469 Questions on Comparing Macs

  • Answer

    Any Mac can handle bookkeeping software. But keep in mind that a laptop won't have a numeric keypad which all professional accountants use/need. If you go laptop you'll have to buy a separate stand alone numeric keypad & they can be problematic, plus it's more stuff to schlepp around.

  • I am consider to buy mac air with upgraded 2.0 i7 or mac pro 13'' with 2.5 i5. So I am wondering that which one might have better performance?

    I do used to run a lot applications, especially I always open a lot web browsers. Occasionally I use photoshop and lightroom. I use some statistics software on my mac.

  • Help! Should I get the MacBook pro 13" or 15" for photoshop and general movies, music, Internet and "future proof-ability"?!

    I want to buy a Macbook pro but cannot decide between the top end 13" or the bottom end 15". I would use if for general stuff and probably the most processor consuming task is photoshop. So I'm stuck between the decision and it would be great if anyone knew if the 13" could handle photoshop and is powerful enough to be future proof (ie. I can use it for 1-2 yrs and not worry about speed.

    I like the size & portability and 750gb HDD of the 13" and have an external monitor so screen size isn't an issue at home.

    On the other hand is it worth waiting until the new MBP range?

    Thanks in advance!

    Answer

    For real future proofing I'd go with the 15" because of their quad-cores. The 13" easily does what you want but since you want it future proofed I say 15".
    1-2 years no speed problems for 13" but any longer I'd go with 15"

    It could be worth waiting for the new range, depending on how long until you need a new one.

  • What could be the best configuration for the Logic Studio application ?

    I am planning to buy an apple mac pro jus for the purpose of Logic Pro. So far I am a Windows user. So I have no much knowledge about iMac other than Logic Pro . So pls suggest me the best configuration for the particular application keeping the cost effectiveness in mind !

  • Macbook Pro Late 2008 Unibody vs Macbook Air

    Hi all - not sure if this is the place to post this?

    I currently have a Macbook Pro 15.4" Unibody - Late 2008 - 2.4Ghz Core 2 Duo - NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT with 256 MB of dedicated GDDR3 SDRAM and a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory - 256Gb Hard Drive - 2Gb RAM.

    I am looking to move to a newer & possibly lighter machine - and am considering a Macbook Air.

    I currently use around 150Gb HD space - and only ever use the integrated graphics (aside from when I rarely boot up in Windoze which I understand defaults to the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT). I rarely use the optical drive and use a max of 2 x USB ports. My usage revolves around Safari - Mail - Pages - GarageSale - iPhoto - Dreamweaver CS4 (occasinally) & Word. I would like to retain my 1440 x 900 screen estate - and backlit keyboard.

    I wondered which Macbook Air would offer me improved performance and would be a worthy upgrade over my current machine?

    Thanks!

    Answer

    I have a 2011 model 11" Air with the i7 upgrade and it is the Best Computer Evaaaaar! - the i7 upgrade is noticeably faster than my wife's i5 model when compared side by side.

    That is the only tip I would give for an Air. We have some people at work with i5 Airs and they complain about them being pokey.

    The biggest speed improvement you will notice is the SSD. My work computer is an i5 13" Air (just like my wife's) and it is much much much faster than the i5 Macbook Pro I used to have because of the SSD.

  • Which Mac Book Pro should I buy

    I will be starting university in September and have looked around at several laptop options. I finally decided on the Mac Book Pro but since Apple have announced the new MBP with Retina display, I am unsure which model to by.

    I will be studying accounting and finance for four years and will be using the Mac Book for my uni work, web browsing, emails, gaming, chatting to friends etc.

    I would prefer a 15" model and I am hoping to get the educational discount.

    So which model do you recommend for my needs & any recommended software for my accounting course?

  • Answer

    In the apple store go to the left of the screen then scroll down. You will find special deals as a heading. Click on the apple product that you want and the rest is self explanatory :) hope you get what your looking for!

  • Should I get the new MacBook Air (13") or the new MacBook Pro (13")?

    I am going to be a Senior in HS. I will go to college from there. I was pretty set on the MBP but I realized that in order to utilize the new PowerNap feature coming in Mountain Lion, I will need either a MacBook Air or the MBP with Retina which is out of my price range.

    Best Answer

    Power nap works with any MacBook with an SSD. If you're set on getting the power nap feature then you'll either have to get a MacBook air or a MacBook pro upgraded to SSD. Seeing as SSD is also much faster and more reliable than a traditional hard drive, I'd strongly recommend getting an SSD, unless you need lots of storage and have a limited price range (get the pro in that case). Although my personal preference would be the air, in the end its up to you (price range, portability, optical drive, processor, etc). If you're a big gamer I'd recommend the pro as it has a faster processor (although the air will handle almost anything that's thrown at it without a problem, apparently it has heat issues with some games such as minecraft). Again, its all up to you, what you'd use it for, and what your price range is. They're both very good computers that are built to last, so you can hardly choose wrong, but it all depends on your preference and what you'd use it for.

