rMBP users: how do you make it with such little storage?

[Macman45]

Although I have a Pegasus R4 I decided to buy a dedicated off Mac solution for my (512GB) rMbp, so went with a WD 2TB drive, formatted it for Mac, and will now consider just how I'm going to use it. The rMBP is a work tool where as the MBA it replaces was not.

I plan on keeping my photo work and current project fies on the WD which although only USB 3 I'm finding surprisingly fast...it's never going to be quick enough to work on files in real time, but with half of the original SSD space still left on the new Mac, and 2 TB with the WD, I think I'll be fine for space....I can move data around and all backups are on my 3TB TC, with mission critical data further backed up to the Pegasus unit.

 

[mslide]

but how do you folks deal with such little storage?

I dealt with it by going with a cMBP, adding an SSD for the main HD and using the stock HD for extra storage. Lack of storage is a big reason the rMBP isn't worth it. A really sleek looking, super thin laptop isn't so sleek and thin when you have to carry around an external drive, and possibly cable adapters, everywhere you go.

 

[whiteonline]

OK for music but even a few HD videos or TV episodes to catch up on will eat up significant disk space. Streaming on those cross country flights just doesn't work...

Cross country flights are a good opportunity to read a book or getting to know your "neighbor". When it's work related, I'm doing one of those or doing work.

 

[Muscle Master]

How I manage is to stop thinking about it

 

[palmerc2]

I went from a 13" rMBP 256GB to a 13" cMBP w/ a 1TB Fusion Drive (256GB SSD + 750GB HDD). I don't miss the retina display.

The easy upgrade to 16GB SDRAM is nice too.

This is exactly my thinking & the direction I'm strongly considering going with.

 

[B...]

This is exactly my thinking & the direction I'm strongly considering going with.

What are your uses for a computer? The cMBP is a good choice, but can be a pain to carry around a lot (15" especially). But if you are a tinkerer or RAM upgrade-er, the classic is the way to go.

 

[palmerc2]

What are your uses for a computer? The cMBP is a good choice, but can be a pain to carry around a lot (15" especially). But if you are a tinkerer or RAM upgrade-er, the classic is the way to go.

Exactly. I'm definitely going to upgrade storage and RAM myself. I'm definitely going with the cMBP, too bad because I would've liked the retina screen. Oh well, can't have it all I suppose.

 

[57004]

I only have the 128 model and have no problems. 60 GB free.

What I do: first of all my MBP is not my primary computer. My mini is my primary but that only has 256GB as well. I have about 80GB free on that.

Second, no iTunes library, I use Spotify so no space wasted on music.

Besides that, I have a lot of stuff on external drives. Usually I just install the applications and smaller data files on the laptop but larger stuff I have external, like virtual machines.. It's totally workable like that. Even on the go, if I need the files on my external drive I'm usually doing something intense and need a desk for the laptop anyway.

Also I keep even applications that are huge and rarely used on my external, such as world of Warcraft.

 

[Applefanboy8153]

I think the retina MBP is a gorgeous machine, but how do you folks deal with such little storage? My iTunes music library is 150GB alone (however I do rip all my music in lossless), my iMac has a 750GB HDD and I'm constantly having to move things to an external.

I'm in the market for a MBP, but as of right now I'm solely considering the cMBP so I can do an SSD + HDD setup (256GB SSD and 1TB HDD). I don't have a problem carrying an external drive around for stuff I hardly access (movies, large files, etc), but having to plug in an external to listen to music, or access photos seems impractical.

I really won't be stationary that much which is why I'd need more internal storage.

I use an external to expand storage. my internal is strictly for apps and my favourite movies, tv shows and music.

 

[gametime10]

Exactly. I'm definitely going to upgrade storage and RAM myself. I'm definitely going with the cMBP, too bad because I would've liked the retina screen. Oh well, can't have it all I suppose.

I've been able to find 2012 13" MBP's for about $800 on Craigslist (more for the i7 version). After all those upgrades, you're still looking at a powerhouse for less than $1000.