MacBook Pro - thunderbolt storage and DVD drive

[RemaL]

Ok i've narrowed down my choice of Laptop to a Macbook Pro. Looking into what Suits me best. would like SSD and unsure on 13" or 15" screen.

I am going to replace my 5-6 year old desktop with the macbook and I normally use the desktop for browsing the web but also for editing video from my Go Pro/camcorder 1 from trackdays and hol vids

I have A IPhone, Ipads (not a apple Junkie) but like the way they work for me. We have a Android Mobile and I have a Google Nexus as well.

I also would like to get some storage which has this thunderbolt cable so I'm not waiting a while to download/upload a few gigs worth of video. It takes a while from SD cards to my old desktop and longer when trying to convert using Windows movie maker.

Any tips on the best Macbook pro to look at. I don't want to spend ££££ loads but I know buying Apple it's going to cost me more than a windows based laptop.
Also what is the ideal DVD or Blu ray player/burner to the macbook pro

I also have a WD Nas drive which I use to backup video, pics and movies but this uploads very slowly (about 1-2Mb a second) so a thunderbolt should help with speeds. Would this work with a Macbook.

Whats the benefits and drawbacks of going from using windows for years to Apple?

cheers in advance

Edited by RemaL on Tuesday 24th June 08:31

[RemaL]

hms said:

In case you haven't seen it, have a look at this page:
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/
Indicates when they expect Apple to update it's products, based on the previous cycle of updates.
May help you to avoid buying one just before it is updated!
h

thanks for that. And I would not expect Apple to lower the price just before the update either Unless they are doing it soon as I've seen a price drop this week on John Lewis website and costco

[RemaL]

good heads up on the graphics cards etc....

Any tips on external storage drive or USB DVD drive?

[RemaL]

cheers both for the reply. Did you both by direct from Apple? and re the Thunderbolt storage which one did you go for? seems there are many out there but range from £100 all the way past a grand. I'm just looking for something with 2Tb or there about that I can access quickly. I'm only used to 15-25mg and second transfer rate so hoping for something quicker. Would USB 3 be any good. Just seems if you want thundebolt you need to pay a few few £££ more. just wondering if it's worth it

[RemaL]

cheers chaps, Not in the US until next year. Only flying from Bristol this year so no apple store in there.

Gives me something to think about re the DVD drive. Not 100% sure I would need one right away unless I find out how to run Windows 8 on the MBP if I wanted to.

Daft question but if I load up my 128Gig USb stick with music and documents etc... will the MBP be able to read the files. Just wondering if there is any conflicting issues with how I stored stuff on my Windows desktop compared to going onto a MBP.

I will look into the External drive more. I did see (can't find the link now) a external SSD storage drive where I can buy and add up to 4 SSD drives for storage. I did not notice the price.

[RemaL]

great thanks for that

[RemaL]

many thanks again for the info.

I'm not going to rush into getting one. hoping some offers come up at some point. Costco do free upgrades sometimes so maybe worth keeping a close eye on that to start

[RemaL]

onlynik said:

There is a Dixons Travel at Bristol, you can order in advance so they will have the unit for you to pick up.

https://www.dixonstravel.com/stores/bristol.aspx

As I said before I picked mine up in LHR and saved about £200.

very intresting idea and never thought of that. Says I can also order when I'm there and collect on my return which would be better

[RemaL]

great cheera again. I went to the local apple store yesterday and had a good look at what they can do so i'm sold on the Macbook as it meets the needs I want

[RemaL]

ehasler said:

You can often get good deals at the Apple refurb store

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/specialdeals...

I bought both my Macbook Pro, and Mac Pro there, and you couldn't tell them apart from a brand new model. Just double-check the specs to make sure you're not getting an older model (they currently list both the 2012 and 2013 Macbook Pro).

just a question re refurb. I gather you get a 1 year warranty and are there any drawbacks other than not being the first to own the laptop?

[RemaL]

SlidingSideways said:

If you buy from John Lewis, you get 3 years warranty now, saving a couple of hundred quid in AppleCare (if you were factoring that into the price).

Just looked as it's 2 year and £130 for the extra year.

[RemaL]

cheers for that. Talked to the wife and she said go new. OK them not bad. I'm in no rush so just going to keep my eye peeled for any offers and look into the Dixon's airport thing.

[RemaL]

I just wish I could find away to get the Education discount.

[RemaL]

GCH said:

RemaL said:

I just wish I could find away to get the Education discount.

Enjoy:
http://www.mikewilson.cc/2010/08/18/how-to-get-a-1...

OK reading that and thought WFT it's going to be hard but let me get this straight with a little addition to the URL I can get the Education apple product ordered and delivered to my house

[RemaL]

great to know. just waiting to see if there is any news on a updated model any time soon then order

[RemaL]

great thanks for the feedback GC

always handy to have the best ideas on backing up gear. I have only had 1 external HHD fail but always back up on a few so have not lost anything yet of importance.

[RemaL]

well a minor update today so off to get a new Macbook pro. An expensive week as I just got the wife a GT86 last fri