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I'm really leaning toward a MacBook pro. I absolutely hate how thin MacBook airs are.. otherwise I would get one. Are there any other laptops you guys recommend, and why? Any tips are helpful
milk_manI could just google it but do you know the approximate price range off the top of your head?
IMO unless you're getting the surface book, dont even bother. The surface pros are like the ipad pros, pretty weak and expensive.
Milkman, what do you want to use your computer for? Do you need power? Do you need it to be razer thin?
Another great ultrabook/2in1 is the lenovo yoga 900, super solid computer but also super thin, folds around so it can be used as a tablet, etc IMO better than the surface pro.
eheathIMO unless you're getting the surface book, dont even bother. The surface pros are like the ipad pros, pretty weak and expensive.
Milkman, what do you want to use your computer for? Do you need power? Do you need it to be razer thin?
Another great ultrabook/2in1 is the lenovo yoga 900, super solid computer but also super thin, folds around so it can be used as a tablet, etc IMO better than the surface pro.
Mostly just schoolwork and web browsing. But also video work using iMovie and enough ram to troll noobs all around the internet
It seems like spending the cash on a Macbook is unnecessary given what you'll be doing with it. In my opinion the only reason to get a Mac is if you're in graphic design or content creation. Not because Windows couldn't do it just as well (it can) but it's easier to interface with all your business partners cause they're all using Macs. That being said, if you want an Apple product, fuck the haters and get what you want. It's your laptop and if you like Macbooks then get one. If budget is a concern, then it doesn't seem necessary in this situation.
If you're going to be using fancy stuff I have no idea what to tell you honestly.
My macbook air is great though for what I use it for. School and Work - usually just need microsoft office. I will say, not having microsoft access available did suck, but I could access it remotely which was fine and it was only for one class. If you need any special programs - that can be a pain in the ass so be aware of that.
If you're a student, you can get super good deals. I paid $500 for mine when I provided a student email address. So for a good price, I have everything I need.
hp's w i5-i7 and NVidia gforce graphics at least 12 ram. I use a pavilion 18 touch screen, pretty good work horse and multi tasker and if you wanna game it handles it pretty good (running 5 tabs and 3 apps usually like rn)
milk_manI'm really leaning toward a MacBook pro. I absolutely hate how thin MacBook airs are.. otherwise I would get one
the 2016/2017 MBPs are literally thinner than a MacBook Air since the Air's body haven't actually been updated since 2013. The specs of an Air are also pretty bad now, especially the low res screen, used to be great computers but would not recommend buying one now in 2017.
DeepskierMac book airs are for white girls if you want to do anything at all get a pro.
eheathIf you're willing to go windows, there are tons of options between 1,000 and 1,500 that are just as good as a high end MBP
S.J.Wapple products are a fashion accessory and you can get a computer just as good for half the price of a mac.
Written on a macbook air :)
JAHpowLook into Surface Pro 3 or 4.
I work daily on a mac and wish I was in Windows. The surface is what I'm going to upgrade to in the next couple of months.
WavyKidsI personally love my MacBook air, just because I use it everyday for school.
Pros: Easy to carry
thin af to put in my school bag.
Has all the applications I personally needed already downloaded.
Fast
Cons: Can't do much with MacBook
Price
CaptainObvious.It seems like spending the cash on a Macbook is unnecessary given what you'll be doing with it. In my opinion the only reason to get a Mac is if you're in graphic design or content creation. Not because Windows couldn't do it just as well (it can) but it's easier to interface with all your business partners cause they're all using Macs. That being said, if you want an Apple product, fuck the haters and get what you want. It's your laptop and if you like Macbooks then get one. If budget is a concern, then it doesn't seem necessary in this situation.
icedmaybe check out the new microsoft surface. I am in no way familiar with it but if has a bit of a macbook look for a few hundred less
MinggIf you're going to be using fancy stuff I have no idea what to tell you honestly.
My macbook air is great though for what I use it for. School and Work - usually just need microsoft office. I will say, not having microsoft access available did suck, but I could access it remotely which was fine and it was only for one class. If you need any special programs - that can be a pain in the ass so be aware of that.
If you're a student, you can get super good deals. I paid $500 for mine when I provided a student email address. So for a good price, I have everything I need.
ski.the.eastthe 2016/2017 MBPs are literally thinner than a MacBook Air since the Air's body haven't actually been updated since 2013. The specs of an Air are also pretty bad now, especially the low res screen, used to be great computers but would not recommend buying one now in 2017.
