Help me choose - Current computer situation

My current computer situation is in dire need of a massive overhaul and I almost ordered one of the new MacBook Pro's today (yes, site unseen) but now I'm considering some other options and I NEED YOUR HELP!

Option A: New base-model MacBook Pro at $2200

Option B: Base-model 13-inch MacBook Air or MacBook Pro (with CD) AND a thunderbolt display at $2200

Option C: Something else... you decide

I want something lightweight but powerful enough to run CS6 and a bunch of other stuff all at once. The 15-inch MacBook Pro(with CD) is too big for my liking

I know this isn't a computer forum but I know there are TMT guys among us...

Thanks

8 Comments
 
Old Grand-DadI would spend 600 or 700 on an HP with Beats. It'll prob be cheaper if you want a small screen.
Beats is such a fucking gimmick. No way and I hopping on that bandwagon. Besides, I have thousands of dollars of Mac software so I really can't consider a PC anyway.
 

Not a gimmick. I have one, and the speakers are better than any other laptop I've ever heard. But if you need a Mac get a Mac. I just can't justify the price.

 
Best Response
turtlesMy current computer situation is in dire need of a massive overhaul and I almost ordered one of the new MacBook Pro's today (yes, site unseen) but now I'm considering some other options and I NEED YOUR HELP!

Option A: New base-model MacBook Pro at $2200

Option B: Base-model 13-inch MacBook Air or MacBook Pro (with CD) AND a thunderbolt display at $2200

Option C: Something else... you decide

I want something lightweight but powerful enough to run CS6 and a bunch of other stuff all at once. The 15-inch MacBook Pro(with CD) is too big for my liking

I know this isn't a computer forum but I know there are TMT guys among us...

Thanks

Couple things to consider (I have a MBA):

  1. Is 128GB on the MBA going to be enough hard drive space for you?

  2. How will the lack of disk drive on the MBA affect you? I wanted Windows 7 on my rig, but you can't install Windows using "CD Sharing" from another computer. So I had to buy the external drive. I don't really use disks but you seem to indicate that you're somewhat of a gamer so that could be a factor for you if you don't use Steam or the like.

  3. My MBA is definitely powerful enough to run CS6 and some other stuff like Chrome, iTunes, etc. at once.

  4. What do you use your computer for? Since you have a bunch of Mac software and mentioned CS6 I'm assuming you do a lot of audio/video stuff. If so, get the display. It makes your life so much easier. I got a cinema display last year, and even for stuff like Excel it makes a huge difference. Watching an HD movie on it is pretty sweet as well.

MM IB -> Corporate Development -> Strategic Finance
 

If you're doing design, which I assume you are since you mentioned CS6 and you probably have the master's suite. Something to think about, the new retina display on the macbook pro has better resolution than the thunderbolt display, it is smaller though obviously.

The new macbook pro doesn't have a disk driver, but I think you already knew that. Are you going to be more into design or audio? If design, I'd take the new macbook pro. If audio, I'd take the display and old macbook pro.

 

Thanks for some real answers, guys.

1) I'm not a gamer, just kind of a geek. 2) I only do design work, which is really just a hobby, and I love big screens (preferably more than one). No audio work at the moment. 3) I don't care about storage capacity because almost everything is on a bunch of external drives 4) I can live without an optical drive. Dual-booting to 7 would be fun but not necessary and I have a spare PC anyway.

So I'm now leaning towards a classic MBP/A and a cinema display.

 

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