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My first notebook going to cost me 4000$ !?

S

Scalion

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 26, 2010
20
0
Hi, i made my choice. After one year of research/wait

I was looking for a notebook with very good screen quality/design-durability.
Unfortunatly, at the time i'm writing this, there only the macbok pro 15" with the compromise. Other notebook was HP Envy and Sony Vaio (S/F).

But i know im not gonna regret my buying with the macbook pro.
It cost a lot of money but, since it's my first notebook i have to spend a bit more money then usual (upgrade).

The notebook is for work, but.. honestly, for everything.
I use Photoshop/After Effect/3ds Max (primary)

- 2350$ Macbook Pro 15" 2.2Gh.z with Hi-Res
Not sure if i should buy the 8gb with apple
Still hesitating with the 2.3gh.z
- 35$ Adapter DP-VGA
- 35$ Adapter DP-DVI
- 35$ Adapter DP-HDMI
- 80$ Power Apple 85W MagSafe

But with those spec, the notebook is not good enough for my need so... :
I found the OWC to help me with customization

- 75$ OWC Data Doubler Optical Bay Hard Drive
- 115$ 8.0GB (2x4.0GB Kit) PC3-10600 DDR3 1333MHz
- 105$ 1.0TB 2.5" Samsung Spinpoint MT2 5400RPM

Then :
- 500$ 256GB(minimum) C400 SATA3 (Or Vertex 3 Or Intel 510)
- 110$ Windows 7 64 Home premium oem
- 30$? OS X Lion ... 30$ ?

Oh yeah and a bag... 100$

All this with tax and shipping (I live in Québec/Canada) , total of
4000$

Dang a lot of money, people warned me, but dang... :eek:
So, is there website you suggest me for the hardware/customization.
Im using OWC memory, is it ok ?
Im gonna buy the samsung 1.0tb, good quality ? (compar to western digital)
Is there any way to save money, like coupon, good website with low price, etc...

oh and, for windows 7/BootCamp
If i update ATI Driver in Os X, it doesn't affect windows 7 right ? And vice verca.
Does Lion will have a new version of Bootcamp with better compatibility ?
No need to say welcome to mac world... i still have one step in pc ;)
(well, for me it doesn't matter windows or osx, software are identical (Adobe)

Thank you for the reading :)
Sorry if i posted in wrong place, wasn't sure where to put my thread
 
Scalion said:
Hi, i made my choice. After one year of research/wait

- 2350$ Macbook Pro 15" 2.2Gh.z with Hi-Res
Not sure if i should buy the 8gb with apple
Click to expand...

Apple's RAM is overpriced, and it is highly suggested that you purchase 3rd party RAM.

- 35$ Adapter DP-VGA
- 35$ Adapter DP-DVI
- 35$ Adapter DP-HDMI
- 80$ Power Apple 85W MagSafe
Click to expand...

Do you seriously need a VGA adapter? There are not many monitors that use VGA anymore. I would suggest sticking to just DVI/HDMI. All MacBooks come with a charger, so unless you're constantly going on flights that are longer than 5 hours, don't bother with it.

But with those spec, the notebook is not good enough for my need so... :
I found the OWC to help me with customization

- 75$ OWC Data Doubler Optical Bay Hard Drive
- 115$ 8.0GB (2x4.0GB Kit) PC3-10600 DDR3 1333MHz
- 105$ 1.0TB 2.5" Samsung Spinpoint MT2 5400RPM
Click to expand...

Is the RAM needed right now? RAM will always become cheaper over time.

Then :
- 500$ 256GB(minimum) C400 SATA3 (Or Vertex 3 Or Intel 510)
- 110$ Windows 7 64 Home premium oem
- 30$? OS X Lion ... 30$ ?

Oh yeah and a bag... 100$
Click to expand...

I wouldn't go with the OEM version of Windows 7. If you ever need to reinstall it, you are screwed, among other things. Purchase at your own risk.

All this with tax and shipping (I live in Québec/Canada) , total of
4000$

Dang a lot of money, people warned me, but dang... :eek:
So, is there website you suggest me for the hardware/customization.
Im using OWC memory, is it ok ?
Im gonna buy the samsung 1.0tb, good quality ? (compar to western digital)
Is there any way to save money, like coupon, good website with low price, etc...

oh and, for windows 7/BootCamp
If i update ATI Driver in Os X, it doesn't affect windows 7 right ? And vice verca.
Does Lion will have a new version of Bootcamp with better compatibility ?
No need to say welcome to mac world... i still have one step in pc ;)
(well, for me it doesn't matter windows or osx, software are identical (Adobe)

Thank you for the reading :)
Sorry if i posted in wrong place, wasn't sure where to put my thread
Click to expand...



Welcome to Canada mate. If you're a student, you can get a discount via Apple's education store. Alternatively, you could always go for one of Apple's refurbished products. You are correct on the graphics assumption.