Thank you all for your input! I ended up getting the MacBook pro.. Only complaints I have is how thin it is and the lack of anything besides USB-C ports.. I'm more than likely gonna install Windows 10 so that I can switch back and forth. Does anyone have experience with that? Is it easy to switch back and forth?
milk_manThank you all for your input! I ended up getting the MacBook pro.. Only complaints I have is how thin it is and the lack of anything besides USB-C ports.. I'm more than likely gonna install Windows 10 so that I can switch back and forth. Does anyone have experience with that? Is it easy to switch back and forth?
IMO once again fuck windows as for the ports just get an adapter.
milk_manThank you all for your input! I ended up getting the MacBook pro.. Only complaints I have is how thin it is and the lack of anything besides USB-C ports.. I'm more than likely gonna install Windows 10 so that I can switch back and forth. Does anyone have experience with that? Is it easy to switch back and forth?
TBH I have a macbook for school work and classrooms, writing papers, and a HP for my research and running arcmap and GIS tools that I need in the field. There are simply some things I can not run on my mac, even with a dual operating system.
milk_manThank you all for your input! I ended up getting the MacBook pro.. Only complaints I have is how thin it is and the lack of anything besides USB-C ports.. I'm more than likely gonna install Windows 10 so that I can switch back and forth. Does anyone have experience with that? Is it easy to switch back and forth?
You're just gonna run windows on it? Dude, return that shit for whatever you paid (guessing at least $1800) and buy a razerblade, a better computer and runs windows. MacOS is meh, it works fine but windows works just as well and the computers you can get with windows are cheaper and more powerful. Just sayin'
eheathYou're just gonna run windows on it? Dude, return that shit for whatever you paid (guessing at least $1800) and buy a razerblade, a better computer and runs windows. MacOS is meh, it works fine but windows works just as well and the computers you can get with windows are cheaper and more powerful. Just sayin'
I paid $1249 with free beats headphones that I should be able to sell on eBay for at least $175 :) I mostly just want windows for running true excel and access etc
milk_manI paid $1249 with free beats headphones that I should be able to sell on eBay for at least $175 :) I mostly just want windows for running true excel and access etc
Should have gotten a asus zenbook pro. Aluminum body (often gets mistaken for macbook pro), 4k touchscreen, gtx 960m (beefier than what a mac has), i7 core, 16gb of ram, ssd, and hard drive. Has every port you could need and I picked mine up for about 1300. It's battery is also obscenely large.
milk_manI paid $1249 with free beats headphones that I should be able to sell on eBay for at least $175 :) I mostly just want windows for running true excel and access etc
So no one has actually answered your question, just shit on you for what you bought. Running separate OS will be fine for what you want it for. I used to be a PC tech and it can really suck to manage windows updates, drivers, and antivirus with the dual OS. But if you just using MS office it should be fine.
Have you played around with the Apple adapted MS Office apps? Are they really that bad?
CaptainObvious.So no one has actually answered your question, just shit on you for what you bought. Running separate OS will be fine for what you want it for. I used to be a PC tech and it can really suck to manage windows updates, drivers, and antivirus with the dual OS. But if you just using MS office it should be fine.
Have you played around with the Apple adapted MS Office apps? Are they really that bad?
I have, and they aren't bad at all. I'm mostly thinking of what I've had to do in the past which is probably irrelevant. I had these online classes with excel assignments that would have to be done perfectly and only the true windows excel could do it. The Mac version would change things and you would inevitably get some things wrong. But I won't have those classes anymore so Mac version should be good :) thanks for making me think about it
milk_manI paid $1249 with free beats headphones that I should be able to sell on eBay for at least $175 :) I mostly just want windows for running true excel and access etc
Ah so you the lowest model, meh. 1300 on a windows laptop wouldve given you 4-5 times more power but its all good, your choice not mine. I just hate seeing people waste money on Apple products especially if they want to run Windows. There is no advantage to either OS, they do the same things now.
eheathAh so you the lowest model, meh. 1300 on a windows laptop wouldve given you 4-5 times more power but its all good, your choice not mine. I just hate seeing people waste money on Apple products especially if they want to run Windows. There is no advantage to either OS, they do the same things now.
