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15" rMBP purchase help

D

DaveMike11

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 26, 2014
142
10
Hi,

I need to purchase a 15" rMBP and I need some advice from MBP users here.

I decided to purchase my first macbook pro and i will go for the 15" rMBP. I have few more questions. My main uses are photo editing works with photoshop & Lightroom. I'm a photography Enthusiast & i dont earn money with it. I'm a IT consultant by profession so spend lot of time with computers.All these years I have been a windows pc user.

Here are my questions.

1. Do you think the lesser config of 15" rMBP 2.0GHZ quad core, 8GB RAM, 256GB would be good enough for my photoshop & LR works or do you recommend to get the 15" rMBP 2.6 GHZ quad core, 16GB & 512GB storage model ? I'm just trying to save money at the same time this is my first purchase so i wanted to choose a good one ?

2. Has anyone have any experience buying an refurbished 15" rMBP directly from apple? If i buy an refurbished there are some good savings upto $400? Do you recommend buying a refurbished vs new?

3. I have some student friends. Do you think buying a new 15" rMBP with apple education discounts would be cheaper or same price as refurbished ones from apple? If its coming to the same price I can get a new one.

4. I also need to get the applecare. I do see it costs $349 from apple whereas it costs $244 from B&H. Can i get the applecare separately from B&H and add it to my rMBP which i get it from apple ?

Thanks in advance for your time. I appreciate your help to clarify my questions.
 
I am also a photographer. running LR, Pixelmator, Perfect Photo Suite, the Nike plugin collection and a few others. I would not purchase any rMBP with only 8MB of memory. I would only go quad core with 16GB.

Look at Apple refurbs. http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_pro/15

I think $2800 for a maxed out 2013 15" rMBP is a dang good price. You get warranty and can still get AppleCare (from B&H) for it.

Compare that to the AppleInsider price list. The loses price for the machine is $3171. The delta savings more than pays for AppleCare.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_pro/15
 
I would go with a refurb. If you go through the threads, you read nothing but good things about them. Moreover, my sister bought one and it is as good as new.

Contrary to my original position on this matter, I would try to get 16GB of RAM. It will prolong the life of your computer and boost its resale value down the line. Photoshop is a RAM guzzling program, particularly when you work with large files. Earlier today, there was the 15" base model with an upgrade to 16GB of RAM (as well as a higher clocked Haswell CPU) on the refurb list for under two thousand. Somebody scooped it up though. I don't necessarily recommend spending for the faster clocked Haswell chip, but keep returning to the refurb list for the base machine with the RAM upgrade only.
 
AppleGoat said:
I would go with a refurb. If you go through the threads, you read nothing but good things about them. Moreover, my sister bought one and it is as good as new.

Contrary to my original position on this matter, I would try to get 16GB of RAM. It will prolong the life of your computer and boost its resale value down the line. Photoshop is a RAM guzzling program, particularly when you work with large files. Earlier today, there was the 15" base model with an upgrade to 16GB of RAM (as well as a higher clocked Haswell CPU) on the refurb list for under two thousand. Somebody scooped it up though. I don't necessarily recommend spending for the faster clocked Haswell chip, but keep returning to the refurb list for the base machine with the RAM upgrade only.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your suggestions. May I know what configuration of 15" rMBP base model you saw for under $2000?
Thanks
 
DaveMike11 said:
Thanks for your suggestions. May I know what configuration of 15" rMBP base model you saw for under $2000?
Thanks
Click to expand...

Haswell i7 2.3ghz
16GB RAM
256GB PCIe SSD
Iris Pro Graphics (no Nvidia 750m)

It was $1,949.

I saw this very configuration last week. It didn't last long then either. If you know you want it, better act fast.
 
AppleGoat said:
Haswell i7 2.3ghz
16GB RAM
256GB PCIe SSD
Iris Pro Graphics (no Nvidia 750m)

It was $1,949.

I saw this very configuration last week. It didn't last long then either. If you know you want it, better act fast.
Click to expand...

Thank you. Currently its out of stock.

How about the below 15" rMBP config for $2379 ?
Haswell i7 2.6ghz
16GB RAM
512GB PCIe SSD
Intel Iris Pro Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M
 
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