Macbook Pro purchasing queries

funkybunky

Dear Mac folks,

I am on the cusp of purchasing my first Macbook Pro. I'm not in a position to spend a fortune & was thinking of going for the lowest price 13" of the new range as its all I can afford.

Thing is, I'm studying multimedia and it'd be my main computer outside college. I'd be mostly using it for Final Cut Pro and all the Adobe stuff and it'll be my right arm for the next few years.

At the moment I'm struggling with a million year old 12" iBook G4 that has served me very well & I fear that while the 13" looks enormous to me now by comparison when I just go in to drool all over them, I wonder will the novelty wear off & I might regret this and find it very small very quickly. I thought that maybe having a larger monitor to use it as a desktop at home might work.

As regards second hand, I'm nervous about buying a slightly older used 15" but maybe I'm just being silly or just like new shiny things.

Any advice on the managability of a 13" machine for multimedia work or on purchasing something larger second hand would be appreciated.

Thanks

Sad Professor

Have a look on the refurb store if you want something a bit cheaper but without the risk of going second-hand. Refurbs come with the same warranty as a new machine. (Site is probably being updated at this time, so check again tomorrow.)

With the 13-inch it's a really question of how important portability is to you. I mean, the 15-inch is obviously better. However, personally I wouldn't want to be dragging it around every day. But having said that, many people do.

The discrete graphics card in the 15-inch may also be a big advantage.

funkybunky

Thanks for that
It'll give me something to think about.
Portability wouldn't be my highest priority as it'll be my main computer and I don't mind that too much for hauling it around.
Cost is my biggest concern really.
I don't really know enough about them to know if I'm sacrificing more than just the size by going for the smaller one.

thanks again

avalon68

I purchased a 13" almost a year ago now. Now that I'm using it more for work (just office mainly and some photoshop), I really regret not going for the 15". Yes its easy to carry around, but the lack of screen space is really frustrating me at the moment - so much so that I bought an external monitor so that I could use dual screens. Serves me well for now, but I tend to use it as a desktop more now . . .

neon123

I bought the 13 inch refurbished 3 weeks ago,there is no way you can tell the difference between the new one and the refurbished.I payed 889euro,i was wondering if that amount of money was worth it ,but it is,the computer is extremely fast,and you can get to work as soon as you turn it on.It is very light,and can be taken out anywhere with ease,it is also extremely fast when doing things like video and photo editing,and to top it all off ,the Mac book pro is a stunning looking machine,made out of a slab of aluminium ,its easy to tell how good the quality is as soon as you take it out off the box,compared to other cheap plastic computers.

Vivagora

neon123 wrote: »

I bought the 13 inch refurbished 3 weeks ago,there is no way you can tell the difference between the new one and the refurbished.I payed 889euro,i was wondering if that amount of money was worth it ,but it is,the computer is extremely fast,and you can get to work as soon as you turn it on.It is very light,and can be taken out anywhere with ease,it is also extremely fast when doing things like video and photo editing,and to top it all off ,the Mac book pro is a stunning looking machine,made out of a slab of aluminium ,its easy to tell how good the quality is as soon as you take it out off the box,compared to other cheap plastic computers.

I have been looking at the models available and some are very good value. Did you get the 2010 version of the pro or the february 2011 version? because if you got the latter that is unreal value! Did the dleivery take long? Im also wondering about the "limited warranty" attached to the refurbished models? I know a friend that bought a dell refurbished and the computer fell apart after only a few months depsite being "top of the range" so Im a bit wary about refurbished!

hearny

I believe the refurbs have the visible parts replaced so visually it will look identical to a brand new one.

The warranty is the same as a new one 12 months with the option to extend with AppleCare at any point.

If you are on a budget definately the way to go - unless you can get one via the states and save even more.

hearny

Can you get a student discount on it if you wait till you start. It's not much of a saving but it's better than nothing.

Vivagora

How does Apple warranty work in ireland? I have friends in other countries that just bring the laptop into the Apple store and they tell them what to do, often fix it or arrange to have it fixed. Im guessing that "genius support" is not available in Ireland as nearest store is Belfast?

Also is student discount allowed on refurbished models?

Sad Professor

There's no student discount on refurbs.

Re: warranty, you either ring up Apple and they arrange a collection, or you bring it to an Authorised Apple Service Provider, such as CompuB, Mactivate, Typetec, etc.

Vivagora

Well student discount isnt great this year as only money off apps not the computer.

Sorry If Im asking too many questions but should I go with Iwork or MSOffice? because of price and reviews Im leaning more towards Iwork but I would use Excel Powerpoint and Word regularly and need my documents to not loose their formats and still look professional when sending to other users for teamwork jobs.

And can applecare be purchased after the 12 month warranty is up or only on purchase of computer?

End of questions I promise! I was looking at youtube videos of opening apple refurbs and they look new I wouldnt know the difference.

Sad Professor

Vivagora wrote: »

Well student discount isnt great this year as only money off apps not the computer.

No, the student discount of 7-10 percent still applies. The Back to School promotion is separate. In previous years it was a rebate on an iPod; this year it's a iTunes gift card.

