Is a 15" Retina Macbook Pro too big to carry around a college campus?

[kis]

Computer Science major. Programmin'. I want to create Mac and iOS games and test them on Mac. I'd love to use Photoshop and stuff.. but I have no art skills. So would you recommend the 15" or 13" based on what I need?

Ah. I wish I had that kind of cash. I only have like $250.. My parents are paying the rest. I've only asked about getting a 13" at $1399 and my mother thought it was pretty expensive so asking for more.. Heh.

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It's a refurb. Aren't these individually inspected by Apple?

http://store.apple.com/us/product/F...-23ghz-quad-core-intel-i7-with-retina-display
This one.

13" is my last resort.

For CS: get the 15" model. You'll need to have several windows open etc., so the 13" is too small for you.

Yes, Apple inspects them, but they're claiming the ghosting thing is within specs (they'll exchange the display for you if you ask for it, though).

 

[Mr. RPG]

For CS: get the 15" model. You'll need to have several windows open etc., so the 13" is too small for you.

Yes, Apple inspects them, but they're claiming the ghosting thing is within specs (they'll exchange the display for you if you ask for it, though).

What do you mean it's within specs?

Not all of them have ghosting.. right? I'm becoming scared.

Just realize, getting a 2013 model is out of the question. I simply can't afford it.

 

[iPoopeh]

Computer Science major. Programmin'. I want to create Mac and iOS games and test them on Mac. I'd love to use Photoshop and stuff.. but I have no art skills. So would you recommend the 15" or 13" based on what I need?

Ah. I wish I had that kind of cash. I only have like $250.. My parents are paying the rest. I've only asked about getting a 13" at $1399 and my mother thought it was pretty expensive so asking for more.. Heh.

I actually think you can get away with a 13'' rMBP. If you have a Apple Store nearby, it could also help you out with the decision making. The 13'' rMBP is a great little thing. The only downside is that it doesn't have a dedicated GPU. But my boyfriend is also doing Programming, and he's using the HD 4000 [Samsung Notebook though], so you should be all good! :'D Thing is, he also has a 15'' screen, any smaller... Not sure if he could of handled it.. > >''

Maybe get a summer part time job? Show your mom [and/or dad] that you are willing to help pay half or whatever amount that they want you to pay. It'll impress them and hopefully they won't be as hesitant!

 

[kis]

http://store.apple.com/us/product/F...-23ghz-quad-core-intel-i7-with-retina-display
This one.

looks like great value to me.

As for the screen size: if the 15" is too expensive (which I can understand - I sure wouldn't buy my son one of these just go with the 13" and get an external monitor for 150$. That way you have plenty of space when you need to code and don't have the bulk to carry around all day.

As a matter of fact, I'm willing to bet that the 15" will be too small for your needs and you'll be buying an external monitor (or two) anyway soonish

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The only downside is that it doesn't have a dedicated GPU.

you definitely don't need a dedicated GPU for doing iOS programming, unless you're doing game design, in which case you'll want a maxed out 15" rMBP plus 2 external screens.

 

[Mr. RPG]

looks like great value to me.

As for the screen size: if the 15" is too expensive (which I can understand - I sure wouldn't buy my son one of these just go with the 13" and get an external monitor for 150$. That way you have plenty of space when you need to code and don't have the bulk to carry around all day.

As a matter of fact, I'm willing to bet that the 15" will be too small for your needs and you'll be buying an external monitor (or two) anyway soonish

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you definitely don't need a dedicated GPU for doing iOS programming, unless you're doing game design, in which case you'll want a maxed out 15" rMBP plus 2 external screens.

Wait. Why would I need a maxed out 15" rMBP and 2 external screens for game design..?

I have a 21" (or is it 23"?) HD monitor that I can use already. It's hooked up to my PS3, but I can easily just switch around, but can the 13" rMBP's HD 4000 graphics do 2 screens at once...?

I actually think you can get away with a 13'' rMBP. If you have a Apple Store nearby, it could also help you out with the decision making. The 13'' rMBP is a great little thing. The only downside is that it doesn't have a dedicated GPU. But my boyfriend is also doing Programming, and he's using the HD 4000 [Samsung Notebook though], so you should be all good! :'D Thing is, he also has a 15'' screen, any smaller... Not sure if he could of handled it.. > >''

Maybe get a summer part time job? Show your mom [and/or dad] that you are willing to help pay half or whatever amount that they want you to pay. It'll impress them and hopefully they won't be as hesitant!

Nearest Apple Store is a long ways away. Like 40 miles in Nashville.

