Help on buying MacBook Pro

[hungryllama]

Hi guys! I'm looking at buying a MacBook Pro 15" retina to run digital audio workstations (e.g. Logic Pro).

Did some search online and came across some independent sellers who are selling the item (brand new) for $1.2k to $2k, which is a far cry from the price of the same specs in the Apple store (nearly $3.3k for 2.5GHz quad-core i7, 16GB RAM and 512GB flash storage). I'm wondering whether there is any catch for such a cheap price by these independent sellers - anyone might be aware?

Also, to use the MacBook pro for audio production, I know that the important specs are processor (ideally 2.5GHz quad-core i7 or above), RAM (ideally 16GB) and internal storage (should be SSD/flash). Is there anything I might have missed out?

I'm also wondering if it is advisable to get one with 256GB flash storage (instead of 512GB) and couple it with an external SSD drive, since this might be cheaper.

Thanks in the advance for the help!!

 

[spidercyj]

Yes the catch is that you will miss out on such a good opportunity and for you to not missed out on such chance you should pass the person the money first to lock down the unit


Please don't be scam by such tactics, apple products price are controlled very tightly. If you see a deal too good to be true, don't get it.

 

[hg2]

2K is either in USD or SCAM.

Take note, new MBP 15 can get hot very quickly in aircon room and the fans can be annoying/disturbing to other co-worker. For heavy duty processing, get a macpro.

 

[Morugana]

cheap no gd

gd no cheap

just buy from apple store safest

 

[luggagepls]

Do note that the SSD within the MacBook Pro isn't just an ordinary SSD. It's a PCIe-based flash storage which is capable (and has been tested) to reach read speeds up to 2GB/s.

I'd say if your budget allows for it, go for the upgrade. You'll save lots of time transferring files and not have to lug around an extra SSD.

Like the users above mentioned, I also recommend purchasing from Apple and getting AppleCare+ – the one thing I regretted not doing for my old MacBook Pro.

 

[Snoweagle]

2K is either in USD or SCAM.

Take note, new MBP 15 can get hot very quickly in aircon room and the fans can be annoying/disturbing to other co-worker. For heavy duty processing, get a macpro.

That's absolute rubbish! I own the flagship MBP with the AMD M370X and I use it in room temperature for a few hours a day without it getting even hot, at most only slightly warm. The fans only kick in (spin faster) only when more RAM/graphics intensive usage which is only a little audible in a quiet environment. Else, it's completely silent.

 

[Snoweagle]

Hi guys! I'm looking at buying a MacBook Pro 15" retina to run digital audio workstations (e.g. Logic Pro).

Did some search online and came across some independent sellers who are selling the item (brand new) for $1.2k to $2k, which is a far cry from the price of the same specs in the Apple store (nearly $3.3k for 2.5GHz quad-core i7, 16GB RAM and 512GB flash storage). I'm wondering whether there is any catch for such a cheap price by these independent sellers - anyone might be aware?

Also, to use the MacBook pro for audio production, I know that the important specs are processor (ideally 2.5GHz quad-core i7 or above), RAM (ideally 16GB) and internal storage (should be SSD/flash). Is there anything I might have missed out?

I'm also wondering if it is advisable to get one with 256GB flash storage (instead of 512GB) and couple it with an external SSD drive, since this might be cheaper.

Thanks in the advance for the help!!

Just get the $3288 MBP 15" and don't look back. I'm using it with Lightroom and Photoshop and it's a breeze, never regretted!

 

[hungryllama]

Thanks guys for the advice! Found out that many of these sellers only do delivery and not f2f, sounds pretty scammish.

Will likely be getting the 512GB flash storage one. One concern is the fan noise, since running audio production softwares can be RAM-intensive but I can't afford to have the noise recorded as well. Is there a noticeable difference between the performance using a 2.8GHz quad-core i7 processor versus the 2.5GHz one?

