I'm here after all

[scarlettina]

Thanks to oldmangrumpus, I'm online and able to work while the computer situation gets resolved. He's loaned me a PowerBook that will do nicely, bless him. And yes, the decision is to get a new machine. Made the decision after I made my last post but before I got all the horrified responses urging me to run screaming for the cash register. :-)

This evening after dinner, I received a call from the Apple Store saying that my old machine is now backed up and ready to be picked up tomorrow morning. I need to do a little financial juggling and a little research, but I hope to have a new machine by Wednesday latest.

And now that I'm over the irritation and anger about this unexpected development, I'm looking forward to making the new investment. I'm inclined to go with the low-end MacBook Pro 15" because a) I want the new functionality that's available, b) I don't want a smaller screen than I already have, and c) I don't want to spend more than I absolutely have to. oldmangrumpus made an argument for the 13" MacBook based on image quality on the smaller screen and financial considerations, and though I see his point, I'm still edging toward the larger screen and the functionality issues. Anyone who has informed opinions on these issues, opinions would be appreciated.

Comments

[blakesrealm.livejournal.com]

To me, being only as informed as I can be by your posts, I'd say that the 15" standard (non-Pro) will suit you just fine. Given the heat issues of the higher model, and the higher cost, you'd be better served - in my mind - going with the lower end machine.

That said, however, do invest in a larger hard drive and the most RAM you can afford. It does sound like you have some local friends who are apple geeks themselves, and if one of them is comfortable with the innards of a machine perhaps purchase the RAM after you get the laptop from the secondary market. You can get RAM MUCH, MUCH cheaper than what Apple charges, and it's just as good.

Best of luck with the new machine.

[willowgreen.livejournal.com]

My husband the geek swears by Crucial Memory as a RAM source. I've purchased lots of Apple RAM from them and have been perfectly happy with it. But double-check the price before you order: Getting my MacBook with an Apple RAM upgrade actually didn't cost any more than ordering it separately from Crucial.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

FWIW, when I was in the Apple Store yesterday, I specifically asked if there was a 15" version of a non-pro MacBook and I was told such a thing didn't exist. I was told they only come at 13.5". Have you seen otherwise?

And yes, I need to figure out how much hard drive and RAM I can afford, given that I want to get more serious with my photography. I'll need storage and processing power for Photoshop and the work that will go with it.

[ironymaiden]

i repeat that you should come over and do some work on C's MacBook to see how it feels. don't forget to budget the $650 for Photoshop, unless you have other ways of getting it.

[blakesrealm.livejournal.com]

Erm ... yea ... err ... I knew that. :) I forgot that it wasn't 15" to be honest. But yes, if you're going to do photo work you might want to go with the 15" Pro. The extra horsepower will never go to waste in that case, and another way to look at it is that you're that much longer future-proofed.

Another thought is that you can always use an external hard drive if you need the extra space later on, for storing old photos, backups, etc.