Help: Which MacBook Pro should I get for school?

[thiagoah]

Hello,

I am heading back to school in August and require a MacBook Pro for school but I am stuck in terms of what to purchase. I am heavily involved with lots of graphic design and photo editing.

Luckily I have student pricing so I save a few bucks. I am deciding on one of these deals:

**$1637** 13-inch: 2.4GHz with Retina display
2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz
8GB 1600MHz memory
256GB PCIe-based flash storage1
Intel Iris Graphics
Built-in battery (9 hours)

$1,411 13-inch: 2.4GHzwith Retina display
Specifications
2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz
4GB 1600MHz memory
128GB PCIe-based flash storage1
Intel Iris Graphics
Built-in battery (9 hours)


OR I could go with the following refurbished deals and save a few bucks as well.

**$1490**Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Dual-core Intel i5 with Retina Display
13.3-inch (diagonal) Retina display; 2560-by-1600 resolution at 227 pixels per inch
8GB of 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
256GB Flash Storage1
720p FaceTime HD camera
Intel Iris Graphics

$1269 Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro 2.6GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5 with Retina Display
13.3-inch (diagonal) Retina display; 2560-by-1600 resolution at 227 pixels per inch

8GB of 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM

256GB Flash Storage

720p FaceTime HD Camera

Intel HD Graphics 4000

$1099 Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro 2.5GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5 with Retina Display
13.3-inch (diagonal) Retina display; 2560-by-1600 resolution at 227 pixels per inch
8GB of 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
128GB Flash Storage

720p FaceTime HD Camera

Intel HD Graphics 4000


Update**: With tax for the $1319 refurbished model I would be looking at $1490 or $1637 for a new model. A difference of $147 in savings, do you think it's worth it?

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks again.

 

[ohbrilliance]

I suggest you skip anything with 4GB of RAM and 128GB SSD. They're just too limiting and don't leave you room to grow.

The $1319 refurb looks like a good choice, assuming it's the same as the $1637 model. Either of those two will give you reasonable RAM and storage, and give you the benefits of the latest hardware (great battery life, improved graphics).

 

[capathy21]

Hello,

I am heading back to school in August and require a MacBook Pro for school but I am stuck in terms of what to purchase. I am heavily involved with lots of graphic design and photo editing.

Luckily I have student pricing so I save a few bucks. I am deciding on one of these deals:

$1637 13-inch: 2.4GHz with Retina display
2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz
8GB 1600MHz memory
256GB PCIe-based flash storage1
Intel Iris Graphics
Built-in battery (9 hours)

$1,411 13-inch: 2.4GHzwith Retina display
Specifications
2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz
4GB 1600MHz memory
128GB PCIe-based flash storage1
Intel Iris Graphics
Built-in battery (9 hours)


OR I could go with the following refurbished deals and save a few bucks as well.

**$1319.00**Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Dual-core Intel i5 with Retina Display
13.3-inch (diagonal) Retina display; 2560-by-1600 resolution at 227 pixels per inch
8GB of 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
256GB Flash Storage1
720p FaceTime HD camera
Intel Iris Graphics

$1269 Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro 2.6GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5 with Retina Display
13.3-inch (diagonal) Retina display; 2560-by-1600 resolution at 227 pixels per inch

8GB of 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM

256GB Flash Storage

720p FaceTime HD Camera

Intel HD Graphics 4000

$1099 Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro 2.5GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5 with Retina Display
13.3-inch (diagonal) Retina display; 2560-by-1600 resolution at 227 pixels per inch
8GB of 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
128GB Flash Storage

720p FaceTime HD Camera

Intel HD Graphics 4000


Any help would be appreciated! Thanks again.

What is your max budget? I see no reason to purchase new when the refurbs will save you some money. If you budget allows, go with the 1319 option. The Iris graphics will be much better than the HD 4000. I have the base model 4/128 and for my needs it's perfect. If you are heavily into graphic design and photo editing, I am not sure it would suffice for your needs. If you can afford it, go ahead and get the 8/256 Iris model.

If you are very limited on budget. There is a refurb 4/128 in the Apple store for 1099. I would still choose that over the older HD4000 model with 8/128.

 

[thiagoah]

I suggest you skip anything with 4GB of RAM and 128GB SSD. They're just too limiting and don't leave you room to grow.

The $1319 refurb looks like a good choice, assuming it's the same as the $1637 model. Either of those two will give you reasonable RAM and storage, and give you the benefits of the latest hardware (great battery life, improved graphics).

I agree, I think the 4/128 models are just too limited for the work I am involved with.

I am just wondering if it's worth paying roughly $1500 with taxes for a refurbished model while I can purchase a new one for around $1800?

----------

What is your max budget? I see no reason to purchase new when the refurbs will save you some money. If you budget allows, go with the 1319 option. The Iris graphics will be much better than the HD 4000. I have the base model 4/128 and for my needs it's perfect. If you are heavily into graphic design and photo editing, I am not sure it would suffice for your needs. If you can afford it, go ahead and get the 8/256 Iris model.

If you are very limited on budget. There is a refurb 4/128 in the Apple store for 1099. I would still choose that over the older HD4000 model with 8/128.

I am looking to spend max $1500. Do you know the difference between the older HD4000 and new Iris? What about the 2.4GHz vs 2.6GHz, is that something significant to consider?

 

[MarvinHC]

If you do a lot of photo and graphics work, do you intend to also use an external monitor? Otherwise the 13" might be a bit on the small side.

 

[thiagoah]

If you do a lot of photo and graphics work, do you intend to also use an external monitor? Otherwise the 13" might be a bit on the small side.

Yes, I do have an external monitor but I've also gone in store and found that the 13" is sufficient in terms of screen size for the work I do.

 

[T5BRICK]

Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Dual-core Intel i5 with Retina Display
13.3-inch (diagonal) Retina display; 2560-by-1600 resolution at 227 pixels per inch
8GB of 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
256GB Flash Storage1
720p FaceTime HD camera
Intel Iris Graphics

That's the one I'd buy right there.

 

[thiagoah]

That's the one I'd buy right there.

I could purchase the refurbished model for $1490 OR the new model for $1637.

Which would make more sense? Although my max budget is $1500, I feel like not paying an additional $147 to buy a new model would be a mistake.

 

[T5BRICK]

Which would make more sense? Although my max budget is $1500, I feel like not paying an additional $147 to buy a new model would be a mistake.

They're the same computer with the same warranty. Aside from the packaging, you won't be able to tell that it isn't "new."

*edit* Use the $147 you save towards the purchase of AppleCare. Or beer. They're both important.

 

[capathy21]

I feel like not paying an additional $147 to buy a new model would be a mistake.

You would essentially be paying $147.00 for a shrink wrapped box. Once you open it, it's the same thing.

 

[Sifinity]

before you buy from where ever you plan to ; check this website out , it has a coupon code which works with adorama to give you free apple care for 3 years and no tax(Unless your in NJ or NY (then find a relative outside of it lol)) ; only in july though , so before your pull the trigger check it out ; http://prices.appleinsider.com/#applecare

 

[thiagoah]

before you buy from where ever you plan to ; check this website out , it has a coupon code which works with adorama to give you free apple care for 3 years and no tax(Unless your in NJ or NY (then find a relative outside of it lol)) ; only in july though , so before your pull the trigger check it out ; http://prices.appleinsider.com/#applecare

Unfortunately majority of the RMBPs are currently out of stock on Adorama. Not sure when they'll be available