In the end, all we can suggest is go for what you NEED and can AFFORD, and not what you WANT. Good luck!
 
lol you spec out your box with latest gen everything including a 512 SSD and you're surprised about cost?
 
you can run photoshop, after effects and whatever the hell you want on a base MBP.

the upgrades can come later dude, chill the f out.
 
IMO ... you are spending too much for your first Mac ... forget all that stuff you don't need ... try the base 15" MBP and find out that it will do what you need it to do. ... why overspend by $2000 or more. :cool:
 
You can save a lot of money if you buy the adapters and magsafe on ebay. Get windows 7 loader to save another 100 bucks.
 
lol you go do that. and why stop at 15"? just fully spec out the 17" while you're at it
 
Wow, lot of reply already ! :)

- I'm not a sutdent, i work, so all stuff i buy for my work will go for the tax 2011 (yeah it's the positive thing)

- My need are very high

- I need all those adapter because of work (Projector), the only one i want for me is the hdmi

- I need 8gig, hard to go under with all my stuff (im around 7gig when i work)

- I don't get it the oem windows 7 thing, i always bought oem os.. the only negative point is, when you put the key for that computer it stick with it, and cannot by used an another computer (with exception)

- 17" is too big, 15" is more easy to bring with us everywhere

- I use 3ds max every day, this is the program affect me the most vs the speed of the computer. Otherwise PS AE, can be used in every basic computer. (well AE can be tricky sometime)

- I don't know about windows 7 loader,but i guess it's something that activate the genuine of windows. I already try stuff like this on other computer, work (failed too)... but a, ... well i will give a try that for sure ! Actualy i wanted to test my windows 7 oem and install it on the laptop and look what happen. I can also call microsoft and complain i didn't change computer i just changed the mother and i won't let me activate the genuine... worth a try, free call ...

- I forgot about ebay, never bought stuff there... guess it's time to create an account and try ! thx for remind me, i can see the magsafe 85w around 20$ !

- I NEED 1.0 TB, can't go under (i even did a clean up last week), i got too much stuff and i using it time to time =/ (Im not talking about movie here (over 2.5tb), but my personal stuff, like photography/3d projet/mp3/work/etc...)

- I was wondring what to do with the 750g, i think im gonna buy a external enclosure, do you suggest a brand for 12.5mm 2.5" ?
i would like simple and small enclosure without a external power to plug (if that possible)

- Oh and btw, all usb 3.0 are useless on mac ? it's going to use the 2.0 right ?

- When i install my OS and all programm im already at 150gig, so can't go under 256gb unfortunatly =/. I was thinking to wait before buy the SSD, and read the feedback from user wich one is reliable, firmwire, speed over time, etc... (between the 3 best ssd, vertex 3, c400 and 510)

- and a, it's my money of course ;)

Thing is, when im gonna upgrade the laptop, i will probably keep my 256gb ssd and 1.0tb harddrive, all adapter, the mount adapter from owc, maybe the 8gb ram, who know, and of course the bag...

So it's a lot of money at start but after i guess... it should be ok, won't spend that much money...
 
Last edited:
OWC for RAM is a great choice, Im not sure but you can also check the Marketplace on MacRumors should you have permission to do so.

Windows 7, OEM is just the non-retail version and shouldnt have ANY problems with it (with regards to reinstalling it, i personally never had issues with OEM Windows). You may just need to reactivate it if you plan to reinstall it on a different machine but it seems like this will be your main workhorse so you're fine and you can get good deals here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006816 600021084&IsNodeId=1&name=OEM

As far as the 750GB HDD is concerned I'd recommend holding onto that incase of warranty issues as they will want whatever came with the machine if you ever get it replaced or serviced; id pick up the OWC Mercury ELite-AL Pro Mini that has all the ports you'll ever need and its powered by USB or FireWire800.


You can get USB 3.0 devices they just will run at 2.0 Speeds.


For cases and bags, definitely try ebay or optionally Amazon.com they have good deals on things like that plus alot have free shipping as well.
I'd recommend any of the BOOQ bags, I have the Taipan Lift L BOOQ messenger bag, i really like it.
 
For the external enclosure, you can get any 2.5" SATA enclosure, as the drive is 9.5mm height. Not sure why you need the extra power adapter though, and please don't buy those video adapters from apple. Check out monoprice.com, and you can get all 3 for probably less than the $35 it would cost you for one from apple. Just a few bucks to save there.
 
monoprice...

I bought couple stuff there.. and, after couple of use, most of them broke.
But the funny thing, even if it broke, it still worth to buy again because of the incredible low price.

I just order all the adapter there, well see if they will last.

For the bag, indeed the booq are my favorit at moment, was thinking to buy the viper, i have a store near by, so ll take a look first !

