Apple Computer Upgrade Suggestions

[purplehaze]

Hi all,

The battery in my 2009 13" MacBook Pro is failing, the 256 MB graphics card is not powerful enough for me to use the Creative Cloud processing tools, and the size of my D7100 images is overwhelming the laptop's 250 GB storage capacity (35 GB of which is dedicated to my Windows applications (not photography-related).

I think it is past time for a new computer, but am hesitating before the plethora of choices before me.

I have a 27"-inch Apple Cinema Display (non-Thunderbolt), a 1 TB Time Machine and a 2 TB MyBook hard drive for backup, so I am locked in to Apple.

Should I go for another laptop with Retina display? If so, would I find another 13-in display too small for processing away from home? I do like the portability of the 13-inch.

How desirable is a solid state drive?

I currently have 8 GB RAM; should I go to 16?

Basically, I just want to be able to load a week or two's worth of photos onto the computer and use all of my processing tools (currently Aperture 3, Nik, GIMP, Helicon Focus (focus stacking) and Hug-in (panorama)) off-site without running into live memory and storage issues. And I would like to be able to learn Photoshop on the Creative Cloud.

I would be grateful for any and all advice.

[Colin Southern]

Hi Janis,

I'm not an Apple computer user (although avid user of iPhones, iPads, iPods, Apple TVs!), so I can only talk in general terms ...

- Photoshop doesn't require anything special in terms of graphics cards. Not sure about other CC applications, but generally, high-powered graphics cards are only of benefit when fast frame rates are required or other complex manipulations (think "games").

- Solid state drives are WONDERFUL (I love them). In fact when I acquire a new laptop for a customer pretty much the first thing I do is take out the conventional hard drive and install a solid-state drive. They're FAST and they're impervious to knocks and vibrations (so very reliable). The only downside is that they tend to be quite modest in size; not usually a problem unless you're wanting to store a lot of photos or videos. External storage gets around this to a large degree -- so from that perspective it's really just a case of "will the drive hold enough before you can offload the files?" or "can you take an external drive with you?". Getting a machine with a bigger SSD may also be an option (don't know what Apple offer, but it wouldn't surprise me) (they do it for everything else). Personally, I'll never EVER own a laptop that doesn't have an SSD anymore.

- A 13 inch screen is "usable", but far from ideal. It might come down to how good your eyesight is! External screens rule when you own laptops!

- With regards to RAM, you can never have too much. 8GB is still fine, but if you wanted to spring for 16GB it wouldn't do any harm. It'll cost more, but will extend the life of the machine as programs and data sets expand over the life of the computer, so really a case of "do you want to spend more now, or later?"

Hope some of this helps.

[purplehaze]

Thanks, Colin.

The sys reqs for Photoshop CC specify 512 MB VRAM, 1 GB recommended, but the small print tells me that it's the 3D features that won't work with less than 512 MB VRAM. Hmm, I don't think I want 3D, but maybe I do? Or will?

Appreciate your thoughts on the SSD. I'd noticed they were smaller, so it's good to know they are also fast, as that is a major consideration for me too.

It's true that the 13-inch is small for editing, and my eyesight is only getting worse. I save the serious editing for when I have access to the big display, but I do like to mess around with images while I'm away.

Uh-oh, I see that the memory is built in, and so I would have to spend more now to ensure my needs are covered later.

The field is narrowing, and the price is rising. I'm moving most of this year's images to the external hard drive to see how much room it gives me. Perhaps I can wring a bit more life out of the 13-inch while I absorb the prospective outlay.

[Black Pearl]

The thing to remember with the current crop of MBP's is they are nigh on impossible to upgrade at a later date so it is a case of paying as much as you possibly can at time of purchase. I know Apple charge....well...lots for things like RAM and other upgrades but you can't do it later.

[RogerCook]

Check out this site he tells you everything you need to know about Mac. http://macperformanceguide.com/index...ttingUpYourMac

[shreds]

Janis,

My 2008 iMac was looking a little dated and whilst still fully functional and fine for processing, I needed more mobility with the Mac. (All my mobility had previously been with Windows laptops). So I bit the bullet at the beginning of the year. Wow!! is SSD worth while……...you bet and I concur with Colin's comment.

Blisteringly fast start up and everything else.

