Tired of Technical Jargon?

David Hardy

Technical jargon can be really off-putting. There are some individuals that thrive on it, fully understand each element and know exactly what they are looking for. Other’s find it a minefield. This can mean that the search for a refurbished Mac is stressful and confusing. Our team are on hand to help with anything that you may need help with. We will work to explain things in a way that makes it easier to understand.

When we are selling a refurbished iMac or refurbished MacBook, we have to offer all technical information about the product. This will offer detail about the item’s processor, memory, graphics package and hard drive.

This information helps some buyers to make direct comparisons when looking at multiple items. Generally people know what some terms mean but with the fast-moving pace of the technical world sometimes get confused with all of the different technologies and packages.

The refurbished market is a great provision for buying a Mac without the full expense of a new machine. The cost of new Apple computers can provide a barrier for some people. They are great products but are undeniably expensive. An iMac or MacBook is an investment and will last a long time.

Care Tips for Your Mac

If you have purchased a refurbished Mac you will want to look after it. There are key tips to make sure you are correctly caring for your purchase. The following information has been put together to make this an easy routine to follow.

Use protective cases as much as possible. There are snap on cases, screen protectors and even keyboard covers. A combination of these will really work to protect your purchase and keep them clean and safe from damage.

Handle with care. MacBooks are durable but can be damaged with poor handling over time. It generally leads to wear and tear over time and will gradually loosen hinges.

Think about your battery. Batteries have come a long way. A battery should last around five years if used correctly. General advice is that you should not let your battery run empty or leave it plugged in constantly. Use of your battery between 30% and 80% is optimal.

There are further things that you can do to protect your investment including servicing the ports and protecting the power adapter. We are on hand to help and support you with any questions you may have. Give our team a call today on 01625 415088.

Read more →

Logic Pro - Which Macs are compatible?

David Hardy
Logic Pro - Which Mac is compatible?
 
Logic Pro is a very popular music creation program - powerful creative tools for professional songwriting, beat-making, editing and mixing.
 
As with Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro is software created by Apple so suits most Macs.
 
Anything with OS 11.5 (Big Sur 2014) or later will run Logic and we would recommend 8GB of RAM and minimum 256GB Storage.
 
An iMac or MacBook Pro or Air will work and is really down to personal preference, if you're out and about or travelling to recording studios go for a MacBook or if you have a home studio an iMac would most likely be preferable.
 
Here's a link to our full range, just remember to select 8GB of RAM minimum - https://cheshiremacs.com/collections/all
 
If you still need help choosing you can contact us on 01625 415088 or message us!

Got a Question?

One of the most common questions we receive is ‘how do I speed up my iMac?’. The answer isn’t always straight forward and simple. However, our technicians have over 20 years’ experience. This allows them to draw on this to find the best solution for our clients.
If your iMac does not have an SSD (solid state drive) then this can often be the answer to speeding up your iMac. We are able to offer fast turnaround on all iMac repairs. Message us or get in touch if you would like a quote for an SSD. This could help provide a solution to an issue you may have been fighting for some time.

Speeding up Your iMac

While you are with us, our helpful and friendly staff are also on hand to help with any other questions you may have. Building a trusted relationship with our clients just comes naturally to us. We aim to provide the one-stop solution for all of your Apple devices.

Read more →

Final Cut Pro - Which Macs can run it?

David Hardy

One question that we are asked daily is which Mac's can run Final Cut Pro?

Because Final Cut Pro is Apple software the good news is the vast majority of Mac's can run it.

What is Final Cut Pro? This is Apple’s professional-level video editing software. It is an incredibly popular software for both professionals and also consumers looking for more power for their video editing projects. It does a really great job of providing a solution for both groups. There are well-publicised pros and cons for both groups. However, it has received great press once users get used to different elements of the software.

Did you know?

Final Cut Pro works exclusively on Mac computers (as it was made by Apple). It is possible that this will change in the future, but right now there are no versions available for Windows or other operating systems.

The minimum system requirements are 4GB of RAM, 1GB of VRAM, 4.5GB of available disk space and macOS 11.5.1 (Big Sur) or later.

We would recommend going for 8GB of RAM minimum and the biggest screen you can accommodate for easier editing purposes but this isn't essential.

Regarding the OS this means any MacBook Air, MacBook Pro or iMac from 2014 onwards will be compatible.

