Top Of The Line rMBP or Mac Pro?

[Switchfoot]

Hey guys- looking to get a little feedback.

With education discounts, the new 15" rMBP (with all upgrades, including 1TB SSD) comes to about $3k, which puts me right over the cusp of the Mac Pro (with education, about $2800). Which do you think would be the best route for me?

My main usage: Video editing with Premiere Pro CS6 (not 4k, but still HD footage), Photoshop, Web Development.

Would I be better served keeping my laptop (i7 MBP non-retina, 7000 geekbench) and getting a Mac Pro for renders/video editing? Or is the top rMBP a good single computer compromise, and maybe I wouldn't notice the difference?

Hope you guys can help out! I can possibly step up the 6 core Mac Pro too, if that would make a huge difference, or even go used (2012 Mac Pro, etc.).


Thanks for any advice!!

 

[PoppaKap]

You have a capable laptop now (addressing any portability issues) and your main usage is video. I think you should get the Mac Pro for sure.

 

[aloshka]

I'm in the same boat. Except I don't have a laptop. So it would be mac pro + laptop vs top of the line rMBP.

 

[theuserjohnny]

Keep your current laptop and go for a MacPro.

 

[Deanster]

This seems like a no-brainer.

The one place where laptops still really fall short these days is HD video editing/effects - you truly can't have enough speed, cooling capability, storage, etc.

Given that you already have an i7-based laptop, you'd only see an incremental improvement in your capabilities by swapping to a Retina MBP.

By contrast, adding a Mac Pro should blow the doors off your current capabilities, and you'll still have your laptop when you need decent power on the go.

I think the big challenge will be deciding which processor combo you need - it'll be interesting to see what final pricing for those looks like.

 

[Macsonic]

Similar to what the others suggested, go for the Mac Pro and keep your laptop. Before I was doing heavy graphic design with a Mac laptop for long hours and I was bothered by the heat build up. if you're mobile and will just do moderate work the laptop is perfect.

 

[webcity]

Firstly, I am really surprised that anyone would consider a 1TB SSD from Apple. However, like others have said, if you've got the money to spend, I would definitely go for the Mac Pro.