Will Macbook 12 inch (M3) cover my needs?

[lasniko]

Hi there,

I would like your advise.

I am thinking to buy a new MacBook and I was thinking to choose MacBook 12 inch 2016 (M3).

1) My work is mostly coding, typical browsing, emailing, Word, Excel etc (office work).

2) Not so often I use iMovie in order to edit simple videos.

3) My hobby is photography and I use Lightroom and Photoshop (simple use).

4) Sometimes I use InDesign as well.

Do you believe that MacBook 12inch with the M3 processor will cover my needs?

Thank you

 

[SteveJUAE]

Hi there,

I would like your advise.

I am thinking to buy a new MacBook and I was thinking to choose MacBook 12 inch 2016 (M3).

1) My work is mostly coding, typical browsing, emailing, Word, Excel etc (office work).

2) Not so often I use iMovie in order to edit simple videos.

3) My hobby is photography and I use Lightroom and Photoshop (simple use).

4) Sometimes I use InDesign as well.

Do you believe that MacBook 12inch with the M3 processor will cover my needs?

Thank you

I would say yes but question on coding if you require multiple VM ? and like your other workflow I presume your excel files are also modest

 

[andy9l]

Also just bear in mind the MacBooks are expected to be updated in the next few weeks. Of course, this isn't guaranteed.

 

[Fravin]

I do have one of these 2016 m3 MacBooks.

My work is basically CCC and I can work with 2 or 3 apps open and Spark in background. It's not a fast machine, does not expect a blazing system. It can handle everything you thrown it.

I've used to edit some videos in FCP with no issues. Actually I'm very surprised with it. You should take care with high temperatures, that's my only complain.

 

[capathy21]

Yes but don't pay retail price. New models are on the way. Either wait for a 2017, or get a 2016 used.

 

[lasniko]

Thank you for your answers.

I will wait for the upgrades (hopefully).

 

[bill-p]

Everything else is fine except for Lightroom. Lightroom will run very slow.

You'll want m5/m7 to help with the slowness, but ideally, you should consider switching to Capture One. If your camera is Sony-branded, then I think you can get by with Capture One Express.

 

[lasniko]

Everything else is fine except for Lightroom. Lightroom will run very slow.

You'll want m5/m7 to help with the slowness, but ideally, you should consider switching to Capture One. If your camera is Sony-branded, then I think you can get by with Capture One Express.

I really like Lightroom but the price of the M5/M7 MacBook is beyond my financial status I guess I can have a look at used/refurbished models.

 

[Fravin]

I really like Lightroom but the price of the M5/M7 MacBook is beyond my financial status

Try the Luminar App. It's not too expensive and deliver terrific results. Check it out:

https://macphun.com/luminar

 

[andy9l]

To be honest, looking at this thread again - it really sounds like you're looking for a bang for buck deal. If photography is your hobby, you want a machine that will definitely handle your needs without you having to make silly compromises.

So, if you want something that will handle your needs now and for another couple of years - I would suggest looking at a refurbished 13" Pro.

More power, less money - perfect for your situation. Of course, the Pro doesn't have the aesthetics of the 12", but it's still a nice piece of kit.

In the U.K., the 2016 base MBP (without TouchBar) is selling for £1,179 refurbed (from Apple directly), which is actually cheaper than the base M3 12" you're looking at (£1,249 in U.K.). It provides quite a lot more for your money in terms of power and is also a more recent Mac.

Food for thought, at least. It's what I would do if I were in your position.

 

[lasniko]

To be honest, looking at this thread again - it really sounds like you're looking for a bang for buck deal. If photography is your hobby, you want a machine that will definitely handle your needs without you having to make silly compromises.

So, if you want something that will handle your needs now and for another couple of years - I would suggest looking at a refurbished 13" Pro.

More power, less money - perfect for your situation. Of course, the Pro doesn't have the aesthetics of the 12", but it's still a nice piece of kit.

In the U.K., the 2016 base MBP (without TouchBar) is selling for £1,179 refurbed (from Apple directly), which is actually cheaper than the base M3 12" you're looking at (£1,249 in U.K.). It provides quite a lot more for your money in terms of power and is also a more recent Mac.

Food for thought, at least. It's what I would do if I were in your position.

Hi Andy,

Thank you for your comment. I was thinking of this option too. I will have a look.

 

[boltjames]

Hi there,

I would like your advise.

I am thinking to buy a new MacBook and I was thinking to choose MacBook 12 inch 2016 (M3).

1) My work is mostly coding, typical browsing, emailing, Word, Excel etc (office work).

2) Not so often I use iMovie in order to edit simple videos.

3) My hobby is photography and I use Lightroom and Photoshop (simple use).

4) Sometimes I use InDesign as well.

Do you believe that MacBook 12inch with the M3 processor will cover my needs?

Thank you

Apple has a 14 day return policy.

I highly recommend you buy a 12" MacBook today, bring it home, load it up, and use it for a week. If the programs you run in the way you like to run them aren't satisfactory, return it. We test drive cars before we buy them, you can test drive a MacBook too.

BJ

 

[DaMax85]

Apple has a 14 day return policy.

I highly recommend you buy a 12" MacBook today, bring it home, load it up, and use it for a week. If the programs you run in the way you like to run them aren't satisfactory, return it. We test drive cars before we buy them, you can test drive a MacBook too.

BJ

Exactly. I did the same thing. For me, the rMB has been more than enough.

 

[Treyhunna]

opt for the m5

 

[Nautilus007]

Yes, best machine I have ever owned.