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Author Topic: Apple computers Richard Hamilton Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1341 From: Evansville, Indiana Registered: Jan 2000 posted 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  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Mike Heenan Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1896 From: Scottsdale, AZ, USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 05-31-2010 01:49 PM                     Another option is Amazon.com. It'll be tax free, but they only have the stock models.  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Richard Hamilton Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1341 From: Evansville, Indiana Registered: Jan 2000 posted 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  |  IP: Logged Sam Graham AKA: "The Evil Sam Graham". Wackiness ensues. Posts: 1431 From: Waukee, IA Registered: Dec 2004 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 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. (Sorry, couldn't resist)  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Todd Cornwall Film Handler Posts: 91 From: Madison, WI Registered: Feb 2004 posted 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!  |  IP: Logged Richard Hamilton Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1341 From: Evansville, Indiana Registered: Jan 2000 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 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?  |  IP: Logged Richard Hamilton Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1341 From: Evansville, Indiana Registered: Jan 2000 posted 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?  |  IP: Logged Bobby Henderson "Ask me about Trajan." Posts: 10973 From: Lawton, OK, USA Registered: Apr 2001 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged

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