Is the i7 processor that much faster than the i5 that I would notice it with the weak things I do? 16 GB of RAM would be nice too but I feel like with what I do I won't even require the 8 that I have, but I don't know a Ton about it
milk_manIs the i7 processor that much faster than the i5 that I would notice it with the weak things I do? 16 GB of RAM would be nice too but I feel like with what I do I won't even require the 8 that I have, but I don't know a Ton about it
The i7s are faster, but you might not be able to tell. Your graphics is shit, but that's classic apple laptop though. I mean you're not completely wrong and this goes for many people in the world, you don't need a super fast computer. Granted you could've gotten your computer for $799 with windows, if you wanna spend a little more for apple thats fine, thats why they exist, it's not like they're doing something wrong.
I'm super jaded about apple because their high end computers are insanely overpriced (as are their low ends, but not as bad). I'm also jaded because there are so many people saying "Ewww windows? why would you ever want that" Windows 10 is great, it's very stable, runs everything you'd ever want and the computers you can buy with windows are cheaper and faster. I just want people to open their eyes to windows because I used to be the same way, I hated windows, thought it was stupid. (and to be fair, i thought this when windows vista came out, which was shit) But windows 7 was a big turnaround for microsoft and now windows 10 is super solid, I like it more than MacOs thats for sure. I couldn't even tell you the hardships I've had with OSX and into MacOS.
Anyways, you're gonna be stoked on your computer, just wanted to help if I could.
eheathThe i7s are faster, but you might not be able to tell. Your graphics is shit, but that's classic apple laptop though. I mean you're not completely wrong and this goes for many people in the world, you don't need a super fast computer. Granted you could've gotten your computer for $799 with windows, if you wanna spend a little more for apple thats fine, thats why they exist, it's not like they're doing something wrong.
I'm super jaded about apple because their high end computers are insanely overpriced (as are their low ends, but not as bad). I'm also jaded because there are so many people saying "Ewww windows? why would you ever want that" Windows 10 is great, it's very stable, runs everything you'd ever want and the computers you can buy with windows are cheaper and faster. I just want people to open their eyes to windows because I used to be the same way, I hated windows, thought it was stupid. (and to be fair, i thought this when windows vista came out, which was shit) But windows 7 was a big turnaround for microsoft and now windows 10 is super solid, I like it more than MacOs thats for sure. I couldn't even tell you the hardships I've had with OSX and into MacOS.
Anyways, you're gonna be stoked on your computer, just wanted to help if I could.
I agree. Windows 10 is legit! I do want a high end computer than runs Windows someday but this is a good starting point.
It might not be true, but I've always seemed to think Macs last longer. My dad has a 2013 MacBook pro and the thing still works like new pretty much. We have a 2008 (I believe) iMac and it works great too..Granted we did have to replace the hard drive when we bought it in around 2015. & All my movie making experience (unfortunately) is in iMovie.. :/
milk_manI agree. Windows 10 is legit! I do want a high end computer than runs Windows someday but this is a good starting point.
It might not be true, but I've always seemed to think Macs last longer. My dad has a 2013 MacBook pro and the thing still works like new pretty much. We have a 2008 (I believe) iMac and it works great too..Granted we did have to replace the hard drive when we bought it in around 2015. & All my movie making experience (unfortunately) is in iMovie.. :/
Yes a MBP will last longer than a $499 windows laptop, but the new laptops that are being made in the last 3-4 years by HP, Dell, Asus, etc are really nice, especially if you spend over $1000. I don't think apple holds the trophy for longest lasting computers anymore.
LonelyShould have gotten a asus zenbook pro. Aluminum body (often gets mistaken for macbook pro), 4k touchscreen, gtx 960m (beefier than what a mac has), i7 core, 16gb of ram, ssd, and hard drive. Has every port you could need and I picked mine up for about 1300. It's battery is also obscenely large.
I'm very happy with my ZenBook after switching from an MBP, got it for $1,100 open box from Newegg, too
LonelyShould have gotten a asus zenbook pro. Aluminum body (often gets mistaken for macbook pro), 4k touchscreen, gtx 960m (beefier than what a mac has), i7 core, 16gb of ram, ssd, and hard drive. Has every port you could need and I picked mine up for about 1300. It's battery is also obscenely large.
