Hey everyone new owner of a MacBook Pro(2017 nonTB). I just got it a few days ago, and I am loving it so far. But I am on the fence about having such an expensive laptop to just "surf the internet" with. I am within the 2 week return period, and I have an iPad LTE version that I could do the same things on without the MacBook Pro. I was just curious if this MacBook is too much power etc for what I am going to use it for? And if anyone had any suggestions on what to keep the laptop for, and what I could do to use it more often.
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What do you use your MacBook Pro for?
- Thread starter clg82
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If you do primarily content consumption than an iPad is probably enough. But as soon as you step one foot into content creation the iPad is a fail, IMHO. And by content creation I mean a Word type document more than a page or two, or a spreadsheet with more than 2 tabs. I have tried to use my iPad Pro for these things and it is a big struggle. Lack of keyboard and moving the cursor with a finger on the screen are a pain.
So, if you do just do a little creation I would say your MBP or a Macbook will serve you very well. Otherwise ...
So, if you do just do a little creation I would say your MBP or a Macbook will serve you very well. Otherwise ...
I appreciate the help jerryk, from doing my research prior to this purchase it seems that the MacBook pro, is a great choice if i'm looking for something that is reliable for years to come....
You could definitely return it and buy a cheap Windows laptop for a fraction of the price. However, that Windows laptop will probably have a fraction of the lifespan. Additionally, the cost will be roughly the same if you're looking for a laptop with a screen as good as the MBP.
Even if you're not using the machine to it's full potential right now, your needs could change down the road. Also, there are people (myself included) using Mac computers that are 7/8/9 years old and they still work great.
Just some food for thought!
Even if you're not using the machine to it's full potential right now, your needs could change down the road. Also, there are people (myself included) using Mac computers that are 7/8/9 years old and they still work great.
Just some food for thought!
Yeah, that is my thoughts as well vetruvian. I talked with a few people that I knew that had MacBook pros (earlier models) and they all claim that they are still running and using them like they had just got them yesterday, so the longevity is there!
IMO it's essential to have a computer, more than a tablet. Not that the iPad doesn't have the power to manage content creation, after all you can even run iMovie on it, but it's more about the interface. Like jerryk said, after a couple pages you'll want to throw your iPad out the window. I've tried using both the iPad and iPhone to quickly edit things on the go and there's just no substitute for a good keyboard+trackpad...
Maybe you could consider switching your MacBook Pro for the Macbook, it's meant for light usage although i've seen people using it for video editing so i guess it can also handle more intensive work. You'll also save a couple bucks.
Maybe you could consider switching your MacBook Pro for the Macbook, it's meant for light usage although i've seen people using it for video editing so i guess it can also handle more intensive work. You'll also save a couple bucks.
Thanks for the input Britt.......that is another good point, the trackpad on these machines are amazing once you get used to them.....unlike anything I've ever used on a laptop before.....
That Windows laptop will also run clunky PC software, have dazzling visuals on a 1366x768 screen and will probably die within a few years at best.
I used my 2015 MacBook Pro for a variety of tasks, including amateur video editing in Final Cut Pro. Keep it for now and when something arises down the road that requires a Mac, you'll be glad you kept it.
Keep the MBP.
The iPad Pro is a fantastic device for traveling, media consumption, drawing and note-taking (with the pencil). But I totally agree with @jerryk, you'd curse yourself as soon as you have to work on anything that requires prolonged use of a pointer and a keyboard. It's not a matter of basic or intensive usage, it's an I/O interface problem.
Plus, there are other factors to account for: great screen, speakers and trackpad quality (I'll go as far as saying I can't work without a mouse on any laptop that is not a Mac), blazing-fast SSD, and so on. You don't really need an intensive usage to appreciate these advantages. It's a great machine and you like it, no reason to regret getting it!
The iPad Pro is a fantastic device for traveling, media consumption, drawing and note-taking (with the pencil). But I totally agree with @jerryk, you'd curse yourself as soon as you have to work on anything that requires prolonged use of a pointer and a keyboard. It's not a matter of basic or intensive usage, it's an I/O interface problem.
