Advice needed on a new purchase

[agaskew]

The base model I saw at Best Buy was priced at $1,299.

My advice to you would be to look for a 2015 model MacBook Pro. If that option doesn't work out, have a look further in to a Windows 10 machine. After all, they all do the same things in the end.

And ignore the children bickering in here. It is getting pretty tiresome to see the same posters turning up on every thread and arguing....yawn.

 

[leman]

And ignore the children bickering in here. It is getting pretty tiresome to see the same posters turning up on every thread and arguing....yawn.

You can't even imagine how tiresome it is for us

 

[Reality4711]

Hello OP,

Running a Windows powered laptop last year for a project (the laptop was supplied) for a local charity gave me a good, modern look at the differences that are still prevalent between the two OS.

The hardware differences as far as general use is concerned (office, pdf, publishing, general image editing) did not have any real bearing on my ability to get the job done.

By far the largest problem was the brain/muscle memory of using a Mac for the last twenty years constantly causing me to try and 'just do' on the Windows laptop and getting thoroughly screwed up. A period of learning would follow, then a burst of production and another 'screw up'.

Six months on and despite using the supplied machine most days for about 3-5 hrs. I was really glad; no not glad, relieved to get back to the simplicity (edit "logic") of the Mac.

I have recently moved from a 2013 MP to a 2012 MBP(13") as the requirement for real power was no longer there and the i5 Lenovo (brand new 2016) seemed on a par with my own machine so it did surprise me that even with years of experience in using multiple OS and hardware that my performance on the Lenovo was so disappointing to me.

In work environment, the'mag safe' may seem important but in the 30 plus years wandering the planet as a photographer I have only once seen its positive affect, whereas reliable, fast, predictable power and ease of operation have affected my productivity every single hour of those years.

As a bit of backup to this, before my first MacBook there were five years of Windows and early digital photography so a lot of learning as you work took place; I would not repeat that process for almost any reason. The pain between my ears would now be totally unacceptable.

Summation - you do not travel and you have an MBP. that is slowing and you value the 'mag safe'.

Solution - Upgrade your machine; SSD+RAM will make a MASSIVE difference, use it, wait for Apple to prove the new MBPs. then buy the best you can afford.

I do hope this helps and does not read like an ad; it is not.

Regards. Sharkey

 

[Sanpete]

I am a working professional (globally) and know many in other streams outside my own, yet not one individual I personally know owns or is considering/planning on purchasing the 2016 MPB. They are either switching platforms or looking at ways to expand their current hardware. This is also quite plain and can be seen from the response on this forum and others regarding Apple, nor difficult to validate...

"Many" is a frequently over used term, easily thrown out there, with no real substantiation; nobody, not one, those I know who have tried the new MBP have returned them for similar reasons

That says something interesting about you, but not about the reality of whether pros find the new MBP to be a useful professional device. Anyone who is capable of reading this forum and still believing that there aren't many pros who value it is also quite capable of not seeing what's right in front of them in their professional connections. There are many, many comments from pros who are happily using and valuing the new MBPs in their work.

 

[Reality4711]

Just as an aside here.

Since when has professional been a qualification?

With as much respect as I can muster for my fellow homo sapiens; being paid is not a qualification that gives some unassailable right to being right.

I do recognise the meaning in today's environment but simply earning your living with a computer as your main tool does not mean an automatic right to claim superiority over millions of others who may or may not agree with you.

Regards. Sharkey (ex-professional photographer, hotelier, mechanical engineer, digital artist and general hustler)

ps. now professionally retired from arguing for no reason that I can think of.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Just as an aside here.

Since when has professional been a qualification?

With as much respect as I can muster for my fellow homo sapiens; being paid is not a qualification that gives some unassailable right to being right.

I do recognise the meaning in today's environment but simply earning your living with a computer as your main tool does not mean an automatic right to claim superiority over millions of others who may or may not agree with you.

Regards. Sharkey (ex-professional photographer, hotelier, mechanical engineer, digital artist and general hustler)

ps. now professionally retired from arguing for no reason that I can think of.

LOL did you not realise throw in a few "Pro's" and a couple of "Many" in your reply and it automatically relegates anyone else's opinion to a pile of pish

 

[Sanpete]

Odd that some people have trouble understanding the word "many." I thought it was a common English word.

 

[AllenAmini]

I honestly was only intrigued by being able to annotate websites and the ability to jot down notes for my third graders without having to switch to the Elmo document projector. I work at an inner city school where we don't even have WiFi, so I'm trying my hardest to have the right tools. Many students are visual learners and to able to highlight my teacher edition of language arts site is a big win. But, I still can't persuade myself to use a non-macOS machine. My perfect machine would be a 14" MacBook retaining the MagSafe connector and useable ports, as my computer sits on a computer cart, and with 32 third graders running around, the dongles and non-MagSafe power cord are gonna be at risk. I've had numerous incidences this year alone where the MagSafe has saved my MacBook Pro.