SklarI'm very happy with my ZenBook after switching from an MBP, got it for $1,100 open box from Newegg, too
Kinda wish I would've known about this one earlier. It looks super nice
eheathIMO unless you're getting the surface book, dont even bother. The surface pros are like the ipad pros, pretty weak and expensive.
Milkman, what do you want to use your computer for? Do you need power? Do you need it to be razer thin?
Another great ultrabook/2in1 is the lenovo yoga 900, super solid computer but also super thin, folds around so it can be used as a tablet, etc IMO better than the surface pro.
Is the default color accurate on the Lenovo? My Toshiba is very bad.
LonelyShould have gotten a asus zenbook pro. Aluminum body (often gets mistaken for macbook pro), 4k touchscreen, gtx 960m (beefier than what a mac has), i7 core, 16gb of ram, ssd, and hard drive. Has every port you could need and I picked mine up for about 1300. It's battery is also obscenely large.
I have a MacBook air that I got as a graduation present. It's really awesome, portable and I'm able to get all my school work done easily with it. You can't really upgrade anything about it however other than buying a memory card. If you really want to run Windows on it you could use boot camp and install Windows that way
Look for computers with an i7-XXXX HQ, which means means it has a quad core processor.16gb of ram and you should definitely look at one with a gtx 1060 or gtx 970/980. This all might be hard to find under $1000, so just saying. The gtx 1060s are found in newer, mid level laptops now and its much more powerful than the 970/980 but still probably need to spend $1500 or more.
If you really want something powerful, look at refurbish models. Newegg always has razer refurbs and a few other usually, you can find good deals on slightly older computers.
If you are okay with a bulkier laptop, there are other options as well, that are usually cheaper, i just really like razer blade and they're not insanely priced like the surface book. MSI is solid too, as is Lenovo, if you get the right computer.
There are TONS of ultrabooks out there, super thin and not super fast computers, similar to the MacBook or MB air at this point. Dual core processors, integrated graphics, 8gb of ram, etc. These computers all look great but are more like the surface 3 or ipad pro when it comes to current computing power.
In conclusion, save some more money, get something fast.
eheathLook for computers with an i7-XXXX HQ, which means means it has a quad core processor.16gb of ram and you should definitely look at one with a gtx 1060 or gtx 970/980. This all might be hard to find under $1000, so just saying. The gtx 1060s are found in newer, mid level laptops now and its much more powerful than the 970/980 but still probably need to spend $1500 or more.
If you really want something powerful, look at refurbish models. Newegg always has razer refurbs and a few other usually, you can find good deals on slightly older computers.
If you are okay with a bulkier laptop, there are other options as well, that are usually cheaper, i just really like razer blade and they're not insanely priced like the surface book. MSI is solid too, as is Lenovo, if you get the right computer.
There are TONS of ultrabooks out there, super thin and not super fast computers, similar to the MacBook or MB air at this point. Dual core processors, integrated graphics, 8gb of ram, etc. These computers all look great but are more like the surface 3 or ipad pro when it comes to current computing power.
In conclusion, save some more money, get something fast.
milk_manI agree. Windows 10 is legit! I do want a high end computer than runs Windows someday but this is a good starting point.
It might not be true, but I've always seemed to think Macs last longer. My dad has a 2013 MacBook pro and the thing still works like new pretty much. We have a 2008 (I believe) iMac and it works great too..Granted we did have to replace the hard drive when we bought it in around 2015. & All my movie making experience (unfortunately) is in iMovie.. :/
Late to the party on this reply, but I'm writing on my mid-2010 MBP. It's tired, but still kickin' hard.
And maybe I didn't read very closely, but if you're going to be doing any sort of coding/scripting, it's generally considered to be much easier/better to use a Unix-based system. More tools and better documented, etc.
NebraskySo what did you end up getting? Time is short and I must decide between a macbook pro or a surface pro.
what do you mainly use a computer for?
IMO a surface pro is the worst of both "worlds" of a tablet and a laptop, but a lot of people love the combo.
For a strait size/power comparison, windows laptops that compete with the 13" MBP end up to a similar size as the 15" MBP, and nothing compares to the 15" pro for that size/power ratio. Please correct me if I'm wrong but I haven't seen anything that currently matches, they all have major compromises
if your less of a power user the 13" without a touchbar is a great computer. It's got a lower watt CPU than the touchbar model plus a bigger battery which = 25% longer battery life, and the size and weight is insane, it's smaller than a MacBook Air
