Apple MacBook Pro 13.3 "Retina, i5-4278U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD @ £879.00 Amazon Sold by

jessie_pinkman

Anyone looking for Macbook PRO with 8GB RAM with Retina Display,
Sold by Xtra Cubby (also other sellers), Fullfilled by Amazon

CPU: Intel Core i5-4278U, 2x 2.60GHz
Memory: 8GB
Mac OS X 10.9
Hard drive: 128GB SSD
Optical drive: N / A
Graphics: Intel Graphics Iris 5100 (IGP),
HDMI Display: 13.3 ", 2560x1600, glare, IPS
Connections: 2x USB 3.0, 2x Thunderbolt 20Gb / s
Wireless: WiFi 802.11 a / ​​b / g / n / ac, Bluetooth 4.0
Card Reader: SDXC
Webcam: 1.0 Megapixel
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks
Battery: Li polymer, 9h runtime
Weight: 1.57kg

Animo

Apple just announced a new 13 inch pro with a force touch track pad, extra hour if battery life and the 5th gen Intel processors. It's available today in the States. Not sure over here.

It's still a good price for this but just letting people know.

Sam Mac

Or... buy a same or better spec Windows for less than half the price. Just sayin'.

Alanstrainor

Sam Mac wrote: »

Or... buy a same or better spec Windows for less than half the price. Just sayin'.

Here we go...

mcw92

Sam Mac wrote: »

Or... buy a same or better spec Windows for less than half the price. Just sayin'.

Doodah7

Sam Mac wrote: »

Or... buy a same or better spec Windows for less than half the price. Just sayin'.

I'd really appreciate a link to such a machine please.

Oh yeah :rolleyes:

Alanstrainor

Right, this is a good price, for a great machine and it really doesn't matter terribly much if there is a new one or not, as it doesn't change anything about how good the last generation was.

I have been considering a move to a Mac in the last while, but alas, I just don't have the funds at the moment!

dingding

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Surface-Intel%C2%AE-Flash-Graphics/dp/B00FZW4UCM

Not quite half price.

Just get a keyboard. Longer battery life than the apple.

BBMcQ

dingding wrote: »

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Surface-Intel%C2%AE-Flash-Graphics/dp/B00FZW4UCM

Not quite half price.

Just get a keyboard. Longer battery life than the apple.

Half the specs too... OSX makes better use of the soecs it has.

But as another poster as said, a new 12 incher with Retina display was announced today for similar price, it's slimmer than the Air!

mcw92

dingding wrote: »

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Surface-Intel%C2%AE-Flash-Graphics/dp/B00FZW4UCM

Not quite half price.

Just get a keyboard. Longer battery life than the apple.

Worse Processor.
Half the Ram.
Worse GPU.
Much smaller screen size, tablet size.
The attachable keyboard wouldn't even compare to the Macbook's keyboard for productivity and even everyday use.
Less ports.

Now after all that, I wouldn't even compare the two tbh. Complete different machines for different uses.

Pique

Right let's quit the crap.

Macbook for nearly €900 with 8gb ram and a tiny ssd.

Why? If it's for surfing so you won't need the HD space, then why not a tablet with BT keyboard?

If it's a laptop you need HD space with then why not a windows i7 for less?


Honest question as I honestly can't see the appeal!


Non fan boys please reply.

ohnonotgmail

Pique wrote: »

Right let's quit the crap.

Macbook for nearly €900 with 8gb ram and a tiny ssd.

Why? If it's for surfing so you won't need the HD space, then why not a tablet with BT keyboard?

If it's a laptop you need HD space with then why not a windows i7 for less?


Honest question as I honestly can't see the appeal!


Non fan boys please reply.

Excellent display. Very well built. Great battery life. And some people just like Mac OS. You will struggle to buy an equivalent spec windows laptop for the same price. Any ultrabook spec laptop will cost the same or more. And a last-gen surface pro doesnt come anywhere near to an equivalent spec.

mcw92

Pique wrote: »

Right let's quit the crap.

