Hi all, I think I have it down to 3 different MacBooks.
First off, my usage. The laptop will be used in the house 99% of the time (couch, kitchen table, bed, desk). When at my desk however, I will connect it to my 24" monitor and use a keyboard and trackpad while the laptop is in clamshell mode.
Primary app usage will be web browsing, email, MS office apps, light photo and video editing, very little gaming, and some CAD work. But to be honest, mostly web and office apps.
I also have a home server PC that holds all of our music, photos, and videos.
The 3 MacBooks I am down to are:
1.) 13" MBA i5 1.8 / 8 GB RAM / 128 GB SSD ($1239)
2.) 13" rMBP i5 2.5 / 8 GB RAM / 128 GB SSD ($1407)
3.) 15" uMBP i7 2.3 / 8 GB RAM / 128 GB SSD ($1629)
Note: For the 15", i'd get and Apple refurb for $1529 and I have 8 GB RAM that I paid $30 for and a Samsung 830 SSD that I had paid $70 for which is why I have it at $1629. The 13" models reflect education pricing.
1 and 2 have the same size screen and same graphics chip.
1 and 3 have the same screen resolution, 2 is Retina.
1 and 2 are only 1/2 pound apart, but 3 is considerably bigger and heavier.
3 is user upgradable, but 1 and 2 are not.
1 and 2 are within just 6% for processor performance, but 3 is considerably faster than 1 and 2.
Which is the best one for me to get and best value for the money? Please vote and let me know what you think. Thanks!
First off, my usage. The laptop will be used in the house 99% of the time (couch, kitchen table, bed, desk). When at my desk however, I will connect it to my 24" monitor and use a keyboard and trackpad while the laptop is in clamshell mode.
Primary app usage will be web browsing, email, MS office apps, light photo and video editing, very little gaming, and some CAD work. But to be honest, mostly web and office apps.
I also have a home server PC that holds all of our music, photos, and videos.
The 3 MacBooks I am down to are:
1.) 13" MBA i5 1.8 / 8 GB RAM / 128 GB SSD ($1239)
2.) 13" rMBP i5 2.5 / 8 GB RAM / 128 GB SSD ($1407)
3.) 15" uMBP i7 2.3 / 8 GB RAM / 128 GB SSD ($1629)
Note: For the 15", i'd get and Apple refurb for $1529 and I have 8 GB RAM that I paid $30 for and a Samsung 830 SSD that I had paid $70 for which is why I have it at $1629. The 13" models reflect education pricing.
1 and 2 have the same size screen and same graphics chip.
1 and 3 have the same screen resolution, 2 is Retina.
1 and 2 are only 1/2 pound apart, but 3 is considerably bigger and heavier.
3 is user upgradable, but 1 and 2 are not.
1 and 2 are within just 6% for processor performance, but 3 is considerably faster than 1 and 2.
Which is the best one for me to get and best value for the money? Please vote and let me know what you think. Thanks!
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