- Sep 13, 2001
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i want retina for sure. more screen real estate is better for deving. not really sure what you mean by lower res being better.
also, i will have android studio open running the android emulator while having xcode open and doing dev work, while possibly having an application server running. so more ram/power helps.
plus it helps future proof. apple is pretty annoying about forcing you to upgrade osx versions to get the latest versions of xcode and ios sdks, so i don't want to end up with hardware that can't run the latest stuff. i am not sure about apple hardware, but the reason i had to get rid of my dell inspiron hackintosh was because i could not upgrade to osx 10.8 i believe it was, so i had to go out and buy a new laptop, which is the one i am on now.
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My MBP is Yosemite compatible. Hopefully your app will be off the ground and the money investment for a new MBP (if if the next version of OSX requires it) will be minimal next to the income stream from your app.
16GB and Quad Core is plenty for me to have 2 VM's open.
The Retina MBP's have a 2880x1800 screen. This is basically quadrupling the resolution of a 1440x900 screen. I.e. each pixel of the 1440x900 screen becomes 4 pixels (2 tall, 2 across) on the 2880x1800 screen. I can't live on a screen that is effectively 1440x900, especially when doing dev work. I need more space to the sides and the top. The 4x Retina multiplier works great and makes everything look lovely, but if you want to do non-integer-scaling (3:2 or something) then you will have some artifacts and some text will look funky / harder to read.
I suppose you could just use the 1440x900 and use smaller fonts for your code windows but if you are doing web dev or image manipulation or other stuff where seeing stuff at its "actual pixel size" (i.e., taking up 4x pixels on a Retina screen) is important then yeah give me 1680x1050 native res over Retina any day.
It looks like you can go "full native" resolution in OSX, i.e. running OSX at 2880x1800. Everything would be tiny and you would have to go the opposite way and bump up all your fonts and icons to larger than normal size. Keeping everything normal-sized, I think it would be nearly impossible to read at normal laptop viewing distances.
http://osxdaily.com/2012/06/18/3-ways-to-run-a-retina-macbook-pro-at-2880x1800-native-resolution/
Free....
But in all seriousness about $300-400 off the top end spec from the Apple Store price is pretty damn good. If you go refurb or used off Ebay or Craigslist you might be able to get a slightly better deal. Plus no tax.
The other question you have to ask is if you're willing to go with a model from the previous year. If so you can make out like a bandit.
Mac's hold their value extremely well. A family member gave me a top spec 2011 MBP 17 inch (last model they made). 8gb ram, 500gb SSD and i7. I traded it straight up for an Alienware R2 17 with GTX 970m, 16gb ram, 128SSD, 1TB 7200RPM, and an i7. I thought the guy was crazy but I've been none the more happy.
But in all seriousness about $300-400 off the top end spec from the Apple Store price is pretty damn good. If you go refurb or used off Ebay or Craigslist you might be able to get a slightly better deal. Plus no tax.
The other question you have to ask is if you're willing to go with a model from the previous year. If so you can make out like a bandit.
Mac's hold their value extremely well. A family member gave me a top spec 2011 MBP 17 inch (last model they made). 8gb ram, 500gb SSD and i7. I traded it straight up for an Alienware R2 17 with GTX 970m, 16gb ram, 128SSD, 1TB 7200RPM, and an i7. I thought the guy was crazy but I've been none the more happy.
- Sep 13, 2001
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yeah i might bite the bullet on this one tomorrow...
http://www.adorama.com/ACMGXC2LLA.h...utm_source=rflaid62905&cvosrc=affiliate.62905
just seems like a good deal.
http://www.adorama.com/ACMGXC2LLA.h...utm_source=rflaid62905&cvosrc=affiliate.62905
just seems like a good deal.
with interest rates at record lows, what is deferred interest really worth anyway? 5% annual yield?
For many people, if you buy from say Adorama or buydig, state sales tax is not collected so you're already ahead of Apple's 18 months deferred interest offer.
I'm assuming you aren't charging this to a credit card and rolling a large balance forward with usurious consumer interest charges.
