Looking to get an MacBook/MacBook Air

pinkstars

Since my laptop broke a few years ago I haven't replaced it but really miss the stability of one in the house. Only thing is I have no idea of specifications/ram or gb could anyone give me an idea of what would be best to get or any special offers out there at the moment. I used my old laptop for storing photos and general web browsing but was hoping to do a bit more with a new model.

Many thanks

Ant695

What exactly do you want it to do? Macbooks in general are very expensive unless you need them for a specific task.

pinkstars

Ant695 wrote: »

What exactly do you want it to do? Macbooks in general are very expensive unless you need them for a specific task.

Basically just watch movies, web browsing, uploading pictures, online shopping!

AndyBoBandy

Would you consider a (cheaper) MacMini?

It's all the power of a mac, at a cheaper price. you just need a monitor (your TV) and a keyboard/mouse.

pinkstars

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Would you consider a (cheaper) MacMini?

It's all the power of a mac, at a cheaper price. you just need a monitor (your TV) and a keyboard/mouse.

Oh I think it would be awkward using the tv there are too many things plugged into it already!! The reason I was going Mac as I have iPhone, Sky Tv, iPad and thought i would be as well to stick with Apple.

pinkstars

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Would you consider a (cheaper) MacMini?

It's all the power of a mac, at a cheaper price. you just need a monitor (your TV) and a keyboard/mouse.

Oh I think it would be awkward using the tv there are too many things plugged into it already!! The reason I was going Mac as I have iPhone, Sky Tv, iPad and thought i would be as well to stick with Apple.

pinkstars

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Would you consider a (cheaper) MacMini?

It's all the power of a mac, at a cheaper price. you just need a monitor (your TV) and a keyboard/mouse.

Oh I think it would be awkward using the tv there are too many things plugged into it already!! The reason I was going Mac as I have iPhone, Sky Tv, iPad and thought i would be as well to stick with Apple.

Ant695

pinkstars wrote: »

Oh I think it would be awkward using the tv there are too many things plugged into it already!! The reason I was going Mac as I have iPhone, Sky Tv, iPad and thought i would be as well to stick with Apple.

No real need to stick with apple unless you want to. For what you have described a windows laptop would more than suffice at a fraction of the cost. Unless you have the disposable income and want the mac I wouldn't bother.

pinkstars

pinkstars wrote: »

Oh I think it would be awkward using the tv there are too many things plugged into it already!! The reason I was going Mac as I have iPhone, Sky Tv, iPad and thought i would be as well to stick with Apple.

I mean Apple TV

pinkstars

Ant695 wrote: »

No real need to stick with apple unless you want to. For what you have described a windows laptop would more than suffice at a fraction of the cost. Unless you have the disposable income and want the mac I wouldn't bother.

Well I have a little diposable income alright but if it's cheaper to go with the Windows laptop I might go with that.

Ant695

pinkstars wrote: »

Well I have a little diposable income alright but if it's cheaper to go with the Windows laptop I might go with that.

Any amount of them and will be an awful lot on sale in the run up to xmas. Main things to keep an eye on is minimum 4gb ram and a decent size hdd for storing photos, music videos etc... and either an i3 or i5 processor.

After that it comes down to personal preference over screen size etc... some like big screen and don't move it around too much but others like smaller for portability.

pinkstars

But I WANT an Apple Mac argghhhhh I'm like a spoilt child. Think I'll go cry in the corner now.

Ant695

pinkstars wrote: »

But I WANT an Apple Mac argghhhhh I'm like a spoilt child. Think I'll go cry in the corner now.

It's your money if you want a mac you can certainly buy one. I'm just pointing out that for your purposes you don't NEED to spend that kind of money on a laptop. Wanting a shiny new toy on the other hand is different altogether.

pinkstars

Ant695 wrote: »

It's your money if you want a mac you can certainly buy one. I'm just pointing out that for your purposes you don't NEED to spend that kind of money on a laptop. Wanting a shiny new toy on the other hand is different altogether.

I think it's merely the shiny new toy I really want!

pinkstars

Ant695 wrote: »

It's your money if you want a mac you can certainly buy one. I'm just pointing out that for your purposes you don't NEED to spend that kind of money on a laptop. Wanting a shiny new toy on the other hand is different altogether.