Sorry If Im asking too many questions but should I go with Iwork or MSOffice? because of price and reviews Im leaning more towards Iwork but I would use Excel Powerpoint and Word regularly and need my documents to not loose their formats and still look professional when sending to other users for teamwork jobs.

iWork is very nice and generally light on resources compared Office. But if you are going to be using it in a work environment it's probably best to go for Office. And Numbers is a bit crap compared to Excel.

And can applecare be purchased after the 12 month warranty is up or only on purchase of computer?

Applecare must be purchased within 12 months of buying the machine.

whiterebel

hearny wrote: »

I believe the refurbs have the visible parts replaced so visually it will look identical to a brand new one.

The warranty is the same as a new one 12 months with the option to extend with AppleCare at any point.

If you are on a budget definately the way to go - unless you can get one via the states and save even more.

They don't unless they need to be replaced. It wouldn't make any sense to just replace parts for no reason.

shamoantito

Harvey Norman in swords have iwork for 69euro also has i life and snowleopard in the box also seen mobile me for 20euro

darragh o meara

I have used a 13" macbook pro for the last few years and have runned plenty of programs like adobe and final cut pro on them with no problems.

I have one for sale over on adverts and I can load up most of the programs you need if interested Plus its still under warranty and a nicely specced machine.

http://www.adverts.ie/mac/13-macbook-pro-2-66ghz-core2duo/670682

Vivagora

After seriously thinking about it I think I will order a refurb while in New York. Ill be there for 12 days does anyone know where the laptops come from in the US for how long delivery will take? And can I just order a refurb in the apple store or do I have to do it online and get it posted out to a US address?

Vivagora

Also Apple says online that they will take back old computers and give vouchers against a new laptop this should help with customs as well.

funkybunky

Thanks for the advice,

I went for the 13" refurb from apple, April 2010, €889...so far so good, very pleased with it.

It's perfect apart from a tiny scratch on the screen in the top left hand corner, I'm assuming this is why its a refurb and not new so reckoned I couldn't send it back. would I be correct in not acting on this?

hearny

There shouldn't be any scratches on it so ring Applecare and they should sort it out for you.

Sad Professor

Minor cosmetic damage is a risk with refurbs. Apple are unlikely to repair/replace it. They specifically state on the site that refurbs may have scratches and other imperfections. That's why they are discounted. However, you can still return it within 14 days for a refund and order another one if you aren't happy.

neon123

I agree with Sad Professor,when buying refirbs there is a possibility of cosmetic damage,if they were all perfect then everybody would be buying them,You have 14 days to decide you want a replacement,so if its really bothering you, then get it replaced if you can,if you cant just remember how much money you saved.

whiterebel

neon123 wrote: »

I agree with Sad Professor,when buying refirbs there is a possibility of cosmetic damage,if they were all perfect then everybody would be buying them,You have 14 days to decide you want a replacement,so if its really bothering you, then get it replaced if you can,if you cant just remember how much money you saved.

You don't gt replacements with refurbs, as they may not have any in stock. You can get a refund if you're not happy with it. Cosmetic imperfections are clearly stated in the T&Cs when you're buying refurbs.

Gregor Samsa

Maybe a bit late coming to this, but anyhow...

About 6 years ago, I did a MA in Digital Media on a 12" PowerBook. The machine was perfect for the job (Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, Flash, Director, ProTools, etc) BUT I used an external 19" monitor when at home. We had crumby, aging eMacs in college, and my PowerBook could render effects in FCP about 3 times faster than them. For my final project, (a 3D scuba diving simulator), I did everything on the PowerBook (3D modeling in Carrara, development in Director, UI in Photoshop, etc). When I needed to bring my work into college, all I had to do was take the PowerBook in. I used to do some of my work on the train to Limerick to visit my girlfriend at the weekends.

A 13" screen is too small to comfortable use multimedia applications on all day long - but to be honest, a 15" isn't much better. Multimedia applications need space.

I have a 13" MBP now, and a 24" Samsung monitor to go with it. That way, at my desk, I have a massive screen (bigger than you'll get on any laptop), but when I need to travel, I have something portable and neat. Best of both worlds in my opinion. And, of course, you get to use both screens at once - so you could have FinalCut Pro on your main screen, and your storyboard and notes on the MacBook screen (or Facebook ;-) )

You'll pick up a decent 24" DVI monitor for between 150 and 200 euro, and you'll just need an adapter to hook it up to the MacBook.

Small laptop and big monitor is the perfect way to go.

funkybunky

to phutyle, great advice, thanks...thats the plan and you're the second person now who's recommended samsung for monitors

miralize

The 15" MBP can have a 1680x1050 resolution, more than sufficient for today multimedia applications

milltown

Word to the wise. If you're thinking of buying new and you or anyone you know are going through Dublin airport, pick it up in Dixons. I grabbed a 13" MBP on my way through a fortnight ago for €1016. The only place that wavered from the RRP. Even when pricing up a load of stuff in Harvey Norman's, the guy said he had no leeway on Apple computers but he could give discounts on stuff like applecare.

If someone you know is heading on holidays AFAIK they can buy it on the way out and collect it on the way back.