Was going to be a New Mac User

[Macdctr]

You should still get a cheap or used mac for ios dev.

This! For school work you can easily get away with getting a mid2012 MBP or 2015MBP and run all the latest software to support doing school work. You don't need to get the latest with maxed out specs, especially if this is going to be your first Mac... something to think about.

I just acquired a mid2012 13 inch MBP with 16GB RAM for $300 so deals are out there if you know where to look...

 

[kungxpao]

LOL Alienware.

 

[Jaekae]

Why were you ever looking forward to a new macbook if you cant justify the cost, apple products have always been premium high priced.

For the amount of time i use my laptop the cost is well worth it if i count in time i needed to spend to get salary for it vs time i will spend using it for the next couple years.

 

[enzo thecat]

Why were you ever looking forward to a new macbook if you cant justify the cost, apple products have always been premium high priced.

Word.

 

[50calty]

So where can you find a good deal on used MacBook pros? Thanks

 

[PhoneI]

I wish you all the luck with your MBP. I am going to cancel my order tonight for the max spec 15". Was going to make the jump over to mac for web design degree. But I just can't justify the cost vs pc. For an AlienWare Laptop, I can get double Ram, Double Graphics, and 17" screen for the same price. Was really looking foward to mac, but I cannot justify the cost. Wish you guys all the best and I love the iphones, but I just can't justify this purchase.

too bad you need a wheel barrel to carry that thing around.

 

[ExcelTronic]

I'd say go for it! I'm actually thinking of getting the same laptop. Designing a website is very possible with Windows (I made my first website on a G5 in 2015 only using nano in terminal). Both operating systems will have their positives and negatives, but with the Alienware, you can, and should, expect it to last for a long time with its upgradable RAM and storage solutions (The 17" model can hold 1 2.5" HDD & 3 mSATA SSD!!) The Alienware will also handle gaming greatly (for when you need to take a break from your studies) If you still are considering a MacBook, the 2015 model is still the best one to buy!

 

[Antairez]

I wasn't going to say anymore but I thought that it would be best if I did to clear somethings up. Never owned a mac and was very excited to own one. However seeing all the hardware/software depends who you talk to issues with this 1st gen mac book I got scared. I need this for school and work. I can't afford to send back if I have a issue and wait again for who knows how long. Money wasn't an issue: obviously I paid for the 15" mbp in the first place. However when I can pay the same price for a laptop with double specs. I'd be silly to stick with a 16 mac that has obvious issues. I found these issues on this website and many others. And as for the 4 year warranty I paid $300 dollars for 4 years. That covers anything on there end AND AND if I do something stupid. Apple care doesn't cover if I drop it and it's my fault. SO that is a major plus. I have two kids. God only knows what can happen. And I will be doing photo editing, etc. So the 32gb ram was a big deal for me also. And in my original post I wished you guys the best. No hate just stating why I went with PC. Maybe to possibly help someone out that is on the fence. Also I don't hate apple, I actually have an iphone that I love alot and will stick with an iphone. So again I wish you all the best with the 2016 mac book pros and for me it just wasn't a good fit.
[doublepost=1481380279][/doublepost]Also this wasn't and isn't going to be a gaming laptop. It was just the price, warranty, and specs that I liked. Could careless that its labeled as "gaming laptop". Needed something that had excessive cooling, sturdy, high spec laptop. And if the "gaming laptop" fits my needs. So be it, but mostly what will be ran on it will be Adobe CC, which is a resource hound.

You lost me at 32GB of RAM for photo editing. Are you some big data scientists that process thousands of photos in parallel? Exaggerating a bit here but you know what I mean. When you want to be productive -- and assuming you had before, one does not only look at the specs. It's all about the working environment, operating system, actual software of choice and how well you use them. I used to work on a Windows but not anymore, I'm a software engineer. My friend used to work on a Windows but not anymore, he's a graphics designer. Once you had enough specs for what you need to be productive every work day, going for more specs doesn't yield more productivity. It all boils down to how good you are with your tools. I'm not saying Windows is a bad choice in these areas of work, but it does require far more customization and time just to get it closer to some comfortable level. At least this is what I'm seeing with all my colleagues.

 

[chabig]

Oh boy, here we go again!

Not only is he leaving Apple, but he had to join MacRumors four days ago just to tell us!

 

[lilkangster]

As a UI/UX designer who has been working in the field for over 10 years I will suggest you rethink this decision. Even though there are some things with the new MacBook Pro that I am not pleased with, as a professional I suggest you still purchase a Mac. There are many things besides just specs that make the Mac just a better tool for design professionals. There are also software such as Sketch/Principle and other great design software that only work with a mac. I also have a windows PC which I use for gaming and occasional work but the overall experience with the Mac is just better. Also you do not need a crazy high spec'ed machine to do work unless you want to be doing 3D or video editing work. The lowered spec'ed 15" MacBook Pro is already more than enough to accomplish everything you need. I'm still running a 2012 Retina MacBook Pro and have never ran into any problems when it comes to specs.

