MacBook Retina: 128GB or 256GB?

coldfused

coldfused

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Hey gang!

Thinking of buying a MacBook Pro for work (mainly) and personal use but I'm not sure whether to go for the more expensive 256GB for extra storage space. I handle a fair bit of scientific data but most of this data would be stored on an external HDD - I would have to "process" it from the Macbook.

The difference is £200 and I'm not sure if that's justified for an extra 128GB. I guess what I want to know is whether users here regret buying the 128GB in favour of the 256GB?

I've also seen the Transcend JetLite SD cards, and I wondered if that is a viable option to increase onboard storage options?

Eager to hear your opinions!
 

BMox81

BMox81

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I have a 128gb MBA and haven't regretted it once.

Just have my music and a couple of tv shows on there and have a comfy 70gb still to play with.

And as you say, a Transcend card can double your storage straight off for £65 and then there is still the matter of your two USB ports. I bought a 64gb USB 3.0 one last week from Amazon in their Black Friday week for £18.

So there are plenty of options there to keep it cost effective.
 

CharlieRich

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I would spend that bit extra and get the 256GB one.

I have a Retina MBP with 128GB and after my iTunes library, Adobe Suite and OS I only had about 30GB left which isn't really ideal.

Although I do agree with MacRS4 about the JetDrives, they are brilliant! I brought a 64GB one from the Rainforest and once its in you literally forget about it! Have barely noticed a difference in read/write speeds between it and my SSD either!
 

lamboman

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The JetDrive instead of the 256GB SSD is a £30 saving on an £1100 machine (to get the 256GB SSD rMBP) and is around 10x slower.

Unless you're absolutely certain that you don't need the extra space, get the 256GB SSD.
 

Cleisthenes

Cleisthenes

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Surely it depends entirely on what you want to have on your laptop and how much content you have. I wouldn't faff with the JetDrive if you haven't bought the laptop yet. As an example I have about 140GB of ALAC files for my music and the same again for photo's so I need more space. What ever you want to have on it, spec it for that.
 

bcjames

bcjames

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256, definitely. I'm currently at 99gb on my pro, with a 500gb mechanical, but the thought of a 128gb hdd in my new laptop is far too close to comfort, even 256 feels like I'm pushing it!

I think 256 and a NAS will be my happy medium.
 

Caged

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The SSD is a PCI model, there are few third party options at the moment. The ones that exists don't save you any money over getting it upgraded when you buy it.

Edit: Make that none for the post-2013 models.
 
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cliffo88

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Just get the 256...are you really going to miss the £200?

How big are the files you need to 'process' on the Mac?

Do you have a machine now so you can see how much space you are using?
 

D5 Blackdog

D5 Blackdog

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I run a 128GB Pro. Yes I should have bought the 256GB. That said I now use a couple of Sandisk 64GB ultrafit USB 3.0 to store my photos and the like on which works fine. I also have a 1TB external drive, while you think of it as no problem to just plug it and use it, it soon became a pain in the neck hence the 64GB ultrafits. Just fit and leave. You can then just transfer to the external when required. Much more convenient.
 
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