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If you were in my shoes...iPad or Macbook pro

fallingwater

fallingwater

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 17, 2011
10
0
Nowhere
I realize what I am going to ask is a personal preference but just curious what you would do in my shoes. I feel like a little kid with a gift card in a toy store. So iPad or macbook pro? I started working for a company a few months ago that offers discounts on apple products as my company is a business partner. So I figured I would get myself an iPad 3 next month as I don't own an iPad. Well I didnt realize that my company also offers an additional discount, a huge one, for one time only to encourage apple use.

I can get an iPad 3 for roughly 150 dollars (before tax) or a Macbook pro for around 1200. Here's the thing... last summer I purchased a Macbook Pro 15 in. 2.3 GHZ with anti-glare screen (figures). So I am not in the need of a laptop however when they announced the new snazzy retina screen, well...I'm impressed. I kind of feel like since I get this one time large discount I should get the biggest bang for my buck (yes, a little greedy I know). I still get discounts so I can pick up an iPad a little later this year but it will be for more than the 150. I might be able to sell my current Macbook and from looking online it appears to be worth around 1300 (if those websites are correct). I may have 2 people interested in buying it but well...these people are friends and I never sold a computer to anyone before.

I do some freelance graphic design/photography work on the side so that is why I bought the anti-glare screen. Not sure if the retina would have a lot of glare (I heard that issue has been addressed). It seems like what I have now has more GHZ? Would I be downgrading in that dept? Sorry Im not real savvy when it comes to specs. So I am not sure if using up my discount for a Macbook Pro is worth the trouble if I am not gaining much besides the screen.

Thoughts?
 
You get the iPad because you don't have one and don't need to replace a one year old laptop. That's what I would do anyway.
 
I think you should buy MBP instead of iPad because you work for freelance graphc work.
I bought a MBP last year until I got an iPad I find myself less using MBP now….
 
I think getting the new retina one would be great for graphics work. Sell your old Macbook and get the iPad with it :)
 
The choice is clear, get the new macbook for $1200, sell for 2000 and buy a new iPad for $500. Free iPad 3 and some cash in your pockets too! Don't kid yourself about the retina display on a laptop, not necessary IMO when the high res previous gen looks great as is.
 
overanalyzer said:
You could probably buy a new MacBook Pro with the discount, sell your old one, and buy an iPad with some of the proceeds of the sale.
Click to expand...

I agree with this guy. Selling the older or new MBP can get you what you're looking for and not make dent in your wallet. Simply, ipad 500(cheapest) - 150 = $350 saving or mbp1800(cheapest 15") - 1200 = $600
 
I stupidly keep getting each new iPad thinking it will be drastically better than the last, and they aren't. They're still far below a laptop in useability, speed, and power. I hate having to put the iPad away any time I need to go to a site that utilizes Flash.
 
I got an iPad 3 because I didn't have one... well I rarely even use it. By far my worst Apple purchase so far.
 
Wow, thanks for the great replies. Much appreciated. Some of you have said I could sell my current macbook and make a profit. I didn't think I could get much more than 1200. Maybe its worth more than I thought. Its in excellent shape (I'm pretty anal on taking care of my stuff) and I still have all the original packaging. I will have to look at how to sell it. I heard ebay isn't the way to go anymore and don't really feel comfortable using craigslist due to so many robberies.
 
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