Help - New to MAC - Not sure what to get

[StarsFan4Life]

All,

I am in the market to finally buy an Apple product to replace my current laptop. I am an IT professional, but am ashamed to say I don't know the first thing about a MAC, but that's one reason why I want one.....to LEARN!

However, the main reasons I want a laptop is:

* Reliability
* Video Editing (HD video from my Canon HF100 HD video camera)
* Photo Editing (Canon XSI DSLR
* Sleek/Beauty

Now, I still would like the portability of the laptop style, but wouldn't mind an iMac either. However, I was in Best Buy today (have about $250 in giftcards there) and was kind of shopping around. The guy there explained that they had just got in new MBA with Lion and the I-series CPU. However, he said the MBP was the way to go if I wanted to do any editing, but they pretty much had the same specs in them.

In a day, I have explored the Apple Store (online) and notice that they seem to have the latest and greatest while the Best Buy stores seem to be a bit behind. Between the MBA and the MBP, which should I choose? I noticed that the MBA has a SSD drive, while the MBP has the larged 5400rpm (really....5400rpm?).

I like the following:

MBP - $1138 - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Apple%26...ping&cp=1&lp=1

MBA - $1299 - 13" SLOWEST - http://store.apple.com/us/browse/hom...co=MjMzOTQxMjE


Also, I noticed that OSX Lion is only on these MBA's and not on the MBP's.....what gives there? Is Lion awesome and should I wait for it to come out for the MBP...or is it already?

Also, how easy is it for me to personally upgrade the hard drive and ram?

Just need some direction here.

 

[runawayprisoner]

Given your needs, I'd suggest that you get a Macbook Pro.

Between a Macbook Air and a Macbook Pro, the Pro has more processing power, and more RAM as well as storage can be added with ease, and those are more critical to video and image processing.

The Macbook Air with its SSD can match the Pro in general usage and navigation, but when it comes to heavy lifting, the Pro is still the one to go to.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

I would maybe look at the Refurbished Macs part of the Apple Online Store. If you were looking to save money. Also, maybe get the 15" with the discrete graphics since some of the programs you will be using have GPU acceleration.

Replacing RAM and hard drive are the easiest and only thing you can upgrade on the laptops. You can easily find them online by searching install ram or install hard drive. Most of it is just taking out some screws.

 

[StarsFan4Life]

I would maybe look at the Refurbished Macs part of the Apple Online Store. If you were looking to save money. Also, maybe get the 15" with the discrete graphics since some of the programs you will be using have GPU acceleration.

Replacing RAM and hard drive are the easiest and only thing you can upgrade on the laptops. You can easily find them online by searching install ram or install hard drive. Most of it is just taking out some screws.

Will the Intel® HD Graphics 3000 not work well with video editing/rendering/viewing?

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Will the Intel® HD Graphics 3000 not work well with video editing/rendering/viewing?

It will since most of the stuff uses RAM and processor, but with OpenCL and things like that, you want to be future proofed, well that's my thought anyways.

 

[StarsFan4Life]

So, if I wanted, I could easily upgrade to the 256gb SSD hard drive I have here laying around and 8gb of ram.....on my own....without voiding a warranty?

 

[JSt0rm]

Dont edit on your system drive. You need the expandability of the macbook pro.

 

[runawayprisoner]

So, if I wanted, I could easily upgrade to the 256gb SSD hard drive I have here laying around and 8gb of ram.....on my own....without voiding a warranty?

That's correct.

 

[Tyranicus]

So, if I wanted, I could easily upgrade to the 256gb SSD hard drive I have here laying around and 8gb of ram.....on my own....without voiding a warranty?

On the MacBook Pro, not on the MacBook Air.

 

[TheStu]

The MacBook Air's SSD is removable, but they are using pentalobe screws to secure the bottom of the system so they may be saying 'nothing to see/touch here'. You could upgrade the SSD in the Air with not much effort though.

The RAM is soldered to the logic board however.

Also, as an IT professional perhaps the first thing to know about MAC or Media Access Control is that it is not the same as Mac which is short for Macintosh, a simple way to categorize an Apple made computer. If you do decide to get a MacBook Pro/Air, you will notice that what is written on the body just under the screen is 'Mac', not 'MAC'. Just a little pet peeve of mine, along with iTouch, and when people call their towers the 'CPU' or 'Hard Drive'.