Macbook for nearly €900 with 8gb ram and a tiny ssd.

Why? If it's for surfing so you won't need the HD space, then why not a tablet with BT keyboard?

If it's a laptop you need HD space with then why not a windows i7 for less?


Honest question as I honestly can't see the appeal!


Non fan boys please reply.

The one huge thing non apple owners don't realise is the value apple products retain over the years.

I bought a New Macbook Pro in 2009 for around €1000 at the time.
I put about €100 worth of upgrades in it throughout the years, and in 2013 I sold it for €700.
Try doing that with a Windows laptop.
Macbooks last longer. The quality of them is outstanding compared to some windows machines.

Also I never understand the requirement for a big HD in a laptop.
OK so you have loads movies, buy a external HD, its handier too because allows you to give to someone else to copy movies/allows you to connect to TV/another PC/Laptop.
I never go under 15GB on my 120GB SSD, and ive a few games installed and all Mac Office/Some adobe products/Apple software/Dropbox and a good few random apps.

soc

mcw92 wrote: »

The one huge thing non apple owners don't realise is the value apple products retain over the years.

I bought a New Macbook Pro in 2009 for around €1000 at the time.
I put about €100 worth of upgrades in it throughout the years, and in 2013 I sold it for €700.
Try doing that with a Windows laptop.
Macbooks last longer. The quality of them is outstanding compared to some windows machines.

Also I never understand the requirement for a big HD in a laptop.
OK so you have loads movies, buy a external HD, its handier too because allows you to give to someone else to copy movies/allows you to connect to TV/another PC/Laptop.
I never go under 15GB on my 120GB SSD, and ive a few games installed and all Mac Office/Some adobe products/Apple software/Dropbox and a good few random apps.

+1
Got my 13" MacBook Pro in 2010 when my Windows Laptop died...bit scary how much they cost, but I heard good things about them.
5 years on, and I'm STILL using the same MacBook pro.

Only upgrade I've done over the years was added an extra 4GB RAM and switched to a 500 SSD (of which I've still got 433GB free on it! )

I've owned quite a few Windows Laptops between 2002 and 2010... and none lasted this long.
*Touch wood* this one keeps going strong for a few more years... and if it karks it, I'll definitely stretch for another MacBook (might go Air considering how little I'm using the current HD). They're definitely worth the money over a Windows Laptop.

7upfree

:rolleyes:

Sam Mac wrote: »

Or... buy a same or better spec Windows for less than half the price. Just sayin'.

Spazdarn

I'm using a windows based MSI laptop over 5 years now, so I don't think it really matters who built it or what OS it is.

If I were to advise anyone on the mac vs. pc debate, I'd get one of the Windows ultrabooks that are currently on the market, and install OSX on it. The tutorials are easy enough, if I managed to get it done you can. Get best of both worlds then, cheaper but higher spec hardware and the OSX operating system everyone seems to pine for.

I personally think they're all the one... I got on the internet, and watch stuff on VLC, I only slightly favour Windows because I play games regularly enough

jontr

Spazdarn wrote: »

cheaper but higher spec hardware

Can you please post me an example of a laptop which will have the following:
- 13" screen
- weight below 3 pounds
- great touchpad that rules out the need for a mouse completely
- 10 hours battery live
- i5 processor
- less than 2cm thickness

all that cheaper than 1200 EUR.

ComeraghBlue

off topic much.....


Does anyone think the new specs on the 13" Macbook Pro Retina are worth worrying about?

Basically I only got one 2.5 weeks ago and the extra 1hr battery life and a new touch pad has made my current machine "out of date" after 2.5 weeks

ED E

ComeraghBlue wrote: »

off topic much.....


Does anyone think the new specs on the 13" Macbook Pro Retina are worth worrying about?

