For a plethora of reasons, namely moving from one coast to the other in a few months, I'm consolidating my computer setup.
Currently I have:
Windows 7 Desktop
Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB Ram
about 2TB of space across various drives
Black MacBook
Intel Core Duo
2GB Ram
500GB 7200RPM drive
What I do:
Basic productivity, internet (chrome), email, office suite, digital art (including photo/video using CS5, Lightroom 3, Final Cut Pro)
What my current setup doesn't do that I want from my new computer:
All computing tasks out of one central location, though I need to maintain mobility. This is why a laptop with a Monitor/Keyboard/Magic Trackpad makes sense. I also want a laptop with a larger screen and higher resolution for when I'm on the go. I really hate editing on just my laptop currently. I would also like a non-glare screen if the MBP non-glare option is nice (I've never seen it in person).
What I'm leaning towards:
15" MBP
2.2 Intel Quad Core
4GB Ram
256 SSD
with: 2TB external desktop drive and a 1TB portable HDD (to dump .RAW images to when on the road)
I'm pretty confident that this setup will work and not be massive overkill for what i do. However, a few friends have suggested I get a high-end MacBook Air with appropriate external storage and a desktop monitor. I'm also torn on whether to get a SSD at this time. Spec'd out, the 13" MBA w/ 2.13 C2D and 4GB Ram is about $1750 and the 15" MBP as described is about $2600 after I consider my government employee discount.
My black Macbook has lasted over 5 years now and is just now starting to show serious signs of aging. I expect whatever I go with to give me a similar stretch of equally good performance. Do you think the MBA is capable of this? The hardware on the MBP seems like it would age much better IMO. Is the SSD worth it? It really jacks the price up higher than I was looking to go but to me its worth spending a little more to get what I will be happy with.
And finally, whats the opinion on Apple Care? I bought it for my black Macbook and never used it. Is the $260 or so really worth the piece of mind? I have up to a year to purchase it after the purchase of the system, correct?
Any thoughts you would like to share are appreciated.
Currently I have:
Windows 7 Desktop
Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB Ram
about 2TB of space across various drives
Black MacBook
Intel Core Duo
2GB Ram
500GB 7200RPM drive
What I do:
Basic productivity, internet (chrome), email, office suite, digital art (including photo/video using CS5, Lightroom 3, Final Cut Pro)
What my current setup doesn't do that I want from my new computer:
All computing tasks out of one central location, though I need to maintain mobility. This is why a laptop with a Monitor/Keyboard/Magic Trackpad makes sense. I also want a laptop with a larger screen and higher resolution for when I'm on the go. I really hate editing on just my laptop currently. I would also like a non-glare screen if the MBP non-glare option is nice (I've never seen it in person).
What I'm leaning towards:
15" MBP
2.2 Intel Quad Core
4GB Ram
256 SSD
with: 2TB external desktop drive and a 1TB portable HDD (to dump .RAW images to when on the road)
I'm pretty confident that this setup will work and not be massive overkill for what i do. However, a few friends have suggested I get a high-end MacBook Air with appropriate external storage and a desktop monitor. I'm also torn on whether to get a SSD at this time. Spec'd out, the 13" MBA w/ 2.13 C2D and 4GB Ram is about $1750 and the 15" MBP as described is about $2600 after I consider my government employee discount.
My black Macbook has lasted over 5 years now and is just now starting to show serious signs of aging. I expect whatever I go with to give me a similar stretch of equally good performance. Do you think the MBA is capable of this? The hardware on the MBP seems like it would age much better IMO. Is the SSD worth it? It really jacks the price up higher than I was looking to go but to me its worth spending a little more to get what I will be happy with.
And finally, whats the opinion on Apple Care? I bought it for my black Macbook and never used it. Is the $260 or so really worth the piece of mind? I have up to a year to purchase it after the purchase of the system, correct?
Any thoughts you would like to share are appreciated.