MacBook Pro desktop replacement

[gmaglet]

Hi Guys,

I’m considering getting a 2017 13in MacBook Pro and using it as my main home PC. Due to budget constraints I don’t want to cough up more for the 15inch.

Have any of you used this as your main PC at home? I’ll be linking my home server up to it and will merely use it for browsing and basic MS office tasks?

Lastly, would a 13inch MacBook last me, say, 5 Years?

Thanks in advance!

 

[bwana]

Of course you can but ask yourself if portability is really that important. If not, why not get a mini? They're half the price of the cheapest MacBook Pro.

All of my home computers are Macbook Pros and Airs, many of which are more than five years old so longevity shouldn't be a problem.

 

[HeftyCrab]

Hi Guys,

I’m considering getting a 2017 13in MacBook Pro and using it as my main home PC. Due to budget constraints I don’t want to cough up more for the 15inch.

Have any of you used this as your main PC at home? I’ll be linking my home server up to it and will merely use it for browsing and basic MS office tasks?

Lastly, would a 13inch MacBook last me, say, 5 Years?

Thanks in advance!

Just get an external hdmi screen and you shouldnt have a problem. (Unless you dont have the ports. Not an apple fan so not sure about that)

Not sure about the specs, but the 13 inch probably has an
i5 processor? For just browsing the internet thats overkill, but yes it should last you 5 years.

Im still using a 9 year old core2duo HP laptop to stream movies on my tv/browse the net.

 

[koffiejunkie]

I've used my 2011 MBP 15" as my main computer for six years. I only moved on because the logic board failed after the free replacement program ended (my particular one had a design flaw). It served me well, and it is still more than powerful enough to cope with everything I do.

Since I bought it, Apple killed off Aperture, so I'm not tied to the Mac platform anymore. I've moved to Adobe applications for photography and video, so I moved those over to a PC that's powerful enough. The other reason is that video is now all in 4K, which my 2011 MBP couldn't do. I have an older MBA 11" which serve as my Aperture machine, but it's nowhere near as powerful as the MBP, so I may still have it fixed for that purpose only.

 

[gmaglet]

Great thanks for the response guys! Seems the MBP will definitely suit my needs.

@koffiejunkie, what PC did you end up settling on? Do you think a Dell XPS13 would have the same longevity as a MBP?

 

[genetic]

I got rid of my beloved 8 core Xeon Mac Pro a few weeks back - replaced it with a PC.

Managed to build a top-tier 6 Core beast, capable of 4K video editing for only R35,000. To get the same specs on a new Mac would have set me back close to R80k with the new iMac Pro.

My Cinebench scores hit that of the 8 core iMac pro (1680 multi-threaded), and even beats it in single core performance (201).

 

[bwana]

I got rid of my beloved 8 core Xeon Mac Pro a few weeks back - replaced it with a PC.

Managed to build a top-tier 6 Core beast, capable of 4K video editing for only R35,000. To get the same specs on a new Mac would have set me back close to R80k with the new iMac Pro.

My Cinebench scores hit that of the 8 core iMac pro (1680 multi-threaded), and even beats it in single core performance (201).

Ok, but what has all that got to do with replacing a desktop with a laptop for relatively light use?

 

[unskinnybob]

Agree with Bwana - the Mac Mini's are fantastic little machines albeit begging for a refresh. I used on as my primary home desktop connected to a TV.

If you do go for a Macbook, also consider the (aged) Macbook Air - they're selling at great prices.

 

[bigboy529]

I have a late 2013 iMac which was my main home and work machine for a couple of years.
Then last year around July I got myself a MBP, a 2015 one, the 15 inch with 16 GB RAM, i7 and 256 GB storage.
Since getting the MBP it has become my main machine basically replacing my iMac, a week or 2 go bye where I don't even switch on my iMac, I actually want to sell it and get a Mac Mini as a storage and media server connected to my TV.

A MBP might be a bit overkill for your use, maybe also consider less expensive options like a 12 inch MacBook or a MacBook Air, they are surprisingly powerful, just get enough storage space.

Almost any modern MacBook will last you 5 years and longer as long as it has a SSD, I plan to use my 2015 MBP for at least 3 or 4 more years before replacing it.

Also look at second hand / demo, there are a few dealers on Carbonite specializing in Apple machines, you can get a mint MBP or other MacBook at a very good price, that's how I bought my MBP. Also don't be scared to look at a bit older, a 2016 MBP even a 2015 will suit your needs and still last you a good 5 years, no need to buy brand new. I see it the same as buying cars, you can save a lot by buying demo or excellent condition second hand.

 

[Cassady]

I would be careful going 2nd-hand, grey import/reseller on any of the 2016/2017 MBP's... Those keyboard issues look to be quite widespread, and Core et al will not be cheap if you need to go for the full replacement (which by all accounts, you are bound to). Just a thought...

 

[bigboy529]

I would be careful going 2nd-hand, grey import/reseller on any of the 2016/2017 MBP's... Those keyboard issues look to be quite widespread, and Core et al will not be cheap if you need to go for the full replacement (which by all accounts, you are bound to). Just a thought...

Unlike iPhone's and iPad's, MacBook warranties are covered world wide, so whether you buy a MacBook in Australia or over here, as long as it has a serial number it will be covered.

 

[Barbarian Conan]

CPUs are becoming less important, so as long as it has enough RAM and a large enough SSD, there is no reason it shouldn't last 5+ years.
How is the upgradability of the MBPs? Can you easily add more RAM when you need more?

 

[airborne]

Unlike iPhone's and iPad's, MacBook warranties are covered world wide, so whether you buy a MacBook in Australia or over here, as long as it has a serial number it will be covered.

Are you 100% sure about that because the local Apple agents Core are the stickiest most inflexible idiots known to man.

Also by using that technique the warranty defaults to the manufactured date not the purchase date, unless I'm assuming it has an extended warranty like apple care that has the purchase date previously captured online.

CPUs are becoming less important, so as long as it has enough RAM and a large enough SSD, there is no reason it shouldn't last 5+ years.
How is the upgradability of the MBPs? Can you easily add more RAM when you need more?

Apple in their infinite wisdom now makes nothing upgradeable, zip, not ram and not hdd space.

 

[bwana]

Are you 100% sure about that because the local Apple agents Core are the stickiest most inflexible idiots known to man.

Also by using that technique the warranty defaults to the manufactured date not the purchase date, unless I'm assuming it has an extended warranty like apple care that has the purchase date previously captured online. Apple in their infinite wisdom now makes nothing upgradeable, zip, not ram and not hdd space.

Never had any problems with core and repairs both in and out of the AppleCare coverage period.

The purchased date is linked to the machine.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Just make sure you buy the Retina if not going 15-inch and it will be just fine and last you a great many years.

An external monitor is an option but even then you'll probably find yourself gravitating towards the Retina more.

Buy as high spec as you can now so it last you longer.

 

[bigboy529]

Are you 100% sure about that because the local Apple agents Core are the stickiest most inflexible idiots known to man.

Also by using that technique the warranty defaults to the manufactured date not the purchase date, unless I'm assuming it has an extended warranty like apple care that has the purchase date previously captured online. Apple in their infinite wisdom now makes nothing upgradeable, zip, not ram and not hdd space.

From Apple's side outside of SA I'm 100% sure of this, you can take a MacBook purchased in SA to any official Apple store oversees and you'll get support, where it takes some getting support from that same store on a SA purchased iPhone or iPad, I guess it's because of the cellular bit.
From the Core side I'm not sure, from what I've heard they are terrible with service and very expensive, personally I never had bad service from them but also never needed any after sales support or repairs so can't say.