i7 Macbook Pro as a desktop replacement?

[Mirabella]

I have put in an order for the 15" i7, and am having it reconfigured at OWC: replacing the optical bay with a 100GB SSD for boot/application, and a 1TB HDD for data, and with 8GB of RAM. That should be serious computing power (for Photoshop anyway). One can then add a large monitor and a RAID external storage unit as backup.[/url]

This is also basically what I intend to do, when SSD prices come down, and their storage size goes up.

 

[Obsidian6]

I've seen those, but that's not really a portable solution. (Then again the 17" Isn't so portable either). It still leaves me with the issue of multiple libraries (photo, video, itunes)

I'm wondering if that's going to be a real problem for me.

 

[mcruzader]

I am a traveling photographer, and with the latest release of Macbook Pros, they are now in play as competition to the desktops. I have put in an order for the 15" i7, and am having it reconfigured at OWC: replacing the optical bay with a 100GB SSD for boot/application, and a 1TB HDD for data, and with 8GB of RAM. That should be serious computing power (for Photoshop anyway). One can then add a large monitor and a RAID external storage unit as backup. All this works out much cheaper than a Mac Pro of comparable power. And you get portability. (I realize that others may have different requirements etc)

By the way, I got the OWC idea here -

http://macperformanceguide.com/bto-mbp.html

How much do they charge for all of that. This is what I did with my current MBP replace superdrive with an intel x-25 160gb, 500gb 7200rpm from newegg and 8GB or ram from newegg too.

 

[mcruzader]

I've seen those, but that's not really a portable solution. (Then again the 17" Isn't so portable either). It still leaves me with the issue of multiple libraries (photo, video, itunes)

I'm wondering if that's going to be a real problem for me.

Yeah it really isn't portable but OWC is supposed to be releasing a Dual Drive 2.5" enclosure, maybe they would fit the new 1TB 2.5" drives, but other than that the only way to go is to replace the superdrive with a harddrive and maybe not use an ssd in the regular bay but another big sized harddrive, then raid 0 them if you really wanted to.

 

[Mirabella]

Obsidian6,

Besides putting two big drives into your laptop, would taking one or more portable external drives with you be a workable solution? I know it's not ideal, but it might still be the best option.

 

[agtoau]

How much do they charge for all of that. This is what I did with my current MBP replace superdrive with an intel x-25 160gb, 500gb 7200rpm from newegg and 8GB or ram from newegg too.

With the configuration I chose (100GB SSD, 1TB HDD, 8GB RAM, 16GB USB boot flash drive, external optical drive, parts & labour, + stress testing) it came to $1500. This reflects a credit for the the original 500GB HDD and the 4GB RAM that comes preloaded with the Macbook Pro.

 

[Obsidian6]

Well, circumstances have slightly changed for me and it looks like I'll be able to hang on to my mac pro and still buy a Macbook Pro after the wedding I'm shooting next month.

I will likely do another fresh OS install on the Mac Pro and get more hard-drives for it and turn it into a fileserver / backup solution. (With no additional software installed outside my Pro-Apps)

I have 2 24" monitors currently, and I can leave one for the Mac Pro and use the other with the Macbook Pro when I have it at home.

My debate now is: Which MBP to get? It will absolutely be the i7 option, and it will absolutely be an anti-glare screen. I'll leave RAM and HDD stock because I can purchase those from a 3rd party for a cheaper price.

With the said pre-requisites the 15" MBP is $2349 (before taxes and discounts) and the 17" is $2549. At this point it comes down to having a physically larger screen, and that all-too-precious express34 slot.

Physical size and weight isn't much of a concern, and I'm assuming performance should be identical.

Whichever one I get will be traveled with, but it likely will not get used on a plane or anything like that.

Which would you pick?

 

[Obsidian6]

Obsidian6,

Besides putting two big drives into your laptop, would taking one or more portable external drives with you be a workable solution? I know it's not ideal, but it might still be the best option.

For the record: Yes this is still a plenty viable solution for me as I do this already

 

[Obsidian6]

No thoughts at all? I'd like to hear some feedback from you guys.

 

[libskate]

I'm not a photographer, but a student. I have a c2d 17" mbp and I think the extra screen size will be something you definitely appreciate.

Granted the 17" is very heavy and cumbersome to lug around, but once you get it to the destination it is fantastic to work on.

 

[miamirulz29]

I'm not a photographer, but a student. I have a c2d 17" mbp and I think the extra screen size will be something you definitely appreciate.

Granted the 17" is very heavy and cumbersome to lug around, but once you get it to the destination it is fantastic to work on.

Look at the date of this thread...

 

[libskate]

Look at the date of this thread...

go **** yourself