Here are some recommendations from us - https://cheshiremacs.com/collections/final-cut-pro

Our client commented:

“Nothing was too much trouble! Friendly, knowledgeable staff that went out of their way to solve an issue with a courier delivery (that was nothing to do with them) and saved Christmas! Thank you!” – Tony Macartney

If you would like more advice on which Mac would best suit your needs, please don't hesitate to contact us - we have an online chat on the website, you can call us or email us, or if you're local drop in! We will always go above and beyond to make sure you receive the best possible service.

Read more →

Capture One Pro

David Hardy
CAPTURE ONE PRO 📸
 
Capture One is a professional-grade photo editing software designed for pros and serious enthusiasts.
 
It offers exceptional RAW image file processing, image cataloging, layers, local adjustments, keystone adjustments, as well as just about all the features one would expect out of a pro image editing app.
 

The minimum system requirements on a Mac for Capture One are -

 
Intel Core i3+ (1st generation)
8 GB of RAM
10 GB of free hard disk space
Calibrated monitor with 1280×800, 24-bit resolution at 96dpi
macOS 11, macOS 12, macOS 13 (macOS 13 builds up to 13.0)
Internet connection to run Capture One Live
 
All releases from Capture One 21 (14.2.0) onwards provide native support for Apple Silicon Macs. Additionally, Hardware Acceleration on Apple Silicon (M1/M2) machines is achieved using Metal – this is now also the case on Intel based Macs, if you are using Capture One 22 (15.3.0) or newer.
 
If working with high-resolution images and doing calculation-heavy adjustments,
we recommend the following:
 
Intel CPU with 4+ cores
16+ GB of RAM
Solid State Disk (SSD)
NVIDIA or AMD GPU with 8 GB+ RAM
Calibrated monitor with at least 1920×1200, 24-bit resolution at 96dpi
 
As always, call us if you need any advice, we have a resident, award winning photographer who is an expert in these systems!
 
Follow this link to see our current compatible Macs - https://cheshiremacs.com/collections/capture-one

What do our clients think?

“Communication was excellent, with prompt responses even if my queries were random due to a bad experience with another company.
Mac book air arrived promptly even with delays due to Christmas and strikes etc. Great laptop, ideal for my daughter for uni. Have recommended the company since to friends.” – Angela Booth

This testimonial offers great reward as it outlines so many of the elements that our friendly team work hard to offer. Is this hard work for us? No. In fact it comes very naturally. We are a small company, but we have a big vision of being the best at what we do. Get in touch with any questions and we will be happy to talk you through everything.

 

Read more →

Computer Specifications Explained

David Hardy

Some computer specifications can feel like another language. Some people talk about jargon but sometimes you can be left feeling like you are the only one that doesn’t understand. Rest assured that when you are dealing with CheshireMacs that we will offer you clear information and advice. We are not here to blind you with science, but instead to support you through the purchasing of buying a refurbished iMac or refurbished MacBook.

To fully understand a Mac’s incredible capabilities, it is helpful to understand a computer’s specification. What do we mean by this? We mean the different components that make up the individual device. The main ones to consider are processor, memory and storage.

Computer Specifications Made (More) Simple

Processor (CPU)

Your Mac’s processor is an integrated electronic circuit that orchestrates all the tasks that you run on your Mac. It is made up of hardware that works together to deliver information. This allows your Mac to complete the tasks you request when you open an application or make changes to a file. The processors will affect how fast your projects run and will minimise crashing and delays.

When you are looking to compare processors, benchmark scores are useful as they reflect real world performance. We provide information about processor on each of our devices we sell. If you would like advice on which processor would be best for you, give us a call on 01625 415088. By considering your usage, we will be able to guide you to find the best alternative.

Memory (RAM)

A Mac’s memory can easily be explained as a temporary storage area. It holds data that the Central Processing Unit (CPU) needs. Before a program can run, the program is loaded from storage into the memory. This allows the CPU direct access to the computer program.

The more memory you choose, the more apps or tasks you can run simultaneously and with better performance.

Storage

Storage is where you save files permanently. How much storage you need is a question you will have to ask yourself. There are other options available if you find you do need more storage. If you do need more, you can consider external storage and cloud storage such as iCloud, Dropbox or Google Drive.

Don’t allow yourself to be confused or not understand something about your Mac purchase. We are here to help and more than happy to break everything down into simple and understandable terms. Call our helpful staff today on 01625 415088.

Read more →

Refurbished Macs; is this a niche market?

David Hardy

It is interesting to consider the question as to whether refurbished Macs are a niche market. A niche is defined as “a specialized segment of the market for a particular kind of product or service.” There are certainly different ways to look at this. At CheshireMacs, we provide the highest-quality service. When it comes to quality of repair and our dedication to customer service, we are proud to say that our reputation for excellence precedes us.