Basically I only got one 2.5 weeks ago and the extra 1hr battery life and a new touch pad has made my current machine "out of date" after 2.5 weeks

Yeah, but you have USB ports!

Keyzer

dingding wrote: »

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Surface-Intel%C2%AE-Flash-Graphics/dp/B00FZW4UCM

Not quite half price.

Just get a keyboard. Longer battery life than the apple.

Keyzer

ComeraghBlue wrote: »

off topic much.....


Does anyone think the new specs on the 13" Macbook Pro Retina are worth worrying about?

Basically I only got one 2.5 weeks ago and the extra 1hr battery life and a new touch pad has made my current machine "out of date" after 2.5 weeks

I have my 13" Retina Pro about 2 years and I adore the thing. I'm not a bog standard user (surfing, watching vids) and tts never let me down and thats with running a multitude of virtual machines on it as well.

I know its pricey but I've never regretted for one minute buying it and, when the time comes to retire my current mac book pro, I will most certainly by another.

Whosthis

Pique wrote: »

Right let's quit the crap.

Macbook for nearly €900 with 8gb ram and a tiny ssd.

Why? If it's for surfing so you won't need the HD space, then why not a tablet with BT keyboard?

If it's a laptop you need HD space with then why not a windows i7 for less?


Honest question as I honestly can't see the appeal!


Non fan boys please reply.

It's £879 which is over €1200.

Alanstrainor

ComeraghBlue wrote: »

off topic much.....


Does anyone think the new specs on the 13" Macbook Pro Retina are worth worrying about?

Basically I only got one 2.5 weeks ago and the extra 1hr battery life and a new touch pad has made my current machine "out of date" after 2.5 weeks

You have a great machine that should last you many years. Best not worry too much if it's out of date or not!

mad m

My son got a 15" retina mac pro 3 years ago, still going strong. Has never had a problem with it. Battery life still great also.

manu2009

jontr wrote: »

Can you please post me an example of a laptop which will have the following:
- 13" screen
- weight below 3 pounds
- great touchpad that rules out the need for a mouse completely
- 10 hours battery live
- i5 processor
- less than 2cm thickness

all that cheaper than 1200 EUR.

One example for €500, Lenovo U330

ohnonotgmail

manu2009 wrote: »

One example for €500, amazon.de/Lenovo-Notebook-Hybrid-Graphics-Betriebssystem/dp/B00HRPXLXY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425991347&sr=8-1&keywords=lenovo+u330"

you really consider that comparable to the apple laptop in the OP? You do realise it has a german keyboard and no OS?

The nearest i could find is this :

elara.ie/productdetail.aspx?productcode=ECE3126542


The screen isnt anywhere close to the Apples. and i cant imagine the build quality is either. No mention of a metal chassis so probably plastic.

zarquon

jontr wrote: »

Can you please post me an example of a laptop which will have the following:
- 13" screen
- weight below 3 pounds
- great touchpad that rules out the need for a mouse completely
- 10 hours battery live
- i5 processor
- less than 2cm thickness

all that cheaper than 1200 EUR.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/UX303LA-R5160H-13-3-inch-Ultrabook-Bluetooth-Integrated/dp/B00K7Y5NLA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425992563&sr=8-1&keywords=zenbook

Dozens of other examples too. You will need to try a lot harder to justify the apple.

ohnonotgmail

zarquon wrote: »

amazon.co.uk/UX303LA-R5160H-13-3-inch-Ultrabook-Bluetooth-Integrated/dp/B00K7Y5NLA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425992563&sr=8-1&keywords=zenbook

Dozens of other examples too. You will need to try a lot harder to justify the apple.

1600x900 screen? not really comparable. 4-5 hour battery is also not really comparable.

endacl

Sam Mac wrote: »

Or... buy a same or better spec Windows for less than half the price. Just sayin'.

Until Windows 8 is a thing of the past a windows machine wouldn't out spec a potato.

manu2009

OSI wrote: »

Half the ram, much lower end CPU, lower end GPU, lower resolution screen and not a proper SSD.

