What is the best laptop for writing?

Discussion in 'Writing Software and Hardware' started by U.G. Ridley, Aug 27, 2016.

  1. Sack-a-Doo!

    Sack-a-Doo! Contributor Contributor

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    That was, if memory serves, the last year they made an upgradable-after-the-fact version of the Mini. It was certainly around that time.

    These days, you have to do some fairly destructive things just to get the current models open if you want to put in a larger hard drive or whatever.

    You're lucky in that you got one of those that can be maintained by either you or the service person of your choice.
     
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  2. jannert

    jannert Retired Mod Supporter Contributor

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    Oh, I haven't upgraded the machine, just the operating system. Yeah, if you need to upgrade the machine, you're out of luck. However, there are ways around it. Like working with an external hard drive, etc. However, you're in territory where I don't go! I just write and do regular stuff on my machine, and always order the machine with the lowest specs because I don't need any more for what I do. I have got TONS of free memory, and will never get around to using it all!

    My husband is happily playing games on his iMac at the moment, and his machine hasn't been upgraded either ...only the operating system.

    If Mac ever gets to the stage where I feel I'm being ripped off, I will quit using them. However, that hasn't happened yet, although I see trends that worry me a bit. My biggest worry is that they'll get so focused on phones, watches, and remote control of your home freezer that they'll stop developing what we know of as computers. When the day comes that I have to yak into a phone in order to dictate a book I'm writing, I will quit. Back to chopping wood and mucking out the horse barn.
     
  3. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Another vote for Mac. I have several MBPs, a Mini, and an iMac.

    Why several MBP's? One is my hubby's (2012), one is my newer one (2012), and one is my old late 2008 model that just refuses to die. :) The Mini (2011) is my desktop and the iMac (2012) is William's desktop.

    A word on the myth of the "untouchable innards of a Mac": Bullshit. I upgraded the memory on both my MBPs and also the hard-drive on the newer of my MBPs to a 1 tb platter drive. I'm soon to receive a 2 tb SSD for that one and this thingamadoodled called a data-doubler that allows you to remove the disc drive (because the disc is dead, baby) and install a second internal hard-drive. In the end, that MBP will have 16 gb of memory (came with 4) and 3 tb of storage (came with 512 gb). All the laptops have new batteries that I installed.

    I upgraded my Mini to similar specs and we upgraded William's iMac to a 16 gb of memory and a 1 tb hard-drive. His MBP will be next in line to get the treatment that my newer MBP will soon be getting.

    Sealed, schmealed.

    ETA: Save for the newest Mini that Apple just issued. Yes, they did a bad, bad thing and soldered the hardware of that machine and Mac fans are not impressed by this move. Everywhere in the Maciverse we have made our displeasure known to the powers that be.
     
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  4. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Not to be pedantic, but just to avoid confusion, installing the latest OS is not typically referred to as "upgrading". That term is usually reserved for changes of hardware.
     
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  5. Francis de Aguilar

    Francis de Aguilar Contributor Contributor

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    The best Mac you can afford.
     
  6. jannert

    jannert Retired Mod Supporter Contributor

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    Do I mean 'update?' I do, I do....
     
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  7. Steerpike

    Steerpike Felis amatus Contributor

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    Double post.
     
  8. Sack-a-Doo!

    Sack-a-Doo! Contributor Contributor

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    Please get your facts straight before calling 'bullshit.' As you said earlier in your post, you're talking about 2012 model MBPs and they are upgradeable.

    I was talking about Macs built later. The Mini you talk about is a 2011 model and was built before Apple changed the case design to keep people from upgrading them as were the 2012 model MBPs.

    I didn't bother to find out which year they switched over, but last summer when I was shopping for a new laptop, every non-desktop Apple product I looked at was non-upgradable.
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2016
  9. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

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    I did get my facts straight. This is why I mentioned the year models on all mine. But regardless, to date, all the MBPs are still DIY upgradable, including the new ones. You can get 1 tb SSD drives from macsales.com for the very newest MBPs and do a DYI upgrade. What you may have heard about the newer MBPs is that they no longer use a 2.5 inch drive format, which is true. But again, there most certainly are upgrade drives available for these machines that are simply of a different format. Follow the link I gave and you'll see them (the link goes directly to the new models; you won't have to search). It doesn't surprise me in the least if un-fans of Mac took that drive format change as a chance to revive the myth and gave you that information in a disingenuous lean.

    I did also mention the newest issue of the Mini (which is not an MBP) which has pissed off Mac-fans, but please note the following:

    Memory - Important to note, that by "un-upgradeable, I mean DIY. You CAN upgrade the Mini's memory if you take them to a better computer repair shop. No, Apple will not do it for you at the Genius Bar. Do your town a solid and find a Mom & Pop place. The sight I linked has the correct memory upgrades for the newest Mini.