 

[mildocjr]

As a UI/UX designer who has been working in the field for over 10 years I will suggest you rethink this decision. Even though there are some things with the new MacBook Pro that I am not pleased with, as a professional I suggest you still purchase a Mac. There are many things besides just specs that make the Mac just a better tool for design professionals. There are also software such as Sketch/Principle and other great design software that only work with a mac. I also have a windows PC which I use for gaming and occasional work but the overall experience with the Mac is just better. Also you do not need a crazy high spec'ed machine to do work unless you want to be doing 3D or video editing work. The lowered spec'ed 15" MacBook Pro is already more than enough to accomplish everything you need. I'm still running a 2012 Retina MacBook Pro and have never ran into any problems when it comes to specs.

Bought Sketch a while back and it is pretty amazing, it's simplicity really helps out my workflow and almost my entire prototype designs were done in Sketch. Love the @1x, @2x, and @3x export, now they just need to add icon export.

Another big winner for me is Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo, for $50 each, the sheer power and performance has been a blessing, a real up and coming contender for AI and PS respectively.

 

[jk76]

Does owning your 2016 MacBook make you feel like you have a $300 000 watch.....wow...

The fact that many people calling themselves "pros" rant so much of the price of a laptop seems suspicious to me. A "pro" can easily make $100k annually. Price difference with other comparable laptops over reasonably projected laptop lifetime should be a small fraction of a percent of available income for these people. It's like counting pennies on daily food budget while accepting only best ingredients to be used; something that seems to be pre-planned to make a person grumpy.

 

[CaptRB]

You lost me at 32GB of RAM for photo editing. Are you some big data scientists that process thousands of photos in parallel? Exaggerating a bit here but you know what I mean. When you want to be productive -- and assuming you had before, one does not only look at the specs. It's all about the working environment, operating system, actual software of choice and how well you use them. I used to work on a Windows but not anymore, I'm a software engineer. My friend used to work on a Windows but not anymore, he's a graphics designer. Once you had enough specs for what you need to be productive every work day, going for more specs doesn't yield more productivity. It all boils down to how good you are with your tools. I'm not saying Windows is a bad choice in these areas of work, but it does require far more customization and time just to get it closer to some comfortable level. At least this is what I'm seeing with all my colleagues.

Yup. I'm processing RAW files from pro DSLRs, such as my D810. I have PS and LR OPEN AT THE SAME TIMES WITH 10 PICS OPEN AND LAYERS GOING. I carry work for two jewelry vendors for line-sheets, so anyone claiming that these machines can't hack pro photo work are either ignorant or trolling.

And that's with the 13" Touch Bar with 8 GB ram, so please PLEASE stop the nonsense.



R.

 

[maratus]

But I just can't justify the cost vs pc. For an AlienWare Laptop, I can get double Ram, Double Graphics, and 17" screen for the same price.

 

[MH01]

The fact that many people calling themselves "pros" rant so much of the price of a laptop seems suspicious to me. A "pro" can easily make $100k annually. Price difference with other comparable laptops over reasonably projected laptop lifetime should be a small fraction of a percent of available income for these people. It's like counting pennies on daily food budget while accepting only best ingredients to be used; something that seems to be pre-planned to make a person grumpy.

you assume every buyer is a pro. The word "Pro" means nothing in iPad Pro, or MacBook Pro....it's markerting . So for people looking at a new laptop, and not making pro salaries, it's an issue
[doublepost=1481532276][/doublepost]

Yup. I'm processing RAW files from pro DSLRs, such as my D810. I have PS and LR OPEN AT THE SAME TIMES WITH 10 PICS OPEN AND LAYERS GOING. I carry work for two jewelry vendors for line-sheets, so anyone claiming that these machines can't hack pro photo work are either ignorant or trolling.

And that's with the 13" Touch Bar with 8 GB ram, so please PLEASE stop the nonsense.



R.

I don't see an issue with the ram, even without the 2016 model being out, many PC manafactures offers 32GB options and lots of photographers had no issues with 16GB MacBooks . It's not that 16GB is not more than enough, with the soldered and glued MacBook pros , people want to future proof for the next 3-5 years, and here I understand where they are coming from, is 16GB enough for some 3-5?years from now after dropping £4K?

I'll be a cynic and admit apple omitted 32GB ram option so it could use it as a selling feature of the next update. If apple wants to sell non upgradable computers, its needs to offer future prooofing configurations , and I get that 16GB is more than enough for most, but I want a 32GB option if I drop £4K investment...