I decided that the 15" suited my CS6 editing needs (still have a 11" Windows machine, but that can't cope with editing anyway and is for WP and Web browsing). My eyes struggle too, editing on a small screen these days, but I realised that the 17" would be impractical for long distance all day carrying around.

I did upgrade to 16Gb and have a 751Gb SSD, both options taken at time of purchase. Everything is stored off board and the only things I keep on there are current work, suitably backed up.

Also be aware that the latest slimline Intel i7 MBPs with retina displays (thats great too as it cuts out reflections….I have even used in the garden in the summer!!), don't come with a CD/DVD drive and I have a couple of external DVD/CD drives, one stays at the office and one at home, for the odd occasion I need to load something.

Overall, it comes with my heartiest recommendation, particularly as you are an existing Mac user. Be aware that 'Mavericks OSX 10.9' is the latest iteration of the OS, depending on where you get it from might have either, there might even be some deals out there!

[purplehaze]

Robin, yes, it appears that the memory is soldered in, and Apple is not very upfront about that fact, so beware all you other MBP shoppers.

Roger, can't thank you enough for pointing me to that site. I have been browsing it for the last hour or so and there is a great deal of useful information for me there, particularly with respect to storage and backup solutions. The author's idea about separating system and data makes sense and I am going to try to implement that practice. As far as RAM goes, he is categorical about not settling for less than 16 GB.

Ian, thanks for sharing your experience; it's encouraging to know it's been positive. I just realized yesterday that the latest MBPs have no internal CD/DVD drive, which prompted another gulp, as I would have to add an external one to the package. I'm still hesitating about the retina display, though. Are there any apps you were previously using that are not useable with retina?

[wooster]

Robin, yes, it appears that the memory is soldered in, and Apple is not very upfront about that fact, so beware all you other MBP shoppers.

That's not a good thing. It is just the latest ones that are affected. I was able to add memory to my 13" MBP without issue a couple of years ago. It would be something to consider when I come to upgrade too. Do you know if this is only true of the retina displays?

I'm not that bothered by the retina screen thing. It's nice to have and I have it on my work MBP but I'm happy with own old screen too.


I have to say this RAM business really stinks though.

[shreds]

They do warn you if you buy online that retrospective upgrading is not possible. I can't say I agree with all Apple policies, but it does avoid system conflicts. (and if you are so inclined, it is possible to do virtually anything….whats a little solder between friends? With a steady hand!!)

I must admit that my Mac stuff has had a longer life than some of the home-brewed stuff that I used to enjoy dabbling in. You can get so embroiled in the upgrade mentality, that you forget that it is a tool, not a destination, that you are using.

Use the Mac for three at five years and then get the latest technology. Simple.

Retina display….I would specify it again undoubtedly. The clarity is so much better and the latest non reflective screens are very useful, even indoors.

Oh and the current iteration of MBPs will do everything that you want to throw at it in terms of Adobe CC or other alternative softwares.

[Colin Southern]

From Apples perspective, it makes sense;

- It's consistent (as in consistent with their iPhones, iPads, iPods, Apple TVs)

- People then have no need to take them apart (risking damaging them and/or positioning themselves for warranty disputes).

- Soldered in is more rugged and reliable (small advantage)

- Apple get to control the quality of the RAM that's fitted (and the price too, unfortunately), and thus protect their reputation for quality (no forums bleating about how they crash when it's actually due to incompatible or faulty RAM).

[Adrian]

We buy a lot of computers for business (we are very technology dependent and need to keep at the forefront). Windows machines and Mac's. We have bought 60 or so in 2013 of various types, so we get to compare a lot of kit. I am not an IT person by the way.

On the Mac side in recent weeks we have bought two max spec iMacs, two 15" retina Mac pros of maxed out spec, one with 500Gb SSD and the other with 1Tb, and one maxed out 13" MBP retina for my team. Mac Air still rules for portability!

The quad core 15" MBP is apparently noticeably superior to the 13" when running video editing software and a bit faster when running Lightroom 5. Retina is immeasurably superior to the standard displays on our Mac Airs. Chalk and cheese. From personal experience Quad core is much faster for the mathematical quant programmes I run but I doubt the average user would see a difference for typical laptop uses.

Quad core mac pro 15" with top spec in £ sterling is pretty much £2,500, which is a lot for a laptop. Macs last well and sell well second hand. But they are still premium priced. To upgrade from 500Gb to 1Tb SSD is £400: silly money really but worth it if you plan several years of usage. SSD is far superior to the old spinning disk hard drives.

