Which would you buy out of these 3?

[blindpacemaker]

Hi there, so I need to buy a new mac and as it's a big purchase, I wanted some advice from people who know a lot more than I do about these things My budget is £1,300 max. Initially I was going to get the 2015 MBP base model, seen here:

http://www.johnlewis.com/apple-macb...i5-8gb-ram-128gb-flash-storage-13-3-/p1911263

I can buy this for £1,150 even though its showing as £1,250. However, I'm a little confused because I can buy the MB Air from Apple which seems to have the same specs, except I can upgrade it to an i7 processor and it's still cheaper at £1,079. What am I missing? Apple does charge £220 for 3 yr warranty whereas John Lewis include 2 yr warranty so maybe this makes the MBP a better option??

Finally there's the option of buying a refurb - I'm a little nervous about this as it only comes with a 3 month warranty, the specs are great though and it's 15 inch:

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/a2-r...d-15-inch-with-retina-a2-mjlt2b-a/version.asp

Any advice would be really appreciated as I desperately need a new macbook, but I want to make sure I make the right purchase.

Thank you.

PS. If it helps, I wont be using it for super intensive photo editing or anything like that, but I do usually have a fair amount of apps running concurrently and lots of tabs open - my MB Air 2013 w/8gb RAM was more than good enough, I mainly just want to get the best deal possible within my budget!

 

[maflynn]

Apple does charge £220 for 3 yr warrant

I believe your local consumer laws provide more then 1 year warranty, so check what you have for free, instead of buying it from Apple.

I've heard of JohnLewis, but I think the linked computer may be a bit too small storage wise. 128GB of SSD is rather tight in this day and age imo. I've not heard about laptopsdirect but on paper that model you linked does seem to be a better spec'd computer then the JohnLewis. The only downside is that its a refurb, and I don't know what type of warranty you'll get other then needing to pay for a 1 year warranty.

What does Apple have in its refurb section of the apple store?

 

[blindpacemaker]

I believe your local consumer laws provide more then 1 year warranty, so check what you have for free, instead of buying it from Apple.

I've heard of JohnLewis, but I think the linked computer may be a bit too small storage wise. 128GB of SSD is rather tight in this day and age imo. I've not heard about laptopsdirect but on paper that model you linked does seem to be a better spec'd computer then the JohnLewis. The only downside is that its a refurb, and I don't know what type of warranty you'll get other then needing to pay for a 1 year warranty.

What does Apple have in its refurb section of the apple store?

Hi, thanks for the reply. The refurb from laptopsdirect has a 3 month warranty so not exactly great, but like you said its a much better machine. Apple includes 1 yr warranty for free, I believe. In terms of storage, 128 SSD I agree is small, although I never got near it on my old mb air mainly due to streaming everything now. I just checked the apple refurb section, it's mainly just Macbooks which I have heard are not worth getting when compared to the Air or Pro..?

 

[maflynn]

The refurb from laptopsdirect has a 3 month warranty so not exactly great, but like you said its a much better machine.

Definitely a better computer, but tbh, I'd be very nervious about buying a refurb that wasn't Apple. I just wonder if that would bite you in the end. It probably doesn't help that I'm not familiar with Laptops direct. If they're a quality organization with a good reputation that might change my mind.

In the end, you ought to buy the machine that gives you the most peace of mind and fits your needs the best.

FWIW, you should be able to upgrade the 128GB SSD down the road if you need to (ebay or another retailer), so you can keep that in mind as well.

 

[blindpacemaker]

Definitely a better computer, but tbh, I'd be very nervious about buying a refurb that wasn't Apple. I just wonder if that would bite you in the end. It probably doesn't help that I'm not familiar with Laptops direct. If they're a quality organization with a good reputation that might change my mind.

In the end, you ought to buy the machine that gives you the most peace of mind and fits your needs the best.

FWIW, you should be able to upgrade the 128GB SSD down the road if you need to (ebay or another retailer), so you can keep that in mind as well.

Yeah, I'm leaning towards the 2015 MBP as it has so many good reviews and people seem to love it, and John Lewis are a huge company and they include the 2 yr warranty in the price. Buying a new computer is more stressful than I thought lol.

 

[maflynn]

Buying a new computer is more stressful than I thought lol.

