jan 14 2013 8:20PM
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eheath
Posts: 61475 - Karma: 122,089
A mbp will last 6+ years. Cant say much about windows laptops, most of them are just plastic and have shit screens, just overall bad build quality. Thats why mbps cost more and why they last longer.
Jan 14 2013 8:21PM
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sweet_caroline
Posts: 255 - Karma: 71
Yes. So worth it. If you get anything else you will regret it. So easy to use, never have any problems with it. Lots of my friends cheaped out and went for a PC and they are already wanting to buy a MacBook. You will not regret it.
Jan 14 2013 8:30PM
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ElMexicano
Posts: 639 - Karma: 400
GET THE AIR

SSD = GOOD
Jan 14 2013 8:52PM
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SacZiplock
Posts: 2405 - Karma: 513
.
Jan 14 2013 8:53PM
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P-HAGAR
Posts: 608 - Karma: 159
ive had my macbook since since my freshman year of highschool and im a senior now and it works the same and I haven't had any issues...so yah. BUY A REFURBISHED....costs less and is exactly the same.
Jan 14 2013 8:54PM
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volvotom
Posts: 2045 - Karma: 712
The new retina's are awesome.
Jan 14 2013 8:56PM
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Funkadelic
Posts: 1967 - Karma: 391
It'll last you a long time for sure. I've been using the same black macbook since 2008 and it's still trucking along. Not many PC users can say the same.
Jan 14 2013 8:59PM
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gpitcher
Posts: 2626 - Karma: 1,691
I had had PCs forever, and finally switched to a Macbook pro in August. I have had it for the last 4 months and it has worked flawlessly. Im really happy I made the switch. It might take a little getting used to at first, but its well worth it. Much better for photos and videos, as well as editing them. And to keep comfy with the programs I was used to, I downloaded the Microsoft versions for powerpoint, word, office, and excel.
Jan 14 2013 9:02PM
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Masta_Baka
Posts: 649 - Karma: 162
worth every cent

Jan 14 2013 9:20PM
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Ben_Mo-Fat
Posts: 328 - Karma: 793
Yes. The answer is yes.
Jan 14 2013 9:35PM
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bangarangmules
Posts: 5065 - Karma: 84
I've had my macbook for about 5 years now with no problems, still runs like day one. In that time my parents have gone through two pcs and my sister has as well. Couldn't be happier, especially since I really don't want to buy a new computer anytime soon.
Jan 14 2013 9:43PM
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SacZiplock
Posts: 2405 - Karma: 513
I even upgraded it to 16 gbs ram and planning on gettin an ssd someday ,shit is bomb

By the way its bomb proof
Jan 14 2013 10:07PM
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ElMexicano
Posts: 639 - Karma: 400
getting a refurb from apple would be the best
Jan 14 2013 10:10PM
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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,399
.
Jan 14 2013 11:06PM
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Parrish
Posts: 8695 - Karma: 1,008
Depends on what your computer interests are and what kinda of computer person you are. Some people find OSX and apple products limiting and other like the simplicity.

Also if you game heavily, run heavy software, or do artsy things like photo/music/video editing might also sway your choice
Jan 14 2013 11:16PM
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hokkanee
Posts: 1800 - Karma: 435
Mine is in it's fouth year. Paid 100something for a new battery and I need to replace my fan soon but other than that it's been perfect
Jan 14 2013 11:42PM
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E__
Posts: 5751 - Karma: 4,634
Bought mine a month or two ago and the headphone jack is toasted but that's just a minor fix plus I have warranty from the shop so I can take it in whenever. Other than that it's stellar, if you have the money for it definitely go for it.
Jan 15 2013 3:43AM
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HWW
Posts: 3084 - Karma: 3,436
Operating system is so damn fine.

Get an SSD.
Jan 15 2013 6:20AM
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wzrdtrx
Posts: 276 - Karma: 211
macbook pro is a much better laptop than anything else you're going to find on the market. some people might not like the OSX software or the limitation of having a 13in screen, but for the money you're saving in the long run, it's worth every cent. granted, you can get a 15in screen but the GHz is only 2.5 compared to the 2.9GHz available on the 13in. my first macbook i bought back in 2009 and it went through tons of shit with me being at college and taking it on tour. it got dropped and a whole water bottle spilled on it, it was ruined. i just bought a macbook pro this year, love it, love everything about it.