Plus, there are other factors to account for: great screen, speakers and trackpad quality (I'll go as far as saying I can't work without a mouse on any laptop that is not a Mac), blazing-fast SSD, and so on. You don't really need an intensive usage to appreciate these advantages. It's a great machine and you like it, no reason to regret getting it!
My mid-2009 MBP is still running strong on Sierra (with upgraded hardware), and still has the original factory battery with 960 discharge cycles on it !
I can definitely attest to the durability and robustness of the Macbook Pro.
I use it for everything, given that currently, this is the only computer I own - programming, web surfing, listening to music, watching movies, document editing, ... umm ... everything. And it rocks
I can definitely attest to the durability and robustness of the Macbook Pro.
I use it for everything, given that currently, this is the only computer I own - programming, web surfing, listening to music, watching movies, document editing, ... umm ... everything. And it rocks
I have a Late 2013 MBP and it still runs like it’s brand new. Like you, I use it mostly to surf the internet. I also download movies and connect it to my tv to watch them on a bigger screen, but other than that I don’t use it for heavy processing tasks. There are still times when I need to use Windows, so I have it installed on my MBP as well via Bootcamp. IMO, Windows runs better it seems installed on my MBP than on an actual PC designed for Windows. I also have the iPhone X and being able to use things like Airdrop between the iPhone/iPad and MBP is great. While the iPad seems like it will suit your needs, I’d keep the MBP, play around with it, explore, and have fun. I think there will always be a need to have a regular computer vs just having a smartphone or tablet and you can’t go wrong with that computer being a MBP!
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thanks for the replies everyone! I'm definitely keeping it!! great system all around, love it so far, was just curious what everyone else had used theirs for and if they were in the same situation as I, purchasing a MacBook Pro without having any editing plans with it....probably a stupid question but the apple pen works with the MacBook Pro?
No, it doesn't, which is one of the main reasons why I work with both a 15" MBP and a 10.5" iPad Pro. The ability to take notes and sketches as if on paper is a killer feature when studying, reading, attending meetings, etc. But I do a lot number crunching as part of my job, therefore my main machine needs to be a powerful laptop.
I use my MBP for anything that involves a lot of typing (emails or posting on forums) and also Logic, Creative Suite, a bit of coding here and there. I don't "need" a MBP, my old Air did the job, but the CPU did quite often max out in Logic and my new MBP can bounce/render audio quicker.
I agree with Apple that there is no "one size fits all" solution like Microsoft are trying to push with the Surface. I have an iPad (Mini) for browsing and reading, but do almost everything else on my MBP. Typing on a screen is not productive, neither is typing on a tiny case type keyboard.
What would be useful is a Nintendo Switch type device which is powerful enough to run as a desktop but can be made in to a tablet when you want it to be, but I don't see that happening with computers any time soon. Yes people will say the Surface does that, but find me a video editor who uses a Surface as their main work horse.
I agree with Apple that there is no "one size fits all" solution like Microsoft are trying to push with the Surface. I have an iPad (Mini) for browsing and reading, but do almost everything else on my MBP. Typing on a screen is not productive, neither is typing on a tiny case type keyboard.
What would be useful is a Nintendo Switch type device which is powerful enough to run as a desktop but can be made in to a tablet when you want it to be, but I don't see that happening with computers any time soon. Yes people will say the Surface does that, but find me a video editor who uses a Surface as their main work horse.
I strayed away from the touchbar model because of all the threads that I read about it being "gimmicky" or "not worth the extra money", is there something else that the touchbar models offered that the non touchbars didn't?
Better performance
And not a gimmick imo, its like the function bar but with WAY many more functions..
Very light photo/video editing. Mostly playing around in coding. I honestly use it less and less these days, because I try not to do work when I'm not at work. So I use my iPad more for browsing the web and watching Netflix when I'm not parked in front of the television.