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MBP As Main Computer HELP

M

MaxwellIreland

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 15, 2010
36
0
Hey

Im considering buying a macbook pro 13 and if I do this will be my only computer.

I will be using the macbook pro about 80% of the time at home and I am wondering how it will hold up to heavy useage (being on at least 6 hours a day,everyday)
I would get an Imac but I do like moving about with my computer (around the house,uni,friends etc)

Since Im spending £900 on this model I really want to get a few years out of it.Unfortunetly cant wait till next update either.

My most used programs being Safari,pages,video streaming/dvd playback,iphoto,itunes.
 
Heavy usage = Photoshop, FCP, Avid, DVD Studio Pro, Motion, LiveType

That MBP just doing simple tasks should last 6ish years easily. I'd personally get a new MBA if you were doing that, yes a bit more expensive but an SSD will make it quite a bit faster.
 
cambookpro said:
Heavy usage = Photoshop, FCP, Avid, DVD Studio Pro, Motion, LiveType

That MBP just doing simple tasks should last 6ish years easily. I'd personally get a new MBA if you were doing that, yes a bit more expensive but an SSD will make it quite a bit faster.
Click to expand...

Considered that yes but I have 130gb of files as it is and the MBP can be easier upgraded in future.
 
MaxwellIreland said:
Considered that yes but I have 130gb of files as it is and the MBP can be easier upgraded in future.
Click to expand...

Wish I had less files! :p
I'd love a new air but my 250GB+ load of files is really a limitation, mostly media. I thought about a 500GB external HD but the Air doesn't have FW800 so seems pointless unless I get a really slow USB drive. Have you considered cloud storage? (Dropbox, MobileMe?)
 
cambookpro said:
Wish I had less files! :p
I'd love a new air but my 250GB+ load of files is really a limitation, mostly media. I thought about a 500GB external HD but the Air doesn't have FW800 so seems pointless unless I get a really slow USB drive. Have you considered cloud storage? (Dropbox, MobileMe?)
Click to expand...

I currently have a 1TB Lacie Stack External as my back up which is fast enough and should do me fine for years to come,but one of my reasons for upgrading from my current 80gb powerbook as I need to carry my most used files on the go.
Its disapointing the MBP doesnt have a 320gb HD,might be just as well with a white macbook,pretty much similar systems.
 
Just as the others have said already, you'll be fine and your usage as listed isn't heavy at all. I do all that too and use Garageband a lot and my MBP is holding up awesome. Plus I carry it with me almost everywhere I go. My MBP is almost 4 years old too.
 
If your MBP will be your main computer (as mine is), I'd recommend going with a 15" screen vs. the 13". Primarily to reduce eye strain.

My MBP is my main computer - no longer use a desktop, and switched from Win7 to Mac back in April - no regrets. I still have my Win7 laptop - use it mostly for Microsoft Certification studies, and an occasional game on Steam.
 
as everyone else has stated ... you are good to go

I think the 13 MBP is the best choice for your needs ... plus you can upgrade the Ram and HD yourself even SSD without voiding the warranty.

IMO the new MBA where you cannot change the SSD yourself ... will become a bit of a Cash Cow for Apple. :cool:
 
Bending Pixels said:
If your MBP will be your main computer (as mine is), I'd recommend going with a 15" screen vs. the 13". Primarily to reduce eye strain.

My MBP is my main computer - no longer use a desktop, and switched from Win7 to Mac back in April - no regrets. I still have my Win7 laptop - use it mostly for Microsoft Certification studies, and an occasional game on Steam.
Click to expand...

I have a pretty nice monitor at home I can hook it up to,as the 15 & 17 inch models are way out of my price range.
 
For full-time usage (ie. desktop replacement) won't 13" be a little limiting? For me, I found my 13" MacBook way to small for anything other than mobile use. Are you going to use an external monitor at home?
 
sjfwhite said:
For full-time usage (ie. desktop replacement) won't 13" be a little limiting? For me, I found my 13" MacBook way to small for anything other than mobile use. Are you going to use an external monitor at home?
Click to expand...

Yeah thats the plan,have a nice 24 inch Acer
 
sjfwhite said:
For full-time usage (ie. desktop replacement) won't 13" be a little limiting? For me, I found my 13" MacBook way to small for anything other than mobile use. Are you going to use an external monitor at home?
Click to expand...

My wife and I have used our 13" MB's for the past 4 yrs as our main computers. No issues at all.
 
MaxwellIreland said:
Its disapointing the MBP doesnt have a 320gb HD,
Click to expand...
You can replace it with a 1TB drive for under $130 if you want.

Don't let the puny upgrade offerings by Apple dissuade your purchase.

BTW: I've been using a lowly macbook (early 2008) for about 12 hours a day the past 2 years for most everything my Dell quad desktop was used for. (Except HD video editing).

If my macbook died today I'd still say I got my money's worth. Never had a laptop last this long before. Can't imagine the MBP's as being any less robust.
 
do you worry about heat when using a 13" with the lid closed all day? mine is at about 69-70c just downloading and surfing the web:/ fullscreen hulu i hit almost 100c with the cover closed. that can't be good right?
 
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