One note that RossMAN normally mentions first: many CCs give you a 1 year extended warranty on new items. In which case, I would definitely not get AppleCare (I'd consider it only at the edu discount). The credit card's coverage is an insurance claim (some paperwork involved) and I'm not sure if the card issuer will play ball on an eBay purchase (even though it's brand new and you're buying from a merchant, the charge will come through from eBay). But if you're buying straight from Adorama, the extended coverage will be in effect with many credit credit cards. Typically, the item must be brand new to get the free coverage, refurbs do not apply.
The irony is that because Macs hold their value so well, you're almost better off getting a slick deal on a brand new one ($1950 from buydig was a great deal but the 2015 update is a major dud). The exception might be if you fleece somebody on Craigslist, but what could go wrong there?
Finally although Retina resolutions do have some issues on PCs (meaning both Windows and Mac portables) due to the operating systems not being truly resolution-independent, I wouldn't even consider a classic MBP at this time. I'm not disagreeing with slashbinslashbash's explanation of pixel doubling or screen scaling but I just can't endorse purchasing a nearly 5 year old Mac.
- Sep 13, 2001
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with interest rates at record lows, what is deferred interest really worth anyway? 5% annual yield?
For many people, if you buy from say Adorama or buydig, state sales tax is not collected so you're already ahead of Apple's 18 months deferred interest offer.
I'm assuming you aren't charging this to a credit card and rolling a large balance forward with usurious consumer interest charges.
One note that RossMAN normally mentions first: many CCs give you a 1 year extended warranty on new items. In which case, I would definitely not get AppleCare (I'd consider it only at the edu discount). The credit card's coverage is an insurance claim (some paperwork involved) and I'm not sure if the card issuer will play ball on an eBay purchase (even though it's brand new and you're buying from a merchant, the charge will come through from eBay). But if you're buying straight from Adorama, the extended coverage will be in effect with many credit credit cards. Typically, the item must be brand new to get the free coverage, refurbs do not apply.
The irony is that because Macs hold their value so well, you're almost better off getting a slick deal on a brand new one ($1950 from buydig was a great deal but the 2015 update is a major dud). The exception might be if you fleece somebody on Craigslist, but what could go wrong there?
Finally although Retina resolutions do have some issues on PCs (meaning both Windows and Mac portables) due to the operating systems not being truly resolution-independent, I wouldn't even consider a classic MBP at this time. I'm not disagreeing with slashbinslashbash's explanation of pixel doubling or screen scaling but I just can't endorse purchasing a nearly 5 year old Mac.
that link i posted to adorama appears to be brand new, unless i'm missing something.
i do have amex as well as sapphire preferred card, so i can look into either of those having extended warranties too.
but you are right, not having to pay tax does save a lot.
with interest rates at record lows, what is deferred interest really worth anyway? 5% annual yield?
For many people, if you buy from say Adorama or buydig, state sales tax is not collected so you're already ahead of Apple's 18 months deferred interest offer.
I'm assuming you aren't charging this to a credit card and rolling a large balance forward with usurious consumer interest charges.
One note that RossMAN normally mentions first: many CCs give you a 1 year extended warranty on new items. In which case, I would definitely not get AppleCare (I'd consider it only at the edu discount). The credit card's coverage is an insurance claim (some paperwork involved) and I'm not sure if the card issuer will play ball on an eBay purchase (even though it's brand new and you're buying from a merchant, the charge will come through from eBay). But if you're buying straight from Adorama, the extended coverage will be in effect with many credit credit cards. Typically, the item must be brand new to get the free coverage, refurbs do not apply.
The irony is that because Macs hold their value so well, you're almost better off getting a slick deal on a brand new one ($1950 from buydig was a great deal but the 2015 update is a major dud). The exception might be if you fleece somebody on Craigslist, but what could go wrong there?
Finally although Retina resolutions do have some issues on PCs (meaning both Windows and Mac portables) due to the operating systems not being truly resolution-independent, I wouldn't even consider a classic MBP at this time. I'm not disagreeing with slashbinslashbash's explanation of pixel doubling or screen scaling but I just can't endorse purchasing a nearly 5 year old Mac.
