Best Way To Spend $2,000 (USD)

[macintoshmac]

Could be - Hard to know...
To me that's a reason to stay away from it.

It's mostly "in the way" for me at this time and by the time it becomes a "thing", it's likely they'll be shipping "TouchBar 2" that's brighter, runs cooler, has better contrast and resolution, perhaps even haptics (it really needs this), etc - Basically the typical apple Keynote slide about how much better they just made it.

I see very little early adopter advantage on the TouchBar since so much of it feels like Apple throwing it out there to see how it goes.

Again, true! I really needed to upgrade from my 2011 15" behemoth (in comparison), and got the TB version against non-TB just because of the Touch ID and also the fact that I will be with this notebook for as long as it serves my purpose. I would not have upgraded to 2016 MBP from my 2011 15" if I weren't needed to travel daily now with the notebook. I would have waited out till the death of this notebook before upgrading. One more reason I upgraded: I didn't want this notebook to die for me to replace it. I wanted to have it as a collectible, the first and the last MacBook I had, with glowing logo and the beautiful, tasteful chisel.

So yes, had I not needed to upgrade, I would have been waiting for TB2!! And yes this thing needs haptics. Often, I have muted the sound while trying to hit the delete key. Bad Apple.

 

[willmtaylor]

I don't follow what your rationale is here, but either way I think iMac is probably the ideal solution.

I keep everything updated and always organized. The current footprint of the OS and all of my files is >500GB. I don't want to have to worry about keeping up with, attaching, managing, backing up, carrying, remembering, another "thing" along with my primary computer. It would require more effort, time, and energy spent managing it. I'm not interested. All of my files on 1 computer makes more sense.
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I'd still wait to see
Also - Do you care about TouchBar either way?
(potentially another reason to wait and see the updates)

Nah, not really. I'd probably use it, but I doubt I'd regret not having it.

 

[smallcoffee]

I keep everything updated and always organized. The current footprint of the OS and all of my files is >500GB. I don't want to have to worry about keeping up with, attaching, managing, backing up, carrying, remembering, another "thing" along with my primary computer. It would require more effort, time, and energy spent managing it. I'm not interested. All of my files on 1 computer makes more sense.

Sure I just don't really see the point of having all your eggs in one basket if your goal is to back things up. iCloud storage is like, $2/month and infinitely more reliable.

 

[macintoshmac]

I have found myself in the same boat of managing disks ever since I upgraded to SSD with paltry 256GB. That said, I realise that needed disk space will always grow. So, ultimately, I have a NAS solution in mind, that stores the heavy libraries (in one place, in a way). Till I have it, I am using external disks for my video requirements. I have over 2TB movies. So I need a lot of space anyway. However, iTunes uses about 32GB without any iOS app copy downloaded on the Mac, and Photos stands at 112GB. This will not grow a lot because I started using a DSLR. Again, at one point in time, you might just have to use external disks or a tower solution or a NAS, depending on preferences and requirements.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Even on my Hack desktop, I have Backblaze.
Have it on all the machines.

The offsite and always backed up "everything" (Basically) has tremendous peace of mind.
House fire, theft of laptop, laptop in the ocean, etc - Just nice to know it's normally always fully securely backed up elsewhere and easily replaced (apparently - haven't had to use that part of the service thankfully)

This is in addition to my local FreeNAS box. That is more about Plex and content viewing across devices, but I also have full backups there. That's where I like to archive raw video that's captured but not actively being used in a FCPX project locally.

 

[willmtaylor]

Sure I just don't really see the point of having all your eggs in one basket if your goal is to back things up. iCloud storage is like, $2/month and infinitely more reliable.

I'm sorry I was unclear. I do have backups. I have iCloud, I have time capsule regularly running to a backup hard drive, and I have a secondary backup drive which I bring home from work 1x a month.

Point is, eggs are all in one basket, but I have that 1 basket backed up. If I relied on an external hard drive (say for iTunes media), I'd have to see the ugliness of it plugged in and have to deal with lugging it around as well as backing it up too. Just doesn't appeal to me. Thanks again for the input though.

 

[smallcoffee]

I'm sorry I was unclear. I do have backups. I have iCloud, I have time capsule regularly running to a backup hard drive, and I have a secondary backup drive which I bring home from work 1x a month.

Point is, eggs are all in one basket, but I have that 1 basket backed up. If I relied on an external hard drive (say for iTunes media), I'd have to see the ugliness of it plugged in and have to deal with lugging it around as well as backing it up too. Just doesn't appeal to me. Thanks again for the input though.