I think it's merely the shiny new toy I really want!

yoyo

No more unhelpful posts. Stick to the topic please

CarolynSmith

Then you should go for it. Yes, they cost a bit more but are worth it. The solid state hard drive makes all the difference - beautiful machine - I love mine.

Senecio

If you really want the Macbook go for it. For your intended use you would be fined with the most basic version. All you need to decide is which screen size.

pinkstars

Thanks for the recommendations! If I could ask advice just one more time would I be better going with the Air/Pro etc?

Boskowski

pinkstars wrote: »

Thanks for the recommendations! If I could ask advice just one more time would I be better going with the Air/Pro etc?

Just been there myself...

Pro has better display and it's a little faster, too. Air is lighter and a bit sleeker looking and has a better battery life. Both are 'luxury' machines for just a bit of web and Word and such.

I wouldn't buy the Air now, better wait for the 2016 model with probably a better screen. I like the Pro but if the Air had a retina screen it would be a tough decision.

If it has to be a Mac and you're really only a light user in terms of CPU power and such your best bet is probably just the Macbook. Its smaller again 12" and has the retina screen. Also still quite powerful. It also comes in gold and gunmetal I think. :pac: I find it quite small tho.

ScottStorm

pinkstars wrote: »

Thanks for the recommendations! If I could ask advice just one more time would I be better going with the Air/Pro etc?

Honestly, there is no sense in anybody giving you advice on this as ANY of their laptops will do what you want, if all you want is a pretty machine then go into an apple store and buy the prettiest one in the shop but with their lowset spec for that machine.

pinkstars

Well what do others use their laptops for!?!?

ScottStorm

Video editing, photo editing, gaming, streaming, coding........ for what you have stated, you could probably just get a keyboard and some cloud storage for your ipad.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

pinkstars wrote: »

But I WANT an Apple Mac argghhhhh I'm like a spoilt child. Think I'll go cry in the corner now.

You are Apple's ideal customer. Marketing, marketing, marketing..

For the tasks you've listed, a Windows machine is more than enough. Coming up to Black Friday you'll get an i5 for less than €600 and a decent i3 for less than €500, both have 2tb hard drives and 8gb ram so plenty of power and storage.. Keep your money for other things.

http://www.currys.ie/Product/hp-15ac151sa-156-laptop-silver/335170/401.10

http://www.currys.ie/Product/hp-15ac152sa-156-laptop-silver/335184/401.10

or, if you want the Windows equivalent to the Macbook Air, try one of these for €600 less than Apple's equivalent;

http://www.currys.ie/Product/hp-envy-13d061sa-133-laptop-aluminium/335085/401.0.0

brand new 6th gen i5, 8gb, 256gb ssd, QHD 3200x1800 IPS screen. 10 hour battery life, thin and light, Bang and Olufsen audio.

you may find these even cheaper online.

Windows 10 is good but usually on inferior hardware, the Mac Book Air is a well built machine and Apples OS is really good.

Have to say I highly regret getting another dell, got a 2 in one a year ago and it's falling apart, you wouldn't believe the build quality, absolutely horrendous ! never, Ever again and this is my 3rd Dell Laptop. It cost 700 and boy am I mad I didn't pay the extra 500 Quid and get the Macbook Air !

500 quid is 500 quid and a lot of money if you haven't got it but you will have no trouble selling a mac 2nd hand or ipad etc and getting decent money for it shouldn't be a problem either.

I love my Ipad Air and usually an Android fan but Android isn't as polished and the apps are usually not as good, nor the games as good or the graphics etc, Android is great for most people who just want a phone or for a tablet that doesn't cost a lot but I think in 2017 I will ditch Android and go back to iphone when Iphone 7 comes out, what turned me off Iphone was the tiny screen size.

Apple is expensive but it gives a great user experience, a well built product (usually) with a high resale value.

You can get windows laptops with high spec high res screens but they'll cost as much as the mac so why bother ?

This is pretty much an unbiased review because I have both Android, Ipad and Windows 10 and no doubt at all the Apple is worth the money , however if you haven't got the money or could never justify the extra cost then Android and Windows will do the job just fine.