However, to make the assumption that customers looking for refurbished Macs are a niche market underestimates the intelligence and growth prospects of this particular market. Why is this? Clients that use our services are not just looking for a cheaper alternative. There are a range of reasons why they feel a refurbished iMac or MacBook is what they are looking for. Furthermore, our clients are likely to have invested time into finding both the correct product for their needs as well as the right Company.

The trick to expanding this market, which may have at one time been considered niche, is education. Providing our existing and potential future clients with information allows them to make informed decisions.

Refurbished Macs – Education is key

It is really important that our clients know that our refurbished Apple Mac computers go through a rigorous process from start to finish. This ensures that every refurbished product will perform just as buying from new. Saving you money as well as giving you peace of mind.

Furthermore, all of our refurbished Mac computers come with a 12-month hardware warranty. Nothing leaves our store until it has been checked, checked and checked again. This means that when you buy your refurbished Apple Mac from us, you can do so with 100% confidence.

We are extremely proud to see the huge growth of this market. With over 20 years’ experience we have worked hard to provide valuable information about our products while offering a friendly and professional service. Have you got questions about buying a refurbished Mac? Please get in touch today.

Read more →

Not Sure Which Mac is Right for You?

David Hardy

When approaching the decision of which Mac is right for you, there are lot of elements to consider. It is important that you invest time in making the right decision. This will offer great reward when you make the right choice. However, the opposite can be said if you make the wrong choice.

We specialise in guiding you through this selection process. This allows you to get to the point where you are confident in your selection. We have created a page solely dedicated to run through the different aspects of purchasing a Mac. However, we realise that it is important to have someone to speak to. You may find enough information and guidance on this page. But if not, call our helpful, informed and professional staff to get that bit of extra guidance needed.

Which Mac?

Our guide is broken down into different users including home/ personal use, school / college use and professional use. Macs have an incredible reputation. A reputation that in some cases can sell an item purely based on this fact. Did you know that all of our MacBooks and iMacs are sold with free next day delivery, 12-month warranty and that we can take your old Mac in part exchange?

Our humble business has an unrivalled passion for refurbishing Macs. This is complimented with a real desire to be the best in our industry through hard work, a professional service and highest-quality products for our customers.

At CheshireMacs, we take great pride in the special bond we build with each client as they embark on their journey with us. It is our privilege to be able to share our knowledge and utilize our expertise to help guide our customers in the right direction.

One of our clients commented:
“Just received my 27" imac. Wow its like a brand new machine. Thank you Dave for all your help on purchasing it. I would highly recommend CheshireMacs. They were so helpful on the phone and on email, nothing was to much trouble. As other people have said why pay high prices when you can get an almost new machine from them.” – Pete Skinner

Our website has a host of information that we hope you find helpful. We are also available in our Wilmslow-based shop. You can always drop in to speak with us if you have any questions, you would prefer ask face-to-face.

Read more →

Buying a Refurbished iMac

David Hardy

There are many reasons why you may be looking at buying a refurbished iMac. These reasons are likely to be personal to you. However, whether you are buying for business or personal purposes, a refurbished alternative is a really great one.

Why A Refurbished iMac?

There are many reasons that extend past the point that they cost less to purchase. This is a great advantage to a huge percentage of our customers. However, there are other reasons. All refurbished iMacs and other Apple products are sold with a 1-year warranty. This offers peace of mind and reassurance to our customers.

We are a smaller-scale business. This means that we are passionate about our clients and the service they receive. We realise how important it is to offer the best possible customer service. This comes very naturally to our helpful team. We will always go the extra mile to offer information and advice that will allow you to purchase the best option for you. Your needs will be individual so therefore, it is important that you are confident in how best to choose the right iMac for you.

Our team are meticulous in our approach to refurbishing iMacs. Whether you are looking for a 27” iMac, a 21.5” iMac or a Mac Mini, we have stock to suit your needs. These are available in different screen sizes, and we also sell a range of computer accessories that will really tailor your purchase.

The iMac is known to be one of the best all-in-ones on the market today. It offers incredible versatility. Rest assured that we will have an alternative that will suit your budget and requirements.

One of our clients commented:
“I found CheshireMacs after being recommended and it was truly the best business to come to. I ordered my MacBook and it came a couple days later. The pricing was very good and I’ve received such a good quality product. Customer support was spot on and quick to answer my queries. Even let me change postal address last minute. I highly recommend.” – George Pipe

Get in touch with CheshireMacs today to find out more about how we can help on 01625 415088. We look forward to the opportunity of speaking with you.

Read more →