Note that AmEx will "double" your warranty and ADDS TO the AppleCare warranty. In other words, buying with AmEx means your warranty goes from 1 year to 3 years (+ AppleCare) and then to 4 years (+ AmEx warranty).
Guess what I used to buy the 2014 MBP 15" ?
http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/amex-and-applecare.1120035/
See Macky-Mac post Mar 18 2011.
KeithP
Diamond Member
- Jun 15, 2000
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When I had an iPhone I didn't use it either but their computers are so expensive and nearly impossible for an end user to fix. I did get in on my MacBook Pro. My experience is if you don't have a problem during the first 1 year of coverage (their standard warranty), you will probably be good for the usable life of the machine.
My thought with getting AppleCare was more to make reselling easier by giving the buyer an official Apple warranty. If you don't plan on doing that, you can probably ignore it.
Yes, Apple's hidden discount, education pricing. Apple has an education store where students and faculty get discounts....
http://www.apple.com/us-hed/shop
In theory, you are suppose to prove you are eligible as a student or employee at a school. In practice, any reasonable story will get you the discount as your buddy found out. Something along the lines that you are buying for a student as a grad present, Christmas present, birthday present, etc.
Want to make this a lock? At time of purchase, ask if you need a copy of the student's ID..."you could get it if necessary." The response will be "no." Not that I have ever done such a thing.
Apple's online refurb store is subject to stock fluctuations. Often time a source of rumors around a new model coming out will be the old model's inventory drying up on the refurb store.
http://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/specialdeals
Edit: almost forgot, Apple has a refurb store with the education discount although the discount isn't nearly as great with the refurbs
http://www.apple.com/us-hed/shop/browse/home/specialdeals
-KeithP
- Sep 13, 2001
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does anyone know if i buy a macbook from adorama (somewhere that is not an apple store), can I still get apple care any time in the first year of the purchase? i know that you can do that from apple themself, but i'm wondering if that same thing applies if i get it from another place but opt to NOT get apple care at the time of purchase.
i'm thinking i can just get it and see how it goes the first 6 months or so, and if it is fine, then i won't get it. i will also have the additional amex warranty which would in theory make this 2 years i guess, without having to pay for apple care.
i'm thinking i can just get it and see how it goes the first 6 months or so, and if it is fine, then i won't get it. i will also have the additional amex warranty which would in theory make this 2 years i guess, without having to pay for apple care.
Not an issue, no matter where you bought it - just keep proof of purchase material.
AMEX gives you 2 years total. Add AppleCare to the mix and you're at 4 years; that's a great warranty!
Just bought a MBP 15" 2012 i7/2.3/nV650M for $500 locally via a craigslist-type ad. Had a 256GB SSD and 16GB of RAM lying around; it's now a very nice, very fast portable. Point being - deals are out there if you're willing to look. The mid-2012 MBP15 is the last of the easily-upgrade-able RAM and disk machines. For most of what I do, the difference between this and a new i7/2.5/M370 is pretty minor.
But I have a i7/2.5/750M anyway, too!
- Sep 13, 2001
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alright more questions for you guys...
there is someone local who is selling the exact one i'm looking at from adorama, on craigslist. he claims it's basically brand new and only used a few times, and has 2 charge cycles on it. i saw the pictures and visually it looks great.
he also said it comes with apple care until 2018.
he said he would go as low as $1450 for it.
so my questions are...
1. if i go check it out, what should i check for to verify that it is the exact model i think it is? Just go to the "About this mac" and see that it says mid 2014 model, then verify the rest of the specs?
2. is there anyway to verify that it's as "new" as he claims with the charge cycles?
3. with apple care, is there anyway I can verify how long it lasts to and be sure it's married to that mac? is apple care married to the mac or the person who got it? and with apple care, can i literally take it into the apple store and they will basically fix ANYTHING wrong with it, including cracks or accidental damage?
