Post: #1

University is right around the corner for me again, I have been using a shitty pentium laptop which barely runs word. I made some cash and would like to buy a used (or new) laptop. I need it for word processing, light graphic design and music production. Most important is that it is solid and will last me at least 4 years at the least.

I am thinking to buy one of these and need some advice:
A) used macbook 2012, 8gb ram, ssd
B) used macbook air 2015, 8gb ram, ssd
C) any other windows laptop with similiar specs

I am looking at macs because they have a good future resale value and they are reliable, all my laptops in the past were windows and survived a maximum of 4 years at best. My budget is £600 but would prefer £500.

In addition, if I want to get into graphic design do I really need a retina screen?

Post: #2

I'm assuming you can buy these from the UK, but I would recommend checking out the Lenovo or Dell outlet. I have snagged a few deals there for myself and friends/family. I kind of frown on anything Apple unless you like the OS/ecosystem because essentially they're overpriced Intel computers that happen to run OS X. Granted they do sort of hold their value, but not if you keep it for 4 years. You can buy a Windows PC with the same specs for half the price. I'm not sure what the exchange rate is, but I don't think you can get a new macbook for $700 USD.

http://outlet.lenovo.com

If you want something that is about 3 years old, you can check out refurbished computers from various online retailers. My only problem with these is I know what the "refurbishment" process is, and basically they wipe the computer down with cleaning wipes and sell it. So the previous owner could have treated it like shit and the cosmetic appearance will be less than desirable. They are typically sold with a grade so you will know what to expect, but you won't know for sure until it shows up. Also these generally have no warranty so if that's important I would buy new from the outlet stores.

Here's some examples of what I found on the outlet right now with similar specs to what you mentioned:

$560
Processor:
Intel® Core™ i5-7300U Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.50 GHz)
Operating System:
Windows 10 Professional 64 - English
Memory:
8GB 1866MHz LPDDR3 / soldered to systemboard
Hard Drive:
256GB Solid State Drive M.2, Serial ATA3
Warranty:
1 Year Standard Depot Warranty
Graphics:
Intel® HD Graphics 620
Battery:
3 Cell Li-Polymer Battery (57Whr)

Post: #3

Don't go to uni. It's bad enough to live in the UK, don't finish yourself off by going to school and racking up massive debt you will never be able to pay off.

For that budget, get a PC. Here's one I put together in 2 minutes:

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/Xkjqr6

Post: #4

It's already my 2nd year, whether i go to uni this year or not I will find out in a week as I did retakes. Anyway, I have a desktop which is powerful enough but I am constantly on the move and want a solid portable workstation for that price. I don't game but may edit photos and videos.

Post: #5

Not sure a laptop will be able to handle video editing unless it is a high end one with a dedicated GPU. These are both heavy and costly (2-3x your budget). With your budget you can hope to get one with 8gb RAM, 250gb+ SSD, with integrated graphics. Laptops have always been shit and that hasn't changed. I would settle for a laptop that runs & boots up quickly to fuck around in school and use the rest towards something like a gtx1080ti for my PC at home for intensive work like video editing. Unlike most people you have a good excuse to get a powerful GPU. Everything else can be done on uni computers I assume. If you have to stick to Apple because that is the standard in graphic design I would buy an iMac. They are expensive for what they are but just think of it as investing in your work.

My sister is a graphics designer at a marketing company with no formal schooling. She tells me the 2 other in-house graphic designer answer to her and the rest are outsourced from the Philippines and other places. This tells me a few things. These jobs are few and far between and she even tells me her job doesn't exist abroad as it is all outsourced. The second thing to note is that no schooling is necessary. The jobs ask for 8+ years of experience but somehow she got a job and tells actual graduates on how to do theirs. I know for the fact she gets paid like shit. Soon she might be getting over 6 figures but it's a little too late. The job itself looks like it is dying and the future looks bleak. I hope im wrong.

Post: #6

My previous laptop was a MacBook from Early 2008 so it lasted me almost ten years before battery and keyboard going rogue. Now Im using a MacBook Pro (mid 2014).

Apple computers are expensive but you get what you pay. I already had PC laptops that had better specs but the OS experience is better on macOS. User Interface for Mac apps are way better than Windows.

Latest MacBooks have a shitty keyboard (low travel), they removed the MagSafe, made a TouchBar (gimmick), battery last "only" 10 hours (less than before), are less upgradeable, among other things. But they have the fastest HDs, great screens, are made from a single piece of aluminum (durable) and are slim/lightweight.

Im not sure about getting used devices. A refurbished at least have new batteries and they test the device beforehand. They change the carcass so it looks like a new device.


A Retina display is great and could be useful for design. But if you mostly need a laptop for uni and are on a budget, I'll look for a refurbished MacBook Air. Its lightweight, still have the good keyboard, battery last 12 hours and the price will come down since new models are arriving.

Post: #7

(08-26-2018 06:49 PM)joost Wrote:  My previous laptop was a MacBook from Early 2008 so it lasted me almost ten years before battery and keyboard going rogue. Now Im using a MacBook Pro (mid 2014).

Apple computers are expensive but you get what you pay. I already had PC laptops that had better specs but the OS experience is better on macOS. User Interface for Mac apps are way better than Windows.

