Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

My son LOVES it! The only places I could find that sold these are directly through Apple (which wanted WAY too much for their "AppleCare warranty"-it doesn't even cover drops,spills, etc...just a warranty to talk to to their technical support-what a joke), Best Buy (their "Geek Squad" warranty covers basically everything, including drops, spills, etc...but is approx. $350 for 2 yrs or $510 for 3 yrs and it's not like it's fixed right at the store- they still send it out, so you still have a wait time until you get it back), eBay (no warranties you can add-just a transferable warranty IF the person selling added it at time of purchase), and Amazon. Amazon, by far, beat the others in price AND you can add your own warranty for a very reasonable price ( I think I paid around $150 for 3 yrs) and it covers spills, drops, cracked screen, etc. I know this model is from 2012 and is not the newer one, but in my opinion is was a way better choice. I guess it just depends on what you're looking for & what is important to you. I didn't want the new MacBook Air because I was told by several sales associates at Best Buy that they have junky processors (compared to any of the MacBook Pro models, not in general), their storage/ memory options suck, and that any of the Pro models would be MUCH better for what my son would be using on it the most-Photoshop. I was told the Air models are best for people that needed easy portability, like traveling on business trips & needing to check emails & such. The new Pro models are very nice, but they have less storage & you end up paying so much extra for the retina display. If having retina display is super important to you, then go with the new models. It wasn't to me. Plus, this MacBook Pro, in my opinion, has GREAT image quality....if you put it beside one with retina, then yes-you WILL see an obvious difference between them....but, for me, the difference wasn't worth the difference in price, especially beings that the image quality on this model, while not as nice as the retina, still is amazing and far better than the quality of any other laptop I compared it to of similar price. Also, a HUGE selling feature for me is that this one comes with the DVD SuperDrive built into it, which none of the newer MacBook AIrs or Pros do....for the newer models, you can buy a SuperDrive (they were $80 at Best Buy), but you connect them with a USB cable and then you're stuck with a laptop, SuperDrive, and a wire attaching them and that's not very ideal if your traveling & want your kid to be able to watch a DVD. Also, with this model, you can upgrade the 500 GB to a higher one, if you need to. That's always a nice option, which again, the newer models do not come with and are not capable of. Do your research & pick what's best for your personal needs. This model, while SLIGHTLY heavier than the new ones, is still very lightweight (and remember-this one has the SuperDrive built into it, so that compensates for the little bit of extra weight, which is only like 1lb.). I'm so happy with this MacBook Pro....and thrilled with the additional warranty options....and, most important of all, my 13 yr. old son LOVES it...he got it for Christmas and definitely wasn't expecting it and the pure look of shock and happiness on his face when he opened it was absolutely PRICELESS. (He wanted & asked for a laptop and, even though he has an iPhone, an iPod touch, and a iPad with retina, he didn't bother asking for a MacBook because, as he said, "I would love a MacBook, but I know they're basically the most expensive laptops out there, so it doesn't matter-I'm fine with a any laptop-it doesn't have to be super expensive". Through my research, I was told over & over again that Apple products are pricier because the quality & durability far exceeds any other brand, which is why they can charge more. So I made the decision to get him a MacBook...plus he can, and has, synced it to all his other Apple devices, so all his songs and apps are all there w/o the need to spend additional money. Boy-was he surprised!) He spends hours every day making "edits" (sports pics) with PhotoShop (which is now sold by subscription, which I also bought on Amazon-it arrives & looks like a gift card, which is super nice if you're giving it as a gift). Really, truly, honestly a great buy and a great product.