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jonroby
16,113 PointsWhich MacBook should I buy?
Hello, I have almost completed the Web Design course and am preparing to buy a new laptop from Apple (http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/macbook-pro). Which would be ideal for web designer/developer? Which balances need and cost best?
I am fairly certain that I want a 15in. But another option is to get a 13in and buy an external monitor. Do any of you who are actually designer/developers have some input?
I am willing to buy the 15in with 2.3GHz, but only if it is necessary. I am not a gamer, don't download a lot, and really don't wish to spend more money than necessary.
Not to mention, I still have a long long way to go before I could possibly "be" an actual designer. That said, I definitely know this is what I want to do, and so am ready to purchase the tools necessary to completing that goal.
Any thoughts or input?
Also, I won't consider buying anything other than a MacBook. Do you remember "I want the iPhone 4" video on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaxU0ut5tUw)? That's me!
5 Answers
Stone Preston
42,016 PointsI have a 13 inch but my girlfriend has a 15. I like the 13 because it fits in any bag and is easy to carry around. Her 15 inch is very large compared to mine and quite a bit heavier. So if you plan on going places with it (to and from class etc) I would recommend the 13.
juliuslopez company
8,100 PointsYou know what you want to buy. What your seeking is reinforcement to make the spend. Go buy it.
Just keep in mind: Get the most your money can buy. Buy for RAM over hard drive space. With MacBooks, you can always add storage. You can't add RAM.
jonroby
16,113 PointsIf I don't know whether the additions in the pricier MacBooks would considerably improve the experience for a web designer/developer, then I don't know if I want to buy them. I don't know whether the pricier Macbooks would do this and so I don't know if want to buy them.
As for the second point, I will keep this in mind. Thanks.
juliuslopez company
8,100 PointsHere's the thing. It doesn't matter. One day you're going to be working on a project and realize you should have bought the machine with more of "whatever". That's the day you'll kick yourself for buying exactly what you need now and not what you can afford to spend on. Buy the most you can afford. It's better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it. If you can afford a bigger screen and more power now, then buy it. You won't be able to add more power later.
jonroby
16,113 PointsThank you for your response. I will determine whether I prefer the 13 or 15 and then buy the best that I can afford.
Steven Chin
2,001 PointsI agree with above. Some people like the large screen difference. I have a 13in and I love it. I can carry it around with ease. If you are worried about tab space, just make the window full screen. you can have multiple full screen applications open at once and switch between them. you don't need all those windows crowding up the desktop. If you are going to be a designer, buy the best your money can buy. You will need it. I like the fact that I can have a 13in and if I need extra desktop space, I just hook it up to my flat screen. Bring it to work and connect it to the dock giving you more screen real estate, but the flexibility of being able to bring it with you without the aspect of it being heavier is the best of both worlds.
jonroby
16,113 PointsI haven't ever had a 13 in screen before and it seems small. That said, I take my current 15 in laptop everywhere and it is fairly heavy. I'll go back to the store to get a better feel.
Also, you and another poster commented to get the best your money can buy! This is exactly what I needed to know!!! Thank you.
Dawid Cedrych
15,108 PointsI had the same problem a few month ago - here is what I bought http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/macbook-pro?product=ME865LL/A&step=config It has enough storage and ram, cpu is sufficient as well. I prefer using 13' with external display, I don't see any need to buy 15'
jonroby
16,113 Pointsjonroby
16,113 PointsYou don't feel that 13 inches is too small when switching tabs, compilers, viewing pictures, etc.?
Also, I don't know much about the hardware and processing speeds. So for the two 15in MacBooks, these are the options:
2.0GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz 8GB 1600MHz memory 256GB PCIe-based flash storage1 Intel Iris Pro Graphics
2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz 16GB 1600MHz memory 512GB PCIe-based flash storage 1 Intel Iris Pro Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M with 2GB GDDR5 memory Built-in battery (8 hours)
For a designer/developer, will these additions make a significant, considerable, marginal, or no difference? This is the primary consideration that I have. If the additions are a considerable or significant difference, then I'll gladly pay. But if it is marginal or no difference for the designer/developer, then I'm far less inclined to pay. And the answer to this consideration would apply equally well to the 13 in, if I opted for that size.
Thanks, Jon