 

[Sanpete]

So is there any reason not to get the 2015?

 

[ZapNZs]

I'm an elementary school teacher who's used Macs for some 30 years. I have a late 2012 MacBook Pro which is showing its age. In looking at Apple's new offerings and trying them at the store they fail in several ways: 1. Cost is way beyond my budget. 2. MagSafe missing is a big deal when you have your computer plugged in with 25+ third graders. 3. The keyboard was just not to my liking and the lack of ports that I need to use without dongles just doesn't make sense. I've looked at MacBook Air, but again, I want a laptop with modern up to date components and I'd like a Retina display. I'm looking for advice and suggestions. I looked at the Microsoft Surface Book and it looked very tempting, but I have no idea how Windows 10 works.

The Surface Book is a great product, as is the Surface Pro 3/4, and Windows 10. I've seen refurb SP3s with an i5/4GB RAM/128 SSD for under $600. That value can only be matched by Apple's MacBook Air (as low as $700), which is, despite its age, an outstanding computer. The SP3 and MacBook Air are the two value products where you get a lot of bang for your buck. Both screens are inferior to newer products, but IMO both are still good screens.

Since you want a retina, price is limited, and since you like MagSafe + the portage, the 2015 13-inch MacBook Pro is probably worth checking out. New models for under $1,000 can be purchased (with an i5/8GB RAM/128SSD), and the 2015 has several options for upgradable internal storage that are not available with the 2016.

The 2016 13-inch has a slightly faster base CPU, faster SSD, the different (and arguably, superior) form factor, dramatically better graphics, a brighter screen that IMO does much better in brighter light, better speakers, and a different touchpad/keyboard (you likely know this all already, but just in case...) The version without the touch bar and the 2015 have outstanding battery life, where as the touch bar version has somewhat more mixed results.

The 2016 is a good computer, but personal preferences may align better with the previous generation. The keyboard is something that takes adjustment to, but you may find you like it more than the previous generation after spending a few days with it. The ports, on the other hand, are something that cannot be changed, and (depending how you wish to use the computer) the lack of the SD card slot and USB-A may result in a greater tax on productivity than what USB-C yields (at least for now).

I personally consider the 2016 MacBook Pro and Surface Book to be comparable in terms of overall design: outstanding, not perfect, and capable of leaving most buyers very satisfied. Windows 10 has come a long way and has a bright future - it's not quite as User friendly as OS X, but it's making major strides. Both OS X and Windows 10 can meet a wide range of productive needs, although someone may have a strong preference for one due to OS-exclusive third party software.

 

[SteveJUAE]

I honestly was only intrigued by being able to annotate websites and the ability to jot down notes for my third graders without having to switch to the Elmo document projector. I work at an inner city school where we don't even have WiFi, so I'm trying my hardest to have the right tools. Many students are visual learners and to able to highlight my teacher edition of language arts site is a big win. But, I still can't persuade myself to use a non-macOS machine. My perfect machine would be a 14" MacBook retaining the MagSafe connector and useable ports, as my computer sits on a computer cart, and with 32 third graders running around, the dongles and non-MagSafe power cord are gonna be at risk. I've had numerous incidences this year alone where the MagSafe has saved my MacBook Pro.

Not an elegant solution but would not a couple or portable power packs go some way to resolving your concerns of no Magsafe ?

Some good advice from ZapNZs above

 

[AllenAmini]

Not an elegant solution but would not a couple or portable power packs go some way to resolving your concerns of no Magsafe ?

Some good advice from ZapNZs above

Could you please tell me how the portable power pack would assist me? Thanks

 

[SteveJUAE]

Could you please tell me how the portable power pack would assist me? Thanks

Reading your above posts I assume the following:

1) Your daily activities exceed the battery endurance of your Mac
2) You transport your Mac etc on a small 4 wheeled cart
3) Your biggest concern is your class tripping the Mac Power cable tethered to the wall socket pulling the Mac off the cart or even toppling it

Whilst "charging" you Mac from a portable power bank will depend on your usage I am hoping for you that

It will always charge or top up your batteries whilst not in use

It will limit or slow down your Mac battery drain hopefully enough for your daily usage or until you have access to a safe wall socket

Cable exposure to snagging will be self contained to cart (can be further improved by a tray/draw etc)

Trouble is with the current/new late 2016 MacBook Pro's (especially 15") is there are not many compatible power banks currently available, not problem for surface book and others or earlier Macs

I found this one that says it is and others are on the way, just be careful

http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/kanex-go...ble-15000mah-power-bank-space-grey-p61797.htm

http://www.kanex.com/gopower-usbc