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Buying A MacBook...Advice

PissBottleManPissBottleMan Union City, TN Posts: 4,155
edited October 2009 in All Encompassing Trip
I'm going back and forth over buying a MacBook.

If I do buy one, should I upgrade to 4gb of RAM (I'll be using Photoshop and After Effects a lot).

Also, should I buy the Apple Care Protection Plan?

It's a big investment and I can't make up my mind.

PBM
"We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"

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Comments

  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    my theory when buying a new computer is buy the best you can afford... i'd get the 4gb especially if you use ps and af

    i didn't get apple care...knock wood ;):D
  • stickfig13stickfig13 Posts: 1,532
    Buy it and don't look back....I just bought the Macbook Pro 13" a few months ago and it is seriously amazing! I only have 2gb of RAM and it works like a champ. You can always upgrade later if you feel you need it.

    Best computer I have ever bought...bar none
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  • DeLukinDeLukin Posts: 2,757
    Yes and yes! If you don't pull the trigger on the RAM now, you will later, especially if you've upgraded to Photoshop CS4. And Apple Care is a must-have as far as I'm concerned. Unlike most extended warranties it's actually not a useless waste of cash IMO.
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  • TightropeHigherTightropeHigher Posts: 135
    Apple has superior products, but any upgrades can be prfoundly cheaper through other sources such as Newegg.com. Compare how much it would be to add on RAM to 4GB with Apple to that of getting RAM off newegg.com (2x2GB sticks).

    I bought a MacBook Pro a ways back and took my chances withOUT the protection plan, and made it through safe. Risky business!
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  • PissBottleManPissBottleMan Union City, TN Posts: 4,155
    Thanks for all the advice.

    I'm on the fence with the protection plan. I bought it for my iPod in '05 and made it through without anything happening.

    Still debating.

    PBM
    "We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"

    Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    someone correct me if i'm wrong, but i believe you have a year to buy apple care after you buy the mac
  • merkinballmerkinball Posts: 2,262
    I've been through a few macs in my day (going back to the Apple ][+ as my 2nd computer). I would pass on the Applecare, but get the extra RAM. The extra memory is definitely worth it. As Tightropehigher said, it may be cheaper to go 3rd party and install yourself. Newegg is good, as is Crucial.

    Haven't had any significant issues with my recent macs (within the first few years). Just upgraded from a powermac G4 to a 24" iMAC a few months ago, and didn't get applecare for it.
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  • PissBottleManPissBottleMan Union City, TN Posts: 4,155
    I run a Power PC G5 at work and want to get something for at home/on-the-go use as well.

    I've had my G5 since Aug '06. I had a corrupted piece of RAM a year later, but that's about it.

    PBM
    "We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"

    Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
  • arqarq Posts: 8,049
    PissBottleMan wrote:
    (I'll be using Photoshop and After Effects a lot).

    PBM

    oooh I'm very jealous! I used AFX so long ago... It's soooo fun, I still use Photoshop in my day to day. What are you doing PBM? Or where are you working? :ugeek:
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  • PissBottleManPissBottleMan Union City, TN Posts: 4,155
    arq wrote:
    [What are you doing PBM? Or where are you working? :ugeek:

    At work, I make television commercials in After Effects. I'd like to branch out and do freelance work to get some extra money with the MacBook.

    AE isn't a conventional non-linear editor, but it's what I put my spots together with.

    PBM
    "We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"

    Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
  • mfc2006mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,484
    norm wrote:
    someone correct me if i'm wrong, but i believe you have a year to buy apple care after you buy the mac

    yup. i bought Apple Care 4 months after i bought my MacBook. as far as the memory...do it if you know that you'll need it. i upgraded my memory when i bought it & i'm glad that i did.
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  • HeavyHandsHeavyHands Posts: 2,130
    TightropeHigher wrote:
    ...upgrades can be prfoundly cheaper through other sources such as Newegg.com. Compare how much it would be to add on RAM to 4GB with Apple to that of getting RAM off newegg.com (2x2GB sticks).

    This is good advice. You can get good RAM much cheaper elsewhere. Just remember to check that it is the correct kind.
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  • vduboisevduboise Posts: 1,937
    I used to work in a Mac only store (not the Apple store- tho).

    My advice is to get the best possible machine you can afford and get the applecare. Yes, you have up to a year to buy applecare, but I would just suggest to get it at the get go- that way you won't forget and once the year is up- you can't get it again.

    If it was a desktop you were buying, then I would hold off on the applecare- but for Laptops, yes! You may not need it, but sometimes things happen after the year is up and you would be happy you got it. If your logic board was in need of replacement- that would run you $500-600.

