Macbook Pro

[Baconator]

So this thread is not for Apple haters but rather people that can give me a genuine recommendation.

I am a graduate student and have grown weary of Windows. I am currently using a Dell XPS 13 but tonight, right in the middle of typing a long response to a thread question, my Dell decided to reboot. This isn't the normal Windows 7 reboot of "would you like to postpone" but rather the Windows 10 version where the reboot just happens. I had been looking at Macbook Pro notebooks and was wondering if they are good. I can get a 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, 2.7GHz Processor 256 GB Storage, 8gb of Ram for $1,399 through school. Is this a good deal and a good computer?

[dcmartin]

I bought this exact same configuration (except mine is a 2.53GHz) back in late 2009. I have NEVER had a problem with it and it still runs like a champ. The updates have never ever been a problem. I'd love to swap out the HD for a 1TB but as far as speed and reliability goes, I can say I am very very happy with it. Have never had a blue screen or an unscheduled reboot....ever I don't think I'll ever go back to PC but that's just me. My Girlfriend has a nice Toshiba, all solid state, about a year old and it can be buggy now and then, especially the trackpad. I think you'll like the Mac, especially if you have other IOS products to sync with it.

[Baconator]

I bought this exact same configuration (except mine is a 2.53GHz) back in late 2009. I have NEVER had a problem with it and it still runs like a champ. The updates have never ever been a problem. I'd love to swap out the HD for a 1TB but as far as speed and reliability goes, I can say I am very very happy with it. Have never had a blue screen or an unscheduled reboot....ever I don't think I'll ever go back to PC but that's just me. My Girlfriend has a nice Toshiba, all solid state, about a year old and it can be buggy now and then, especially the trackpad. I think you'll like the Mac, especially if you have other IOS products to sync with it.

I have an iphone and will be replacing the "house" computer in the coming year and can go either way.

[VolvoWrench]

I bought a used MacBook Pro about a year ago. Was formally PC only.
Pro: Never ever any hardware issues or slowness
Con: Weird filing systems and you still need Word on it for normal everyday things.

My long term goal, keep the MacBook forever, use wife's new 2 in 1 Dell when I need it.

[Jet Setter]

Software for Mac is expensive. That is what stops me from converting since I have everything I need for a PC. I would hate to buy it all over again.

[meno377]

I use both, but my main laptop is a MBP. If you've been a windows/dos person, you will be on a little learning curve about the filing system, but will overcome it quickly.

The hardware is great. I currently have two of them, one is 5 years old and the other is just over a year. The only reason I purchased a new one was to keep up with the main program that I used so I wouldn't be so outdated.

[Albs]

I bought my 13 inch Macbook Pro in 2010 for college. Till this day it still runs like a champ. Never had issues with it. I even have Windows installed on it.

I had to change the battery once due to its age, but that was it.

From a Dual-Core in 2010 to i5 today, I would say it's a good investment and will last you a long time.

If my Macbook were to die on me tomorrow, I'd buy another one in a heartbeat. They're just simple and reliable. I probably have my Macbook in sleep 99% of the time when it's not in use. I don't even remember when was the last time I shut down my Macbook. I would restart it once in a while, but that's about it.

[Glockguy85]

I hated Windows for years but got a 2011 Mac mini last year with upgraded ram to 16gb and I'm glad no more lag.

[farmerjoe]

I just upgraded from an original MacBook Air to a MBP 3.1 GHz Intel Core i7 and love it. Light, fast and responsive. I take care of all our corporate portable purchasing and deal with all the tech support issues. We have 3 dozen MBP/MBA, 6 dozen iPads and about 150 iPhones.

Biggest issue is abuse of power cords and people leaving thumb drives plugged into the USB port when they put the computer away. A nice bag to carry it in and a power cord left at your primary work location and you're set.

iPad and iPhones last a super long time with OtterBox Defender cases.

[Rivers]

I wholeheartedly endorse the MBP. A couple caveats though:

Depending on the particular model, some Macs have the RAM soldered in while others are user-changeable. If a soldered-in model, buy it with as much RAM as you can afford. 8GB is minimum; 16GB is better. The same goes for the SSD which MAY BE proprietary to Apple. (It is on the new iMacs.) swapping drives later isn't simple but 256GB is decent if you're not loading it up with videos and photos. External storage is still an easy option too.

Cost of software between Win and Mac is comparable with all major developers. The school book store is your friend for academic pricing anyway.

You can still run Win on it, either as a virtual drive (Parallels) or as a bootable partition (free, Apple Bootcamp).

Get anti-malware software. Macs are not immune from attacks. I prefer ESET as it does a quality job without sucking the speed down to a crawl.

[billofrights]

Best part of getting a MBP is that in three years when you upgrade you can still get $1000 for it when you sell off the old one. In the PC world you're lucky to get $100 for a three year old laptop.

[ocabj]

I can get a 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, 2.7GHz Processor 256 GB Storage, 8gb of Ram for $1,399 through school. Is this a good deal and a good computer?

That's the standard Apple EDU price.

Yes, the MBP 13" is solid. 8GB or RAM is good.

As a long time OS X user, I only recently updated my mid-2009 13" MBP by getting an 11" MacBook Air. My laptop is my secondary computer, and I only really use it when mobile. But I recommend a direct from Apple refurb. Same warranty and it comes lower than EDU prices. My 11" MBA was refurb and it looked brand new and the battery only showed 2 cycles.

[Baconator]

Thanks for all the insight. Will definitely look into refurbished.


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[MontClaire]

Get a MacBook Pro and all your PC problems are history.

[RosevilleGunner]

I just upgraded my MBP to an i7 retina 15" model and it is awesome. I had to upgrade due to the Adobe programs that I use, but my old MBP from 2007 still works like a champ. I got a good 9 years out of the thing. I say take advantage of your student discount now as Apple rarely runs any sales or discounts. The money you save can be put towards apple care which is a good investment for 3 years of coverage.