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Purchasing first MB Pro...questions

R

redshft

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 13, 2009
49
0
NC
I'm sorry if I sound like a newbie(which I am to Macs). I am in the market to buy my first MB Pro. I have found a few that I am looking at, some fairly new, some old. I have found a 17'' Macbook Pro with the 2.33Ghz processor, 160Gb HD and 2GB RAM. It already has FCP and Adobe production premium installed on it. It also has Bootcamp with Windows Vista X64 installed, which I am very unfamilar with.

Does Bootcamp compromise the performance of the machine?

The processor, RAM, and hard drive are upgradable correct? Can I also upgrade the video card?

I was really looking for a new, slightly used 2nd gen 15.4'' MBP, is this a good alternative?

Thanks
 
You can't upgrade the processor and video card on the MBP. You can add up to 4GB of RAM on the pre-October 08 MBP line by yourself. You can add more on the newer MBPs. The hard drive is not supposed to be user-upgradeable on the pre-October line, but some have managed to do so. That'll definitely void the warranty, though. As for 17" vs 15", it really is up to you. Unless you really want a 17", I'd say stick with the 15". It'll be much easier to carry around, too.
 
If you are going to buy that model, make sure the person has all the discs so if you need to wipe it, you can put those programs back on. If they don't it is either stolen or running illegal software.

Bootcamp will not effect the performance. It is merely a partition in your hard drive when in OSX

Ram and Hard drive are upgradable just google ifixit. They have step by step pictures and clear instructions on how to achieve this.

As for your graphics card. You cannot upgrade this, the CPU and GPU are part of the logic board that is all soldered.

Hope this helps
 
Thanks y'all!

I think this has the ATI Radeon X1600, this card should be adequate enough for video editing and after effects along with a bit of gaming yea?

Also, is $1600 a good deal? Almost sounds too good with the software. Anything I should look out for?
 
redshft said:
Thanks y'all!

I think this has the ATI Radeon X1600, this card should be adequate enough for video editing and after effects along with a bit of gaming yea?

Also, is $1600 a good deal? Almost sounds too good with the software. Anything I should look out for?
Click to expand...

$1,600 for a MacBook Pro with the X1600 is ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. Those are worth about $1,000 now. Heck, you can get a Penryn, 2.4GHz, 8600M for less than that at Macmall.com!

Unless that Final Cut Studio is real, and unless that Final Cut Studio is Final Cut Studio 2 and not the original.
 
It is listed with the new version of Final Cut Studio 2, with ver. 6 of FCP AND Adobe CS4 Master Collection.

Here is a list of the software that I have:
- Final Cut Studio 2 (FCP 6, DVD Studio Pro, Color, Soundtrack Pro, etc)
- Adobe CS4 Master Collection (After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, + every other Adobe App)
- MS Office 2004
- Roxio Toast Titanium
- Boot Camp with Windows Vista X64
 
redshft said:
It is listed with the new version of Final Cut Studio 2, with ver. 6 of FCP AND Adobe CS4 Master Collection.

Here is a list of the software that I have:
- Final Cut Studio 2 (FCP 6, DVD Studio Pro, Color, Soundtrack Pro, etc)
- Adobe CS4 Master Collection (After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, + every other Adobe App)
- MS Office 2004
- Roxio Toast Titanium
- Boot Camp with Windows Vista X64
Click to expand...

Totally pirated for that price. Just buy an even NEWER computer from Macmall.com for LESS.

Matte 2.4GHz, 8600M, 2GB RAM, 200GB HDD
Glossy of the same

You'll appreciate the faster computer.
 
No Freakin Way

Do you want to get ripped off? Listen to the advice and take it. Buy new. I know Amazon sells brand new Penryn 15" for $1649 and of course macmall. Don't be foolish.
 
I appreciate it everyone. I sent him an email inquiring about it, no reply yet, I don't expect one until tomorrow. I will ask him if he still has the CDs for the programs and if he can provide a picture. If so, I may at least check it out in person.

Thanks for the links. I forgot MacMall had some good deals.
 
If it's eBay, don't forget to report him for pirated software (they have a category just for not having media included). I'm so sick of 9/10 used macs on eBay including "pre-installed" software.
 
Just don't buy laptops from websites like ebay or craigslist in general. possible chances that they might be stolen ones.
 
I never got a reply back, I'm just gonna drop it. I'm thinking about a new or refurbished MB134LL/A.
 
He finally replied back, but I've lost interest now. I have no proof he has pirated software, so I won't worry about it.

I did however just make a payment for a brand new MB134LL/A, hopefully it will be here next week!
 
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