Help me pick a new laptop!

[lscamaro]

Originally Posted by trodecke

Yes. I got the rMBP with the quad core i7, 8GB of memory and 256GB SSD. It was the base "high end" model. I could have doubled the memory and went for the 512 storage but that would have nearly doubled the price. I don't play games or edit video but I do run some very resource intensive stuff. I've got VMware Fusion loaded for my ESX labs and GNS3 loaded for my Cisco labs. It hasn't broken a sweat yet. And that screen, when I do decide to show it off and watch a video or put pictures up on it, it's really nice. There are higher resolution Windows based laptops now that have really nice screens as well but to me, they still don't match up with the hardware/software settings of the rMBP.

Do you have any problems with the retina display or its coating?

[Bizaro]

If you really want OSX buy a windows and install OSX on it, its that simple. Im not sure why youre asking for everyones opinion because its obvious to me that you already had your mind set on a mac from post 1.

[lscamaro]

Originally Posted by Bizaro

If you really want OSX buy a windows and install OSX on it, its that simple. Im not sure why youre asking for everyones opinion because its obvious to me that you already had your mind set on a mac from post 1.

Obviously you haven't done the research to see what exactly it takes to run osx on a Windows machine because if you had, you'd have seen that its not exactly easy and you don't end up with a perfect laptop afterwards. I made the thread to hear different opinions than my own. If you don't like that, you're free to not comment in the thread and move on.

[kalimus]

Originally Posted by lscamaro

Yes, you can get it without the retina display and that's the one my girlfriend has but I don't like the added weight. Sounds dumb I know but that model is definitely noticeably heavier. The weight difference from an air to a retina pro is not that noticeable to me but the non retina pro is noticeably heavier. I plan to carry it around quite a bit from class to class for the next semester and I'd rather not have that one. I don't mind the weight of either the air or the retina macbook pro.

I didn't know there was any kind of weight difference. I do know it's like a 200 dollar price difference though. If you want it because of the weight go for it, but I wouldn't do it for the resolution.

[PoorMansCamaro]

Originally Posted by Bizaro

If you really want OSX buy a windows and install OSX on it, its that simple. Im not sure why youre asking for everyones opinion because its obvious to me that you already had your mind set on a mac from post 1.

Originally Posted by lscamaro

Obviously you haven't done the research to see what exactly it takes to run osx on a Windows machine because if you had, you'd have seen that its not exactly easy and you don't end up with a perfect laptop afterwards. I made the thread to hear different opinions than my own. If you don't like that, you're free to not comment in the thread and move on.

not only that, but it was also clear in post 1, that he was asking which mac to get...

[kalimus]

Originally Posted by Bizaro

If you really want OSX buy a windows and install OSX on it, its that simple. Im not sure why youre asking for everyones opinion because its obvious to me that you already had your mind set on a mac from post 1.

He never asked any opinions about a Windows machine. He asked about two different Macs, and said he's only considering Apple products.

[kalimus]

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

not only that, but it was also clear in post 1, that he was asking which mac to get...

DAMNIT you beat me to it.

[PoorMansCamaro]

Originally Posted by kalimus

DAMNIT you beat me to it.

[snarky]

Get something not user friendly. Much better to be annoyed and frustrated.
You'll spend less of your life self absorbed with an E-device.
Turned my PC on today. It urged me to check for Windows Updates. ( 8.1 Pro )
I tried three times and each time it was the same. It wouldn't update and said "Try Again." After three times I said LMAO @ Microsoft.

They should stop trying to be Apple because they suck at it.

[Bizaro]

I thought this thread is about a microwave? mister op changing his original post like a boss

[lscamaro]

Originally Posted by Bizaro

I thought this thread is about a microwave? mister op changing his original post like a boss

I haven't changed the original post at all. If I had you'd see "edited" and when I did under the post. But nice try buddy.

[trm2]

I think windows 8.x is the best

reason to get a Mac.

Computers are pretty much disposable today, I would get the cheaper of the two.

[trodecke]

Originally Posted by lscamaro

Do you have any problems with the retina display or its coating?

No problems at all.

[Mr Twisty]

I buy inexpensive, preferrably discontinued models, with at least 6gig memory, prefer more. (~$300)

Add Solid State Hard Drive..... !!!!!!!! I have Samsung 840 Pro 256 GB ~$120 or less

If you don't like the OS it came with, pick up a full install CD off of fleabay, WIN 7 pro can be had for about $70.

For the average person, running average programs, for under $500 you can have a laptop that is faster than pretty much anything at any price that isn't running SSD. (Yeah, I know, let's don't get silly with arguments on this point)

If you like the OS it came with, save the upgrade money, and swap the OS to your SSD, just need an external HD case ~$20. This also gives you an external drive for backups and extra storage.

My laptop is a 2011 Toshiba Satellite, the battery is finally getting weak, but I don't use it much off-grid so no problem. Right now, I have 18 web pages open, Atlas program running, Windows Task Manager, Webroot, and half a dozen background programs running..... I get a low memory pop-up occasionally with 6gig, but it's still stupid fast.

TL;DR: Get SSD and GOBS of memory