MacBook Pro buying advice

scratch · 15 Jun 2014 at 08:01

Hi there,

I'm currently out in Sydney and with the favourable exchange rate I'm very temped to buy myself a MacBook Pro Retina.

One of the electronics stores out here also has 10% off MacBooks at the moment as well, so after claiming back GST (Aus version of VAT) at the airport I can get the 2.6GHz, 8GB, 512GB for £990, £510 cheaper than back at home.

Apart from the slightly different keyboard layout and power supply, can you think of any reason why I shouldn't go for this? Will 8GB be enough, as they don't do the upgraded 16GB in this particular store like you can get from the Apple Store up the road.

Ta!

morkfromork · 15 Jun 2014 at 08:13

8gb may or may not be enough depends on what your going to use it for really.

For most 8gb is more than enough.

Bluecube · 15 Jun 2014 at 08:14

Sounds good to me! It'll just be the power plug you need to sort out - an adapter maybe? 8Gb will be fine unless you're wanting to do lots of HD video editing.

morkfromork · 15 Jun 2014 at 08:29

For the power adapter apple do a world travel adapter kit store that has a U.K plug in. Cost £40 in the U.K not sure if they do it in the Australian store though.

OhEsEcks · 15 Jun 2014 at 10:15

In regards to the keyboard layout, if it's not localised, it'll be international, which is basically the US layout. There's really not much difference between UK ISO and US ANSI except where they put pipe and a few other keys, the only major stand out difference being the slim enter key.

It doesn't matter anyway, since even the UK layout of the macbook keyboard uses the US layout for where @ and " are, which is the biggest difference people switching from Windows to Apple complain about.

LiE · 15 Jun 2014 at 11:11

Have a look on eBay, there are quite a few sellers selling these for close to that price brand new.

scratch · 15 Jun 2014 at 11:32

Thanks guys. I won't be using it for anything heavy duty so 8 GB should be plenty then.

Appreciate the comment about eBay. I've taken a look and can only find one seller, who has them for £1079, so almost £100 more. It would save the hassle of transporting it back and having to keep the Macbook in my hand luggage to present to the customs people to reclaim the GST, but £100 is £100.