08-19-2009, 11:56 PM

I'm thinking about getting a new MacBook pro soon. And I will be getting out of school and will be going to college in 3 years. So my qestion is will it be realy out of date by then, and not be able to run CS5 or what ever is next? I will be useing it mainly for photo shop because I hope to major in photojournalism. Any advice helps, thanks!

PS any advice for new MacBook user switching from windows?

08-20-2009, 12:41 AM

The current top of the line MBP should be adequate for years.

08-20-2009, 04:29 AM

though of course you might want to move through nex versions of the OS etc.

PS any advice for new MacBook user switching from windows?

Keyboard shortcuts can be found in system preferences>keyboard+Mouse>Keyboard
That was all the help I needed, though I was using it constantly :p

08-20-2009, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by redtippmann

I'm thinking about getting a new MacBook pro soon. And I will be getting out of school and will be going to college in 3 years. So my qestion is will it be realy out of date by then, and not be able to run CS5 or what ever is next?

Asking this question is like asking:

- what will Apples stock price be in 3 years?
- what will the price of gasoline be in three years?
- will I be bald in 3 years?
- how much will I weigh in 3 years?
- etc.

If I knew the answers to these questions, I would be a very very rich man...and I would know if I'm going to be bald & over weight!!!

The point being...no one has a crystal ball to predict the future!

In my computing experience a 3-4 year old computer (a brand new computer today 3-4 years from now) will still be able to do most things...but who knows if it will be able to run CS5 well. It may be able to run it...but it may not be able to run it well!

But the bottom line is...if you need a computer now...you need a computer now!...so you have to buy a computer now!!!.

If this computer meets your needs 3-4 years in the future great!!! And if it doesn't...then you will have to sell it, and buy a newer computer!

Hope this helps,

- Nick

08-20-2009, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

Asking this question is like asking:

- what will Apples stock price be in 3 years?
- what will the price of gasoline be in three years?
- will I be bald in 3 years?
- how much will I weigh in 3 years?
- etc.

If I knew the answers to these questions, I would be a very very rich man...and I would know if I'm going to be bald & over weight!!!

The point being...no one has a crystal ball to predict the future!

In my computing experience a 3-4 year old computer (a brand new computer today 3-4 years from now) will still be able to do most things...but who knows if it will be able to run CS5 well. It may be able to run it...but it may not be able to run it well!

But the bottom line is...if you need a computer now...you need a computer now!...so you have to buy a computer now!!!.

If this computer meets your needs 3-4 years in the future great!!! And if it doesn't...then you will have to sell it, and buy a newer computer!

Hope this helps,

- Nick

What he said.

08-20-2009, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by bobtomay

What he said.

If it's good enough...you could make my reply a "sticky"...for the answer to:

"Predict the Future Usefulness of my Macintosh Computer"

Ha ha!

- Nick

08-20-2009, 10:32 AM

If you wait for the latest computer that will never be outdated, you will be waiting for a long time. Computer companies frequently offer faster, larger products. Apple is no exception. What you buy now will be out dated in a year. What you buy in a year will ....

Get a computer when you need it and keep it for as long as it works and does everything you need it to do. Replace it when it breaks and the cost of repairs justify buying a new one, or when it is so old it will not run the software you need, or when you have extra money and want a new one for the heck of it.

My step-daughter has a 4+ year old 13", G4, MacBook. It still works great for her. It still does everything she needs. I don't foresee it being replaced anytime soon.

08-20-2009, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by Mudbug

My step-daughter has a 4+ year old 13", G4, MacBook. It still works great for her. It still does everything she needs. I don't foresee it being replaced anytime soon.

I'm just being technical here (and I know that it's not part of your main message)...but there is no such thing as a 4+ year old 13", G4, MacBook.

Why?:

- at this point the oldest MacBook is just a 3.25 years old (first MacBook was introduced May, 2006)
- The combination of terms G4 & MacBook are not possible in the same laptop. G4 refers to a 4th generation PowerPC CPU. All MacBooks have an Intel CPU...thus a laptop cannot have both a G4 & an Intel CPU.
- if the laptop is 4+ years old...it is probably a G4 iBook, or a G4 Powerbook
- if it really is a G4 iBook or a G4 Powerbook...Apple never made one of these with a 13" display.

Sorry...not trying to give you a hard time...but there are just a boat-load of conflicting terms with the statement...

..."4+ year old 13", G4, MacBook"

Like I said...I totally agree with your main message that a 4+ year-old laptop can still have plenty of life left in it!

- Nick

08-20-2009, 01:48 PM

My Uncle (who work for Mac) gave me this:

mactactic - buying guide & replacement estimates - current mac release summary

It not exacty right, but ive been told that its very accurate!

08-20-2009, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Thatguy16

My Uncle (who work for Mac) gave me this:

mactactic - buying guide & replacement estimates - current mac release summary

It not exacty right, but ive been told that its very accurate!

Thanks for the link very interesting!

Although like you mentioned some of it is a little dated...such as the iPhone 3G "overdue for replacement"...since the iPhone 3GS has been out for a couple months.

More info is good info...when trying to predict the future!

- Nick

08-20-2009, 02:17 PM

I also agree with the statement: if you need a computer, buy it now. Except if it is obvious that a new update is right around the corner. Which is not the case of the current MacBook Pros at the moment.

I prefer this site for information about the product release cycle Apple has: Mac Buyer's Guide: Know When to Buy Your Mac, iPod or iPhone

You have at least come to the right forum, get back in here if you need any help after your purchase. We have a lot of helpful, down to earth people around here.

08-20-2009, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by Strukt

I prefer this site for information about the product release cycle Apple has: Mac Buyer's Guide: Know When to Buy Your Mac, iPod or iPhone

Hey...another great "crystal ball" site. Actually I visit MacRumors quite a bit, but I didn't realize they had a page with this info.

Thanks for the link,

- Nick

08-22-2009, 12:42 AM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

I'm just being technical here (and I know that it's not part of your main message)...but there is no such thing as a 4+ year old 13", G4, MacBook.

Why?:

- Nick

Because I don't remember exactly what the model was officially called. Perhaps it is a iBook G4 and with a 12 inch screen.

08-22-2009, 09:58 AM

I have a more than 3 year old first generation macbook.( 2gh model original core duo) Not even close to being outdated. ( although I am saving for a 15" mac pro). tech speeds seem to have hit a wall with only minor improvements compared to years before.

08-22-2009, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

Asking this question is like asking:

- what will Apples stock price be in 3 years?
- what will the price of gasoline be in three years?
- will I be bald in 3 years?
- how much will I weigh in 3 years?
- etc.

If I knew the answers to these questions, I would be a very very rich man...and I would know if I'm going to be bald & over weight!!!

The point being...no one has a crystal ball to predict the future!

In my computing experience a 3-4 year old computer (a brand new computer today 3-4 years from now) will still be able to do most things...but who knows if it will be able to run CS5 well. It may be able to run it...but it may not be able to run it well!

But the bottom line is...if you need a computer now...you need a computer now!...so you have to buy a computer now!!!.

If this computer meets your needs 3-4 years in the future great!!! And if it doesn't...then you will have to sell it, and buy a newer computer!

Hope this helps,

- Nick

Like he said, if you need one, go get it.
It's a great hobby!!