Buying My First Mac

[PapaHLZ]

I know this question has been asked many times before but, Which MBP should I buy? I was thinking about buying the baseline 15" or Mid line 15"Model.

I know from what I've seen when that post there questions up is that they don't put down the software they will be using.

So here is the list:

Final Cut Express or Pro
Photoshop
After Effects
Garage Band
etc.
...and school.

I have been really looking forward to switching over to Mac since my last year of high school in my TVP class like a year and a half ago. Its been a long wait but, just need to wait a little long for the upgrade or refresh. Just wanted to get some more feedback from you guys cause I never bought an Apple product before but I have used them and I am thinking that phrase "Once You Go Mac, You Never Go Back" is freaking true. Is the base 15" a good choose or should I good a little higher.

Sorry again for the question and the longish post for a simple question. And I hope I didn't miss anything cause it's like 5 AM and I need sleep. Thank you for reading.

- PapaHLZ

 

[miles01110]

Depending on your budget the mid-level model would probably work well for you.

 

[orangepeel]

The 2.53ghz is not much faster than the baseline 2.4ghz, imo it's not really worth the extra $200. Since you are going to use it for final cut/photoshop, getting the hi-res screen for an extra $100 might be a good option for you.

 

[Fubar1977]

The 2.53ghz is not much faster than the baseline 2.4ghz, imo it's not really worth the extra $200. Since you are going to use it for final cut/photoshop, getting the hi-res screen for an extra $100 might be a good option for you.

This.
The mid range MBP never seemed like good value to me, the speed increase is negligible and the only other difference is a slightly bigger hard drive.
I agree that the hi-res option might be worth it for you though.
I`m running a standard 2.4 i5 and it handles everything I throw at it just fine.
Oh, I`m in the "won`t go back" camp too, wish I`d done it years ago!

 

[PapaHLZ]

@miles01110

My Budget will be around 2000 someting depending how much my next semester will cost.

@orangepeel
and
@Fubar1977

I think the baseline will be great for me. And I wish I could get the hi-res screen but there are no apple stores anywhere for like 200 miles from where I live so I have to buy it at Best Buy. Plus I don't want to buy off the Apple Store Online because of the apple credit mumbo jumbo.

Thank you guys for posting and helping out a future mac owner.

 

[Hellhammer]

Base is more than fine. You are paying for almost nothing in the mid-level 15". Save the extra bucks for 8GB of RAM, that's something you will definitely want (but from aftermarket)

 

[PapaHLZ]

Base is more than fine. You are paying for almost nothing in the mid-level 15". Save the extra bucks for 8GB of RAM, that's something you will definitely want (but from aftermarket)

Yeah your right. I was thinking about the RAM too but, I don't think I will need it for a long while or i could save up more for After Effects CS5 for MAC. Only like $350 with student discount but, I think I will get both later on. And just order Final Cut Express.

Thank you for the advice.

 

[Hellhammer]

Yeah your right. I was thinking about the RAM too but, I don't think I will need it for a long while or i could save up more for After Effects CS5 for MAC. Only like $350 with student discount but, I think I will get both later on. And just order Final Cut Express.

Thank you for the advice.

2x4GB costs only 128$

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer Technology/8566DDR3S8GP/

If you're running all those apps at once, I strongly recommend you to get more RAM since Adobe apps really love the RAM