SP4 or Stealth or Macbook Pro 13

[podimerlin]

Which of this laptops would you get?
To be used to carry while travelling and doing Lightroom and maybe installing Kali on it too.

MacBook Pro 13 ($1428 refurbished):
http://www.apple.com/sg_edu_4911/sh...-27ghz-dual-core-intel-i5-with-retina-display
The cheapest of the three (will be getting refurbished)
Has SD card slot for easy import to Lightroom
Longest battery life

Stealth ($1499):
Next cheapest.
Lighter by 200~grams
Windows (Can install more games)

Surface Pro 4:
Most Portable.
But most expensive if getting similar specs.
Thus Would be getting the m3 one.

MacBook pro seems to be the most of-value one, but I've always been a PC user. I also had a surface pro 1 and also bought my sis a SP3. Was really keen on getting SP4 but realized it is way way more expensive compared to the other 2 options.


I've already got a well to do Desktop. Just looking for one when I go overseas and probably be able to carry out everyday when I've got a bag.

 

[Intrinion]

The Stealth is limited by the amount of storage it can carry on its ssd.
At base price, there is only 128GB worth of storage which isn't alot.
It is also not meant for gaming without the Razer Core as it has integrated graphics - Intel HD 520 iirc.

But if you are looking for something portable for on the go usage, it should be fine!

Cheers!

 

[knightshaz]

How often do you go overseas? If a lot you will appreciate a surface more.

 

[jeffrey745]

MacBook pro is gd n value for $$

 

[podimerlin]

Above 3 posts, it's for 1 each.

I only travel for holidays, so about 2 or 3 times a year. But I'll go for around 2 weeks and there will be some days where I'll have not much to do and I'd be touching up my photos then.

Do anyone here carry a macbook pro everyday?

 

[Intrinion]

A bud of mine does - abit of scuffs here and there but it lasts.

 

[GegeV2]

SP4

The conveniences of it makes it so worth it

 

[jace88]

If you're looking for a laptop, then by all means, go for the Macbook. You can install Windows on it using Boot Camp if you really end up needing it but the native Mac OS X experience is great. You'll probably get much better performance for your buck compared to your other options given this is a refurb (assuming no issues).

That being said, if you're looking for portability in a different form factor then Surface Pro, once you factor in all the bits and pieces is good but as you pointed out it isn't cheap. The m3 model isn't great performance wise nor battery wise and reviewers tend to point to the i5 8gb model as the sweet spot in the range (or at least i5 4gb); but once you add keyboard in, it'll be touching on $2k even with educational discount. I really like my Surface Pro 4 and it's ultra portable, light, etc... but battery isn't stellar and it's not easy to charge. Kudos to Microsoft for a cool charger with inbuilt USB port on it - but this only comes with it if your'e buying the i5 model or better. Also the single USB port on the Surface itself might be a real issue for you if you have lots of peripherals and don't want the hassle of carrying a small USB hub. I personally use a Bluetooth mouse to alleviate this.

The Razer doesn't make sense unless you plan to game alot and will use the external GPU/Core. Without it, it kinda defeats the point of buying it in which case you may as well have bought one of the many other i5/i7 based ultrabooks.

(have you also considered if maybe an SP3 might suit your needs/budget?)

Also, it sounds like you don't do much actual typing/etc and keyboard is not your main concern - in which case, maybe the Samsung TabPro S (if you value the LTE) or one of the many Surface Pro 'clones' which are coming out now might be a good option for you.

 

[LonelyMan]

May I suggest something very new? Lenovo Ideapad 710s. $1499 for i5-6260U processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD and 1.1kg. The iGPU is Iris 540.

 

[podimerlin]

@jace88 ooh cool. Thanks for pointing out the Samsung. I'll have a look at it. Currently am more leaning to the macbook pro, it's cheaper, has the sd slot, long battery and maybe someday I can code iOS apps on it (am a programmer).

Just saw, it's ~$1.7k!...

 

[Vincym]

I have a SP4 M3 and Macbook Retina 13.

I usually travel with both but based on my experience, I use my Mac more often.

If you do a lot of PDF reading on the go, get the surface. Otherwise stick with Mac as it can do a whole lot more and fast.