New 13" Macbook Pro be enough for my needs?

[saxyd3]

Will the new base model 13" Macbook pro capable of meeting my needs or should I spend few hundred dollars more?
or should I just get a Macbook air?

2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz
8GB 1600MHz memory
Intel Iris Graphics

Needs: programming, graphic, video, music, and 3D.

Thanks.

 

[Deus Gladiorum]

Zero gaming, graphic and video editing. 3D meaning software like AutoDesk Maya, CAD, ect.
One requirement I forgot is programming in Objective-C.

Damn, so basically Mac OS X is a necessity for you? Bleh. Alright, well programming, video editing, video playback, audio production, and audio playback are basically all determined by the quality of the processor, with varying levels of GPU acceleration depending upon the task. Luckily, even the cheapest MacBook Pro offers a pretty decent CPU so for the most part you'll have a smooth time with general desktop management, video playback, and listening to music, as well as pretty good wait times when compiling and rendering videos for editing.

However, things like CAD and AutoDesk Maya are heavily dependent on the quality of your graphics processor, and Macs typically don't give you a good quality GPU until you start going up the price scale. The lowest end MacBook Pro gives you an Intel HD 4000, which is crap. That translates to very long wait times when doing 3D rendering. That's why I recommended you get the Lenovo laptop due to its fabulous components, but if that's out of the question then for a Mac I'd say you'll at least want something with Intel Iris Graphics, which would be the $1,299 13-inch w/ Retina Display and higher. It'll still give you pretty long wait times with 3D rendering, but it's notably better than the Intel HD 4000 offered by the MacBook Pro without Retina display.

 

[Deus Gladiorum]

What do you mean? Your listed "needs" are a little vague. Obviously I can understand what you mean when you say "programming" and "music", but the rest of what you listed is confusing. Do you mean video playback (i.e. watching videos), or do you mean video editing? For "graphic" and "3D" I have no idea what you mean. Are you doing CAD or something like that? Or do you mean gaming?

But regardless, myself and most people will tell you that all Macs are overpriced hunks of junk. Their specs aren't any good until you start climbing to the $2,600 range, while you can find equivalent Windows laptops for $800. For programming and video playback, as well as video editing, and listening to music, the base MacBook Pro is fine.

But for gaming or 3D rendering/CAD, you should look elsewhere because, like I said, Macs are terrible until you start paying a ridiculous amount.

If you want a fantastic laptop, then go for a $800 Lenovo laptop which has far better specs than any Mac below $2,599:
http/shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/ideapad/y-series/y510p/

 

[saxyd3]

Zero gaming, graphic and video editing. 3D meaning software like AutoDesk Maya, CAD, ect.
One requirement I forgot is programming in Objective-C.

 

[Deus Gladiorum]

Zero gaming, graphic and video editing. 3D meaning software like AutoDesk Maya, CAD, ect.
One requirement I forgot is programming in Objective-C.

Damn, so basically Mac OS X is a necessity for you? Bleh. Alright, well programming, video editing, video playback, audio production, and audio playback are basically all determined by the quality of the processor, with varying levels of GPU acceleration depending upon the task. Luckily, even the cheapest MacBook Pro offers a pretty decent CPU so for the most part you'll have a smooth time with general desktop management, video playback, and listening to music, as well as pretty good wait times when compiling and rendering videos for editing.

However, things like CAD and AutoDesk Maya are heavily dependent on the quality of your graphics processor, and Macs typically don't give you a good quality GPU until you start going up the price scale. The lowest end MacBook Pro gives you an Intel HD 4000, which is crap. That translates to very long wait times when doing 3D rendering. That's why I recommended you get the Lenovo laptop due to its fabulous components, but if that's out of the question then for a Mac I'd say you'll at least want something with Intel Iris Graphics, which would be the $1,299 13-inch w/ Retina Display and higher. It'll still give you pretty long wait times with 3D rendering, but it's notably better than the Intel HD 4000 offered by the MacBook Pro without Retina display.