Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Apple computers

This is topic Apple computers in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 05-31-2010, 06:44 AM:

need advice on an Apple laptop for $2000. A friend overseas wants me to send him one. He just said for me to pick out the model.

Rick

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 05-31-2010, 10:35 AM:

What's he planning to do with it?

Does he want it just for internet and e-mail use?

Is he planning to use it as a portable video/graphics computer?
(e.g. - A digital photographer who shoots in tethered mode.)

Is he a math or science geek who might do a lot of number crunching?

If the computer isn't going to be used for intensive tasks it would be wise to save some money and go with the regular MacBook. They are only $1,000, right now.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook?mco=OTY2ODEwOQ

If you're looking for a video/graphics or number crunching machine, look at the MacBook Pro. There's a 15" 2.53 GHz model selling for $1,999.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook_pro?mco=MTM3NDc0NDI

If you're looking for something that is more stylish than functional, take a look at the MacBook Air. They aren't my cup of tea. Too much stress on form over function for me.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook_air?mco=MTM3NDczMDU

After that, go to the on-line apple store and look at the specs. Compare prices and pick features you like.

Hint: Don't buy RAM upgrades from Apple. You can get it cheaper from third party vendors like OtherWorld Computing. I got RAM from this place for about 2/3 the price Apple was selling it at. I used the savings to buy the next step up computer.

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/

The only other thing I can think of to do would be go to an Apple Store if you are near enough. It really does help if you can get your hands on a computer and check it out in person. Their people are usually pretty good at answering questions.

Besides, if you find a computer you like and it is in stock at the Apple Store, you can walk out the door with one, if you so choose.

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 05-31-2010, 01:49 PM:

Another option is Amazon.com. It'll be tax free, but they only have the stock models.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 05-31-2010, 02:02 PM:

Yeah, even if you buy from Apple's online store, they'll charge you tax. So don't do it! He can always upgrade the RAM later, so a stock model should be fine.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 05-31-2010, 02:06 PM:

I work for a non-profit educational institution. I bought my current computer through the school. I always forget that other people have to pay taxes on things.

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 06-01-2010, 10:54 AM:

[url= [url= http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Apple%26%23174%3B+-+MacBook%26%23174%3B+Pro+with+15.4%22+Display%3C!--Apple+--%3E+-+Aluminum/9910585.p?id=1218193867485&skuId=9910585]web]http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Apple%26%23174%3B+-+MacBook%26%23174%3B+Pro+with+15 ]http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Apple%26%23174%3B+-+MacBook%26%23174%3B+Pro+with+15.4%22+Display%3C!--Apple+--%3E+-+Aluminum/9910585.p?id=1218193867485&skuId=9910585]web]http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Apple%26%23174%3B+-+MacBook%26%23174%3B+Pro+with+15[/UR L] .4%22+Display%3C!--Apple+--%3E+-+Aluminum/9910585.p?id=1218193867485&skuId=9910585][/url]

Is this a good deal? A good computer? I don't think he's going to use it for the graphics part of it. The last time he was in the states, he went to an Apple store but was in a hurry and had to leave before he could check everything out.

Thanks, Rick

Sorry, having troubles posting the link. Its a MacBook Pro 15.4 display. BestBuy $1799.99

Posted by Sam Graham (Member # 2889) on 06-01-2010, 12:48 PM:

Yes, because it's the closest you can come to spending $2000, and that's all the criteria he seems to have given you.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-01-2010, 01:37 PM:

quote: Richard Hamilton
I don't think he's going to use it for the graphics part of it.

In that case, better budget in another few hundred for a Braille attachment. [Big Grin]

(Sorry, couldn't resist)

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 06-01-2010, 06:03 PM:

Does your friend want a computer for function or for style?

The 15 inch MacBook Pro is a fine computer but you can economize. Go down to the 13 inch MacBook Pro with the 2.66 MHz processor and save yourself $300. You'll also get an extra hour of battery life. The computer will be slower than the 15 inch but I don't think your friend will notice very much if he's not doing processor intensive work. (Video, graphics or number crunching.)

Take that $300 and buy upgrades:

1) For another $100 you can get a 500 GB hard drive instead of the standard 320 GB. (It is better to have hard drives installed at the factory when you're dealing with a laptop.)
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MC375LL/A?mco=MTc0Njg1NzE

2) For an additional $117 you can add another 4 GB of RAM.
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade/DDR3

3) You still have almost $100 left over before you get up to the cost of the base model 15 inch MacBook Pro.

4) You STILL have $200 over and above that to play with before you get up to the $2,000 mark you friend budgeted for you.

But if your friend wants style over function, go ahead and get the 15 inch. Its got a faster CPU and a larger screen. I think the 13 inch is a better bang for the buck but he's the one buying. [Wink]

Posted by Todd Cornwall (Member # 2205) on 06-09-2010, 05:54 PM:

I believe the 15" and 17" models are where you step up to the I5 and I7 processors. Buy one with the I5 processor. As of right now, it's the best bang for the buck. Memory and hard drives can be upgraded at a later time, the processor can't. I'd suggest custom building one at apple.com, but then you pay tax. I love my mac, no more PC for me!

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 07-23-2010, 11:01 AM:

I just bought the 15 inch MacBook Pro. Ended up right below 2,000 after taxes. They tried to sell me an extended warranty, to which I replied....I already told you it's going to China, I think they can fix any problems with it.

By the way, It looks cool as hell. I might have to get one myself.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 07-23-2010, 12:01 PM:

quote: Richard Hamilton

By the way, It looks cool as hell. I might have to get one myself.