    Hope this helps :)

  • 13" MacBook Air Vs. 15" Retina - WebDesigner

    Good day, my situation is that I like the thin ess and lightness of both models, I like the larger screen the 15" provides but I don't like that both models have a screen of same proportions, the retina is essentially a 1440x900 screen (proportion wise), except it has a sharpness that Is barely visible from the average sitting distance.

    Although the upsides of the retina are the 2" larger screen and the 1GB video card and a faster processor (retina benchmark: 10,000 Air: 7,000). Although for WebDesignerGood and photoshop and so on, I am not sure if that processor boost will do me any good, and I don't know if a 1GB vid card would do me any good either.

    Musts that I need in a notebook:
    Flash or solid state drive
    Screen higher res than 1280x800
    256MB vid card or better

    Is there maybe another model that would suit me better? Perhaps an older version. The 15" with 1680x1050 screen 8GB RAM and SSD would be nice, but for that price I may as well get the retina...

    Stuck between a rock and a hard place. I like the idea of saving $600 going for the 13" Air.

    Best Answer

    Hi Nicholas P,
    Personally I'd say you'd be better off with the MacBook Pro as you use Photoshop. The Retina Macbook is definitely a lot more comfortable to use for extended periods of time than the 13" Air. The only reason to get the Air over Retina is if you carry around your Macbook around a lot, say like for school, work, etc.

    The Retina screen also has much more accurate colour and higher contrast ratios than any other MacBooks Apple offers. These might not seem very important but if you compare them side by side you'd definitely pick the Retina.

    However if you went with the Retina you might be better off with the 16GB RAM as the RAM is soldered on to the logic board. And even though I don't use my Retina for many intensive applications I still find I use over 8GB of RAM.

  • macbook pro vs ipad3

    I'm a college student and I have wanted a MacBook pro forever. The new iPad 3's are amazing though, and considerably cheaper. If i only use my computer for notes and pictures and possibly textbooks this year, which would be the best option?

    Best Answer

    For a student, you should defiantly go with the MacBook Pro. Although the iPad is amazing it is still very hard to do all of your school work on it because it does does not have a keyboard.

  • New MacBook air or old MacBook pro?

    I'm getting a Mac for college. The new Retina Pro is definately out of my price range. So should I go with the new Air (the $1599 one, with 8 GB ram and maybe upgraded CPU) or the old MacBook pro (in the same price range)? It will primarily be used for schoolwork/ personal things and maybe some games. Which one would be better to get?

    Best Answer

    I actually have a 13 inch Macbook Pro (the non-Retina, of course), and I personally love it. As of choosing between the Macbook Air and the Macbook Pro, that's basically preference. Would you prefer lightweight and portability over specs?

    PORTABILITY
    If you like to travel a lot, and you're not picky with sound or video editing quality or whatnot, then an Air is perfect for you. The MBP is about 4 times heavier than the Air (considering the Air weighs less than a pound.), but it does have a sturdier feel to it (which you get used to).

    FEATURES
    If you enjoy better graphics, sound, and editing abilities then a Pro may be something you want to purchase. Now, the Air does boot up and shut down faster. Personally though, I chose a Pro over the Air, because I prefer functionality over looks. Yes, the Air boasts a very slim profile, but the Pro offers a better experience watching movies, playing music, and even gaming (although the Retina version has BREATH-TAKING graphics, as a student, would we really blow a grand on a nicer screen?). There are some other great features of the MBP, like a fantastic microphone that sounds AMAZING with GarageBand and the RAM or GHz upgrade option that can keep me satisfied for years (The most expensive Air has a 1.8 GHz processor while the most expensive 13" Pro has a 2.9 GHz processor) Also, the Pro has an Ethernet port and an optical drive- which I still find VERY convenient.

    MEMORY
    Also, with a thin body, comes with smaller storage. If you're like me and you have a LOT of stuff you need to store (for instance, I have THOUSANDS of high-megapixel pictures that I need to save onto my laptop); well, a MB Air isn't going to cut it. The highest Air flash storage is 256 GB, while the highest Pro is at 750 GB.

    PRICE
    Both $1,500 for the most expensive 13".

    BOTTOM LINE
    It's all about weight vs. specs. Looks and portability is all in the Air, but if you invest in the Pro, and you'll get more bang for your buck.

