Welcome to the Treehouse Community

Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.

Looking to learn something new?

Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.

Start your free trial

General Discussion

Posted by Yumel Hernandez
Yumel Hernandez
11,902 Points

Deciding witch mac to buy :(

Does the 13 inch retina display macbook pro is a good laptop for a developer/ programmer as it only have 4GB Memory and 128GB flash storage? It's a difficult decision because of my tight budget...

7 Answers

danielcroft
danielcroft
7,438 Points
danielcroft
danielcroft
7,438 Points

I have the 13 mac book pro without retina, id say the only downside is the 4gb memory other then that it is amazing, Id say go for the 8gb if you can and i heard the solid state drive is worth it aswell.

Sebastian Wilson
Sebastian Wilson
15,710 Points
Sebastian Wilson
Sebastian Wilson
15,710 Points

If your on a tight budget have you looked at refurbished ones? University students get Apple 15% off Macs.

If it's the spec below you are looking at, it's a nice bit of kit.

13-inch: 2.4GHz

with Retina display

Specifications

2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5

Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz

4GB 1600MHz memory

128GB PCIe-based flash storage1

Intel Iris Graphics

And it all depends on what you want to do with it plus if you do not need Mac there are lower priced laptops.

Yumel Hernandez
Yumel Hernandez
11,902 Points
Yumel Hernandez
Yumel Hernandez
11,902 Points

Thank you guys. And I want to get the mac because its efficient, etc and lets me go mobile and could have it for a couple of years without a problem and Im a highschool student, do I still get the discount?

James Nelson
James Nelson
23,956 Points
James Nelson
James Nelson
23,956 Points

Hey Yumel,

Do you really need the Retina display? The default Macbook still packs a fantastic looking screen which you are going to have no problem with what so ever, and of course save yourself quite a lot of money. You could also use the money saved to go for something a little higher spec ;)

Yumel Hernandez
Yumel Hernandez
11,902 Points
Yumel Hernandez
Yumel Hernandez
11,902 Points

The only reason in considering the Retina display is because is nore future proof as Im going to have this laptop for a couple of years. James Nelson

James Nelson
James Nelson
23,956 Points
James Nelson
James Nelson
23,956 Points

Problem is with those new Retina macbook's the RAM is integrated into the chipset, so if you wanted to upgrade the RAM a year or two down the line the only way to do so is to buy a new Macbook. I would recommend maxing out the RAM as much as you can, over choosing a Retina display. To answer you're other question, I think Apple offers student discount to anyone studying a course higher than A level I think, but you should give them a call.

Oh oh, before you buy a Macbook make sure you get Applecare. I think its a three year warranty for £60! Once my keyboard on my macbook stopped working, I went into Apple and got a brand new machine for free, 110% recommend not leaving the shop without that!

David Parsons
David Parsons
6,743 Points
David Parsons
David Parsons
6,743 Points

I have a MacBook Air with 8GB of RAM, 256GB Storage and the Core i7 processor. I have it connected to an external display. It is super quick. I am doing basic web design on it but it I don't even feel I am scratching the surface of its capabilities.

I looked at the Pro but it was too expensive and I actually find the Retina Display a bit glossy.