Advise on a New MacBook Pro 15"

[larrys]

I am getting closer to upgrading from an old G-5 to a new MBP 15". I spoke with a professional bird and landscape photographer that guides international trips and she has the low end 15" and says it meets her needs. I talked with a pro photographer that works at an Apple store and he says get the fastest processing and graphics possible.

I use a Nikon D300 and 70% of my photography is from backpacking trips each summer to the Rockies and Sierras. The other 30% is family, flowers and macro. I have started using Capture NX2 for my post processing but would like to upgrade older versions of LR and PS, plus add a HDR software and B&W software. Ideally I would like to save some money and just get the lower end 15" MBP and bump up the RAM to 8 instead of 4. If I get upgraded on PS, I would also like to try my hand at panos. Also I would one day like to add a higher end monitor to do post processing on.

Bumping up the speed sure gets expensive, so my question is will a lower end 15" with extra RAM be sufficient? Thanks

[ddaquaria]

The short answer is yes. Also consider the hard drive bump to 7200rpm.

The long answer - if you got the funds, go with the other higher end model with the 1GB graphics card, but it is still hard for me to recommend the processor bump.

[Tom]

I'm not sure the higher end graphics card does a lot for just photoshopping or lightrooming.

I have a 2.53GHz Duo Core 2 MBP from 2.5 years ago. Best things I did: maxed out RAM and even better: took out the 500GIG 5400rpm hard drive and replaced it with a 256GIG SSD from OWC. Then replaced the DVD drive with a 750 GIG 7200rpm HD.

My battery life definitely takes a hit, but the solid state and extra storage is amazing! SSD is the best. Just make sure you backup regularly with time machine.

[peeker]

If you aren't processing 100's per week, a mid range MBPro with a RAM and HD speed upgrade will do ok. I worked off of the last dual core MPPro as my main computer for processing over 1000 images per week and I found it too slow and finally upgraded to an i7 iMac. The MBPro now works well for a editing a project or two while traveling.

[Rson]

PS doesn't harness the graphics card much. It is more for eye-candy.

I would:
Get the fastest processor(unless the speed jump is marginal for the price), skimp on ram, get largest harddrive.

Then, look on NewEgg and pick up the most ram you can and DIY.

[Charles Putnam]

Double dittos on getting the "low end" MBP. From a CPU standpoint, you won't see any real measurable difference between the "low end" 2.2 GHz i7 quad core and the 2.4 or even 2.5 GHz i7 quad. The video RAM in the "low end" MBP is 500mb, and is more than enough to run the filters in Photoshop.

I'd also suggest upgrading the RAM after you buy the MBP. Apple charges $200 to upgrade the RAM from 4gibs to 8gigs. You can spend less than half that and do it yourself.

You'll see some speed increase with a 7200rpm drive with limited impact on battery life.

[larrys]

Fantastic replies, I really appreciate the input. Ya'll may have saved me some money I can put toward a nice monitor. Thanks again

[shaylou]

You can also save money (almost half) by not paying apple for their ram upgrade. Take it to Fry's electronics and have them install the ram as soon as you get it. They are an authorized apple dealer so no worry of voiding your warranty and you will save around 100 bucks.

[lfmerrell]

Two quick thoughts, I believe the MacBook Pro is due an upgrade, also consider an Apple refurbished.

Check website for more info on suspected upgrades.

MacBook Pro News and Rumors | Mac Rumors

>>Reseller Shortages Hint at Forthcoming Update for 15-Inch MacBook Pro
Tuesday April 10, 2012 10:21 am PDT by Eric Slivka
As noted by AppleInsider, third-party resellers are beginning to experience shortages of Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro, hinting that a refresh may be coming in the near future.
Among those resellers reflecting backorder status on some of the current 15-inch MacBook Pros is J&R, which is now sold out of both the 2.2GHz model, which is listed as "out of stock," and the 2.4GHz variety, which is currently advertised as "on order."

In addition, Best Buy has also stopped accepting online orders for the 2.4GHz model for home delivery. The 15-inch notebook is still available on a store-by-store basis, however a quick check of individual store inventory in cities such as Chicago and Austin similarly indicate that between 40 and 60 percent of those shops are similarly reflecting stock outs.
Apple's own online store is not yet showing any delays in fulfilling orders, but the company prioritizes its own distribution channels over third-party resellers, meaning that shortages generally show up first at those resellers.


Apple has been said to be ramping up production of new 15-inch MacBook Pro models carrying a thinner form factor, with Intel's rumored April 29 debut of quad-core mobile Ivy Bridge processors undoubtedly driving that timeline.

With dual-core Ivy Bridge processors not launching until early June, it seems that Apple may not be launching upgraded 13-inch MacBook Pro models until that time. As for the 17-inch MacBook Pro, AppleInsider had previously claimed that Apple was likely to use a staggered rollout of the new MacBook Pro form factor, with the 17-inch model not receiving an update until perhaps several months after the smaller models.<<

[shaylou]

Rumor sites are pretty much useless.....

[Charles Putnam]

I'd personally recommend NOT letting Fry's install it. Not the most skilled techs in the world. Maybe Microcenter, or DIY. OWC sells RAM and toolkits for MBP's. Also, MacRumors and Appleinsider have been pretty accurate at predicting when hardware refreshes are due.

[shaylou]

Originally Posted by Charles Putnam

I'd personally recommend NOT letting Fry's install it. Not the most skilled techs in the world. Maybe Microcenter, or DIY. OWC sells RAM and toolkits for MBP's. Also, MacRumors and Appleinsider have been pretty accurate at predicting when hardware refreshes are due.

The one I went to was on 45 north and the tech had 15 years experience with apple alone. I suppose you could get a tech anywhere that is not as skilled but mine has been running flawlessly for over a year now.plus it doesn't take any skill to instal ram really. I just didn't have the time to mess with it or I would had done it myself.

[arich]

Originally Posted by shaylou

Rumor sites are pretty much useless.....

Except that Ivy bridge is a fairly well known coming upgrade for all platforms and this fits right in with Apple's regular upgrade calendar

To the OP, get the 4 gb ram then buy a 16gb upgrade kit and install yourself. $100.

[Rson]

The frys people are about as useful as tits on a bull.

order from Amazon, kingston makes Apple OEM ram kits and DIY.

[Charles Putnam]

That's an insult to a bull.....