MBA, rMB or used rMBP

[Alevidalon]

Hello! Im a college student and I absolutely need to buy a computer in august (my mom is traveling to the US to buy me one). I have been saving my money and i have these options: ($900 dollar budget)

A 13 inch macbook air for $856 4gb 128gb
A 12 macbook for $856 (new) 2015 model 8gb 258gb
A 13 retina macbook pro for $914 (used) 2015 model 8gb 258gb

I need a computer that lasts me 3-5 years. My mainly use will be excel(medium to heavy sheets) microsoft, net browsing and very light photoshop.
Im a little afraid about the lighness of the rMB (its easier to break it) so i still have the MBA as an option. Also im not so shure about buying a used computer...
I know that there could be a new rMBP later this fall but im afraid I cant wait more time.

Which one do you think i should go for? Thanks!!

 

[thats all folks]

3 machines of similar scope and capability, all reasonable to your needs. 8/256 is certainly better than 4/128. the 2015 Mac Book was a bit of a dog. my personal preference is an Air but what I would recommend would put it out of your price range. rMBP seems like the best choice.

a lousy time to buy as Apple has been playing the waiting game on updating their machines or laying out a technology road map. most likely whatever comes out this year is still a transitional step, at least in terms of a the wider ecosystem (connectors/standards/networking/power/performance) and we wont see a stable and complete bigger picture or full insight as to the direction Apple is heading until well into 2017.

you don't mention where you are (and it would really be helpful knowing that on questions about purchases) but is there no easy way to buy slightly used closer to home? you are looking at 2015 machines, which aren't much improved over 2013 machines. if you can't spend more now might be better to spend less and start saving for the 3 year replacement.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

You might want to go for the rMBP , it'll have better longevity it has a great screen and more ports, look for deals on new ones in b&h photo and the like just before you go to the US.

 

[maflynn]

I'd opt for the rMBP, and consider either an education discount (and buying it new), or the refurbs at the apple.com store, where you may find a decent deal as well.

 

[Simche]

I'd also go for the rMP. If "light" Photoshoping wasn't required, I'd recommend you to get the new rMB instead

 

[shaunp]

Hello! Im a college student and I absolutely need to buy a computer in august (my mom is traveling to the US to buy me one). I have been saving my money and i have these options: ($900 dollar budget)

A 13 inch macbook air for $856 4gb 128gb
A 12 macbook for $856 (new) 2015 model 8gb 258gb
A 13 retina macbook pro for $914 (used) 2015 model 8gb 258gb

I need a computer that lasts me 3-5 years. My mainly use will be excel(medium to heavy sheets) microsoft, net browsing and very light photoshop.
Im a little afraid about the lighness of the rMB (its easier to break it) so i still have the MBA as an option. Also im not so shure about buying a used computer...
I know that there could be a new rMBP later this fall but im afraid I cant wait more time.

Which one do you think i should go for? Thanks!!

I would advise you to go use them in an Apple Store if you can and see how each of them feels and looks. The MBA has an okay screen, but the MB and MBP both have better screens. However, the MB has a very shallow keyboard - you may or may not like this. I wouldn't get any machine with only 4GB RAM though. MacOS is fairly good on RAM compared to Windows but 4GB is just too tight once you have the OS loaded and a couple of apps - browser and Word.