    Drives - The sight I linked to has a "coming soon" listing for drive upgrades for the newest Minis. This doesn't surprise. The Mini has a hidden second drive port already built in that is made use of when you order it with two drives. They all have this drive slot regardless of whether you actually get it with single or dual drives for simple reason if it being much more economical to make use of only one internal scaffolding for any given machine and just leave areas unused if it's a more basic model.

    The longevity of Macs compared to other machines is a prime selling feature for me, so these are things I try my best to keep abreast of. They live long lives just as they are, out of the box, and can live astonishingly long with a little bit of chutspah on the part of their owners. :)

    ETA:

     
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  10. Francis de Aguilar

    Francis de Aguilar Contributor Contributor

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    This is not strictly true. The RAM on later MBP's is soldered on, so what you get when you buy it is what you are stuck with.
     
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  11. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Hmm.... A quick search tells me this may in fact be true, for the Retina Display models. These are the models sans optical drive. The models with optical drive, to date, are still upgradable. Regardless, I stand tentatively corrected as to memory (but not hard-drives) for the Retina Display machines. ;)
     
  12. Steerpike

    Steerpike Felis amatus Contributor

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    I'm likely getting a 2013 macbook pro. I'm pretty sure you can make hardware upgrades on that. Right now I'm playing with my new macbook air, which turns out to be very nice (I haven't had a Mac for decades; mostly Linux and Windows).
     
  13. Lyrical

    Lyrical Frumious Bandersnatch

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    Don't get anything yet - wait just a little bit. Apple is expected to announce their new Macbook Pro at their September 6th product event, or if not then, in October.

    I'll be honest, I didn't read all the replies so I apologize if this was already said - if you go with Apple, get one of their newer models that has a Solid State Drive. Your laptop will last a lot longer with an SSD, because the drive isn't actually spinning inside, so things like movement that disrupt the moveable drives wont shorten the life of your laptop. I've got a 2012 Macbook Pro, and it's starting to slow down. Whenever I decide to upgrade to a newer model, it'll be one with Retina and an SSD.
     
  14. big soft moose

    big soft moose An Admoostrator Admin Staff Supporter Contributor Community Volunteer

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    I bought a reconditioned user lenovo thinkpad for a couple of hundred quid so i could have a second machine purely for writing (so that i dont get tempted to waste time on the internet or games when i'm writing) - its not the most highly specced thing ever (I5 Ivybridge , 4GB ram , 250Gn hhd) but tbh you don't need high spec to run word or scriv, and i don't need anything more
     
  15. U.G. Ridley

    U.G. Ridley I'm a wizard, Hagrid

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    Yea, I know. If they make a 2016 model of the pro then that's what I'm going to get:)
     
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  16. Cave Troll

    Cave Troll It's Coffee O'clock everywhere. Contributor

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    I feel this is a trick question.

    But one with an indestructible keyboard. :superlaugh:
     
  17. Sack-a-Doo!

    Sack-a-Doo! Contributor Contributor

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    Ah! Okay, I take it all back. I must have read that thing about the Mini and assumed it applied across the board on all Apple products. My apologies.

    Of course, I still don't think much of the MacPro keyboards. Chiclets... <shudder> :)
     
  18. big soft moose

    big soft moose An Admoostrator Admin Staff Supporter Contributor Community Volunteer

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    plug in keyboards are your friend, use and destroy
     
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  19. Cave Troll

    Cave Troll It's Coffee O'clock everywhere. Contributor

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    @big soft moose I need the stupid conversion adapter for a USB. My laptop is missing the 'S' key, and has made pressing it now somewhat of an acquired skill (when it feels like acting as it is intended). :p
     
  20. big soft moose

    big soft moose An Admoostrator Admin Staff Supporter Contributor Community Volunteer

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    you know you can get replacement keys for just about any laptop known to man , on ebay, right ? - hell you can get a whole new keyboard for about a tenner (and fitting it yourself isnt difficult)
     
  21. Steerpike

    Steerpike Felis amatus Contributor

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    This does look kinda cool...

     
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  22. Spencer1990

    Spencer1990 Contributor Contributor

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    That thing looks incredible. I'm off to do some research. My wallet may come to hate you, @Steerpike :geek:
     
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  23. PGWhyte

    PGWhyte Member

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    Wow, that Lenovo Yoga looks amazeballs.
    Im currently using a Advent Monza N1 in red but its slowing down, crashing and i cant even factory reset as its stuck in windows 10.
    I've been keep tabs on a Macbook Air for £749 but the some Macbook pros are upto £200 off in a local shop and not sure of ita worth getting instead. I'd use it mainly for writing, occasional browsing and music.

    Is the pro worth it?
     
  24. Steerpike

    Steerpike Felis amatus Contributor

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    I'd look into the music software you want to use and see what people say. For writing and browsing, the Air is great - fast and good battery life. The Pro has better speakers and will therefore also have better sound.
     
  25. PGWhyte

    PGWhyte Member

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    Does the Air have a socket for external speaks? I use spotify for my music, i know apple have an app for it.
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2016

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