  • Macbook pro or iMac

    I am a senior in college studying exercise science, I also do some gaming such as star wars the old republic and minecraft, which should I get, a iMac or MacBook pro? And what type of specifications

    Best Answer

    If you're in college, you typically want something that you can take with you. For instance, it's not very often that someone has an iMac installed in their dorm, because it's obviously not very portable.
    With that in mind, I would suggest purchasing a MacBook Pro.
    Now with the new Retina MacBook out, you may want to consider spending an extra thousand on a nice screen, since you're into gaming.
    Then again, not everyone can afford a $2,200 (at it's cheapest!) laptop, so you may also want to consider the old "refreshed" MacBook Pro's.
    Particularly, since you're a student, you might want all the storage space you can get, so if you were to get a non-Retina Pro, I would highly recommend the 13" 2.9 GHz with a 750 GB hard drive ($1,499).
    If you are considering a 15" laptop though, you might want to consider that Retina display (although the old Pro's display, is still fantastic, in my opinion).
    With that in mind, you are sacrificing an Ethernet port and an optical drive- which to some people, is not crucial, but to other old-fashioned people as myself, is a downfall to the new laptop. And as of gaming, you'd have to purchase an external optical drive, which can be another unwanted expense and a hassle. Now the difference in weight might break the tie between the two, but the ability to upgrade and repair should also be considered when picking up the Retina version (iFixit scored the new Pro a 1 out 10 as of repairability).

    Bottom Line: Get a laptop. If you really want that lightweight feel and that breath-taking experience with gaming and don't mind paying and dealing with the external optical drive, splurge for the Retina Pro. If you still want GREAT graphics, but are reluctant to pay that much to lose some ports and an optical drive, then get the old MacBook Pro.

    Hope it helps!

  • Can I utilize all pixel real estate on retina?

    The retina display essentially looks like a sharper 1440x900 display, can you adjust to be different? For example; have as much space for your windows as a 1920x1080 display?does this make sense? I do WebDesign and the fact that all those pixels are only used to make the screen look sharper, bugs me. If I could work on multiple web pages simultaneously I would very much consider the retina, otherwise I will save $600 and go with the 13" Air with 1440x900 (which oddly enough is better Rez than 13" Pro)

  • Mac Book Pro vs Mac Book Air vs iPad

    Erm, next year I'm going to enter college. I planning to buy myself an Apple product that will be useful in my college life. Mostly, I will surf net, YouTube, projects, some music and one or two games. I want a fast one and I have an external hard disk. Previously, my friend recommends me to take iPad since its portable but Air seems to be better and Pro is better on performance. Guys, I need your help, in a dilemma now. And kindly specify the type should I buy, like for Air its either 128Gb or 256Gb. Thanks.

  • Which MacBook Pro should I buy? I'm a film student.

    I would like to edit and use software such as After Effects, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, Avid, etc.

    Best Answer

    You could buy the latest macbook pro 15" i7 it have the balance of portability and screen estate. 17" in my opinion is too big to be a laptop and 13" might not give you the output you want or enough room for those program tool sets.

  • I'm a student, Macbook Pro or Air?

    I currently have a PC and want to upgrade to a Macbook, but am not sure whether to get the Macbook Pro or Air.

    I am a University student studying law and will use it for essays, Powerpoints and generally searching the internet, as well as some basic photo editing and music storage, but do have an external hard drive.

    As far as portability is concerned I want to get the 13 inch in either model as I will be taking it to lectures and around campus, but the extra weight of the pro isn't a big deal if it will suit my needs better.

    My main concern is that I want it to be long lasting as that is the main reason that I am prepared to pay the extra money to get a Mac instead of a PC.

    Will an Air last as long as a Pro?

    I really appreciate any help and advice, I have been debating for months and really want to make my purchase soon!

    Thanks

    Best Answer

    I would choose the MacBook Air. The Air is the everyday notebook and it seems that you won't need as much processing power and graphics as the MacBook Pro has. The Air will last as long as a Pro.

  • Best Answer

    If you want your laptop to be really portable, you should go ahead wih the Macbook Air, for a more powerful laptop you can go for the Macbook Pro. For desktop, i think the imac will work just right for you.

  • what's the cooling system inside the Macbook pro(not retina)? Is it the same with the previous Macbook pro or has a better solution for that?

    The new Macbook pro with GT650M and i7 processor will bring more heat than the previous one. But Retina do have a better solution for cooling system. Is it happened on the new Macbook pro?

    Answer

    it operates on a channeled flow from the top left and exiting out of the top middle i have the model your talking about an it still gets pretty hot on the outside but even that is part of the design to help with heat dissipation