Ah I see. I was thinking something else. But yeah, still seems like the iMac is the best option here. A 1TB ssd is prohibitively expensive in Apple laptops

 

[Gregintosh]

I don't get it. Why do you need portability? It seems like another iMac is probably for the best. You can get a refurb 27" with 5K display and 1TB or 2TB of storage built in (Fusion Drive so you still have the benefits of the SSD). It'll be super comfortable for everyone to use. Much better for the amount of time being spent on it doing real work and the amount of people sharing it. Oh, and it'll run circles around an older MacBook Pro which is all you can afford laptop wise for a budget of under 2k.

Unless there is a need for this computer to leave the house frequently, I do not believe a notebook is in your best interests. And if it is leaving the house frequently, given how many different people are using this and for the variety of tasks, this is going to be a problem anyway.

EDIT: I see you said "I'm not interested in an iMac" without explanation. What is the reason for this? It's the most ideal solution that hits all the checkboxes for specs, affordability, etc. Your only other options under 2K are older gen refurbs/used laptops that will have slower speeds, less capacity than you want, etc.

 

[maerz001]

Well when u have already 500GB than u need 1TB. And if it has to be a laptop than there is only the MBP nontouch 2016 and the 2015 model which are both new $2099 in your price range. And $1800 if u find them in the refurb store (currently not in stock)

But for the price u pay for the 512GB to 1TB upgrade alone u could find a used 2013/14 Air for ur kids. Depending how old they are and if they already can manage a computer. Maybe than 512GB is enough for your uses?
Than a 256GB Air for about $600 and a refurb $1319 512GB MB or MBP is your option

 

[willmtaylor]

Well when u have already 500GB than u need 1TB. And if it has to be a laptop than there is only the MBP nontouch 2016 and the 2015 model which are both new $2099 in your price range. And $1800 if u find them in the refurb store (currently not in stock)

But for the price u pay for the 512GB to 1TB upgrade alone u could find a used 2013/14 Air for ur kids. Depending how old they are and if they already can manage a computer. Maybe than 512GB is enough for your uses?
Than a 256GB Air for about $600 and a refurb $1319 512GB MB or MBP is your option

Thanks for the input and taking the time to break it down. It's appreciated. All the best.
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I don't get it. Why do you need portability? It seems like another iMac is probably for the best. You can get a refurb 27" with 5K display and 1TB or 2TB of storage built in (Fusion Drive so you still have the benefits of the SSD). It'll be super comfortable for everyone to use. Much better for the amount of time being spent on it doing real work and the amount of people sharing it. Oh, and it'll run circles around an older MacBook Pro which is all you can afford laptop wise for a budget of under 2k.

Unless there is a need for this computer to leave the house frequently, I do not believe a notebook is in your best interests. And if it is leaving the house frequently, given how many different people are using this and for the variety of tasks, this is going to be a problem anyway.

EDIT: I see you said "I'm not interested in an iMac" without explanation. What is the reason for this? It's the most ideal solution that hits all the checkboxes for specs, affordability, etc. Your only other options under 2K are older gen refurbs/used laptops that will have slower speeds, less capacity than you want, etc.

The wife would rather get away from the "hugeness" of an iMac and have some more flexible and portable, as we don't have a lot of extra space in our humble abode. I've already told her that the large SSD and price point will be much more difficult with a laptop vs. an iMac, but we'll see.

 

[TonyK]

Keep an eye on B&H Photo. They have good prices and are an authorized Apple re-seller.

This link has all systems < $1,700. Why that when $2,000 was specified. AppleCare. Don't leave home without.

The only requirements for the search was to be in stock and to have a 512GB SSD.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/sear...mxp=1700&ci=13223&N=4110474291+35+4276734503&

 

[Pangalactic]

Best way? Get a Dell XPS 15 with
7th gen intel core i7
16/32 gigs of RAM
Nvidia GTX 1050
512 Gigs of SSD


I have one and it's absolutely great, and battery life absolutely destroys the new Macs. Seriously, if money per value gained is important, apple laptops are the worst idea, get the Dell XPS instead.

 

[willmtaylor]

Best way? Get a Dell XPS 15 with
7th gen intel core i7
16/32 gigs of RAM
Nvidia GTX 1050
512 Gigs of SSD


I have one and it's absolutely great, and battery life absolutely destroys the new Macs. Seriously, if money per value gained is important, apple laptops are the worst idea, get the Dell XPS instead.

"Dude, I'm not getting a Dell."

 

[Pangalactic]

"Dude, I'm not getting a Dell."

You cheecky bastard then either buy the previous gen, which in my opinion is still the best Macbooks to date, or wait until June the 5th for WWDC as Apply might announce some improvements to the current lineup, and then buy an improved version of the current lineup.

 

[ZapNZs]

Since you are not in a hurry and will have time to shop around for the best pricing, how about...

