Sorry in advance, for yet another, and seemingly redundant, rMBP advice thread.
Mind you, i HAVE read other threads and discussions, all of which yielded mixed views and thoughts. So, I decided to take a stab at this.
Like others, I am faced with deciding on which notebook I will be upgrading to -- I have used a late 2008 Macbook (Unibody) with 4GB of ram, at 2 GHz C2D. This notebook has honestly served me incredibly well over the years.
Anyway, I'm a student in my final year of my undergrad and though basic computing functions (word processor, browsing) are sufficient in my notebook, I do play my fair share of Starcraft II. Performance wise, I can get away playing at low settings across the board, but long games with multiple units does provide the "lower graphic setting" warnings. So I'm venturing the market to find a powerful notebook that will be convenient for travelling, as my unibody macbook was, as well has provides the needs necessary to play my games optimally. Having to be able to play is an absolute must. I also use lightroom sparingly for my photos, and the entire MS Office applications.
I looked to take most people's advice and shop Craigslist and Kijiji for cheaper prices: which I have found some options, which I will outline.
1. If I were to buy a rMBP from Apple, my educational discount would provide the following price point
= $2,597.87 -- 15" rMBP, 2.7Ghz 16GB ram 256 SSD
2. Kijiji
= $2,200 -- 15" rMBP, 2.6Ghz 8GB ram 512 SSD (no original receipt, but sealed)
= <$1,800 -- 15" rMBP base model (sealed [reseller] // used)
= $2,650 -- 15" rMBP 2.7Ghz 16GB ram 512 SSD (no original receipt, but sealed)
OR, like some have suggested, wait until Haswell chips etc etc.
What would be enticing for me with having to wait that long, so to speak, is the back to school promo's they have at the Apple Store when buying a computer during that period (last year was a $100 iTunes gift card I believe).
Ideally I want to have my next notebook last me 4-5 years, much like my unibody macbook did. My issue with these isn't necessarily the pricing, but rather, the fact that some good offers do not have the receipts. Is that a BIG issue, if I were to say encounter a problem with it upon opening it? Also, I have encountered several models that were bought last year, with really great prices, but at base model specs -- how well is the used market for macbook pros, in terms of quality, lifespan, worth etc.
In any given case, I am sort of propelled to have 16GB of ram (though I've researched and many have pointed out that 8GB is sufficient), as well, the size of the SSD isn't that much of a factor (I have 160GB on the unibody, with 2 external drives). Though if any current users can shed more light on this for me.
And, like many, saving any bit of money can and would go a long way (maybe a new iPod? or iPad mini?). I would like to pick one up soon, as I start my final semester in 2 weeks, and granted I am holding out on the Starcraft II expansion until I do, but like most people, upgrades and whatnot to the rMBP for 2013 could make a worthwhile wait.
Any advice would be great.
Mind you, i HAVE read other threads and discussions, all of which yielded mixed views and thoughts. So, I decided to take a stab at this.
Like others, I am faced with deciding on which notebook I will be upgrading to -- I have used a late 2008 Macbook (Unibody) with 4GB of ram, at 2 GHz C2D. This notebook has honestly served me incredibly well over the years.
Anyway, I'm a student in my final year of my undergrad and though basic computing functions (word processor, browsing) are sufficient in my notebook, I do play my fair share of Starcraft II. Performance wise, I can get away playing at low settings across the board, but long games with multiple units does provide the "lower graphic setting" warnings. So I'm venturing the market to find a powerful notebook that will be convenient for travelling, as my unibody macbook was, as well has provides the needs necessary to play my games optimally. Having to be able to play is an absolute must. I also use lightroom sparingly for my photos, and the entire MS Office applications.
I looked to take most people's advice and shop Craigslist and Kijiji for cheaper prices: which I have found some options, which I will outline.
1. If I were to buy a rMBP from Apple, my educational discount would provide the following price point
= $2,597.87 -- 15" rMBP, 2.7Ghz 16GB ram 256 SSD
2. Kijiji
= $2,200 -- 15" rMBP, 2.6Ghz 8GB ram 512 SSD (no original receipt, but sealed)
= <$1,800 -- 15" rMBP base model (sealed [reseller] // used)
= $2,650 -- 15" rMBP 2.7Ghz 16GB ram 512 SSD (no original receipt, but sealed)
OR, like some have suggested, wait until Haswell chips etc etc.
What would be enticing for me with having to wait that long, so to speak, is the back to school promo's they have at the Apple Store when buying a computer during that period (last year was a $100 iTunes gift card I believe).
Ideally I want to have my next notebook last me 4-5 years, much like my unibody macbook did. My issue with these isn't necessarily the pricing, but rather, the fact that some good offers do not have the receipts. Is that a BIG issue, if I were to say encounter a problem with it upon opening it? Also, I have encountered several models that were bought last year, with really great prices, but at base model specs -- how well is the used market for macbook pros, in terms of quality, lifespan, worth etc.
In any given case, I am sort of propelled to have 16GB of ram (though I've researched and many have pointed out that 8GB is sufficient), as well, the size of the SSD isn't that much of a factor (I have 160GB on the unibody, with 2 external drives). Though if any current users can shed more light on this for me.
And, like many, saving any bit of money can and would go a long way (maybe a new iPod? or iPad mini?). I would like to pick one up soon, as I start my final semester in 2 weeks, and granted I am holding out on the Starcraft II expansion until I do, but like most people, upgrades and whatnot to the rMBP for 2013 could make a worthwhile wait.
Any advice would be great.