Given today's prices, I totally understand

Good luck

 

[Tech198]

Hi there, so I need to buy a new mac and as it's a big purchase, I wanted some advice from people who know a lot more than I do about these things My budget is £1,300 max. Initially I was going to get the 2015 MBP base model, seen here:

http://www.johnlewis.com/apple-macb...i5-8gb-ram-128gb-flash-storage-13-3-/p1911263

I can buy this for £1,150 even though its showing as £1,250. However, I'm a little confused because I can buy the MB Air from Apple which seems to have the same specs, except I can upgrade it to an i7 processor and it's still cheaper at £1,079. What am I missing? Apple does charge £220 for 3 yr warranty whereas John Lewis include 2 yr warranty so maybe this makes the MBP a better option??

Finally there's the option of buying a refurb - I'm a little nervous about this as it only comes with a 3 month warranty, the specs are great though and it's 15 inch:

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/a2-r...d-15-inch-with-retina-a2-mjlt2b-a/version.asp

Any advice would be really appreciated as I desperately need a new macbook, but I want to make sure I make the right purchase.

Thank you.

PS. If it helps, I wont be using it for super intensive photo editing or anything like that, but I do usually have a fair amount of apps running concurrently and lots of tabs open - my MB Air 2013 w/8gb RAM was more than good enough, I mainly just want to get the best deal possible within my budget!

Apple refurbs have the same 1 year limited warranty and 3 Apple protection plan. You'll save money

http://www.apple.com/au/shop/help/online_store_exclusives

I would say MBA. But u don't have to buy Apple care... its more of an insurance than anything.. of u want it you can buy that within the first year... it doesn't have to be purchased at the same time.

Apple Mac's are 1-year "limited" warrenty, so even if u purchase this other oe with 2 years in the price, u can no longer get Apple care from Apple after the 1st year, as that will prevail...

2 years is only what this third party offers,, Not Apple. therefore, u abide any repairs under them..

My reasoning on that, if people reckon they can get 2 years effectively, then within that second year, get Apple care, think again.

 

[Fishrrman]

I would recommend the MBPro 13 (first URL above).

It's got a full complement of ports, and a better keyboard than the Air.
Also, it comes with a FULL APPLE WARRANTY instead of only 3 months.

An easy decision, really.

 

[blindpacemaker]

I would recommend the MBPro 13 (first URL above).

It's got a full complement of ports, and a better keyboard than the Air.
Also, it comes with a FULL APPLE WARRANTY instead of only 3 months.

An easy decision, really.

Yep, Im using it right now Although it doesn't come with the 3 year apple warranty, it comes with 2 years warranty, and for an extra £75 I got 2 years accidental damage cover (with no excess). Very happy with it so far! I get 90 days to return it so that is more than enough time to see if I like it or not.

 

[ncm34]

Hi there, so I need to buy a new mac and as it's a big purchase, I wanted some advice from people who know a lot more than I do about these things My budget is £1,300 max. Initially I was going to get the 2015 MBP base model, seen here:

http://www.johnlewis.com/apple-macb...i5-8gb-ram-128gb-flash-storage-13-3-/p1911263

I can buy this for £1,150 even though its showing as £1,250. However, I'm a little confused because I can buy the MB Air from Apple which seems to have the same specs, except I can upgrade it to an i7 processor and it's still cheaper at £1,079. What am I missing? Apple does charge £220 for 3 yr warranty whereas John Lewis include 2 yr warranty so maybe this makes the MBP a better option??

Finally there's the option of buying a refurb - I'm a little nervous about this as it only comes with a 3 month warranty, the specs are great though and it's 15 inch:

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/a2-r...d-15-inch-with-retina-a2-mjlt2b-a/version.asp

Any advice would be really appreciated as I desperately need a new macbook, but I want to make sure I make the right purchase.

Thank you.

PS. If it helps, I wont be using it for super intensive photo editing or anything like that, but I do usually have a fair amount of apps running concurrently and lots of tabs open - my MB Air 2013 w/8gb RAM was more than good enough, I mainly just want to get the best deal possible within my budget!

I don't know if B&H still has this deal, but my buddy picked up the Silver 2016 15" base model for $2199 shipped (no tax + $200 off). He saved about $400 as compared to buying from the Apple store (with edu discount & tax).

2.6 / 16 / 256 / Radeon 450 2GB

Pretty sweet deal, wish I had the link to it. Does anyone know if it's still ongoing?