Trying to decide which laptop to get for work. This will be my primary computer, and I'll be hooking it up to a 27" cinema display at home. I currently have an iMac 24" 2.8 core duo 4gb, but I need the portability of a laptop to work on at the office, and I don't want to keep the iMac and sync with the new laptop, I just want one machine to work on. Don't really want to spend over $1500 on the laptop, unless it is a significant upgrade. For work, I use some adobe cs5 apps, mostly photoshop, and every once in a while I use premiere to edit video off my canon t2i. The kicker is, I need to get something within 2 weeks. Like everyone, I'm anxious to see what the new MBP's are all about, but I have a feeling they'll definitely be more than $1500, considering the new air's are more than that when beefed up to 4gb, 256gb. I already ordered a cinema display as they are on sale, so figured might as well get that component. Here is what I'm thinking for choices.
1. MacBook Air 13" 1.86 4gb 128gb
Some people say only get an Air if you are only checking email and browsing the web, while others are reporting that the new SSD's really make them scream, I clicked around one at Best Buy, and was pretty impressed with the speed of opening apps, unfortunately I haven't been able to test it more thoroughly. Now I'm only opting for the 128 ssd, as I don't have a music or photo library to worry about, plus I'll use an external hd for extra space if needed.
2. Macbook Pro 15" i5 320gb Refurb
I've bought apple refurbs before, so I saw this as an option as it was about the same price as the above mba. resolution is the same as the 13" air, 4gb ram (upgradeable) but older hard drive. I like the idea of being able to upgrade the components in this laptop. Also I know the cinema display will hook up a little easier as you've got all the necessary ports on one side, I've seen the pics of the air hooked up to the CD, and it works, but not as clean, not a major deal though. Even though this machine will outperform the Air in apps like photoshop/premiere, I really hate buying at the end of a models cycle, but again it's a refurb, so I'm getting it for a few hundred less than retail.
3. 2011 Macbook Pro ??
This option will only work if they announce and start selling soon, within 3-4 weeks I can wait, but if the price is up there, I'd prolly end up getting an Air or last years MBP refurb. I have a feeling that the new MBP's will be just a 15 and 17" air, with more options and ports. I really only use USB and SD card slot, no need for firewire.
I hate to admit, but I have mac fever...but at the same time, I need to get something, so hopefully I make the right decision. I'll probably be working on this machine hooked up to the CD about 60-70% of the time, if that makes a difference.
Any recommendations are appreciated.
1. MacBook Air 13" 1.86 4gb 128gb
Some people say only get an Air if you are only checking email and browsing the web, while others are reporting that the new SSD's really make them scream, I clicked around one at Best Buy, and was pretty impressed with the speed of opening apps, unfortunately I haven't been able to test it more thoroughly. Now I'm only opting for the 128 ssd, as I don't have a music or photo library to worry about, plus I'll use an external hd for extra space if needed.
2. Macbook Pro 15" i5 320gb Refurb
I've bought apple refurbs before, so I saw this as an option as it was about the same price as the above mba. resolution is the same as the 13" air, 4gb ram (upgradeable) but older hard drive. I like the idea of being able to upgrade the components in this laptop. Also I know the cinema display will hook up a little easier as you've got all the necessary ports on one side, I've seen the pics of the air hooked up to the CD, and it works, but not as clean, not a major deal though. Even though this machine will outperform the Air in apps like photoshop/premiere, I really hate buying at the end of a models cycle, but again it's a refurb, so I'm getting it for a few hundred less than retail.
3. 2011 Macbook Pro ??
This option will only work if they announce and start selling soon, within 3-4 weeks I can wait, but if the price is up there, I'd prolly end up getting an Air or last years MBP refurb. I have a feeling that the new MBP's will be just a 15 and 17" air, with more options and ports. I really only use USB and SD card slot, no need for firewire.
I hate to admit, but I have mac fever...but at the same time, I need to get something, so hopefully I make the right decision. I'll probably be working on this machine hooked up to the CD about 60-70% of the time, if that makes a difference.
Any recommendations are appreciated.