 

[bobosing316]

I have the same feeling as you, but I will give apple another chance to redeem itself.
So I will wait till next year refresh to see anything happen

 

[soms_user]

I wish you all the luck with your MBP. I am going to cancel my order tonight for the max spec 15". Was going to make the jump over to mac for web design degree. But I just can't justify the cost vs pc. For an AlienWare Laptop, I can get double Ram, Double Graphics, and 17" screen for the same price. Was really looking foward to mac, but I cannot justify the cost. Wish you guys all the best and I love the iphones, but I just can't justify this purchase.

This post makes absolutely no-sense at all!!
Basically you should make this post this on a "Pro-Windows" forum.

 

[MH01]

This post makes absolutely no-sense at all!!
Basically you should make this post this on a "Pro-Windows" forum.

It's about value for money, the OP does not come across as pro PC, it's just that for $4K + , PC offers better value for some , especially as the OP is not bothered about portability , looking at an Alienware.

I love my macs but still am shocked a top end MacBook Pro now costs £4K + for me... Mac Pro costs less...

It's all personal opinion anyway, many will find the offering just fine in relation to value for money

 

[Salaryman Ryan]

I agree with the others. You might be overestimating your needs. Getting a high end laptop worth 4K plus is alright as long as you are already have a good source of income from your job or business. Something you do not have yet. I suggest you be more frugal with your purchase and go with a second hand/midrange PC or Mac instead even if you can afford it. It will help you develop a habit of good fiscal discipline. I know professional Web developers, professional photographers and graphic artist who make good money with much much lesser hardware.

 

[xraydoc]

OP is buying a machine based on specifications to dollar ratio, not based on his/her actual required & desired usage scenarios, OS and app preferences or weight/portability aspects.

When someone buys based on specifications to dollar ratio only, they'll never choose Apple.

Edit: FYI, the Alienware 17" machine is the thickness of nearly three new MBPs stacked on top of each other. And the high resolution display panel puts out only 300 nits. Not to mention the 240w external power supply. This is more of an all-in-one in a laptop form factor than an actual portable machine.

 

[Ethosik]

I do not understand the 32GB RAM argument. I never did. Sure, there will be some people that NEED it, but let's say 1% of people? Some people NEED 64GB, or 128GB. Laptops are not meant to replace your desktop workstation. I have 64GB of RAM on my desktops. On my laptop, I have 16GB of RAM. Laptops are meant for light editing in the field. If you need to develop a 2 hour 4K movie, use a desktop workstation that has 64GB of RAM in it.

People also need to know how memory works too. If I have 128GB of RAM installed, and I give Adobe After Effects the ability to use 122GB of it, it WILL....WILL use ALL of the RAM it gets. Does that mean Adobe After Effects REQUIRES 122GB of RAM?

And you get MUCH MUCH MUCH more out of a Mac than just the hardware.

 

[maflynn]

But I just can't justify the cost vs pc

That's the stuggle. Are you seeing a value for your money?

In prior generations, we mac users were willing to pay a premium because we felt that we were getting some value for that purchase price. Sadly, it seems more and more long time Mac users are not seeing that value. Perhaps when a gen 2 version comes out, they'll address some of the short comings of the current MBP, but for me its hard to justify spending over 2k on this model.

 

[agaskew]

I do not understand the 32GB RAM argument. I never did. Sure, there will be some people that NEED it, but let's say 1% of people? Some people NEED 64GB, or 128GB. Laptops are not meant to replace your desktop workstation. I have 64GB of RAM on my desktops. On my laptop, I have 16GB of RAM. Laptops are meant for light editing in the field. If you need to develop a 2 hour 4K movie, use a desktop workstation that has 64GB of RAM in it.

People also need to know how memory works too. If I have 128GB of RAM installed, and I give Adobe After Effects the ability to use 122GB of it, it WILL....WILL use ALL of the RAM it gets. Does that mean Adobe After Effects REQUIRES 122GB of RAM?

And you get MUCH MUCH MUCH more out of a Mac than just the hardware.

The OP's argument was he could get more bang for his buck by not buying a MBP. I'm not sure that the way to address this, for them, is to suggest spending even more on a workstation. The only Apple workstation I see that supports 64GB RAM is the Mac Pro which is itself well overdue for a refresh, and also somewhat pricey. (I appreciate you didn't actually suggest an Apple workstation specifically).

 

[Macalway]

it seems more and more long time Mac users are not seeing that value.

They are overpriced. I think the touch bar has added a premium that has taken the value out of the line-up.

 

[elf69]

Look we all know mac are expensive compared to other brands.

Stop ya yellow belly whining about it.
Lots of posts i'm not buying it....blah blah blah.

Do we really need know you are not buying it.

And need double everything to build a website.

I have and do use dreamweaver on an 10 inch 1.6GHz atom netbook!
Not often as it pain with small screen.
For webdesign do not need much.