Latest MacBooks have a shitty keyboard (low travel), they removed the MagSafe, made a TouchBar (gimmick), battery last "only" 10 hours (less than before), are less upgradeable, among other things. But they have the fastest HDs, great screens, are made from a single piece of aluminum (durable) and are slim/lightweight.

Im not sure about getting used devices. A refurbished at least have new batteries and they test the device beforehand. They change the carcass so it looks like a new device.


A Retina display is great and could be useful for design. But if you mostly need a laptop for uni and are on a budget, I'll look for a refurbished MacBook Air. Its lightweight, still have the good keyboard, battery last 12 hours and the price will come down since new models are arriving.

Ditto. My '08 finally shit the bed and I'm just too busy with work to deal with it. I'm keeping it because it was a tank and served me well. Still not used to this new one I've had for months. I didn't think all the reviews I read about the keyboard would be a big deal, but it is.

Post: #8

Im currently using mid-2012 MacBook Pro, which imo was where macs hit their peak in laptops. It still works perfect other then being on the slow side with only 4gb of ram, luckily I can upgrade, which you can't do with the new ones.

Since you have a PC, why not get a tablet w/ keyboard or a cheap netbook/chromebook for just the basic things you need to do? Then when you need to do heavy duty stuff run them on your PC.

Post: #9

Check out 'Suggest a Laptop' on reddit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SuggestALaptop/

They provide great recommendations based on the specs that you need, and list the best sales you can find as well.

Post: #10

I would buy a 2012 macbook pro so that I can put a SSD and upgrade memory. Plus you can use boot camp to install windows and use it if you need to.

Post: #11

I bought a used Dell notebook for $250 from a neighbor, upgraded it to 8GB RAM ($40), put in a SSD I had laying around and installed Linux. Rocking system.

Post: #12

Dell XPS 13/15 from the outlet store. As a student you can also get 10% off i think through student bean

Post: #13

I can't speak to UK prices, but I consistently buy an XPS 15 with dedicated video. It is a great machine now, but I wouldn't recommend the 2-in-1. Too many design compromises. Lenovo makes some great work horse machines, too.

I did do video editing and encoding/deciding on some of the first-generation Intel chips with integrated video. It was slow, but worked. Assume it's gotten better, so if you want a 13", you could probably get away with the XPS 13. This says i7s are getting the job done:

https://www.windowscentral.com/dell-xps-...eo-editing

Post: #14

I had had a Windows based computers for many years, then switched to Mac and not looking back. I have had a rMBP for 4 years and hardware never failed. Also, because Apple produces both software and hardware ecosystem, it's fast just as it was when I bought it and ergonomics are so much better with touchpad gestures then any other hardware/software solution.

Windows based machines tend to slow down over time - I have a Dell laptop (non XPS) too of similar age and it basically chokes on any mildly computationally intensive operations by now (Skype plus 10 chrome browser windows - forget it).

Also, to me, though somewhat peripheral thing is important. RMBP is an ultraquiet machine and doesn't heat up at all during normal usage and the retina screen's resolution is unmatched, although the colour space should be improved a bit. There are tons of other reasons but I guess they've been already covered above. Once a new iteration of 13" rMBP without a touchbar, with 8th generation processor, and improved keyboard are out, I'm upgrading.

As you are a student in the UK, you can get a new one with 10% off on (or any Apple product). Apple has a deal with Barclays so you can get it with monthly instalment plan as well (though not sure about the interest rate).

I'd say it's a good investment - it will serve you well for 5 year, a Dell laptop has no chance to last 5 years and work just as fast. So, in the long run, you'll spend less pounds per day's use going with rMBP, I think.

Post: #15

(09-13-2018 10:34 AM)ksbms Wrote:  I had had a Windows based computers for many years, then switched to Mac and not looking back. I have had a rMBP for 4 years and hardware never failed. Also, because Apple produces both software and hardware ecosystem, it's fast just as it was when I bought it and ergonomics are so much better with touchpad gestures then any other hardware/software solution.

Windows based machines tend to slow down over time - I have a Dell laptop (non XPS) too of similar age and it basically chokes on any mildly computationally intensive operations by now (Skype plus 10 chrome browser windows - forget it).

Also, to me, though somewhat peripheral thing is important. RMBP is an ultraquiet machine and doesn't heat up at all during normal usage and the retina screen's resolution is unmatched, although the colour space should be improved a bit. There are tons of other reasons but I guess they've been already covered above. Once a new iteration of 13" rMBP without a touchbar, with 8th generation processor, and improved keyboard are out, I'm upgrading.

As you are a student in the UK, you can get a new one with 10% off on (or any Apple product). Apple has a deal with Barclays so you can get it with monthly instalment plan as well (though not sure about the interest rate).

I'd say it's a good investment - it will serve you well for 5 year, a Dell laptop has no chance to last 5 years and work just as fast. So, in the long run, you'll spend less pounds per day's use going with rMBP, I think.

Generalising all windows laptop based an old mid range Dell. Is the Dell and rMBP the same spec and in the same price category? I suspect not, making it an irrelvant comparison.

Post: #16

Based on this I just bought a used great condition MacBook Air and I am happy. Can’t go wrong with it