Macbook or Macbook Pro?

[focus]

....To replace my 12" powerbook.

I've been going around and around on this.

Pros/Cons of Macbook over Macbook Pro:
+smaller
+polycarbonate case
+cheaper
+Marginally better battery life

-shared graphics memory
-fewer options for expandability (Firewire 800, Expresscard (will I ever even use this?), etc....)
-2GB max memory instead of 4GB
-glossy display is the only option
-I don't love the keyboard


I'm not going to be doing anything too crazy with it.... browsing, schooling (MS Office), photos, (some) photoshop, etc. I'd like to be able to mess w/ video, but I'll never be more than a hack at that.

I guess the main thing I can't get over is the shared graphics memory of the macbook and lack of expandability. I want this computer to still be going like a champ and retain some value 4-5 years from now. iBooks from the same era as my powerbook seem pretty worthless.



There's rumors of an ultraportable MBP (12", 0.6 - 0.7" thin, etc.). If that came out in the next couple weeks I'd be all over it.

[dirtybryan]

I don't think you'll see an ultraportable until after September. You'll probably see a lot of updates on stuff after the student specials are up.

If you aren't a student, a good way to get some serious discounts on an Apple is to buy an Apple developer subscription which gives you 20% off a certain number of hardware purchases.

[Twoplanker]

I've got the Macbook and I'm very happy with it. I upgraded to 2 GB RAM and added a little more storage with an external 180 GB hard drive. I run Parallels so I have Windows XP and the Mac OS running at the same time. Love it!

I don't like the case though (black). It's forever smudgy.

[focus]

I don't like the case though (black). It's forever smudgy.

Hm. I'd about decided the black case was almost worth it, just through sheer sexiness.

I need to go fondle these guys....

What computer were you coming from, twoplanker?

[Arty50]

I guess the main thing I can't get over is the shared graphics memory of the macbook and lack of expandability. I want this computer to still be going like a champ and retain some value 4-5 years from now. iBooks from the same era as my powerbook seem pretty worthless.

Yeah, but iBooks were very, very different from PowerBooks. Totally different processors and lots of other lesser parts.

Also, if you don't play games then the graphics card/memory doesn't matter all that much.

That said, I don't know if I could go with a glossy screen. The word is they look awesome in perfect conditions but reflect light sources like a mofo. That would really annoy me.

[bossass]

A current MacBooks is gonna blow the doors off your PB12. The Core 2 Duo chipset, coupled with 2gb of RAM is going to negate the effect of shared graphics. I know a bunch of Apple techs and a bunch of them, even the nerdiest, love their MBs and play tons of WoW on them, which is pretty graphics demanding. I had a MB and with 2gb of RAM, I could play Civ4 fine, which I wasn't even suppossed to be able to do. And for the needs you described, you don't need an independant GPU anyway. As for expandability, the HD is user replaceable (I replaced my 60gb with a 160gb for $120, got an enclosure for the 60gb for $8 and now have another external). FW800 is only really for FW800 drives, and unless you need to move a ton of huge files on a regular basis, FW400 is fine for you. The slot isn't really an issue either. Anything you may need to connect you can do via USB or FW, get a hub if things get tight. The ONLY thing I can think of you absolutely need it for is a Verizon type satallite internet card. All those apps you listed the MB can do fine.

Reason to get a MBP for you: If you want to ever run Final Cut Pro OR You want to run Aperture.

I had a MB for a year and I had no issues with the glossy screen. If I had a choice in the latest MBP's, I'd go Matte, but I think the glossy is fine too.

2gb vs 4gb: for what you do, 4gb is way overkill and prohibitively expensive anyway.

And iBooks still do hold value well. I sold a four year old G3 ibook for nearly $400 a while ago. Not great, but much better than any PC laptop.

[Twoplanker]

Hm. I'd about decided the black case was almost worth it, just through sheer sexiness.

I need to go fondle these guys....

What computer were you coming from, twoplanker?

I use three different laptops regularly: a Sony Vaio, a Dell, and the Macbook. The Intel Core Duo Mac kick the ass of the Dell and Sony for sure.

[jibij]

I've had the black MB since they launched. One of the best running machines I've ever owned. I also upgraded to 2Gb RAM, and I also dislike the way the black case shows every fingerprint.

I have it hooked up to an external 24" monitor and I run Windows and Mac simultaneously all day, every day. It's awesome.

