I need help choosing a Macbook!

Hi! I think you need a MacBook Pro with as much RAM as possible, SSD and at least i5 processor inside.

Do not gert one. I purchased a MacBook Pro, cannot get assistance with the issues with it. The support appears to only be consisted of other uses make answering the issues you have and most of what I receive is useless.

SSD is solid state drive. They're faster and than hard drives used in older Macs.

As to the minimum amount of RAM, that's probably 8GB.

You are welcome. How about this one?

http://www.everymac.com/systems/by_capability/mac-specs-by-machine-model-machine -id.html

What kind of issues have you found problematic in use of your MacBook/Pro?

Did you start an inquiry of your own, or only add comment to an existing thread?

To reply to original question:

I'd recommend a MacBook Pro 13-inch Mid 2012, or the one similar to the latest

model without Retina display, but with upgradable RAM, and an optical drive...

Or maybe the harder to get 15-inch version, but it's been out of production awhile.

Sometimes they're available as Apple refurbished or clearance; other sites may

have restored previously owned models. Lower cost repaired models may have

been used by schools or business; companies such as wegenermedia, power

bookmedic, macsales, and others have used portable Apple computers for sale.

But not a specific inventory, as they do have turnover of stock.

These can use up to 16GB of RAM and you can install it (and drive options) by

yourself, if good at details and understanding instructions; such as available in

iFixit.com repair guides, and upgrade videos from OWC macsales.com on how

to install hardware they also may provide. However much information is for free

and questions have to be detailed enough and in the right place and time for

anyone in these peer-group supported user-to-user discussion forums. We are

not Apple, however to varying degrees of helpfulness, on occasion you can get

some help here. Or at minimum references to other places and Support articles

where information in detail can be read. If not understood, some helpful persons

may be able to address those areas better than others.

So this is to address two concerns: the first question and this other reply.

In any event...

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

Both MacBook models you've included information about are somewhat similar, and if they

include install DVD OS X software, that is not indicated, nor is the version OS X each runs.

A newer build model, such as the still available as new (and certified refurbished at Apple)

is a good choice, especially from Apple refurbished site at Apple Store online, since they

are as-new. The model that does not have a retina display, but has optical drive, allows

the user to upgrade the RAM and also these are not difficult (comparatively) to upgrade

the storage drive from HDD to SSD. I'd avoid removing the optical drive, though a kit is

offered by third party vendors, to allow installation of a second SSD or HDD instead.

OWC macsales is one of the mac-centric reputable suppliers of replacement hardware

that offers upgrade quality RAM, replacement HDD and SSD options, and other stuff.

The following is a direct link to Apple Store's refurbished certified base model MB/Pro:

• Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro 2.5GHz Dual-core Intel i5

this could run several versions of photoshop or other image editing software; and it

may ship with an OS X older than Yosemite, as official refurbished, it could; you'd

still have the option to upgrade (get all-new system) to Yosemite. The computer is

equipped with a complete operating system, and if the original build model you buy

included a system prior to Yosemite (Mavericks, 10.9, Mt. Lion 10.8) that would be

an indication of when it was sold in retail, when these older OS X are present may

be informational and some users prefer to have an older OS X than Yosemite. This

may be due to already owning applications that won't run directly on 10.10.x but one

could inquire of those software makers about buying an upgrade or new version for

use in the later OS X system. This model can be upgraded to 16GB RAM, and the

hard drive replaced by an SSD, there is no 'custom order' from Apple on refurbished.

For a specified amount of money, the deal with Apple (official certified refurbished) is the

quality is a known factor, you get a complementary support and longer service warranty;

the unit qualifies for optional purchase and enrollment in AppleCare protection plan, that

covers service and support for a combined total of up to 3 years from date of purchase &

it is transferable to a second owner, if one chose to sell the unit before AppleCare expires.

Other choices to contact about obtaining repaired and guaranteed MacBook/Pro & other

computers include Apple authorized service providers, resellers, and other independents

whose business can include sale, service, repair, training & consulting. Specialists may

be able to help with older computers that may be no longer helped much at Apple Stores.

Companies that offer good used Macs, repaired and guaranteed, may be a good source

if you do some checking up on their reputation. Some do work for other businesses so

you may not find all that much about the real computer repair people who work elsewhere.

Wegenermedia, macsales.com, and others can provide a good product and back it up.

The former does repairs & has parts for many kinds on Mac computers as their business;

the later has some older & newer used models along with a variety of new parts they tested.

OWC macsales is one of a few preferred source of upgrade parts for mac users.

Both the computer models you show have an older graphic chipset, and all of this series

would use some of the standard RAM installed to help the graphic processor function.

The most recent upper model MacBook/Pro versions have Retina displays, and no optical

drive, and faster chipsets, options include SSD or fusion drive, see Apple Store/new. You

may find these to be better suited, with larger processors than base MacBook/Pro; and

different specs than MacBook/Air. Note display and graphics. All these newer models do

not allow you to upgrade RAM. There are limits to user upgrade; you buy a level you need.

Anyway, I've gone on. Depending on the vintage of the software you choose to run, and

the OS X version installed in the computer, you may (or not) be able to run recent PhotoShop

and other software. The files get larger as edits are saved in layers, so each may create a

new large need for extra storage capacity. A 500 GB HDD is fairly small for image or video

and for faster file transfer speed, an SSD or even a 7200-RPM rotation drive would be good.

External storage should be fast enough to move files to/from the hosting computer.

Are you hoping to run the latest OS X and most recent image editing software? An older

Mac from ebay or amazon may need to be upgraded before the OS X and apps could run

well enough to be of use; or to give the idea and the computer an even break, if older and

if the unit requires more resources (new HDD, etc; more RAM) for it to run well.

So, hopefully you can find a product model best suited for your kind of expectation; and

if the choice is in great condition, or as-new, it may be a fair deal looking forward.

PS: an old computer that is pre-dates Yosemite 10.10, but has it included, may need

to be reset to allow you to have access via an Apple ID and your own user account...

Since Yosemite is a download, the previous OS X may not be included in a used Mac.

Once the hard drive is totally erased or replaced, the original Recovery may be gone.

Good luck in this matter...! 🙂