Carefully specced PCs will deliver better value for money. For go everywhere machines I tend to buy Mac because in my experience they are as tough as old boots.

[wooster]

I'm a mac fan. I'd always buy them rather than windows and I have done for years, but I don't buy the advantages of keeping RAM to themselves. I've upgraded on all my macs and never had an issue. I've done it at a fraction of the cost Apple RAM would have been. I don't like it when Apple do this sort of thing.

The retina screen certainly is better but TBH if I buy a 13" laptop I'm not going to be doing critical photo editing on the fitted screen and for every other task, including sorting and categorising photos, I can take it or leave it. For important stuff if I'm using the laptop, I attach mine to a NEC screen. I haven't found the screen on my retina MBP to be particularly good for editing either being a bit "gorgeous" looking. That's just me of course and others will work differently.

My current macs won't need upgrading for another couple of years so maybe they'll come to their senses before then

[Colin Southern]

I don't buy the advantages of keeping RAM to themselves. I've upgraded on all my macs and never had an issue.

Ah - you're looking at it from your point of view, not there's.

If they sell 10,000,000 laptops - and 20% upgrade - and 2% of those have issues, then that's 40,000 warranty claims and grizzles in forums that they have to put resources into servicing, with no compensation for.

Plus they like to make the extra money!

[wooster]

Agreed with all of that, Colin. But I lose out. I'm also hoping there will be lots more grizzles in forums about this strategy which might make them change their strategy.

Apple are one of these companies that I have to love and loathe in equal measure sometimes.

[Colin Southern]

Agreed with all of that, Colin. But I lose out. I'm also hoping there will be lots more grizzles in forums about this strategy which might make them change their strategy.

Apple are one of these companies that I have to love and loathe in equal measure sometimes.

I just buy the biggest memory models they make - and then sleep easy

To be honest, I don't think they'll ever change -- the model works too well for them.

[wooster]

I'm not planning to buy again for a couple of years so maybe they'll have reverted to their previous policy on RAM. I couldn't contemplate going back to windows so unless things change radically in the intervening period, they'll doubtless get my money again

[Boondoggle]

Soldered in RAM is the way it is going to be. It allows for less manufacturing complexity and improved reliability, but I suspect it is the increasingly thin form factors that make it most beneficial.

RAM isn't the investment it used to be, even with the Apple markup. Doubling the stock 8gb in a 15" MacBook Pro to 16Gb is $200. By the time you need more than that you will have already upgraded to a new system.

If you're planning to do a lot of editing away from home, get the 15". If not, get the 13", it is much nicer to carry around.

I strongly recommend the retina display in both cases. I also recommend SSD. You can add a slim external drive if you need more space. It is a good thing to have for backups in any case.

I've got the first version of the 15" retina with 16 gb of ram and a 250 gb SSD, and it handles all of the apps you mentioned with ease.

[Colin Southern]

For those "feeling the pain" of RAM costs, I remember from 8MB (not GB) cost $850 + tax!

[purplehaze]

Sorry for not replying sooner. I got distracted cleaning up my hard drive, and then when I'd made some room, I downloaded the CC Photoshop/Lightroom package on a whim and have been totally absorbed since then playing with Lightroom. (To date, I've been using Aperture and the Nik collection to do all my processing.) I am quite liking Lightroom, but still like Aperture and now I have a new problem: how to organize my images to make use of them both. But that will be a subject for a separate thread I suppose.

Very grateful to have had your input and I think I will go for the 15" retina and 16 MBs; not sure about which internal drive size, as I am probably going to have to get an external Thunderbolt drive in any case. I think the USB drive I bought last year may be too slow for working purposes, but we'll see. Seems the tax refund I got last week was very timely...

[Adrian]

I think there is no chance of any high end laptop manufacturer going back to interchangeable RAM. The trend with laptops is thin and light, with long battery life and low heat generation. To get the thin form factor, soldered in components is the way to go. We have just bought 10 Fujitsu windows laptops with similar form factor to the Mac Air. RAM is soldered in and batteries are no longer interchangeable. RAM is getting pretty cheap and buying third party RAM and fitting it into spare sockets later does not make sense commercially I suspect.