[Twoplanker]

I've had the black MB since they launched. One of the best running machines I've ever owned. I also upgraded to 2Gb RAM, and I also dislike the way the black case shows every fingerprint.

I have it hooked up to an external 24" monitor and I run Windows and Mac simultaneously all day, every day. It's awesome.

I connect my MB to a 47" Sharp Aquos LCD at my house. I just close the top of the Mac and use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. That way, I don't have to touch the Mac at all.

At work I do the same thing, but use a more reasonable 21" LCD monitor.

[GBB]

I had the option of getting either the black or white macbook, and I decided to go with the white one for the reasons mentioned above. The white hides the fingerprints and the oil that comes off of you hands really well as opposed to the black on which shows everything.

[wi3dzmin]

Test driving a macbook today... Thus far do not like:

1. Edges. Feels like they are cutting into my hands when using the touchpad. Edges on the pro are way smoother.
2. Keyboard. Goofy keys with a weird feel.
3. Resolution... come on.

Nicer tech specs on pro too... for me the choice is simple. But I'm not paying for it.

Oh yeah... coming off t60/t43p.

[f2f]

personal: macbook
work: macbook pro

[dipstik]

I use a macbook with 2 gigs of ram and a 2GHz processor - I do a lot of photoshop and Lightroom work, and I have not had many problems.

As far as the keyboard - who gives a shit? You get used to it and I totally forgot about it being a little unusual until this thread.

As far as the black finish - who gives a shit? Are you really going to drop an extra grand for a computer so that your fingerprints don't show on it?

[arild]

I bought a black MB today. Bought the black one because there were no whites left in stock, and I got it for cheap, as I have a buddy working at the local apple store. Upgraded it to 2gigs of ram right away, and so far, I´m amazed with the smooth interface of stuff - real easy to use (coming from winxp). And yeah, I noticed the edges on my wrists. I just need to toughen up, and get used to it. Gonna use it for school, photoshop, and some other stuff. Mostly NSFW.

[edg]

Tappity tapping on a black macbook at the moment. Like it a lot, my only complain is I had to replace the battery even though it's barely 12 months old! £90, thankyouverymuch.

edg

[robokill1981]

I actually just bought a 17" MPB today with the 2.33 processor and 2 GB and was really close to just getting a MB, but since I'll be using my computer at work to log footage I wanted the bigger screen. Honestly if you don't need a MBP there really isn't a reason to spend the extra loot on it since the MB's are great computers, but if resale value and power are really important to you then spend the money on a MBP.

Most people know about the refurbed section on apples webiste but if you don't already it's down on the left on the apple store site. Should save you a couple hundered bucks.

[focus]

I actually just bought a 17" MPB today with the 2.33 processor and 2 GB and was really close to just getting a MB, but since I'll be using my computer at work to log footage I wanted the bigger screen. Honestly if you don't need a MBP there really isn't a reason to spend the extra loot on it since the MB's are great computers, but if resale value and power are really important to you then spend the money on a MBP.

Most people know about the refurbed section on apples webiste but if you don't already it's down on the left on the apple store site. Should save you a couple hundered bucks.

Refurbs got updated today. Apple's running a student special though ...buy a Mac and get a $200 iPod rebate. I should be able to get at least $150 of that on eBay. Couple that with the $100 printer rebate (of which I can recover a good $70 or so) and education discount and I can get a non-refurb for cheaper. Wheelin' and dealin', i know...but that's the route I think I'll take.

Thanks.

[Pooze]

In addition to the dedicated graphics, the current crop of Macbook Pros include the Santa Rosa chipset, which has a faster front-side bus than the chipset used in the MacBook, and can address up to 4GB of memory (versus a little over 3GB for the MacBook). The 15" MacBook Pro also sports the new LED backlit screen, which is said to enhance battery life and maintain its brightness throughout the lifetime of the machine.

These particular advantages of the MBP over the MacBook may be short-lived, however. Apple plans to make some Mac focused product announcements next week. Whether a refresh to the current line of MacBooks and MBPs will be a part of this is anyone's guess. My thought is that the next refresh of the MacBook will include a move to the Santa Rosa chipset (cpu at 2.2ghz), as well as the new LED backlit screen.