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

you really consider that comparable to the apple laptop in the OP? You do realise it has a german keyboard and no OS?

The nearest i could find is this :

elara.ie/productdetail.aspx?productcode=ECE3126542


The screen isnt anywhere close to the Apples. and i cant imagine the build quality is either. No mention of a metal chassis so probably plastic.

It matched the points posted above, i wasn't comparing it to the macbook in the original post, its not plastic, obviously you would need to pay a bit more for more ram, full ssd, full hd screen etc. but it definitely wouldn't cost €1200

ohnonotgmail

manu2009 wrote: »

It matched the points posted above, obviously you would need to pay a bit more for more ram, full hd screen etc. but it definitely wouldn't cost €1200

the screen resolution on the apple is greater than full HD. and those other things "you pay a bit more for" soon bring the price up considerably.

lee_baby_simms

Pique wrote: »

Right let's quit the crap.

Macbook for nearly €900 with 8gb ram and a tiny ssd.

Why? If it's for surfing so you won't need the HD space, then why not a tablet with BT keyboard?

If it's a laptop you need HD space with then why not a windows i7 for less?


Honest question as I honestly can't see the appeal!


Non fan boys please reply.

I bought a macbook in 2007. Its been used daily since then, photo editing, music production and a phd written on it. Upgraded ram and hard drive a few years ago.

Still going strong. I pretty sure a cheaper dell would not deliver the same perfomance.

Doodah7

The point is you CANNOT get a Windows machine with the same specs for less than a Macbook Pro. Every person so far on this thread has tried and the machine put forward is simply not as good as the Apple version without having to bolt on additional RAM etc. or the screen is simply inferior.

Have a look at some PROPER ultrabooks with equivalent specs and you will see that they cost around the same price as a MBP if not more. If anyone thinks they can get the equivalent machine for half the price, they are fooloing themselves. It CANNOT be done.

Alanstrainor

Would someone just be sound and buy me the MacBook in the OP so I can tell people how great it is?

galwayjohn89

Seems like a good price. I used to be hard core anti apple, but now own a mac, still anti iPhone though. Used to buy windows machines and then wipe them get cash back for windows and install a Linux Distro. Happened to be able to get a top model 13.3 air for €900 so went for it. Build quality brilliant, battery is brilliant, overall great device. Much better quality than any windows machine I've ever used.

aperture_nuig

It's a long shot I know, but does anyone know do the likes of argos and currys reduce their prices to clear off old stock of apple gear? Or do their prices usually stay the same?

keithclancy

HOW ABOUT WE JUST SAY ITS A BARGAIN FOR A MAC ? :pac:

endacl

keithclancy wrote: »

HOW ABOUT WE JUST SAY ITS A BARGAIN FOR A MAC ? :pac:

OK. DO WE HAVE TO SHOUT?

zarquon

What is with the €900 b.s figure that keeps getting referenced. If it was €900 it would be a bargain however this laptop is approximately €1250 with current exchange rates which is still a decent price however there are better options in the same price range such as the new dell xps 13

Doodah7

New Dell XPS 13 is still not as good as a MBP. Screen resolution is 1920x1080 compared to 2304x1440. The base-model Dell has 4GB of RAM vs 8GB in the machine quoted and costs €1093 incl. VAT.

Personally, if I was paying north of a grand for a laptop, I wouldn't spend my money on a Windows version...

Effects

jontr wrote: »

Can you please post me an example of a laptop which will have the following:
- great touchpad that rules out the need for a mouse completely

That doesn't exist, mac or pc.

Sad Professor

Effects wrote: »

That doesn't exist, mac or pc.

The MacBook trackpad is better than any mouse I've ever used. I've a Logitech, an MS and several Apple mice collecting dust.

Effects

Which track pad? The current one?