This when it goes on sale for $999-1,099

This when it goes on sale for $750-799

Two of these for the correct MBA and MBP when they go on sale for about $150 each to triple the internal storage

And this to expand your storage to as much as 32 terabytes should you need it (you can start by throwing in a single 1TB HDD that you can often find for under 40 bucks and you may already have one lying around)

 

[petsk]

Get the 13'' non-TB MBP. Skip the SSD, buy an external usb 2.5" 3-4TB drive for 100$, and save whatever is left for vacation.

And wait 2 weeks if new ones are released.

 

[willmtaylor]

Get the 13'' non-TB MBP. Skip the SSD, buy an external usb 2.5" 3-4TB drive for 100$, and save whatever is left for vacation.

And wait 2 weeks if new ones are released.

Post #27 (Not interested in external drives.)

Not gonna buy a HDD in 2017.

 

[maerz001]

Since you are not in a hurry and will have time to shop around for the best pricing, how about...

This when it goes on sale for $999-1,099

This when it goes on sale for $750-799

Two of these for the correct MBA and MBP when they go on sale for about $150 each to triple the internal storage

And this to expand your storage to as much as 32 terabytes should you need it (you can start by throwing in a single 1TB HDD that you can often find for under 40 bucks and you may already have one lying around)

As he doesn't want to deal with external devices. And a NAS is even slower over wifi...

Keeping ur photo library there and u have to wait a second for each pic to load. I don't like it. It's good for backup cos it can be RAID with two HDDs or to use as a network sharing folder for multiple people

 

[uscgrad]

I'm amazed so many are saying buy a windows pc . Definitely MBP and personally I would go for a refurb unless you can get a killer deal with the new ones coming soon.

 

[ilikewhey]

so the entire family is going to be on one computer? that doesn't sound very productive to me.

like others suggested. why not get 2 macbook for 1k each?

you can easily find 2015 used macbook pro for under 1k. the only problem is finding one with 512gb ssd. since that model goes for 1200.

 

[willmtaylor]

so the entire family is going to be on one computer? that doesn't sound very productive to me.

like others suggested. why not get 2 macbook for 1k each?

you can easily find 2015 used macbook pro for under 1k. the only problem is finding one with 512gb ssd. since that model goes for 1200.

Thanks for taking the time to give me some feedback.

"Entire family" is myself (work iMac, work iPad Pro, personal iPad Air 2, personal iPhone 7), the wife (work desktop, my iPad Air 2, iPhone SE), a kindergartner, and a 6-month-old. With our other devices and the amount/type of usage it'll get, 1 MBP will be productive enough.

We don't need multiple laptops, and I'm not interested in managing multiple backups. We simply need a family computer that can hold all of our memories and media and will last for years to come. Hence, a large SSD.

 

[horsebattery]

As he doesn't want to deal with external devices. And a NAS is even slower over wifi...

Keeping ur photo library there and u have to wait a second for each pic to load. I don't like it. It's good for backup cos it can be RAID with two HDDs or to use as a network sharing folder for multiple people

About that rendering time issue, use NAS "grade" HDDs and turn off hibernation or sleep modes and you should be fine. That's been my setup for all media files and haven't had any discernible lagginess - though maybe I just haven't noticed.

 

[ZapNZs]

As he doesn't want to deal with external devices. And a NAS is even slower over wifi...

Keeping ur photo library there and u have to wait a second for each pic to load. I don't like it. It's good for backup cos it can be RAID with two HDDs or to use as a network sharing folder for multiple people

Hence the internal Transcend, which would give each device 384 GB of internal MLC flash storage.

I agree - for frequent use files, NAS has some limitations, especially in regards to massively sized raw photo files. However, for short-term archival of older photo libraries, personal cloud storage for accessing work/school projects from anywhere in the world, and for Time Machine, I think it is great given its accessibility, ease in ensuring redundancy, and wireless connectivity.

 

[bopajuice]

Buy a PC, and with the money you save take a vacation.

 

[maerz001]

Hence the internal Transcend, which would give each device 384 GB of internal MLC flash storage.

I agree - for frequent use files, NAS has some limitations, especially in regards to massively sized raw photo files. However, for short-term archival of older photo libraries, personal cloud storage for accessing work/school projects from anywhere in the world, and for Time Machine, I think it is great given its accessibility, ease in ensuring redundancy, and wireless connectivity.

Well when u look in the refurb store the 13" MBP with 512GB cost only $170 more than the 256GB.

Why than invest $150 in a Jetdrive? To save 20bucks?
Wich gives u only 90MB/s read speed. That's less than 1/10th compared to the 1.3GB/s of the internal SSD 2015 Model.

But as he has $2000 to spend maybe a refurb 512GB or 1TB model and than the additional 256GB Jetdrive for not often used data is enough for him...