I fancy a change however unsure of the best way to go about it

SGWills

SGWills

SGWills

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so I have always used windows for work, leisure etc.

happy to build, upgrade and all that but im at a stage where I want to scratch the whole mac/MacBook itch.

The downside is that I have never used the apple systems other than my ipad and iphone.

with the newer macbooks I know its not upgradeable once purchased so Im looking at futureproofing as best as possible.

I have spec'd a MacBook pro six core CPU with 32gb Ram, 512 SSD and 4gb GFX card. This may be a bit of overkill as my usage isn't one that relies heavily on performance but as time has shown we use to happily use a pc with 2gb then 4gb to where we are now were 8/16gb seems to be the figure people look for at minimum.


My concerns are more so to do with the problems MacBook have been highlighted with the keyboard issues etc. How much of an issue is this? and is it a frequent problem?

Cost wise, its not cheap entering the wonderful world of Mac so have started looking in to different specs with my eyes open. I know going via windows will be cheaper (slightly cheaper in some cases) but I have a desktop that I can still mess about with if needs be. financially im quite stable, not many outgoings, most of the stuff I own is paid outright so the cost isn't as daunting as if I was pinching pennies to buy it.

Anything else I should take in to consideration?

sorry for the long post but thanks in advance for any advice
 
Why on earth would you have an itch for an ios laptop, especially given all the issues you've already listed.

Just no. Abandon this idea and have a beer instead.
 
billysielu said:
Well whatever the OS is called these days, point still stands. No experience with it. No extra capabilities over Windows. It's straight up a bad idea.
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I disagree, there is a lot to like about macOS. I think the OP already understands why he wants to move to macOS. Let's try to keep it on topic rather than turning this into a Windows vs macOS.
 
majority of the time its basic stuff. browse the web, DB editing and spreadsheets. I do a bit of photo editing. not so much videos any more. music, films. I do travel a little bit with work so the odd train journey.

Do I need a laptop, most probably not as I have a desk top I use at the moment. when I was editing a bit more frequently I wasn't in a position to buy a mac so I find myself where I can spend the sort of money and get some use out of it.

The reliability is something that is the only main concern for me to be fair, I can still buy one and have a beer if needed @billysielu :)
 
My recommendation would be to take additional AppleCare anyway, so any issues you'll be covered. As with most issues they are usually blown out of proportion due to the fact people with issues generally go to the internet to moan.
 
LiE said:
My recommendation would be to take additional AppleCare anyway, so any issues you'll be covered. As with most issues they are usually blown out of proportion due to the fact people with issues generally go to the internet to moan.
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^^^ This. It's a bargain, compared to the cost of the laptop.

32GB RAM is probably overkill, especially at their upgrade prices. I'm running a 2013 MBP with 16GB, and it's plenty. Mac OS has memory compression built in which helps. About the only way I can up the memory pressure is running multiple Virtual Machines.
 
Capitalism at its best eh - people get itches they need to scratch now, a £3500 itch, hilarious lol

If you need a laptop to either work, game (well maybe not on a macbook), use a lot for own research etc, sure buy one, if you just fancy playing and 'enjoying life' surely there is better ways to spend that amount of money, £3500 buys a lot of holiday, car or something etc
 
I spent over £1,500 on a new MacBook Pro and I concede for my use, which is predominately web browsing, it was a truly dreadful purchase. I find many functions absurdly irritating compared to Windows (which is what I am familiar with).

Looks cool, great form factor, battery was disappointing, good build quality.

Won’t be making that mistake again.
 
I love these threads, the Apple bashers come out of the woodwork and just have to hit reply.

To balance it out : I'm trying to daily a ThinkPad with Windows 10 at the moment. I'm finding the same in reverse having used a Mac for 12 years at home. Then again, at £300 to scratch the itch for a refurbished laptop it's more palatable than £2500+ for new MBP. :)
 
MagicBoy said:
I love these threads, the Apple bashers come out of the woodwork and just have to hit reply.

To balance it out : I'm trying to daily a ThinkPad with Windows 10 at the moment. I'm finding the same in reverse having used a Mac for 12 years at home. Then again, at £300 to scratch the itch for a refurbished laptop it's more palatable than £2500+ for new MBP. :)
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Critisim isn't bashing. You really should learn the difference.
 
I do think a bit of it is down to wanting one when I was younger (and the quality and performance were worth the premium) but on the other hand, I have gone through quite a few laptops as they seem to lose there stance on performance quite quickly IMO

A few people have asked the question over the point of spending £3k on a MacBook and there isn't an answer which justifies it or denies it. in my head for the light photographic element and other tasks, I look at people using MBP from 2012/2013 and still get use out of them whereas I have never had a windows machine last more than 18 months before something needed to be updated or changed
 
For your usage I'd say the top spec 13" upgraded to 16gb will be spot on. Add in the AppleCare and you're looking at £2,158.00. You could if you wanted then buy a LG 27" Ultrafine 5k monitor to connect to it while at home to bring the total up to £3,337.00.

If you know anyone in high education, you could see if they can get you the education discount.
 
LiE said:
For your usage I'd say the top spec 13" upgraded to 16gb will be spot on. Add in the AppleCare and you're looking at £2,158.00. You could if you wanted then buy a LG 27" Ultrafine 5k monitor to connect to it while at home to bring the total up to £3,337.00.

If you know anyone in high education, you could see if they can get you the education discount.
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How does the HE discount work? do they get given a code or do they have to buy it through their account etc?
 
SGWills said:
How does the HE discount work? do they get given a code or do they have to buy it through their account etc?
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You need to sign into a UNiDAYS account then you can order I believe. Haven't done it myself but I do plan to at some point.
 
That's a lot of money to spend on an OS you don't yet know whether you like. Personally I would look for a used 2015 MBP. If you find you like MacOS and want something more modern then sell it for similar money and then but a new one (Applecare is a must with that 2016 to 2018 butterfly keyboard though).
 
Hades said:
That's a lot of money to spend on an OS you don't yet know whether you like. Personally I would look for a used 2015 MBP. If you find you like MacOS and want something more modern then sell it for similar money and then but a new one (Applecare is a must with that 2016 to 2018 butterfly keyboard though).
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This is something I could look in to. I enjoying using the ipad and iphone so I have naturally assumed I would follow suit with their OS on their MacBook and with the connectivity of the apple range being quite good from what I have been told. I think the apple care would take care of the concerns with the keyboard and any other failings.

I think I will revisit the spec side of things as well.

thanks for the advice so far and of course any further input would always be appreciated :)
 
I've moved from a home brewed i7 4c/8t 16GB RAM with R9-270X day to day office machine onto an old Mac Mini 2009 with just 8GB RAM and an SSD and have been amazed at how much I can't tell the difference!

OSX is so much easier on resources than Windows is, I did expect it to a degree but not to the point where the "only" time I tell the difference now is when Google Maps takes a second to render a satellite view.

My mini was £50 locally and came with a cinema display as well (not used as have a U2515). Buy something cheap to see if you like it and then upgrade if you do.
 
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