Linckinn Loc: Okatie, SC and Edgartown, MA

Rumor has it that Apple will announce the first major overhaul of its McBook Pro line on this Thursday. Should be good. If in fact the changes look good, I will replace my 4 year old 15" even though it seems as good as the day I bought it.

I used to run a desktop monitor with my laptop, but gave it up 7 years ago. The Mac 15 inch works fine, and I can go to full screen and zoom in when necessary. I also would live the lighter weight of the 13", but don't think I dare give up the space. We'll see the specs on Thursday if the rumor is correct.

JennT Loc: South Central PA

I use a 27 inch mac-- and carry an iPad when i travel for email and Kindle never for photography. The large mac is a joy to use for editing photographs---

NOW_- I have not upgraded to Sierra-- and hope to never---as I have learned that the photo editing apps I like will either need to be re installed or upgraded ($$$)

If inclined, you might look around for a new last years model mac that is still running ElCapitan--- Just a thought...

Gregorian Loc: Georgetown, Ky

Kerelowe, I needed to upgrade my PC and after hearing testimonials from the UHH group about how Mac's were great for photo editing I purchased a 13" MacBook Pro late 2013 from Best Buy when they were upgrading models and got it for $1199 in the fall of 2014. It has a 2.4GHz Intel Core I5 processor, 256 flash drive 8gb memory. I run PS CS6, LR5, ON1, and Aurora HDR 2017 and all the NIK plug-in's and rarely every see the little processing wheel. I process some video from my DJI drone and edit using iMovie and that works well also, but rendering takes some time. I wasn't sure I would like the MacBook, so I purchased low $ model. Would never go back to PC! I connect to a 27" ASUS monitor when I am at home and use a 7 port USB 3.0 Hub to connect my 2 printers, Scanner, Wacom Tablet, and 2 portable drives for backup purposed and have a AirPort 2gb that backs up my MacBook daily. I also calibrated MacBook and 27" Asus monitor with Datacolor 5 and everything looks same on both monitors. I like the 13" for light weight and portability. The I7 processor and 16gb model would probably render videos faster, but at a cost of nearly $2500. Currently happy with performance with this model and no plans to upgrade as long as it continues to work as well as it does. I have also upgraded to mac OS Sierra. Upgrade went well and operates great on new OS.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Hold off on your decision until after Oct 28th. Apple is expected to announce upgrades to a slew of hardware.

karelowe Loc: Boise, Idaho, & Mesa, AZ

Continued thanks to all that have responded. My knowledge has increased because of you. I am now really anxious for Thursday's announcement. I am quite sure I will migrate to a single laptop computer, but maybe still wavering some on the 13 vs the 15 inch models.....Thanks again.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Unless the new 13" models come with quad core processors, I'd get a 15" version that does.

And here's the rumor on the new MBP's

http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/macbook-pro/

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

I am Mac all the way.

Mark Bski Loc: A sleepy little island not far from Seattle

I use a Mac Mini for developing and the family BIG screen for a monitor. I no longer even think about using my MacBook Pro for processing. It's not the computer, it's the monitor.

Use a big monitor.

karelowe Loc: Boise, Idaho, & Mesa, AZ

Curious to know what a USB-c is? I'm not sure what the extra letter is after the USB or what it means to me.....

lsimpkins Loc: SE Pennsylvania

USB-c is a new connector, similar to micro-USB for connecting data and power. Unlike micro-USB it is symmetrical, so you can insert the plug either way. It is also an industry standard, as opposed to some Apple-specific connections. Lots of new smart phones are using them in addition to new laptops.

karelowe Loc: Boise, Idaho, & Mesa, AZ

So will my USB drives still fit and be useable, or is this just one for power or something? Thank you.

lsimpkins Loc: SE Pennsylvania

You will probably need an adapter or new cable. USB-c enables thinner laptop cases than the old original USB ports. For our recent travel I needed to buy a micro-USB to USB-c adapter so my wife's latest phone could use the same charger as mine. Adapters and cables are slowly starting to appear in stores like Best Buy and seem to be readily available on line.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

You can buy external DVD or Blueray recorders from OWC or other vendors. Buy USB3 versions,notUSB2.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Get the fastest, meanest MacBook Pro you can muster. But wait until this Thursday or later. New ones are on the way!

I used a 2008 MacBook Pro, 15", with dual video (on board Intel and added nVidia card). It worked fine back then, for four years. I had an external NEC monitor that I could calibrate decently. It processed images in DP2 using Windows, edited video in Final Cut, and handled all I could throw at it with the Mac and Windows software I needed.

The newer Macs fall into distinct categories of MacBook Air, MacBook, and two or three flavors of MacBook Pro. The MacBook Air and MacBook are underpowered, really meant for knowledge workers who travel light. For photography or video, you want the larger MacBook Pro with quad processor, middle or max speed, max RAM and max SSD you can afford. That model will have dual video (on board for extended battery life, added high performance card for speed). Throw in a few external drives and one or two good monitors with a calibration kit, and you're set.

After the new Macs are available, look to www.macsales.com (Other World Computing) for peripherals, docks for your older accessories, etc.

Eya

I was used to working with 3 large monitors at work, so I was hesitant about going down from my large screen MacBookPro to a 12" screen for my personal laptop when I retired, but I love the portability of my "mini" MacBook! With a flash drive it runs much cooler and is only 2.03 lbs... less than half the weight of my old MacBookPro, and even with a full protective hard shell cover it is barely 3/4" thick! Very nice for traveling and it fits in very small carry-ons or a small (and thin) ladies briefcase or purse.

If I need a large screen for graphic design and PhotoShop work I can use my big screen TV for a monitor by going through my Apple TV! I can also view documents, photos, movies, etc. that are on my laptop as well.

The only downside to my new MacBook is that there aren't any USB ports or a CD/DVD player. You have to buy a separate SuperDrive for CDs and DVDs; and a Multi-port Adapter for USB/HDMI/Power that I use for jump drives or external hard drives. So far I haven't needed a SuperDrive.

I send print jobs to my wireless printer from my new MacBook, and also from my iPad and iPhone, which makes cables obsolete.

So my experience in downsizing to a smaller computer has been a positive one.