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Fats posted:Is it that bad? I'm considering either the 13" Pro or the 13" Air, but I figured the slightly higher clock speed on the Pro would be nice since I'll be using Matlab and other mildly intensive simulation stuff. I'd get the 15", but I'm already stretching my budget on the 13". The "bulkiness" people talk about is literally a 1.5 lb difference between the two systems... Personally I like knowing that simply catching the display with a piece of clothing isn't going to send it flying to the floor. JP Money posted:Honestly it'll probably even out. Opening programs and general usage on the Air are so much faster than the pro that it's unfair. The pro might win out in actual processor ability and such but if you aren't doing crazy intense calculations matlab is going to run just fine on the air, especially with the new i5's and 4gb's of ram. The cd drive is a moot point at this step and most everywhere has good wireless these days so ethernet isn't really a missed feature and can be added with a dongle. Canned Sunshine fucked around with this message at 10:32 on Sep 25, 2011 |
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Sep 25, 2011 10:29
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I would've added that in but he already said he's stretching his budget. If you're going to dump in a SSD and ram you're looking at probably 150 at least for a reasonable SSD and maybe 50 - 80 dollars for ram (I'd guess closer to 50 but I'm out of the loop on purchasing that). Not to mention buying an enclosure if he plans on doing away with the optibay. With shipping and such you're looking at probably 225 bucks or more depending on RAM / SSD choice plus 100 for an optibay (or less for the ebay type alternatives). It's probably easier then to just get the air which isn't 225 (or 325+) dollars more expensive. It's definitely true that once you upgrade the 13in pro with a SSD and RAM it's a pretty sweet rear end machine though and if he doesn't mind the added bulk and extra work it's the way to go for pure power.
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Sep 25, 2011 10:42
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JP Money posted:I would've added that in but he already said he's stretching his budget. If you're going to dump in a SSD and ram you're looking at probably 150 at least for a reasonable SSD and maybe 50 - 80 dollars for ram (I'd guess closer to 50 but I'm out of the loop on purchasing that). Not to mention buying an enclosure if he plans on doing away with the optibay. With shipping and such you're looking at probably 225 bucks or more depending on RAM / SSD choice plus 100 for an optibay (or less for the ebay type alternatives). It's probably easier then to just get the air which isn't 225 (or 325+) dollars more expensive. He could also go with a refurb 13" Pro. A current-generation 128 GB SSD such as the M4 can pretty much be had now for $160-170, and with the RAM upgrade you're talking about $1300 total for the upgraded 13" MBP, so pretty much equal in cost to the 13" MBP but a good bit more performance.
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Sep 25, 2011 10:47
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I don't think the importance of the extra screen real estate on the Air should be understated - it really is night and day as far as usability goes.
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Sep 25, 2011 10:50
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x-virge posted:For everyone who was getting excited about that Belkin Thunderbolt Dock the other day (I know I was): movax posted:I think Apple will wait for Ivy Bridge before releasing new models, I can't think of anything else they could refresh to make it warrant a whole new release. GPU maybe? Jolan posted:After experimenting a bit more: a dark movie in a completely dark room with full screen brightness: doable. Working with medical scan images (usually lots of black) while writing a report in Word and having a light on so I can read my physical notes: very annoying. Constantly switching over the brightness from full to half when I'm tabbing between images and Word sort of helps, but it's a really dumb solution. I'm hoping something else comes up. As for the grey/color quality you're seeing most of it is probably the panel itself, glossy helps a bit for me but the panel is the main quality indicator...which may be a problem budget wise with my second screen suggestion if you want a 27-30" (high res) screen for the images, those tend to run around $1000. I think once you move down to 1920x1080 (or 1200) 24"ish, there's a significant price drop though, just watch out for the massive abundance of lovely screens in that size.
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Sep 25, 2011 12:11
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japtor posted:I think once you move down to 1920x1080 (or 1200) 24"ish, there's a significant price drop though, just watch out for the massive abundance of lovely screens in that size. You really can't go wrong with the IPS Dell models, the only real complaint I've heard is they have TOO MUCH anti-glare coating (which sounds like it won't be an issue here).
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Sep 25, 2011 12:18
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dissss posted:You really can't go wrong with the IPS Dell models, the only real complaint I've heard is they have TOO MUCH anti-glare coating (which sounds like it won't be an issue here). HP's new releases should be looked at, too. Reasonable price, billion color reproduction, LED backlighting, etc.
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Sep 25, 2011 16:34
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japtor posted:Redesign is the only thing that I can think of for right now, it'd be similar to the unibody release (short cycle, minor spec bump), but I doubt they'd release something that major this year cause it'd just get overshadowed by the iPhone. IPS screens through their entire lineup (or at least an option) would be wonderful and is so long overdue. 