    And don't buy the Apple extra ram- as some said- you can get it aftermarket for cheaper.
  • stuckinlinestuckinline Posts: 3,384
    buy the apple care. it is worth it.
  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    DeLukin wrote:
    Yes and yes! If you don't pull the trigger on the RAM now, you will later, especially if you've upgraded to Photoshop CS4. And Apple Care is a must-have as far as I'm concerned. Unlike most extended warranties it's actually not a useless waste of cash IMO.

    Agreed, on apple care. It's a great program.
  • PissBottleManPissBottleMan Union City, TN Posts: 4,155
    After a month going back and forth, I finally pulled the trigger on the MacBook this morning.

    I got the Apple Care plan. Doesn't cover anything accidental, so I'll have to take very good care of it. But, I've had my iPod for 4 1/2 years and it's still doing fine.

    Got the education discount too.

    Should be in sometime next week!

    Thanks for all the advice!

    Cheers,

    PBM
    "We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"

    Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    PissBottleMan wrote:
    Thanks for all the advice.

    I'm on the fence with the protection plan. I bought it for my iPod in '05 and made it through without anything happening.

    Still debating.

    PBM

    ipods are a lot cheaper and more stable. i bought apple care for my computer and it was the best decision i ever made. my hard drive crashed last year (the logic board), and i simply took it to the store, they shipped it out, came back the next day fixed, and i was up and running again. didn't cost me a cent and it was no hassle. i also burned out my cd drive (i used it a LOT) and when i took it in they even upgraded it to one with a dvd burner as that was standard at the time. it's a great program. about all it won't cover is data recovery (so back stuff up) and if you dump beer on your keyboard like i did once ;) it's a worthwhile investment for something as expensive as a new computer and a solid program. their computers are pretty stable and reliable, but if something does go wrong, i've never even heard of a warranty program that was so accommodating.
  • PissBottleManPissBottleMan Union City, TN Posts: 4,155
    Thanks man.

    My Apple Store is two hours away, but it's good to know that if something internally goes wrong, I'm covered for 3 years. Plus, I've got technical support for 3 years too.

    I went with the 4 gigs of RAM. My G5 at work will be faster, but this MacBook will be miles ahead of my PC at home.

    PBM
    "We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"

    Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    PissBottleMan wrote:
    Thanks man.

    My Apple Store is two hours away, but it's good to know that if something internally goes wrong, I'm covered for 3 years. Plus, I've got technical support for 3 years too.

    I went with the 4 gigs of RAM. My G5 at work will be faster, but this MacBook will be miles ahead of my PC at home.

    PBM

    i found out this past summer that if you call them, they can ship you a box that you put your computer in, send it to them, they do the work, and ship it back. all still free of charge. might take a bit longer, but if you can't make the drive, you're still covered.
  • PissBottleManPissBottleMan Union City, TN Posts: 4,155
    Man, that was a quick turnaround. I ordered yesterday morning and, even with the additional RAM being installed, it's on the Fed-Ex truck in route for delivery this morning.

    Can't beat that.

    PBM
    "We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"

    Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    PissBottleMan wrote:
    Man, that was a quick turnaround. I ordered yesterday morning and, even with the additional RAM being installed, it's on the Fed-Ex truck in route for delivery this morning.

    Can't beat that.

    PBM

    no joke, there's a lot of backlash from people acting like apple is just the hip and trendy thing and that's why they're doing so well. but the real reason they're taking off is because they make solid products with few bugs and have great service.
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    I never buy extended warranties. If you're that worried about it, set money aside in your bank account that will pay for repairs later.

    As someone who uses a MAC, PC and Linux machine on a daily basis, I don't think the MACs are worth the extra cost. My personal favorite is Linux, but sometimes it can be limiting. I would definitely buy a PC over a MAC if I had to purchase one other than Linux.
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  • joeybucketsjoeybuckets Posts: 511
    def def def def buy Apple Care Protection Plan.. i bought an I-MAC last Jan 2009, my hard drive failed once,they replaced it. Computer still had troubles after hard drive replaced. They gave me brand new computer.. its a must to get it!!!!
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  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    know1 wrote:
    I never buy extended warranties. If you're that worried about it, set money aside in your bank account that will pay for repairs later.

    apple care is the only one i've ever bought. so much can go wrong with computers, even for the most careful of users. and their plan is actually very responsive. a crashed hard drive can cost you almost as much as a new computer, so for a fraction of the cost you can get any problem you might eve had taken care of with no hassle. i'm usually in agreement about warranties (i skipped them on my tv and on my playstation), but this one is actually a decent value. setting aside the cost of apple care won't cover even the most basic repairs if something goes wrong, and laptops get some hard use due to their portability.
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