Hey guys,
after ~15 years of Windows, I'd like to make a switch. I love the flexibility and all-around freedom of Windows, I never had any problems with it and I think Windows 7 is a treat, but
a) I'd like to expand my horizon,
b) Garageband looks sweet,
c) Though ludicrously overpriced, I hope a Mac can me save some time working,
d) my desk is a mess, hopin' to remedy that.
What do I use a computer for?
a) working with music, especially guitar tabulature, digital drums, guitar effects
b) playing with music, as in Rocksmith (guitar) and Synthesia (Piano)
c) doing uni stuff
d) watching a couple of pirated TV shows
e) playing the occasional Blizzard game (SC2, D3)
As I spend a lot of time at the uni and usually have a couple of free periods, I need a mobile device. However, that doesn't exactly scream Macbook, because I also use public transport a lot, where an iPad would rule supreme.
Here's what I considered so far:
a) Get a Macbook Air 13 inch, 8 GB Ram (1.126,93 €)
b) Get a Macbook Pro Retina 13 inch, (1.314,95 €)
c) Get an iMac 21 inch plus an iPad mini 2 (2.000,96 €)
The MacMini isn't an option, because you can't get an i5 one with SSD.
The i7 one with Fusion Drive and 8gb RAM goes for 1050 € (seriously?) and doesn't even have Haswell yet.
The last option is obviously the most expensive one, but it's definitely the most versatile choice.
Maybe it's irrational to steer away from a laptop as a desktop replacement, but because I have never used one, here are my caveats:
- if you lose it, all your data falls into a stranger's hand
- if you lose it, you're stuck in the digital stone age
- you can't play games for longer periods of time due to ventilation (at home, obviously)
- if one part of the thing is defective, it's impossible to fix by yourself
- it's much less mobile than a tablet
- the screen is tiny, annoying to use for longer periods of time
- constantly connecting and disconnecting cables HAS to be a
+ you have all your data with you at all time
+ you can be almost as productive in the uni as you can be at home
+ they look as nice as a new kitten-puppy-kitten-sandwich
Random rant: what is going on with the prices for minor upgrades? I don't mind paying through the nose for a premium product, but why do people let Apple get away with charging 100 € for 4gb piece of RAM? Doesn't that seem absolutely insane? I don't mind that the iPad mini is twice as expensive as the Nexus 7, but why does each upgrade cost you an arm and a leg? 129 € more for mobile data? 100 € more for 16bg of storage?
Any suggestions as to what I should get?
after ~15 years of Windows, I'd like to make a switch. I love the flexibility and all-around freedom of Windows, I never had any problems with it and I think Windows 7 is a treat, but
a) I'd like to expand my horizon,
b) Garageband looks sweet,
c) Though ludicrously overpriced, I hope a Mac can me save some time working,
d) my desk is a mess, hopin' to remedy that.
What do I use a computer for?
a) working with music, especially guitar tabulature, digital drums, guitar effects
b) playing with music, as in Rocksmith (guitar) and Synthesia (Piano)
c) doing uni stuff
d) watching a couple of pirated TV shows
e) playing the occasional Blizzard game (SC2, D3)
As I spend a lot of time at the uni and usually have a couple of free periods, I need a mobile device. However, that doesn't exactly scream Macbook, because I also use public transport a lot, where an iPad would rule supreme.
Here's what I considered so far:
a) Get a Macbook Air 13 inch, 8 GB Ram (1.126,93 €)
b) Get a Macbook Pro Retina 13 inch, (1.314,95 €)
c) Get an iMac 21 inch plus an iPad mini 2 (2.000,96 €)
The MacMini isn't an option, because you can't get an i5 one with SSD.
The i7 one with Fusion Drive and 8gb RAM goes for 1050 € (seriously?) and doesn't even have Haswell yet.
The last option is obviously the most expensive one, but it's definitely the most versatile choice.
Maybe it's irrational to steer away from a laptop as a desktop replacement, but because I have never used one, here are my caveats:
- if you lose it, all your data falls into a stranger's hand
- if you lose it, you're stuck in the digital stone age
- you can't play games for longer periods of time due to ventilation (at home, obviously)
- if one part of the thing is defective, it's impossible to fix by yourself
- it's much less mobile than a tablet
- the screen is tiny, annoying to use for longer periods of time
- constantly connecting and disconnecting cables HAS to be a
+ you have all your data with you at all time
+ you can be almost as productive in the uni as you can be at home
+ they look as nice as a new kitten-puppy-kitten-sandwich
Random rant: what is going on with the prices for minor upgrades? I don't mind paying through the nose for a premium product, but why do people let Apple get away with charging 100 € for 4gb piece of RAM? Doesn't that seem absolutely insane? I don't mind that the iPad mini is twice as expensive as the Nexus 7, but why does each upgrade cost you an arm and a leg? 129 € more for mobile data? 100 € more for 16bg of storage?
Any suggestions as to what I should get?