ThunbergsAreGo

tallpaul wrote: »

New Dell XPS 13 is still not as good as a MBP. Screen resolution is 1920x1080 compared to 2304x1440. The base-model Dell has 4GB of RAM vs 8GB in the machine quoted and costs €1093 incl. VAT.

Personally, if I was paying north of a grand for a laptop, I wouldn't spend my money on a Windows version...

Something I always wondered, does the above difference in resulution make any difference at all for standard users?

Sad Professor

Effects wrote: »

Which track pad? The current one?

Yes.

galwayjohn89

Effects wrote: »

That doesn't exist, mac or pc.

Majority of people I know with laptops haven't used a mouse in years!?

zarquon wrote: »

What is with the €900 b.s figure that keeps getting referenced.

Only one person quoted €900 and I presume it was a mistype for £900

Effects

I do a lot of photo work on my MBP and the trackpad just doesn't cut it. I have to use a mouse.

Paul_Hacket

Effects wrote: »

That doesn't exist, mac or pc.

Actually it does. The trackapd is the single element that makes macbooks so desirable. And I speak as someone typing on a €1,400 Acer Aspire S7 luxury ultrabook.

I work in IT and digital media production, and am not a fanboy for either windows or apple machines. There are things about both operating systems that bother me but you'd have to be on drugs to find Windows 8 anything other than a sh!tshow if you're actually trying to do more than view movies and surf on your laptop. So the first thing you have to do when buying one of these cheaper ultrabooks people are talking about is spend a day wiping the hard drive and installing windows 7 plus all of the drivers you need to get things like backlighting on your keyboard etc. working.

Mac OS just kills windows at this point. Add to that important non-spec intangibles such as build quality, zero keyboard flex, genuinely useful trackpad and all the rest of the optimized hardware and there really is absolutely nothing in the PC space that compares. I got my Apire S7 in the USA for $450 refurbished, that's why I have it, and that's around what it's worth.

zarquon

tallpaul wrote: »

New Dell XPS 13 is still not as good as a MBP. Screen resolution is 1920x1080 compared to 2304x1440. The base-model Dell has 4GB of RAM vs 8GB in the machine quoted and costs €1093 incl. VAT.

Personally, if I was paying north of a grand for a laptop, I wouldn't spend my money on a Windows version...

You need to do your research better, there is a (3200x1800) QHD panel available too on the XPS 13.

Personally speaking though anything over 1080p on a 13'' screen is overkill for most tasks. Extra screen space would be useful for work such as editing etc however anyone performing such tasks would be better off with a larger screen anyway.

The macbook is a decent price however it is irritating to see fanboys try so hard to put down windows machines in comparison.

My current laptop was nearly 2K, a similiar spec'ed macbook was about 3K at the time so it was a no-brainer to go with the windows laptop. I don't like paying massive premiums just for the label (expect perhaps for cars :)but each to their own

Doodah7

zarquon wrote: »

You need to do your research better, there is a (3200x1800) QHD panel available too on the XPS 13.

No I don't. That machine is €1399!!! Ruddy DEARER than a Macbook Pro. For Windows!!

zarquon

tallpaul wrote: »

No I don't. That machine is €1399!!! Ruddy DEARER than a Macbook Pro. For Windows!!

about €150 dearer than the laptop in the OP with much superior specs across the board especially the new broadwell CPU and rated 15 hours battery life and far superior screen. I would certainly rather buy the XPS than the macbook in the OP for the extra few quid.

Each to their own though, if you need osx for specific software such as final cut etc, then it's a great deal but if you want a laptop for general surfing and word processing then it's stupid paying the apple brand premium considering the quality and spec of windows laptops in the same price range.

I don't understand the snobbery about paying for premium windows laptops, mine was 2k. Too often people try to compare €500 piece of crap windows laptops to €1500 macbooks which is nonsense. Macbooks are only worth the price if you need mac specific software otherwise you are paying a hefty premium just for the shiny apple on the lid.