Macbook Pro 13"

Fragil1ty · 28 Apr 2011 at 16:49

So I was thinking about buying one of these, at first I was going to buy new computer upgrades for the PC, but seeing as I need a laptop for University, I thought, 'I loved my Mac Mini, should I get this?', the only problem is, if I buy it I will be broke until I go back to University

.

Advice?

theheyes · 28 Apr 2011 at 17:33

If you need a laptop now then yeah consider the MBP, it's a great computer. You could always finance it so you wouldn't be wiped out over the summer, but at the end of the day you need to decide whether or not you can actually afford the luxury of one or not. A lot of the time people say they "need" something when actually what they're really saying is they "want" something and "want it now".

Why don't you save your money between now and September and buy it then? You might even get some back to school offers around that time.

Deku · 28 Apr 2011 at 17:44

Exactly theheyes - If you need it then get it.

You've come to a very Apple biased part of the forum so of course we're going to egg you on to get it (maybe you want us to).Post the same thing in the windows section and they will tell you not to waste your money!

Only you know whether your finances can stretch to this.

Disco Boy · 28 Apr 2011 at 18:49

Why do you need a laptop?

Brian8bit · 28 Apr 2011 at 18:59

Don't forget as a Uni student you're eligible for discount. So you could be looking at these sorts of prices in the link below. But I agree with theheyes. Personally I would put a little something aside each week or month from now until you go back to Uni. Also depending on the laptops use, you could go for the cheaper 11" MacBook Air, if you don't need the processing power of the MacBook Pro.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=18811305&postcount=273

No-One · 28 Apr 2011 at 21:26

Fragil1ty said:
So I was thinking about buying one of these, at first I was going to buy new computer upgrades for the PC, but seeing as I need a laptop for University, I thought, 'I loved my Mac Mini, should I get this?', the only problem is, if I buy it I will be broke until I go back to University .

Advice?

But one under a buy now pay later deal? My sister did just that last weekend. Can't say the name of the retail chain on here but it shouldn't be too hard to guess.

Faustus · 28 Apr 2011 at 22:45

No-One said:
But one under a buy now pay later deal? My sister did just that last weekend. Can't say the name of the retail chain on here but it shouldn't be too hard to guess.

If you don't have the cash then you can't really afford it - applies to most things. Finance is a mugs game and don't let anyone tell you any different.

Fragil1ty · 29 Apr 2011 at 02:58

I don't 'need' it right now, but I'd rather get it and get everything set up with it and what not before Sept/Oct.

Can I fully afford it now? Nope not really, i'd have to lend money from relatives, so it's looking less and less likely that i'll actually get a MBP, I was going to get a Netbook but that's just not good enough.

I wanted a Mac so that I could still game on my Windows machine while do all my daily routine tasks on the MBP. :/

Brian8bit · 29 Apr 2011 at 03:10

What exactly will you be using it for?

Fragil1ty · 29 Apr 2011 at 04:29

Brian8bit said:
What exactly will you be using it for?

Flash and web coding mostly.

Other than that, just web browsing, burning dvds (maybe encoding if need be), soft video editing, nothing extreme and the occasional photoshop stuff.

panthro · 29 Apr 2011 at 08:41

Fragil1ty said:
Flash and web coding mostly.

Other than that, just web browsing, burning dvds (maybe encoding if need be), soft video editing, nothing extreme and the occasional photoshop stuff.

You could do all this with a much cheaper Windows laptop. If you have the money, buy the Mac. If youre worried about being broke then buy a cheaper laptop, it will perform for all your needs.

Skyboat · 29 Apr 2011 at 23:56

Wait until the Back to School deal too and you'll save even more money. I think my MBP only cost me about 760 after the rebate and selling the iPod.

I've also heard the next MacBook update will include a new design (hopefully with MBA displays?!). Either way, I'd wait until just before you leave for Uni.

Fragil1ty · 30 Apr 2011 at 09:03

Right guys, i've come to the conclusion that well, I'm going to buy the laptop today, only problem is the following:

It's the older model, it's the core 2 duo and not the i5.
worth getting yes or no? if not, i'll wait til monday and go to the apple store, or just order online now. >.< HELPZ.

Beasty · 30 Apr 2011 at 09:52

I bought the core 2 duo because I managed to get it a lot cheaper than I could get the i5 (650 brand new to 850 for the i5)

But if you only have to wait till monday to get the i5 and money is not a problem then surely it is a no brainer?

Fragil1ty · 30 Apr 2011 at 09:54

Beasty said:
I bought the core 2 duo because I managed to get it a lot cheaper than I could get the i5 (650 brand new to 850 for the i5)

But if you only have to wait till monday to get the i5 and money is not a problem then surely it is a no brainer?

Isn't the i5 only a c2d aswell? :S
My i5 is a quad in my current system. :/ sucks.

Faustus · 30 Apr 2011 at 23:20

Right guys, i've come to the conclusion that well, I'm going to buy the laptop today, only problem is the following:

It's the older model, it's the core 2 duo and not the i5.
worth getting yes or no? if not, i'll wait til monday and go to the apple store, or just order online now

How can you buy it if you don't have the money? Surely as a young person starting off in life you are not going to go cap in hand to relatives and ask to borrow money? What sort of example are you showing of yourself to those who know you? Personally that is something I would never have done when I was younger as the embarrassment would have been to great. On the other hand if you are financing it on credit then it's an expensive buy. This is a "want" not a "need".

Ev0 · 1 May 2011 at 00:06

Fragil1ty said:
Isn't the i5 only a c2d aswell? :S
My i5 is a quad in my current system. :/ sucks.

The i5 has 2 cores, but is not a c2d.

C2D is the brand name of a specific type of duel core chip that intel produced.

The i5 is quite a lot quicker than the c2d.

So no the i5 is not c2d, just as a Ford Mondeo isn't a Ford Focus, both cars but different models

Margaret · 1 May 2011 at 03:58

I believe the i5 is quicker in stuff like Photoshop and encoding type tasks but around the same for general use, I don't see why you'd be impatient enough to not just wait and get the i5 though.

Honestly think you should consider what you are doing, it really sounds like you just want an Apple machine because they look swish compared to most Windows laptops.

JediFragger · 1 May 2011 at 08:29

Margaret said:
it really sounds like you just want an Apple machine because they look swish compared to most Windows laptops.

I must admit this was one of the main reasons I bought mine (along with a shedload of other ones!)

Nothing else comes close in terms of design and quality :cool:

Faustus · 1 May 2011 at 11:50

JediFragger said:
I must admit this was one of the main reasons I bought mine (along with a shedload of other ones!)

Nothing else comes close in terms of design and quality

Design is just that i.e. design. As for quality, well take off the casing and what you have got is stock Intel chip and stock off the shelf everything else. You have been seduced by slick marketing and being sold a "lifestyle" but you shouldn't really see it for anything other than that.

I don't consider my iMac any better or worse than my Quad HP tower set up. Being cased in aluminium doesn't mean it is better than something cased in metal or plastic. Example - my HP hasn't missed a beat since first switch on nearly four years ago and is now happily running W7. It is therefore just as good and reliable as my 2 year old iMac.