I can't drive yet. I don't start my driver's ed driving until early July.

 

[kis]

Wait. Why would I need a maxed out 15" rMBP and 2 external screens for game design..?

Because of the graphics - you'll need all the memory you can get (16gb, that is) and a large internal drive for dumping all the data. You'll also need a dedicated GPU for rendering. The two screens are mainly for convenience - but 15" isn't enough for coding in any case.

 

[iPoopeh]

Nearest Apple Store is a long ways away. Like 40 miles in Nashville.

I can't drive yet. I don't start my driver's ed driving until early July.

> .< Oh I'm so sorry... I'm so use to how mine is only a mile away, if that.. Only 5 minutes away from my job...

Good luck! Driving gives you a lot of freedom that you wish you had before. Especially when you have your own car.

you definitely don't need a dedicated GPU for doing iOS programming, unless you're doing game design, in which case you'll want a maxed out 15" rMBP plus 2 external screens.

Yeah I figured as much... I was wondering as to why my boyfriend wanted a NVidia GPU in his Samsung Notebook... Apparently he only wanted it to play games.
But he doesn't do too much when it comes to Computer Science... He may have 5-6tabs open on Chrome, his programming application open and maybe something else... that's it. And he wants to become a Game Programmer too... He must be doing something wrong...

 

[Mr. RPG]

Because of the graphics - you'll need all the memory you can get (16gb, that is) and a large internal drive for dumping all the data. You'll also need a dedicated GPU for rendering.

I'm not following you. I work only with 2D games and currently my Game Development folder is only about 998 MB, so 1 GB and I will still continue to do most of my game development on Windows.

and like I said, there's no way I can afford all of that and I don't see any need to.

I don't even see a need for 16GB. 8GB is plenty and with OS X Mavericks, the OS will take much less than it does in ML.

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> .< Oh I'm so sorry... I'm so use to how mine is only a mile away, if that.. Only 5 minutes away from my job...

Good luck! Driving gives you a lot of freedom that you wish you had before. Especially when you have your own car.



Yeah I figured as much... I was wondering as to why my boyfriend wanted a NVidia GPU in his Samsung Notebook... Apparently he only wanted it to play games.
But he doesn't do too much when it comes to Computer Science... He may have 5-6tabs open on Chrome, his programming application open and maybe something else... that's it. And he wants to become a Game Programmer too... He must be doing something wrong...

I'm scared of driving. It's a pretty big killer..

So, ultimately, what do you suggest for me?

 

[iPoopeh]

I'm scared of driving. It's a pretty big killer..

So, ultimately, what do you suggest for me?

So is my boyfriend. Don't worry... You'll get it soon enough.

I still say the 13'' rMBP. It's more powerful than my boyfriend's notebook [I pretty much picked the laptop out for him because he know's jack about computers. ]. 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD, you're good! As time goes on, you can get something bigger and better. But right now, College doesn't really require you to do much your first year. They should have some computers in a lab that can handle any intense tasks as well. ^ ^

 

[Mr. RPG]

So is my boyfriend. Don't worry... You'll get it soon enough.

I still say the 13'' rMBP. It's more powerful than my boyfriend's notebook [I pretty much picked the laptop out for him because he know's jack about computers. ]. 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD, you're good! As time goes on, you can get something bigger and better. But right now, College doesn't really require you to do much your first year. They should have some computers in a lab that can handle any intense tasks as well. ^ ^

Still going to try and go for the 15" first

Know of any cheaper 13" or 15" models other than ($1419 at Amazon for 13"; $1599 at Apple refurb for 15"

 

[iPoopeh]

Still going to try and go for the 15" first

Know of any cheaper 13" or 15" models other than ($1419 at Amazon for 13"; $1599 at Apple refurb for 15"

;D Yeees! I would of said 15'' but I know you said it cost too much... But I say it's worth it...

MacMall And B&H Photo are some great places to check out.. they should have some good prices..

Edit:: This may also be helpful [Scroll down until you see 15'' rMBP]

 

[kis]

I'm not following you. I work only with 2D games and currently my Game Development folder is only about 998 MB, so 1 GB and I will still continue to do most of my game development on Windows.

then it's not a problem - didn't know you already had a Windows computer.

 

[Mr. RPG]

;D Yeees! I would of said 15'' but I know you said it cost too much... But I say it's worth it...

MacMall And B&H Photo are some great places to check out.. they should have some good prices..

Edit:: This may also be helpful [Scroll down until you see 15'' rMBP]

The base 13" rMBP is only $1377 at MacMall and I get 2 Free Day Shipping but I've never used them before.

http://www.macmall.com/p/product~dpno~9418680~pdp.iadfdaj?couponBox=APPLEINSIDER01

$1435 for 256GB SSD upgrade.