I also order my stuff at owc.
I tought the 750gb hard drive was 12.5 but it's only the 1.0tb, so i order the small enclosure... well the full kit

Thank you
 
- 500$ 256GB(minimum) C400 SATA3 (Or Vertex 3 Or Intel 510)
Click to expand...

You *need* a 256gb minimum ssd? Tht's going to cost the same regardless of which laptop you get.

$100 for a bag? I got a sleeve for mine for about 25$ that works great.

Why do you *need* win7? All the programs you listed as needing run on Mac.

Isn't the 128gb ssd upgrade only 100$ through Apple? Get that, since you are not planning on using the stock harddrive that comes in your mac and save yourself $400.

For the amount of graphics stuff you do I'd suggest the 17" screen size.
 
Dollar virtually worthless

Fortunately for people outside the United States, the US Dollar is dirt cheap! It is virtually worthless soon, thanks to the budget deficit. So whenever possible I buy the highest end machine and pay in worthless Dollars.
 
To my knowledge, 3ds max does not run on mac osx. So if you don't want to switch around all the time, you are pretty much stuck with windows. In such case, if you are concerned about hardware cost. Your best bet is to stay away from mac, or even stay away from laptop. You can spend a lot less than 4k to get the same stuff, performance wise.
 
Dont buy the 2.3 Ghz. I heard the difference between 2.2 and 2.3 is negligible.

Go look around amazon! (it is MUCH safer than eBay)
for your DP - HDMI: http://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-F...629E/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1301763691&sr=8-9
for your DP - VGA: http://www.amazon.com/Displayport-C...5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1301763875&sr=1-5
for your DP - DVI: http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-Disp...2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1301763932&sr=1-2

Also, you could save some money if you dont need the laptop right now. Wait until Lion comes out. That definitely will be worth some $.
Also, do you REALLY need a Macbook pro 15? I mean, I love macs but 2300 dollars for a laptop is a lot. Go look around Cnet to see any pc laptops that are worth looking at at least. Remember, be smart about your money (although it is your money)
Anyways, good luck in your search!
 
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Oh i know i can spend much less for almost same spec,
But i realy love the slim/weight/design of macbook pro

I was even thinking to (re)learn Maya, because it's on osx. I didn't heard rumor about 3ds max for osx.. it's sad, because autodesk did it for maya and autocad... well may be in few year ?

Oh there also video game, with steam, so that the other reason why i still have a step into windows, i hope StarWars the old republic will be availble for osx one day (wow 2.0) (yeah i know the game is not even out).

Oh and, since i have a desktop pc, i will give it to my father but im gonna keep my screen and keyboard.

I evaluate around 800$, the amount of extra pay just because it's a mac, but, im willing to pay this extra because i love the way they build their laptop.
 
I mean personally 800 just for the name "Mac" sounds outrageous to me, but go ahead if you think its worth it.
I would seriously just buy an iPad2, but of course, I am a student only doing basic stuff and some starcraft.
Anyways, good luck man, I hope you love your MBP.
 
concerning Lion and new bootcamp.
bootcamp is just a bios emulation and has little to nothing to do with OSX. Once windows runs at all it all comes down to decent drivers and while Apple provides stable ones they have little motive to deliver really good ones or else Windows doesn't look as bad in comparison. If they added drivers of Lenovo, Sony quality it would run much longer on battery and cooler too. Why should they? This won't change a bit with Lion.
You can always install modified Graphic drivers which give much better performance, game compatibility and overclocking. But there is pretty much nothing one can do for battery live and stuff that would make a decent Windows notebook to work with out of a MBP.
 
A SSD that big is expensive. Stick with a regular hard drive and it will bring the cost down. Also, get rid of all those overpriced cables from Apple. Check out monoprice, dealextreme or ebay for much cheaper cables.
 
FX4568 said:
Dont buy the 2.3 Ghz. I heard the difference between 2.2 and 2.3 is negligible.
Click to expand...

I don't agree that these is only a negligible difference. With the 2.3GHz 15" you get a higher performing ATI graphics subsystem full 1GB Video RAM instead of only 256MB.

While the nominal CPU clock is only 100MHz higher, the difference in i7 Turbo Boost is more significant for the maximum frequency. Normal users don't need the highest CPU frequency, so you get a bigger performance bump investiong in an SSD instead of HDD.
 
Bigmacduck said:
I don't agree that these is only a negligible difference. With the 2.3GHz 15" you get a higher performing ATI graphics subsystem full 1GB Video RAM instead of only 256MB.

While the nominal CPU clock is only 100MHz higher, the difference in i7 Turbo Boost is more significant for the maximum frequency. Normal users don't need the highest CPU frequency, so you get a bigger performance bump investiong in an SSD instead of HDD.
Click to expand...

I was talking CPU wise, but if you want to bring the GPU in it... Yes, GPU wise the 2.3 will be much farther advanced than the 2.2
 
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