[MOHSHSIHd]

I have a 2ghz Macbook with 1gig of ram (but I have a 2 gig chipset arriving in the mail soon)


I bought the Macbook instead of the Pro for the size and figured I would upgrade it as much as possible instead of paying more for the Pro which is just too big for my needs.


I was under the impression that the Pro's can only handle 3gb of memory. At least thats what I read on Mac Ram Direct's website.

[focus]

(versus a little over 3GB for the MacBook).

?? I thought 2GB was the max?

So I should wait a week and see what Apple announces....?

pHISH: 4GB is the max upgrade you can buy on apple.com.... Most other memory sites I've checked say the same thing. When they first came out it may've been 3....?

[skiHOG]

I have a 2ghz Macbook with 1gig of ram (but I have a 2 gig chipset arriving in the mail soon)


I bought the Macbook instead of the Pro for the size and figured I would upgrade it as much as possible instead of paying more for the Pro which is just too big for my needs.


I was under the impression that the Pro's can only handle 3gb of memory. At least thats what I read on Mac Ram Direct's website.

yea, older pros can only handle 3gb, but the newer ones can handle 4gb. haven't verified this yet, but i think you have to have the santa rosa chipset for that to be possible.

i have a macbook pro with 2gb of memory, and it's everything that I need and more. I can do all of my computer stuff for work on it without any problem.

[Twoplanker]

I replaced the MacBook with a MBPro 15", 2,4 gHz, 4gb of ram, etc., Much, much nicer machine than the MacBook. At $2750 it wasn't cheap. The smudgy black Macbook was killing me.

[MOHSHSIHd]

I upgraded my macbook to 2gb of RAM and I can edit full res HDV without any problems.


Then again, if I really want some juice I will go with a full size desktop mac in the future.

[monkeybones]

I wrote this awesome post and all for naught as it disappeared as I clicked the post button. I came across this thread in my search of the forum as I was seeing if there were any other threads answering a similar question. Unfortunately this thread deals with the older Macbooks but you guys are still around and can probably help me out.

I am currently in graduate school and am working in a research lab. I have had PC's my whole life up to know and due to a multitude of reasons think now is a good time to make the jump to Apple. I will also get the educational discount which will make the transition a little easier. So I am having a hard time deciding between the new Macbook and Macbook Pro. I was hoping you guys could offer your advice. Below is what I will primarily use the computer for and the hardware I am looking at.

- Since I am in a lab will need something that can run statistical analysis programs and do quite a bit of number crunching of data.

- Mostly use it for internet, email, Office (powerpoint and excel) and the above

- I will not be playing any games on my laptop

- This will be my only computer

- While I am not a professional photographer nor do it as a side job, I enjoy taking pictures and videos for fun. Would like to do some editing and messing around of pictures/ski videos in my free time

Here are a few of the features I would like in the laptop at a minimum:

- 2.4GHz
- 4 gb RAM
- 320gb/5400 Hard drive

I realize the high end MB and low end MBP have the same processor speeds (2.4GHz). The only difference is the dual dedicated/integrated graphics in the MBP, a pound extra of weight in the MBP, Firewire with the MBP, slightly less battery life (especially with the dedicated graphics), an expresscard slot, and the larger screen with the MBP.

So my question is what direction should I go? As I mentioned I currently have a 15in HP laptop that is the perfect size for me. I am a little worried the 13in MB might be a little bit small when I am working on papers and making graphs/charts...etc. Also might be a bit small when do some video editing. Any reason to upgrade to the MBP for that? I am also not sure the $1,000 for the 2.53/2.8 MBP is worth it since I am not a professional photographer. I was thinking maybe I should use the difference in price and spring for the 24-inch Apple LED Cinema Display so that I have something larger when I go home to work on papers and mess with my pictures. Any thoughts guys?

[nickites]

I have the first white macbook. Always works great and I only recently upgraded to 2 gigs of RAM.
I say unless you are professionally (you get paid by someone other than friends or family) doing photo/video, the white macbook should be fine. The new metal macbook has NO firewire so backups will take a little longer through a USB connection.
Buy the $999 white model as is from Mac. Order a 2 gig RAM upgrade from a memory dealer online (I used Crucial). Also buy a 200-500 gig firewire external harddrive from another online store.
Now you're set with a fast computer and tons of storage. You can basically create your own network where the external HD is accessable at all times or just turn it on when you need it.
The Macbook pro is for "pro's" and trustfunders.