 

[Snoweagle]

Thanks guys for the advice! Found out that many of these sellers only do delivery and not f2f, sounds pretty scammish.

Will likely be getting the 512GB flash storage one. One concern is the fan noise, since running audio production softwares can be RAM-intensive but I can't afford to have the noise recorded as well. Is there a noticeable difference between the performance using a 2.8GHz quad-core i7 processor versus the 2.5GHz one?

Don't worry, it isn't as loud as u think. I'm using smcfancontrol and normal idling speed (silent) is around 1000+rpm and when running RAM-intensive softwares such as Photoshop, it goes up to 5000+rpm, but the fan sound is louder, but only a bit.

 

[chickenbackside]

Thanks guys for the advice! Found out that many of these sellers only do delivery and not f2f, sounds pretty scammish.

Will likely be getting the 512GB flash storage one. One concern is the fan noise, since running audio production softwares can be RAM-intensive but I can't afford to have the noise recorded as well. Is there a noticeable difference between the performance using a 2.8GHz quad-core i7 processor versus the 2.5GHz one?

Go straight to a Mac Pro if your usage is heavy.

A Mac book Pro doesn't really cut it running multiple instances of plugins like VSL, spectrasonics stuff, T-racks...etc. If your usage is minimal, then it's passable.

The performance gap between the Mac Pro and the 15" top of the line Mac book pro is huge. I have both.

 

[Snoweagle]

Go straight to a Mac Pro if your usage is heavy.

A Mac book Pro doesn't really cut it running multiple instances of plugins like VSL, spectrasonics stuff, T-racks...etc. If your usage is minimal, then it's passable.

The performance gap between the Mac Pro and the 15" top of the line Mac book pro is huge. I have both.

Price gap is also huge.

 

[chickenbackside]

Price gap is also huge.

Agreed.

I also agree that the noise issue for the Macbook Pro isn't as bad as described. The previous generations, yes, not this generation is pretty silent.

 

[iadpotato]

if using MBP, get a laptop cooler designed for MBPs...

 

[Snoweagle]

Agreed.

I also agree that the noise issue for the Macbook Pro isn't as bad as described. The previous generations, yes, not this generation is pretty silent.

I had a mid 2010 15" MBP which died of hard disk failure over a month ago, hence bought this new one.

Compared between these two, my 2010 one is also silent but when revved up, it's also audible but only very slightly louder.

 

[hg2]

Owned a few mac, since the white macbook.....

So far MacPro 6.1 ?(trash can) is the quietest, no noticeable fan noise, when i push it to run 8 VM instances.
A month old MacBook Pro 15 Retina touch does sounds from "humming" to "raining" when push to the 95% limits... When got time can upload a video here

Another thing good about MacPro 6,1 is that it allows you to start small and graduately upgrade the RAMs and SSD. You can easily order a few corsair mac memory stick from Bizgram at half apple's price.

Or if u use company $$$, suggest just max out the MBP config, as its not designed for DIY upgrades anymore..

 

[hg2]

That's absolute rubbish! I own the flagship MBP with the AMD M370X and I use it in room temperature for a few hours a day without it getting even hot, at most only slightly warm. The fans only kick in (spin faster) only when more RAM/graphics intensive usage which is only a little audible in a quiet environment. Else, it's completely silent.

My references is based on a month old brand new MBP 15 retina, as what u would get from the shop today. Yes, it quiet when i browse internet. When push to the limit, it's like a jet engine in a 22 degree, quiet office (very puzzled, maybe sent in for evaluation after project).

So, either u working in a noisy open environment, or u don't know how to make your mbp work hard enough...LoL

 

[Snoweagle]

Yes, it quiet when i browse internet. When push to the limit, it's like a jet engine in a 22 degree, quiet office (very puzzled, maybe sent in for evaluation after project).

So, either u working in a noisy open environment, or u don't know how to make your mbp work hard enough...LoL

My home isn't a noisy environment, I guess your MBP has got a hardware issue.