MacBook Pro - what can they be used for?

[ohmyohmy123]

My ds12 has asked for a MacBook Pro - he's been saving his money for it and would be buying second hand (2017 version).

He's asking what he can use it for apart from homework?

I'm useless with technology so can anyone help?

I'd usually expect someone asking for a MacBook Pro to know why they want it - huge video files and editing, making music with other equipment, website design, graphic design, Mac only/ relevant software. Even then a lot of laptops would be suitable. It's really designed for professionals.

It really is completely uneccessary for homework, web browsing and streaming.

Would a MacBook Air be cheaper if all he wants is a pretty Mac?

Or just a decent laptop?

Why does he want a MacBook Pro if he’s not sure exactly why he wants it.

Buying a 4-year-old laptop - even if it’s a Mac, which do outlast other laptops - is paying a premium for an older machine. Fine if, as PP says, you’re an aspiring music video producer or graphic designer. But if it’s just for homework, streaming and general use, get a decent new laptop instead.

I wouldn't buy a 4 year old MacBook even if I did know what I wanted one for.

I wouldn’t buy a 4 year old Mac.

I work in graphics and we tend to replace them every 2 years as after that they begin to lose functionality with updates.

Mine is used for design tasks using the Adobe software package - Indesign, Illustrator and photoshop but these are not cheap to buy either.

I think yiu need to find out why he wants the pro. Especially an almost 5 year old one.

We spent hours in apple the other day. The staff were very much of the opinion that the pro definitely wasnt needed by the majority of people.

They said if you do alot of video, music photography editing and creation, you don't need it. But even then, you may not.

We went for the air. It more than meets dds needs

Historically, MacBook Pros have been an equivalent consumer product to the MacBook and the Air. I’ve had MacBook Pros for over ten years with only pretty basic needs, but if I were replacing my laptop now, I’d replace it with an Air, which is much more powerful than previous models. And if he does need the extra power of the Pro, then a four year old model won’t help him. My husband’s work laptop is base model 2017 MacBook Pro and it’s a bad computer, far slower and than our other older but higher spec Pros. He can’t wait to get rid of it.

Thanks everyone. We got the offer for a reasonable priced one from a family friend hence why we were considering it. I've discussed with my ds and he only wants it for basic things so it wouldn't be the right thing. He eventually wants a gaming pc but we are way off affording one of them yet 😂