Another thing about storage, Don't store photos or anything important on your laptop, especially if you take it out of the house a lot, use encryption and above all back up in the cloud, the cloud is your friend.

EGriff

Couldn't agree with you there on Dell build quality, I have mine for about 5 years and it's going strong after a few upgrades. Their current XPS 13 is gorgeous too, nicer than a MacBook air imo (smaller and lighter too). It's also the same price or more expensive, though with better processor, screen, more RAM and bigger SSD. Also has a touchscreen if you're into that. Overkill for watching movies and browsing tough.

EGriff

EGriff wrote: »

Couldn't agree with you there on Dell build quality, I have mine for about 5 years and it's going strong after a few upgrades. Their current XPS 13 is gorgeous too, nicer than a MacBook air imo (smaller and lighter too). It's also the same price or more expensive, though with better processor, screen, more RAM and bigger SSD. Also has a touchscreen if you're into that. Overkill for watching movies and browsing tough.

The last Dell I had didn't fall apart but it had over heating issues. So that makes 3 Dells a disaster. never again !

AndyBoBandy

I'm guessing you'd want the macbook to be new?

if not, you can get some good deals on eBay for second hand ones that will have more than enough spec for what you need, obviously you have to be aware with anything you buy from eBay,

in the past I've bought a Powerbook G4, iMac G5 & iMac (intel) all from eBay and they've all been fine.

ScottStorm

Deleted User wrote: »

Have to say I highly regret getting another dell, got a 2 in one a year ago and it's falling apart, you wouldn't believe the build quality, absolutely horrendous ! never, Ever again and this is my 3rd Dell Laptop. It cost 700 and boy am I mad I didn't pay the extra 500 Quid and get the Macbook Air !

Inspiron 7000? if so I have the same 2 in 1, Keyboard is good with no sagging in the middle, hinge is still strong build quality is overall solid apart from the soft finish which has rubbed off a little in the corner's. So I can imagine if you don't look after it that it would look a little rough. Mine is used daily and has plenty of miles under its belt.

On a side note, check in mmc if your model has an eDellRoot certificate as it is a current security issue, if so use only firefox for https sites until it gets sorted.

ScottStorm

ScottStorm wrote: »

Inspiron 7000? if so I have the same 2 in 1, Keyboard is good with no sagging in the middle, hinge is still strong build quality is overall solid apart from the soft finish which has rubbed off a little in the corner's. So I can imagine if you don't look after it that it would look a little rough. Mine is used daily and has plenty of miles under its belt.

On a side note, check in mmc if your model has an eDellRoot certificate as it is a current security issue, if so use only firefox for https sites until it gets sorted.

Yeah inspiron 13 inch 7000, absolutely appalling build quality. The screen comes apart from the bezel it's held in with useless clips, the left hinge is broken and I had to disable the touch screen because of Ghost touching issues which is a rampant unsolvable problem.

This stuff is all made by Foxconn but obviously Dells quality control is rubbish they obviously don't care about their image as much as Apple do.

I have resisted getting a Macbook for years so no one can call me an Apple fan, though I do have the Ipad Air and love it, I'm seriously thinking about selling the now pretty much worthless Dell and taking the plunge and getting the Macbook.

When I think about it , at the time the Dell cost about 700 Euro's and I had already got my own SSD which would have cost about 1 K at the time in total if i got the dell with an ssd which wasn't even an option another 200 Euro's would have got me a Macbook Air which would have lasted me a lot longer than 1 year without falling apart.

I also look after my stuff and didn't mistreat the laptop, the Ipad is still perfect.

I'm even strongly considering the Iphone 7 next year when it comes out and ditching Android altogether, yeah Android is good but not nearly as good as ios.

ScottStorm

Deleted User wrote: »

Yeah inspiron 13 inch 7000, absolutely appalling build quality. The screen comes apart from the bezel it's held in with useless clips, the left hinge is broken and I had to disable the touch screen because of Ghost touching issues which is a rampant unsolvable problem.

I also look after my stuff and didn't mistreat the laptop, the Ipad is still perfect.

The faults you are describing all sound related to rough handling of the screen thus damaging both screen and hinge.