But I can't find any good "deals" on a new 15"..

Wait.. do I pay tax at MacMall? That's a deal breaker for me.

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then it's not a problem - didn't know you already had a Windows computer.

It's a..
i5-3570K / ASRock Z77 Extreme4 / 8GB DDR3 / Samsung 840 120GB 2.5" SSD / Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 / Corsair 300R / Rosewill 630W 80 PLUS / Windows 8 64-bit

also have a 500 old hard drive for everything else. Will eventually get rid of this thing for a new SSD.

Can you help me find the cheapest possible 13" and 15" thats a good deal (with no tax?)

 

[iPoopeh]

The base 13" rMBP is only $1377 at MacMall and I get 2 Free Day Shipping but I've never used them before.

http://www.macmall.com/p/product~dpno~9418680~pdp.iadfdaj?couponBox=APPLEINSIDER01

$1435 for 256GB SSD upgrade.

But I can't find any good "deals" on a new 15"..

Wait.. do I pay tax at MacMall? That's a deal breaker for me

Many people on the forums use these guys. So I would think that they are pretty good.

And it's very hard to find a good deal for the 15''... I tried and pretty much gave up... But the only way to find out if you have to pay tax is to pretend that you're going to purchase it! At least that is what I do when I want to figure out the tax. ^ ^

 

[Mr. RPG]

Many people on the forums use these guys. So I would think that they are pretty good.

And it's very hard to find a good deal for the 15''... I tried and pretty much gave up... But the only way to find out if you have to pay tax is to pretend that you're going to purchase it! At least that is what I do when I want to figure out the tax. ^ ^

Can't really tell without my parent's using their account.

I think I do though. So that sucks.

Is the $1599 refurb 15" model the cheapest there is available right now?

 

[iPoopeh]

Can't really tell without my parent's using their account.

I think I do though. So that sucks.

Is the $1599 refurb 15" model the cheapest there is available right now?

I faked a purchase for you. ^ ^ I did not have to pay tax. So hopefully that helps your decision.

And for right now, yes. Keep an eye out on the refurbished models... They add new ones in so hopefully something cheaper shall be there soon. ^ ^

 

[Mr. RPG]

I faked a purchase for you. ^ ^ I did not have to pay tax. So hopefully that helps your decision.

And for right now, yes. Keep an eye out on the refurbished models... They add new ones in so hopefully something cheaper shall be there soon. ^ ^

Well I live in TN so I think it is different by state.

I think I'll go with the MacMall for the 13" and Apple's refurb store for the 15" depending on what I need.

 

[iPoopeh]

Well I live in TN so I think it is different by state.

I think I'll go with the MacMall for the 13" and Apple's refurb store for the 15" depending on what I need.

Time to move to Virginia. :B Your tax would be $131.35.... [I changed my address to some TN address. xD]

And I think you have a good plan going... I heard good things about Apple Refurbs~ So hopefully they won't disappoint, and come out with some better deals.

 

[Mr. RPG]

Time to move to Virginia. :B Your tax would be $131.35.... [I changed my address to some TN address. xD]

And I think you have a good plan going... I heard good things about Apple Refurbs~ So hopefully they won't disappoint, and come out with some better deals.

Which one would have that tax?

 

[B...]

Which one would have that tax?

Hi Mr. RPG. There is tax in Macmall for TN. I think you should try to get a 15", just know that your parents will likely not want to pay for that. The 13" is still a great computer and very powerful for your uses.

 

[sofianito]

Do macmall sell brand new or refurbished notebooks?

Do apple allow resellers to sell cheaper than them? What's the trick?

 

[B...]

Do macmall sell brand new or refurbished notebooks?

Do apple allow resellers to sell cheaper than them? What's the trick?

If it says new, it's brand new.

 

[Chuck-Norris]

Hmmmm..

You clearly are NOT 'Chuck Norris'.. Nope..

ur right its about the op sherlock

 

[PDFierro]

It's only 1 pound in difference. I can't see how it's that BIG of a deal like the OP is making it out to be. It's absolutely going to break your back.

For me, it's about the size and how much larger the 15-inch is. Not to mention the price difference.

 

[Vulcan]

I would highly recommend a new MacBook Air over either rMBP. I have a 15" and although it isn't terrible to carry around campus, it barely fits in most of my lecture halls and feels cramped to use. If I could do it all over, I definitely would have purchased either the 13" MBA or 13" rMBP.