Hey everyone. I am in the market for a new laptop and am looking to get my first Mac. I am currently using a HP dv6000 which I've had for four years and is on it's last leg (broken hinge, hardware problems, etc.). I can't justify investing the money to fix it. Anyways, I want a Macbook Pro (Air doesn't really interest me as an optical drive IS important to me). However, I am undecided as to what specs I need. I will be using it for school (including essays, research, etc.), music, television show streaming, and movies. Maybe some light gaming. Is the base model of the MBP (13 inch) appropriate for me? Also, does everyone recommend the care plan you can add on through Apple?
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First Time MBP Buyer
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base 13" should more then suffice. so long as your not going to be gaming a lot the base model is plenty.
You'll be fine with the base 13". Hold off on the Apple Care for the first year, you can always buy it after a year if you wish.
You can buy it after a year? What kind of warranty does it come with? Just a basic hardware one?
You have ONLY one year to purchase AppleCare. If you buy the Mac on January 1, 2010, you could not buy AppleCare on January 3, 2011.
Graphics card, mostly. No shared graphics on either 15" MBP models and with the 15" you have the option of the 1GB graphics card.
Oh, good to know. I might be going with the 13" just because I'm a student and money is tight. I don't know. Obviously in the long run a 15" would be better though.
You can't really "futureproof" since you have no idea the rate at which tech will advance. I suggest to the op to just something usable and within budget. No point in overkilling the specs if they're never going to be used
The base 13" MBP seems like a good choice. Whether or not to get AppleCare depends on your budget.
If you're gonna replace your laptop in a few years and you're on a budget, the 15" MBP is probably not worth it. I use my laptops 4+ years before I replace them. My PB is 7 years old, runs Tiger, and I still use it regularly, but it will be replaced soon. However, if it had a better graphics card (128 or 256 instead of a measly 64MB) and the ability for more RAM I could still use it for the foreseeable future.
I might be going with the 13" just because I'm a student and money is tight. I don't know. Obviously in the long run a 15" would be better though.
How about a base 15" refurb which has a same as new warranty and still lets you buy Apple Care within a year. They start at $1439 w/free shipping for a 15". If you think you may move to 15" then in the end it will cost you more. A 15" with a external monitor lets you do most anything.
How about a base 15" refurb which has a same as new warranty and still lets you buy Apple Care within a year. They start at $1439 w/free shipping for a 15". If you think you may move to 15" then in the end it will cost you more. A 15" with a external monitor lets you do most anything.
That is last year's model, so if the OP is looking for a 2011 MBP then the 15" starts at $1529. Also consider buying the 13" MBP from Micro Center for $1000, if that deal is still available.
Deal is still on for MC, pick up only. Will be heading down to the local MC this afternoon