If that's not the case then you must have got a dud,because there is no way that my screen is coming out and my hinges are solid also no issues with the touch screen you probably should have sent it back when under warranty.

ScottStorm

ScottStorm wrote: »

The faults you are describing all sound related to rough handling of the screen thus damaging both screen and hinge.

If that's not the case then you must have got a dud,because there is no way that my screen is coming out and my hinges are solid also no issues with the touch screen you probably should have sent it back when under warranty.

As I said I don't mistreat things that cost a lot of money, 3 Duds. Must be unlucky.

The Gost touch screen problem is a massive problem that Dell didn't fix, unreal and makes the laptop pretty much a waste of money.

biko

Go visit a local Curry's or similar computer shop and see/handle the various laptops.
Any laptop can do what you need, according to your previous posts.

Any laptop can "do the job" but it's about how it does it is important, to me at least.

ScottStorm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Any laptop can "do the job" but it's about how it does it is important, to me at least.

Yes, but the job requested of this laptop is already adequately performed by the op's ipad. OP just wants to spend money on something shiny.

€1000 for a macbook air or €1500 for the entry level macbook or pro (as per apple website) to watch youtube! Op has more money than sense as do all apple users not using the machines in a professional capacity. I have nothing against that; they can buy what they want but asking advice is ridiculous because all sensible advice would be against buying those devices for the intended purpose.

Also you truly are mad if you think macs don't give people any issues. I would have at least a tenner if I was given a euro for every disgruntled mac user who gave out to me about the service from apple when a hardware issue arises, which is at about the same frequency as with any other similarly priced laptop or pc (our inspiron 13 7000 would be one model lower, the xps 13 would be a macbook air competitor imo).

Baron Kurtz

pinkstars wrote: »

I think it's merely the shiny new toy I really want!

That it is. I acquired a MacBook Air a year or so ago. It still looks as new and works as well as it did first out of the box. In terms of aesthetics, to me at least, it takes some beating. Its construct and lightweight feel add to the positives.

It depends on what OS you prefer though. If you want it because it's Apple and premium looking then do that. But that said it will also serve you more than sufficiently for what you mentioned you need it for. Mine has. I bought it primarily out of a curiosity for this OS and a change from Windows. I didn't expect it to be a multi-tasking, gaming behemoth of a laptop but what it can do it does it very well.

That all said, the Windows system suits my needs a lot more which is why I have a beady eye on a Dell XPS atm. The MacBook Air is great but to me it's also resides in that group of pretty but expensive bit of novelty (okay, not really) tech.

Find me a windows laptop with similar specs that's cheaper ? that doesn't have a crap 1366 x 768 screen ?

Look at the Lenovo Yoga 3 !

Macbooks aren't that mental a price as people like to think.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Find me a windows laptop with similar specs that's cheaper ? that doesn't have a crap 1366 x 768 screen ?

Look at the Lenovo Yoga 3 !

Macbooks aren't that mental a price as people like to think.

I already linked you one.

The HP Envy 13, €999 in Currys.

http://www.currys.ie/product/envy-13d061sa-133-laptop-aluminium/335085/401.0.6?&

13.3" Quad HD IPS screen (3200x1800)
6th gen i5 processor
8gb RAM
256gb SSD
Bang and Olufsen audio
Thin and light
10 hour battery
.. And it still has all the ports you need, unlike the newest Mac with a paltry 0 USB 3.0 ports! (Only a USB C port which no one uses anyway)

There's an i7 variant for 1199 also.

I own one, and it is a fantastic machine.

Buy it from HP UK directly and you can get it for around €900.

Cheapest Mac equivalent I can see is the Macbook Pro 13-inch at €1699. And that's using an older processor.

The HP is a nice laptop , the macbook Air has USB ports, you're talking about the new "macbook"

The air only has 4GB ram.

At this stage I think I would give the Mac os a go after having used my brothers macbook Air and the Ipad over another windows machine.

Having said that a decent keyboard and the Ipad would suit me most of the time but I still need a proper OS so at this point in time I need to have a Windows or Mac so I'll have to stick to my crappy Dell for a while yet.

biko

pinkstars wrote: »

But I WANT an Apple Mac argghhhhh

I think we have arrived at the centre of things
That's fine of course, if you want one and can spare the money by all means go ahead.