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Sep 25, 2011 18:17
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Who has IPS display laptops? The only one I can think of is the Thinkpad X220
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Sep 25, 2011 19:26
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Mu Zeta posted:Who has IPS display laptops? The only one I can think of is the Thinkpad X220 IPS on laptops is mostly restricted to content creation machines, and I guess Apple just figures their laptop displays are good enough since anyone serious about image quality will have a monitor anyway.
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Sep 25, 2011 19:30
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Mu Zeta posted:Who has IPS display laptops? The only one I can think of is the Thinkpad X220 That, HP offers 'DreamColor' on the Envy I think, and it's an option on the Precisions. I know there was some hope going around that we could get some obnoxious Retina screens for our laptops which would be amazing 
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Sep 25, 2011 19:42
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dissss posted:I don't think the importance of the extra screen real estate on the Air should be understated - it really is night and day as far as usability goes. This is true, though I think it's primarily an issue if someone doesn't have an external monitor (which admittedly is most probably). I connect my 13" MBP to a 24" 1920x1200 display when at home and doing work on it. Otherwise I find its display resolution acceptable for on-the-go, quick work.
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Sep 25, 2011 21:41
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Is Apple.com the best place to buy your Apple hardware? Or the retail store? Are there other retailers who have good sales, I guess is what I'm asking.
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Sep 25, 2011 22:34
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What do you mean by "hardware"? Traditionally there are no sales on any Apple products.
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Sep 25, 2011 22:46
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Apple is the only place you can configure it with better video cards/processors on a few models. Otherwise I stick to Amazon, Macmall, Macconnection because they don't charge tax. Apple's site also sell refurbished models (good as new, same warranty) for lower prices. I got a 2010 MBP for about 30% off.
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Sep 25, 2011 22:46
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Mu Zeta posted:Otherwise I stick to Amazon, Macmall, Macconnection because they don't charge tax. Maybe not in your state, pal. Amazon posted:Items sold by Amazon.com LLC, or its subsidiaries, and shipped to destinations in the states of Kansas, Kentucky, New York, North Dakota, or Washington are subject to tax. hunter something something posted:Is Apple.com the best place to buy your Apple hardware? Or the retail store? My experience and opinion is that if you buy from a retail store, it's much easier to deal with post-sales issues with them. Binary Badger fucked around with this message at 23:03 on Sep 25, 2011 |
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Sep 25, 2011 23:00
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Oh yeah, California is about to be added to that list so my love affair with Amazon will be over
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Sep 25, 2011 23:02
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I really, really wanted the 13" Air for the high-res screen alone. I already had an Intel 320 160GB SSD, and bought 8GB of RAM in a NewEgg deal for $30 or something. But Microcenter has the 13" MBP for $999, I couldn't resist the $299 price difference. And there was an open-box model so I ended up with one for $899. Now I bought a used 11" Air, but it's pretty pointless having two computers. Especially laptops.
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Sep 25, 2011 23:31
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dissss posted:I don't think the importance of the extra screen real estate on the Air should be understated - it really is night and day as far as usability goes. Yeah, if the 13" MBP had the higher resolution screen it wouldn't even be a question for me. As it stands, I'm going to go to the campus bookstore tomorrow and play with both of them, but I'll probably end up getting the Air. Having yet to handle one in person, how sturdy are the Airs? I'll probably get a padded sleeve of some sort, but I'm a little afraid of my textbooks pushing the screen into the keyboard while in my bag or something.
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Sep 26, 2011 00:18
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Fats posted:Yeah, if the 13" MBP had the higher resolution screen it wouldn't even be a question for me. As it stands, I'm going to go to the campus bookstore tomorrow and play with both of them, but I'll probably end up getting the Air. I would keep any Apple laptop in a sleeve of some sort because you're going to get dings, scratches, and scuffs in it.
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Sep 26, 2011 00:27
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Mu Zeta posted:Oh yeah, California is about to be added to that list so my love affair with Amazon will be over Amazon reached an agreement with CA to not charge tax for at least a year. Also, since they killed off their affiliates in the state they aren't required to collect tax at all.
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Sep 26, 2011 00:29
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Noooooooooooquote:Under the deal, the retailing giant will rekindle its relationship with its California affiliates and has promised to create at least 10,000 full-time jobs and hire 25,000 seasonal employees in the state by the end of 2015. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/23/jerry-brown-amazon-tax-compromise_n_978287.html
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Sep 26, 2011 00:33
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Bob Morales posted:I would keep any Apple laptop in a sleeve of some sort because you're going to get dings, scratches, and scuffs in it. I always go with the Incase sleeves which are stocked at any Apple retail store. They're a bit pricy but the absolute best.