if you're going to be doing any recording of music on a laptop i highly suggest going with the mbp. there's not another laptop that has the consistent capability of recording audio with the lowest latency possible, and mbp has the thunderbolt port, which is the port of the future.
Jan 15 2013 6:22AM
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whoa-dere
Posts: 10596 - Karma: 7,103
Would I be able to put windows 8 on it for real? Like not with virtual box but once I turn it on its windows
Jan 15 2013 7:03AM
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Darth.Maul
Posts: 2472 - Karma: 652
Partition the hd and install windows one on and OSX on the other
Jan 15 2013 9:30AM
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yuck
Posts: 8384 - Karma: 2,090
Click for larger image
Jan 15 2013 10:51AM
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feihlination
Posts: 8356 - Karma: 1,084
when you think that i got my PC laptop for 700 bucks back in the day when that was among the cheapest you could get (4 years?) and macs were 1800 or so back then, i really dont see a "need" for it.

if youre careful with your stuff, a PC will last as long. plus in certain areas, windows programs are much more readily available, but that depends on what you wanna do.


there are these "niches" who think they have to get a mac like photography, videography or whatever, but its not like that will make you any better in these areas.


my point is that i would rather buy a cheap laptop (right now you get a solid one for like 400 or so, ridiculous). chances are that you will be able to do similar things to a 1500+ mbp. the only point where i agree with mbp lovers is that they look better. cant argue with that. but i wouldnt pay a few hundred bucks just for that.
Jan 15 2013 11:04AM
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whoa-dere
Posts: 10596 - Karma: 7,103
For looks, some of the high end HP laptops look great.that's the only thing good about them tho
Jan 15 2013 11:10AM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
I'm more of a windows fan, so I picked up a Dell XPS 13 ultrabook at the start of this school year. It's been a great computer. Smaller and lighter than a macbook, with a 6-8 hr battery life.

Click for larger image
Jan 15 2013 11:13AM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
Weight:

XPS 13: Starting at 2.99lbs (1.36kg)
MacBook Air 13': 2.96lbs (1.35 kg)


..how is it lighter?

Also, battery life:

XPS 13: 4:55
Air 13': 6:19

From the Verge review.
Jan 15 2013 11:53AM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
I was comparing the weight to a macbook pro and using the battery life amount that I usually get with it.
Jan 15 2013 11:55AM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
So you are comparing an ultrabook against something that isn't?
Jan 15 2013 11:59AM
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eheath
Posts: 61475 - Karma: 122,089
But an ultra book isn't comparable to a MBP, its the same as a MB air.
Jan 15 2013 11:59AM
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MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
Get an air. Unless you do video editing, the air is faster for small operations like movie watching, Internet browsing, etc..
Jan 15 2013 12:00PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
Just throwing out some other options for him.

I have both a Macbook and the XPS 13 and I tend to favor the XPS.
Jan 15 2013 12:06PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
What kind of MacBook?

That's like saying "I have a BMW." There is quite some difference between models and years.
Jan 15 2013 12:07PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
Not completely sure. It's not with me right meow.
Jan 15 2013 12:11PM
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eheath
Posts: 61475 - Karma: 122,089
It doesn't matter what you "favor" you're comparing apples to oranges. Ultrabooks/macbook airs are a completely different computer than a mbp or a "bigger" windows laptop. The ultrabook/airs run on SSD and lower processor speeds and usually less ram. For a normal person like you who only uses internet and word processing, of course the computer with an SSD thats lighter and less powerful seems more appealing to you because you don't push your system at all. Now, OP may be like this too, which is fine. But saying your wimpy ultrabook is "better" and a powerful high end mbp or even windows laptop is just incorrect.
Jan 15 2013 12:11PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
I never said that...

You're acting like I came into this thread saying what I have is the best thing since sliced bread, bar none. I simply offered up something else to consider.

I really meant to compare weight to the macbook air, because they are almost identical in that aspect, which is almost always a plus for a student. The XPS (or macbook air) could be a cheaper alternative to the more expensive expensive macbook pro for him depending on what he's using it for. It's obvious he's worried about the high price tag, and he is not completely clear on how hard he'll be running it / what it will be used for exactly....
Jan 15 2013 12:19PM
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eheath
Posts: 61475 - Karma: 122,089
Just trying to clarify the fact here, because the way it you said it you were saying your ultrabook was better than anything else. Lets move on here
Jan 15 2013 12:21PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
I'd really beg to differ, but yes, move on...
Jan 15 2013 12:24PM
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