Q: Why does my brand new MBP Retina come with only 100gb as opposed to 120gb as stated. (It says 20gb has already been used but I just bought the laptop) is 100gb enough space. I'm not a gamer or anything. Just need the computer for college
Why does my brand new MBP Retina come with only 100gb as opposed to 120gb as stated. (It says 20gb has already been used but I just bought the laptop) is 100gb enough space. I'm not a gamer or anything. Just need the computer for college
MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1)
Posted on Dec 8, 2015 12:34 AM
You could also consider an externally enclosed storage drive and use a method of
off-computer archive or storing of your files, so the limited internal capacity of the
computer is not compromised; also choose a backup external device or medium
for system backups and Time Machine archives. These should be separate devices.
Given the cost of built-in SSD or other modern storage in computers and in Macs,
the cost of buying the larger storage option may not be in a student budget with
the model you have chosen. An older style (design 2012) non-retina MacBook/Pro
13-inch as sometimes seen in the Apple Store online refurbished section, is a low
cost option and it has a 500GB rotational hard drive; also it may see a user upgrade
in the memory chip capacity. If you don't need the lighter quicker one and storage
is a priority, the old style also has an optical drive. Quaint, but it's there.
However if you use an external storage drive or two, or three; and learn how to make
backup full system clones on a separate boot-capable hard drive or SSD unit, that
would likely suffice. There also are ways to move the libraries of iTunes music and
others so they do not live on the computer. But their archive in external drive must be
available to the computer for them to access it; likely a problem for a portable Mac.
You do have choices, but the limit of internal capacities for storage and system are
not that great. Be careful if you have to create or store large file sizes, and because
internal stored items may eventually be compromised should the device or drive fail
backups are your best bet. Also, a second computer that you could use, is an idea.
To have spares can be helpful. (and ones that don't look worth stealing can be good)
an older MacBook that runs Snow Leopard 10.6.8 can be ideal, and a bargain.
In any event...
Good luck & happy computing!
Posted on Dec 8, 2015 1:05 PM
