Macbook Pro 15" - Do I need one?

Vita

Vita

Vita

Soldato
Joined
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Hi guys, I'm wanting a new Laptop sometime soon. I've always liked the look of Apple Mac's yet have never justified it to myself that I really need one.

I don't PC game anymore (used to play CSS/WoW), I now have a console for games.

I mainly use my current laptop a Windows 7 machine C2D 500GB 4GB, mainly for browsing the web. I don't really do any intense tasks such as Photoshop, however I will edit the odd picture now and again. I like watching Movies on the laptop as well as listening to songs.

I would like to learn Mac OS software, and that's my main reason for looking into getting one.

I've graduated in Computer Forensics and I thought I'd start to understand the Mac OS just so if I ever come across a machine in a working environment I would know how to use it/what to look for.

Yet I still can't justify to myself whether I really need one or not.

Please help.
 
MacBook air all the way! They are now quite the little power house, I've just chopped my MBP in for one :)
 
The MBPs are fine machines if you can afford one. Mac desktops aren't that great in my opinion but I can't really fault the laptops. My last laptop was a MacBook, my current laptop is a MacBook Pro and my next laptop will probably be a MacBook Air. The MacBook Airs are definitely worth a look, although if you're into computer forensics you might find the lack of optical drive a bit annoying - I know I would.
 
By the sounds of it no. But also by the sounds of it your current laptop should be fine too, what is it struggling with exactly?
 
Disco Boy said:
By the sounds of it no. But also by the sounds of it your current laptop should be fine too, what is it struggling with exactly?
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It's not struggling with anything. It does the job perfectly, however I've wanted a Mac Machine to understand how they work and how the OS works. I thought I'd make the Macbook my main and use my current laptop for other purposes. My current laptop is 2 years old.
 
I've watch a video on Youtube and this guys that works in an Apple stores opinion was the higher spec 2011 MBA was better than the entry level 13" MBP.
 
WatchTower said:
I've watch a video on Youtube and this guys that works in an Apple stores opinion was the higher spec 2011 MBA was better than the entry level 13" MBP.
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That's probably down to the SSD.

The CPU in the 13" is faster, pretty much the same regarding everything else.

Depends on how much he wants to spend.

I wouldn't buy a new mac just to mess around on tho.
 
The 15" MBP is probably overkill and the 11" Air is too tiny to watch media on.

The 13" Air is a good middle ground between the two.
 
I'd rather have the MBP to be quite honest, MBA just isn't enough for me, not even the 13" model.

Lacks a decent enough processor, don't like the ultra thin feel and the flash storage? meh, that's amazing and all, but not enough to win me over.

I'd go for the MBP, getting a 13" MBP myself in Sept.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I'm not into the Flash storage, I'd like a large enough drive for all my folders/files/media. I'm looking more and more into the 15" MBP. The problem is I would get a 17" but it just costs more then I could afford. Coming from a 17" laptop my self, I would find the 15" much better to carry, and I am told the 15" also has a high res screen if you opt for one.

Is there anything in 2012 a refresh?
 
Next round of MBP updates are meant to be an all-new design instead of a refresh. Pure rumours at this stage though.
 
theheyes said:
My last laptop was a MacBook, my current laptop is a MacBook Pro and my next laptop will probably be a MacBook Air.
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Likewise - I am a photoshop user, but otherwise nothing intensive really. Looking to chop my MBP in for 13" air come september when my applecare is up.

I don't need a MBA but good god don't I just want one :D

If you can afford it I doubt you will regret it, the OS is a lot of fun to learn and will take some time to properly realise it's potential (don't worry, everyday tasks are as easy as they are in windows, you're not going to be left interwebless).
 
MBP would definitely suit your needs. You can always use bootcamp and/or virtual machine for running Windows/Linux if you need to.

Off topic: How did you find the course? I'm starting forensic computing this September :)
 
uniQ said:
MBP would definitely suit your needs. You can always use bootcamp and/or virtual machine for running Windows/Linux if you need to.

Off topic: How did you find the course? I'm starting forensic computing this September :)
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At the start we didn't do much "hands on" work, ie; using EnCase or FTK. That started in the second year, it was ok. To be honest in the third year I found it a bit more difficult but the course in general is quite fun. However, it does become daunting when you go through a mock run of how a barrister would treat you if you were an expert witness in the court of law.
 
Do they provide the EnCase software to use at home? I've been thinking of swapping my MBP hardrive for a smaller SSD and dumping the bootcamp partition all together but not sure if I will still need Windows at uni on the laptop or if I can get away with just office for Mac then Windows only software on the desktop at home.
 
uniQ said:
Do they provide the EnCase software to use at home? I've been thinking of swapping my MBP hardrive for a smaller SSD and dumping the bootcamp partition all together but not sure if I will still need Windows at uni on the laptop or if I can get away with just office for Mac then Windows only software on the desktop at home.
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No they do not. However you can get a free version of FTK. You can use it to make an image, and have a look around the hard-drive. EnCase is not free IIRC.

It is advisable to use Windows. I initially wanted a Mac, for my dissertation. I was going to perform an analysis on both Windows/Mac and then compare my results/findings.
 
Well, I'm thinking of purchasing one this weekend. Just a quick question, isit worth getting the 6750M graphics card over the 6490M? I'm not going to use it for gaming, some photoshop work may be involved however.

Does the 7200rpm hard-drive make a big difference over the 5400?
 
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