4. kind of off topic of apple products, but i've never done a high end transaction off of craigslist and just wondering what the best way to do this would be. i'm asuming i can meet him somewhere public to check out the laptop, then i was thinking maybe he can go to the bank with me and get money out for him right there? just looking for pointers.
ok i think that is all the questions i have, thanks.
there is someone local who is selling the exact one i'm looking at from adorama, on craigslist. he claims it's basically brand new and only used a few times, and has 2 charge cycles on it. i saw the pictures and visually it looks great.
he also said it comes with apple care until 2018.
he said he would go as low as $1450 for it.
so my questions are...
1. if i go check it out, what should i check for to verify that it is the exact model i think it is? Just go to the "About this mac" and see that it says mid 2014 model, then verify the rest of the specs?
2. is there anyway to verify that it's as "new" as he claims with the charge cycles?
3. with apple care, is there anyway I can verify how long it lasts to and be sure it's married to that mac? is apple care married to the mac or the person who got it? and with apple care, can i literally take it into the apple store and they will basically fix ANYTHING wrong with it, including cracks or accidental damage?
4. kind of off topic of apple products, but i've never done a high end transaction off of craigslist and just wondering what the best way to do this would be. i'm asuming i can meet him somewhere public to check out the laptop, then i was thinking maybe he can go to the bank with me and get money out for him right there? just looking for pointers.
ok i think that is all the questions i have, thanks.
1: Click the Mighty Black (nee Blue) Apple in the upper left corner, then click "About This Mac". Under the Apple should be a description of the Mac, you can click that and it will change to the serial number. Copy that, and paste it here
2: Click the Mighty Black Apple. While hold ALT, click what previously said "About This Mac" (I think it says "System Profiler" after holding ALT). In the sidebar on the left, click "Power", the battery information is there.
3: AppleCare on Macs can be transferred to a new owner (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202712), with other devices, it's tied to the device. It DOES NOT cover accidental damage.
- Sep 13, 2001
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thanks for the info.
i actually found that applecare coverage link this morning and emailed him for the serial number and he gave it to me, and it shows it as having apple care until april 6th 2018, so that is pretty damn good.
i might have to jump on this deal, just seems like it is a very solid deal. something about a "used" laptop though, i've never had to deal with lol, i don't know how i feel about that. i will have to get over that hump if i want to save about $550 from buying it brand new though, if i purchased apple care.
- Sep 13, 2001
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yeah, this is the exact one he is selling, for $1450, with 2.5 years of applecare left on it.
Applecare Plus is for the i-Devices, not computers. AppleCare is the only option for computers, and it does not cover accidental damage.
You can always try, however.
So is it worth it to get the same thing that you could get with a credit card (2.0 years warranty, not 2.5) for $350 more $, if it's used and you aren't sure you know what you're picking up?
It's $350, and you'd buy with a credit card and double Apple's warranty to 2 years (for 'free').
And if I were you I'd do it, but I'm familiar with computers, familiar with Macs, and very aware of how to check on what someone is selling and assess the condition. If there's any doubt in your mind, I'd think twice about doing it.
- Sep 13, 2001
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to be honest, the "doubt" i am having is whether i really even need a macbook. and yeah you are right, the extra $200 would be for an additional 2 years of applecare, so if i removed that, the 2 year warranty would be pretty much on par with the used one. i'm also very comfortable with computers in general and am confident i could look it over to know whether it's in the shape i would want it to be in order to purchase.
i'm on my hackintosh right now and it works fine. sure it's not as fast as that macbook, not as good hardware, not as good resolution, more of a pain in the ass to update new versions of osx, etc, but there really isn't anything on this hackintosh i can't do that i could do on a macbook. it's more of a "want" than anything, and the fact that i'm working on a pretty major ios app is a reason i'm using as an excuse to maybe get it lol.
i think that is more what i have to decide about than anything.
KeithP
Diamond Member
- Jun 15, 2000
- 5,664
- 201
- 106
If you do buy it, you might want to run Apple Diagnostics on it:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202731
-KeithP
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202731
-KeithP
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