Ah yes, although there are exceptions, that does seem to be the number one reason people flock to iProducts. [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 07-23-2010, 01:12 PM:

Except the MacBook Pro is not an iProduct. Do they even have any iLaptops or iBooks or whatever the hell they called them any more?

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 07-23-2010, 01:38 PM:

I'm not an Apple person so I don't know what is available. Before I ship this, is there something better that anyone recommends?

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 07-23-2010, 01:39 PM:

What's really lame: any company besides Apple using the "i" bullshit as the beginning of the product name. "Hey folks, introducing the Ronco iSuck!" It's every bit as lame as white people trying to talk with the stereotype of a black accent.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 07-23-2010, 02:41 PM:

One thing about Apple is that, aside from the things like we talked about such as RAM, hard drive and processor choice, virtually everything is "what you see is what you get."

They offer some different software apps that go along with or which can be bought for their computers but, for the most part, Mac OS is Mac OS. You won't have to worry about whether you are getting "Windows Vista Home Edition" or "Windows Vista Business Edition."

If you want to add on for iWork (word processing/spreadsheet) you can have that. If you want to add on for Final Cut Express (or Pro) you can have that. There are several different software packages you can elect to have but, overall, you are not likely to find yourself in the situation where you can't do some piece of work because you have to upgrade your computer.

This is probably the number one thing that sells Apple computers. You can literally take them out of the box, turn them on and start working with them immediately and you can start doing productive work on them in a very short time after.

There are some geeks who have done time comparisons. It is possible to start with an Apple (desktop) computer inside its sealed box and have it set up and working, printer and all, and to be on the internet checking your favorite websites in under 15 minutes from the time you cut the first piece of tape.

It probably won't be 100% perfect but you'll find it to be quite a bit easier to get along with Apple than with other computer companies.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 07-23-2010, 03:27 PM:

quote: Randy Stankey
If you want to add on for Final Cut Express (or Pro) you can have that. There are several different software packages you can elect to have but, overall, you are not likely to find yourself in the situation where you can't do some piece of work because you have to upgrade your computer.

That's not entirely accurate. If someone buys a Mac Mini, standard MacBook or even a MacBook Pro in the default/more affordable configuration he may have some challenges getting a professional creative application like Final Cut Pro or Adobe After Effects working smoothly, especially if HD-quality video is being manipulated.

Customers are their own worst enemy when it comes to buying a new computer in a configuration they really need. Mac versus PC is irrelevant in this regard because the same ordering mistakes can be made at the Apple Store or Dell Online. Most people skimp on RAM and other features to save a few bucks. A $600 PC might be fine for casual at home use, but many businesses buy the same crappy hardware and end up costing themselves in the long run because the computer doesn't run nearly as fast and productive as it should.

If I was going to run Final Cut Pro and edit HD video with it, I'd have a dual CPU Mac Pro tower or at least an iMac in the best configuration I could afford. Throw in an external RAID hard disc setup for storing the video.

quote: Randy Stankey
There are some geeks who have done time comparisons. It is possible to start with an Apple (desktop) computer inside its sealed box and have it set up and working, printer and all, and to be on the internet checking your favorite websites in under 15 minutes from the time you cut the first piece of tape.

That's really an apples to oranges comparison (no pun intended) since Mac OSX and Windows don't have the same setup screens and information forms. If you immediately connect a new PC to the Internet you'll probably want to install the latest OS updates. That could take a lot of time depending on the version of Windows being used and the number of patches it needs.

When I format a hard disc and do a clean install of Windows the biggest time vampire of all is getting my 3rd party applications re-installed. The Adobe Production Studio Premium CS4 installer comes on 4 DVDs and takes up more than 20GB of hard disc space. Roland VersaWorks' CD installer goes quick, but then there's over 2GB of updates to download. Other applications, plug-ins and what not follows. It even takes a decent amount of time getting my most frequent used fonts reloaded. This situation would be hardly any different if I was installing everything clean on a Mac. Just fewer updates on the OS and anti-virus software front.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 07-23-2010, 03:40 PM:

quote: Joe Redifer
Except the MacBook Pro is not an iProduct.

Yes it is. ANYTHING made by Apple is an iProduct, whether it is iNamed or not.

quote: Randy Stankey
There are some geeks who have done time comparisons. It is possible to start with an Apple (desktop) computer inside its sealed box and have it set up and working, printer and all, and to be on the internet checking your favorite websites in under 15 minutes from the time you cut the first piece of tape.

Big iFlippin' deal. If you buy a computer from Dell you could do the same thing in the same amount of time.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 07-23-2010, 04:32 PM:

I certainly don't buy Macs for a quick setup. Macs ask you a bunch of annoying questions the very first time you turn them on: What is your name? What country do you live in? What is your favorite day-glow color. How many photos of Steve Jobs do you have hanging on your wall, etc. The only question that concerns me is "Do you have shit that you need to transfer from another Mac?" Yes. And that takes quite a while. Up in 15 minutes? Give me a couple of hours. I'll need it and it is so, so worth the time.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 07-23-2010, 05:30 PM:

Bobby, I did say Final Cut Experss OR PRO. That meant that, if all you want to do is cut video for the internet you could use "Express" and skip a lot of things that you don't need which would require a more robust computer. I assumed that, if the person was going to use Final Cut PRO, he would have an appropriate computer to run it on. I do agree, however, that there is a population of idiots who would try to put FCP on a computer that's too small to handle it efficiently. There's no accounting for idiots.

As Bobby said, many types of computers need updates and things when you first use them. The Mac's process is just a lot more streamlined.

Joe, I don't care for all the fluff on the "Welcome" screens but, including all the fluff, the time from opening the box to doing productive work is still short.