15" rMBP more than enough for my needs?

[Viantef]

Hi, I'm 16 and I'm going to purchase a MacBook.

I'm working on a web startup, and it's a 1 man show so I'll be doing all the design and development of the web application. I also do graphic design and minor gaming (Sims 3, Minecraft)

I'll have several browsers open.
Web Development Tools (Ruby Documentation, IDE, Terminal, FTP Client)
Photoshop CS6 or Pixelmator (If it proves worthy)

I will be commuting with my laptop from School, Investor Meeting, and Etc.

I'd also like to get into 3d Modeling (Solidworks, Autocad), but that's not a big concern since I can't afford a 3D Printer.

Also a little music production, just to make some beats on like FL Studio. Just to learn a new skill.

Bootcamp - Windows 7 or 8 (Can't decide)

As you can see, I will be doing a lot of different task.

Think I can pass for something cheaper?

Thanks!

 

[Grohowiak]

Hi, I'm 16 and I'm going to purchase a MacBook.

I'm working on a web startup, and it's a 1 man show so I'll be doing all the design and development of the web application. I also do graphic design and minor gaming (Sims 3, Minecraft)

I'll have several browsers open.
Web Development Tools (Ruby Documentation, IDE, Terminal, FTP Client)
Photoshop CS6 or Pixelmator (If it proves worthy)

I will be commuting with my laptop from School, Investor Meeting, and Etc.

I'd also like to get into 3d Modeling (Solidworks, Autocad), but that's not a big concern since I can't afford a 3D Printer.

Also a little music production, just to make some beats on like FL Studio. Just to learn a new skill.

Bootcamp - Windows 7 or 8 (Can't decide)

As you can see, I will be doing a lot of different task.

Think I can pass for something cheaper?

Thanks!

Doing webdesign at 2880 can be a interesting thing. Looots of scaling to make sure it looks ok at 1360 (which is currently the most used resolution in the world).

Refurbished macs. 2012 models with 1680 anti glare screens. You can get them for $1599 with 500GB HDs (which I recommend as you can then proceed and swap to SSD). You need to watch refurb store closely though as they come and go pretty fast. Also add 16GB RAM (newegg has great prices) and you are golden.
Anti glare screen. It really is a blessing. At 1680 you get great resolution and you can always buy a $150 external screen if you need more. All 3D apps will kill your viewport at 2880 with moderate scene density. That GPU can't handle THAT much.
Gaming will be smoother on the non retina as well.
To me retina is awesome but needs much better GPU and more native app optimization.

Win 7/8. You need some HD space for that as win can grow to 80-100GB quite fast. How much are you getting with the Retina one??

All in all you get a much better package for much less (and that's with all the upgrades I wrote about).

And most of all with refurbs you get exactly same warranty as with new ones. I buy them since 2008 and never ever ever had a single issue.

 

[Viantef]

So you believe a MacBook Pro (Non Retina) would be essential?

 

[flattyre]

Get a used non-retina and you can afford that 3D printer.

 

[Grohowiak]

So you believe a MacBook Pro (Non Retina) would be essential?

Not really essential but a wiser and better choice for your needs at least from my perspective.

 

[pickaxe]

With all due respect, that's a lot of money to be throwing around at 16 on a proposed startup. Honestly, I'd go with refurbished.