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Sep 26, 2011 01:13
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I'm looking for a little advice on buying a used Mac laptop. I plan on replacing/retiring my 2006 Blackbook, but I don't have much money to do so--not enough for a new or refurbished 2011 MBP or an Air (which would be ideal). My plan is to buy an older used 13 MBP and put in a SSD for the speedboost. What would be the best model to try to buy that would last at least the next 2-3 years or so? I don't mind using a Core 2 Duo machine if it means I can get it fairly inexpensively. I don't want to spend more than $700-800, pref $500-600. Also, is ebay the best place to look, or are there other options I'm unaware of? Tia.
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Sep 26, 2011 01:21
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yoyomama posted:I'm looking for a little advice on buying a used Mac laptop. I plan on replacing/retiring my 2006 Blackbook, but I don't have much money to do so--not enough for a new or refurbished 2011 MBP or an Air (which would be ideal). My plan is to buy an older used 13 MBP and put in a SSD for the speedboost. What would be the best model to try to buy that would last at least the next 2-3 years or so? I don't mind using a Core 2 Duo machine if it means I can get it fairly inexpensively. I don't want to spend more than $700-800, pref $500-600. Also, is ebay the best place to look, or are there other options I'm unaware of? Tia. Why not SA-Mart? There's always some cheap, good looking laptops for sale in there.
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Sep 26, 2011 01:24
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yoyomama posted:I'm looking for a little advice on buying a used Mac laptop. Check out SA-Mart. Why not just stick an SSD in your current one?
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Sep 26, 2011 01:25
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Probably wants a sexier Aluminum model
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Sep 26, 2011 01:28
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Thanks guys I'll check out SAMart and see what I get. I didn't see anything when I just looked, but I'm in no rush (like to get it before the holidays when I'll be writing my thesis). And I was thinking about getting an SSD for this machine, and I probably will, since I'll be cloning the drive and putting it in the new laptop anyway. Would it really make much of a difference for such an old machine? Edit: And yeah, an alum unibody would be nice, but people seem to like the Blackbook's look so eh.
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Sep 26, 2011 01:31
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Mu Zeta posted:Probably wants a sexier Aluminum model
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Sep 26, 2011 01:33
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yoyomama posted:Would it really make much of a difference for such an old machine? Yup. What CPU does your current machine have? I'm not sure I'd dump a machine to just go up a couple megahertz. Maybe if you have an old one and need the better graphics or more RAM capability, or want the much better battery in the newer machines.
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Sep 26, 2011 01:36
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I have a 2 GHz C2D, 2 GB RAM, GMA 950. I'd like to be able to have at least 4GB of RAM. It's a bit sluggish and I'm having some trouble watching Youtube vids at this point (even after opening it up and cleaning out all the dust), so I figured it may be time to upgrade. That said, I'll try getting an SSD first and see what happens. I saw a unibody in SA Mart just now, but its a bit too expensive for me, but I'm sure the right one will come along eventually.
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Sep 26, 2011 01:44
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yoyomama posted:I have a 2 GHz C2D, 2 GB RAM, GMA 950. I'd like to be able to have at least 4GB of RAM. It's a bit sluggish and I'm having some trouble watching Youtube vids at this point (even after opening it up and cleaning out all the dust), so I figured it may be time to upgrade. That said, I'll try getting an SSD first and see what happens. You should be able to snag a 2010 2.4 C2D for $700
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Sep 26, 2011 01:48
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Where's my best bet to get a replacement charger for a macbook pro? Eighty dollars from the apple store is frankly retarded.
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Sep 26, 2011 01:51
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Sounds good. I'll need to save up a little bit more, but that's doable by the end of the year. Thanks again to everyone for the help.
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Sep 26, 2011 01:51
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Fuzzy Pipe Wrench posted:Where's my best bet to get a replacement charger for a macbook pro? Eighty dollars from the apple store is frankly retarded. The general consensus will be to pony up the $80 because anything cheaper that you find is gonna suck serious poo poo.
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Sep 26, 2011 02:15
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1997 posted:The general consensus will be to pony up the $80 because anything cheaper that you find is gonna suck serious poo poo. Seriously? That's ridiculous.
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Sep 26, 2011 02:46
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$80 is just how much AC adapters cost, Lenovo charges even more for the Thinkpads.
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Sep 26, 2011 02:52
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Welp for that much would be better off just selling and buying a whole new laptop. Time to get to backingup/wiping! Edit:down/sidegrading to an Air probably so this'll actually net me a profit.
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Sep 26, 2011 03:18
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1997 posted:The general consensus will be to pony up the $80 because anything cheaper that you find is gonna suck serious poo poo.
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Sep 26, 2011 03:23
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Lazyhound posted:I've never seen a third-party MagSafe adaptor, pretty sure Apple has patents that preclude it. Right before reading his post I ran across this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XCX7WA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A1TP2RCKS1Y35B
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Sep 26, 2011 03:25
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