If a second-hand laptop will do check adverts.ie and donedeal.ie, or perhaps a place in your town will sell second-hands with warranty.

callaway92

pinkstars wrote: »

But I WANT an Apple Mac argghhhhh I'm like a spoilt child. Think I'll go cry in the corner now.

A true victim of the Apple masterclass Marketing team. Love it!

callaway92

callaway92 wrote: »

A true victim of the Apple masterclass Marketing team. Love it!

I doubt it, Apple OS and ios are good, the hardware is part of it.

I'm speaking as a windows user and Androis but having ios on the Ipad.

Windows does the job but there are people that prefer a bit more.

callaway92

Deleted User wrote: »

I doubt it, Apple OS and ios are good, the hardware is part of it.

I'm speaking as a windows user and Androis but having ios on the Ipad.

Windows does the job but there are people that prefer a bit more.

Quote from the OP:

"Basically just watch movies, web browsing, uploading pictures, online shopping!"

Nothing wrong with it of course - I've an iPhone 6 and iPad Air 2. It's just funny really. The thread starter writes it like a teenage girl!

Curb Your Enthusiasm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I doubt it, Apple OS and ios are good, the hardware is part of it.

I'm speaking as a windows user and Androis but having ios on the Ipad.

Windows does the job but there are people that prefer a bit more.

Prefer a bit more? Mac OS limits everything. You will not be able to find a more open-source OS than Linux and Windows!

You said it yourself, you WANT a Mac. Do you need it? No. But go ahead if you have the cash to throw away.

As a user above rightly said, you're the perfect victim to Apple's fantastic marketing tricks.

I don't think there's much more to be said on this thread. OP clearly wanted a Mac from the start. I recommend the Apple devices forum in future, lots of people there gushing over the next copied "innovation".

What's the want V need ?

Others want V need windows so what's the difference ?

Most people could get away with Ubuntu or Android as their daily browser if that's all they want.

imo ios and OSx is worth the money to a point, 2800 for a macbook pro is silly money. Then again you can pay silly money for an Alienware or Asus gaming rig too .

ScottStorm

Deleted User wrote: »

What's the want V need ?

Others want V need windows so what's the difference ?

Most people could get away with Ubuntu or Android as their daily browser if that's all they want.

imo ios and OSx is worth the money to a point, 2800 for a macbook pro is silly money. Then again you can pay silly money for an Alienware or Asus gaming rig too .

If you are paying €2800 for a macbook pro and using it for intensive video editing that is fine, it's paying €1000 for macbook air to watch youtube and go on boards.ie that is idiocy (excessive luxury).

Plus anybody that pays for an Alienware gaming rig is also overpaying and most gamers would suggest building a better rig for far cheaper.

If you really want your next laptop to be an apple then hat's off to you but don't fool yourself into thinking they are superior by virtue of the brand.

And your "prefer a bit more" comments do sound like you are a marketing victim of the highest order. If you don't feel this then please let us know that the bit more is? Aluminium?

Curb Your Enthusiasm

ScottStorm wrote: »

If you are paying €2800 for a macbook pro and using it for intensive video editing that is fine, it's paying $1000 for macbook air to watch youtube and go on boards.ie that is idiocy (excessive luxury).

Plus anybody that pays for an Alienware gaming rig is also overpaying and most gamers would suggest building a better rig for far cheaper.

If you really want your next laptop to be an apple then hat's off to you but don't fool yourself into thinking they are superior by virtue of the brand.

And your "prefer a bit more" comments do sound like you are a marketing victim of the highest order. If you don't feel this then please let us know that the bit more is? Aluminium?

The "bit more" is that Apple logo on the back. He'll look so cool in cafés.

Not at all into looking cool, I've my own mind and I buy what I choose, may I point out again that I have a windows 10 laptop and Android, and the Ipad is a very good device.

pinkstars

Lol I'm actually nearly 35! I think I've decided against it for now. I have only gotten the iPad Air 2 and there's another iPad Air in the house. Found myself spending more time on my iPhone 6+ last few days and can't see how I will spend time on a laptop. Thanks for your time everyone!

pinkstars

Plus there is an iPad mini on the way!

Boskowski

well congratulations