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March, 2024

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Is a MBP my best option?

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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Long story short, I'm done with windows, I'm far too frequently encountering problems, every single laptop(and IIRC the old desktop wasn't great) has broken itself after far too short a time. Also I've been offered a few jobs, so having to frequently restore my PC/fix drivers/workaround everything is just not possible anymore.

I've also found Toshiba laptop components in general tend to break on me, I do use my laptop a lot so I'm not sure if it's Toshiba components or if it's the amount I use it - how do Macbooks compare in this respect?

Realistically though I don't want to drop £900~ on a Mac, especially when I have a lot of other bills/purchases atm so if there's a better solution I'm all ears.

I'm only really doing photo editing(LR/PS)/web browsing/office work primarily, nothing too intensive anyway.

Budget is unlimited if it gets me the cheapest option, I'm just sick of having a £600 laptop become trash after just under a year.

I apologize for the way I put this out, I've just added bits and bobs as they come to me, but you should get the idea.
Mar 3 2014 7:46PM
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boomie
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 3,164
Get a mac. I've had a PC for the longest time and recently switched when it crashed. My mac encounters much less problems, and seems to run smoother. Plus I prefer the mac interface vs the PC. It's well worth the money, and I plan on using it for many more years to come.
Mar 3 2014 8:26PM
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kingsskier
Posts: 6212 - Karma: 2,101
You answered your own question...

You will never regret buying a mac if you can get past the sticker shock. If you are running Photoshoop or the adobe suite for photo editing, you will need a decently powerful machine. I own both a MBP and a powerful desktop with Windows/Linux and I have never had a problem with either. Just dont download anything off the internet except things you know are official. Dont torrent, look at porn or download crap from places you are unfamiliar and you wont have a problem with windows. Also, keep your computer clean if you can access the internals and that will help.
Windows isnt coded as well as Mac and Macs are much much more stable but if you dont want to drop the coin on a new one, buy a used one on ebay or get a windows pc (real work) and a tablet (porn and shitty games) and you will be set.
Also, macs dont have the diversity of software as pc. Almost all of the major players make both, but sometimes you run into problems.

My opinion is, save up until you can comfortably buy the MBP and you will be happy for many years.
Mar 4 2014 2:10AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7099 - Karma: 17,043
If you are considering spending 1000 on a MBP then instead spend maybe 750 on a windows laptop. You are doing nothing computer intensive at the moment but having a higher specced laptop will always be better, so the windows laptop although cheaper will give you more for your money.

Durability wise, its nearly all down to the user. I got 6 years out of my last laptop and my girlfreinds is still going strong after 6 years. They were decent laptops though not just asus or whatever. So spend a bit more on a windows laptop and just take care of it and you should be good for the next half decade or so. Sure you could get the same longevity from a MBP, but you pay more and get a less specced laptop so really there is no point in going MBP.
Mar 4 2014 3:18AM
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eheath
Posts: 61097 - Karma: 118,198
I'd suggest buying a year or two older 13" or 15" then add some ram and replace the hdd with an ssd.
Mar 4 2014 3:22AM
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p.hawks
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
Used 15" macbook pro. I just sold mine, got it in august '11, and then thing could handle pretty much anything. I just found myself not needing as laptop, so I got rid of it and got an old mac pro with a little more power. Not trying to knock it at all though, the 15 can be a serious computer. Built like a tank and enough power to easily handle hacked gh2 footage. Look for one with a quad core and an actual graphics card (non Intel), get an sad and ram, and you should be able to handle anything with ease for a few years.
Mar 4 2014 3:31AM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
True, though I'm just checking to confirm it's the right choice/look for alternatives solutions.

Viruses/bad programs have never been a problem, I'm not running AV on windows so I can only assume it will be far safer on OSX. It's usually the software(especially drivers)/hardware that fuckup on me.

@Tom that's the point, durability/reliability is priority #1.

@Eheath interesting, I've always been against buying used electronics in general but this sounds like it might be a good idea considering a 2012 i7 8gb MPB could be had for £700 easily with 256SSD, lack of retina screen is a bit of a bummer though, so I'll have to figure out which I'm better off with, base model MBP is more advanced than what I was editing with for a while, and that laptop was fine for what I was doing, but OTOH things are always getting more intensive...

I'll have to have a think.

Ta
Mar 4 2014 3:32AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7099 - Karma: 17,043
^that was my point. That so long as you look after it the durability will be same. Its not like macs use different components any more. Get a decent windows laptop and you will have something just as good as a MBP, but with more power for less money. A no brainer really.
Mar 4 2014 3:36AM
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