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My PC is dying, I want to switch.

Bootsie

Bootsie

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 23, 2008
628
36
Utah
Well my PC is dying; I had to restart the stupid thing like 15 times last night. (unplug it, and remove the battery to force in off) I am going to try and make it last for a couple more months until either it is redesigned or they have some kind of back to school thing.

I have a few questions...

1. I am getting this for school, so it will be carried around with me, I don't have to shut it down to carry it do I? I can just put it to sleep.

2. I have been planning on the mid model 2.5. Is this worth the upgrade? I want it to be somewhat future proof (i.e. last me for at least 3-4 years, without driving me crazy because it is soooo much slower than the new stuff) Here is what I will be using it for...

I am a photographer so I will be running Photoshop, and possibly Lightroom a lot, as well as RAW processing in DPP.

A lot of web browsing. (we are talking several hours per day)

Word-processing obviously. ( I am planning on getting Microsoft Office for Mac)

Some gaming (Sims, guitar hero 3, etc.), nothing to extensive for this, I don't play very much.

I usually have about 3 tabs open in safari and 3 or 4 other programs running at once.

I will also be using a TV tuner on it occasionally.

Other random stuff that I cannot think of right now.

I think that I have decided that the Macbook will not do, I want the bigger screen, and the better-built machine. Now I am trying to decide if I should just go with the 2.4 model. I will be upgrading the RAM to 4GB no matter what. And I am planning on getting the matte screen, although that it still up in the air as well.

This is my only computer, and I will not (at least for now) be using an external monitor. (Still living with my parents, and there is no room for a desk anywhere)

Anything else that I should know or be worried about in making the switch?
 
It sounds to me like you did your research. I think the MBP is in order over the MB because of the raw image files, and the games that you listed (they don't work on MB's). Since the speed bump between 2.4 and 2.5 (assuming both are Penryn?) is minimal, and that both would accomplish the tasks you intend to throw at it, then go with what your wallet tells on you. :)

I have a 17" MBP, and am glad I got the bigger screen, but some complain about it's portability. I can't comment on that, as I got the Brenthaven backpack, and thus, the slight size increase is negligible. Personally, I'd suggest the 17", since attaching a monitor isn't an option at this time. Especially since photo editing is in your workflow.

Be sure to purchase your ram from a 3rd party, as Apple's ram upgrades are overpriced. Check out the Ram Buying Guide. Also, you may want to consider purchasing a keyboard protector, since you'll not be at a desk, and it's so worth the $20 or so, vs. dealing with a spill. Plenty of horror stories about spills if you do a search.

As far as Apple Care, I recommend it. You don't have to purchase it with the laptop, and can get it within your first year of ownership. It's peice of mind, and it also raises the resale value, should you sell within 3 years. Check out eBay for AC at cheaper prices than at Apple.

Lastly, I have an older version MBP (2.33ghz), and I've had no issues, regrets, or interest in updating to one of the newer versions that have since come out. It's my main computer, and performs all of my tasks well. I use Adobe Creative Suite, FCP (no HD), Poser, Toon Boom Studio, Logic Pro, etc. Good luck to you. I'm sure you'll be happy with your MBP. :)
 
The baseline MBP should be more than enough. And the student discount is the way to go as well.
 
Thanks for your help everyone

I will definitely be using my student discount.

I am now leaning more toward the 2.4 model, I shouldn't see a difference with the 512 vram for anything that I will be using it for right?

It is also posible that I would be doing some recording (for a band) in the future. Nothing extensive, but it would be nice to be able to play around with it. Any problems with this?
 
Bootsie said:
1. I am getting this for school, so it will be carried around with me, I don't have to shut it down to carry it do I? I can just put it to sleep.
Click to expand...

No, you don't have to shut it down. I carry mine while it is sleeping in a backpack during a two-mile walk to school and while I'm on campus. No problems. I suggest getting a memory-foam sleeve, e.g., an "incase," to protect it.

Word-processing obviously. ( I am planning on getting Microsoft Office for Mac)
Click to expand...

Get what you feels right to you. But I have to say that I am a returning student, after 10+ years using MS Word, Excel, etc. for my job, and I have gone without Office by using a combination of iWork and LaTex. I have no problems affording MS Office, so my doing without has nothing to do with lack of funds...

Some gaming (Sims, guitar hero 3, etc.), nothing to extensive for this, I don't play very much.
Click to expand...

I've just started running NeverWinter Nights 2 on my MBPro, and it handles graphic-intensive games just fine.

I will be upgrading the RAM to 4GB no matter what.
Click to expand...

Good. I support this decision.

This is my only computer, and I will not (at least for now) be using an external monitor. (Still living with my parents, and there is no room for a desk anywhere)
Click to expand...

Note, I had planned on buying an Apple LCD (23") when I purchased this machine, I am glad that I didn't. The 15" screen is more than adequate for writing papers, surfing, etc.

Anything else that I should know or be worried about in making the switch?
Click to expand...

No, you are making a fine choice.
 
Recording your band will be doable, yep. You'll need an interface or a mixer with USB to connect. I highly recommend the Apogee Duet, if it's in your budget. If not, there are several USB and Firewire interfaces out there to connect your mics, etc. I love GarageBand, and considering it's a program that comes with the computer, it's great. If you decide you want more than what it offers, Logic Pro is awesome.
 
Bootsie said:
It is also posible that I would be doing some recording (for a band) in the future. Nothing extensive, but it would be nice to be able to play around with it. Any problems with this?
Click to expand...

I recorded my band back in the day with my 1.8ghz Macbook Pro rev A, using both Logic and Garage Band, let me tell you, it was a blast/awesome/perfect. :)
 
My pc was also on its last leg I went with the student developers site 99.00 bucks then my one lifetime buy 17" HD Glossy, MBP 2.5G saved 600 Bucks then put in 4 Gig memory 26 bucks x 2 then the applecare 239 on student site. called adobe today switched my CS3 and light room over to Mac for free. I think I'm set for a while. Also using Neo office runs pretty good so far instead of office.
 
You can just get the 2.4

The only applications I can see using the additional VRAM are all Windows programs like AutoCAD and Maya.
 
Wow great, thanks so much everyone, this will save me some money. :)

What about the 7200rpm hard drive, should I upgrade to that? Is is worth it? I think that I will go with the 250GB if not the 200GB 7200.
 
I'd go with the 7200 rpm drive, especially if you're doing photo editing. You'll definitely notice an improvement in disk access times.
 
Bootsie said:
Wow great, thanks so much everyone, this will save me some money. :)

What about the 7200rpm hard drive, should I upgrade to that? Is is worth it? I think that I will go with the 250GB if not the 200GB 7200.
Click to expand...

I went with the 7200 200G extra 40 bucks
 
Bootsie said:
Wow great, thanks so much everyone, this will save me some money. :)

What about the 7200rpm hard drive, should I upgrade to that? Is is worth it? I think that I will go with the 250GB if not the 200GB 7200.
Click to expand...


I agree on the upgraded hard drive. The extra gigs are nice, and since the Penryn chips run cooler, the slight temp increases from the faster spinning drives will be fine.
 
hotdamn said:
well yeah but it's no penryn, and he said he wants a futureproof one.
Click to expand...

Nothing is futureproof and Merom and Peryn are essentially the same. If anything the older Merom SR has more L2 cache than the base model MBP with Peryn SR.
 
OK, what about the 6MB cache, would I notice a difference in everyday use with that?

Also what does the 7200rpm drive do to my battery life? As I said I will be carrying it around to my university classes, so I would like the best battery possible.
 
Bootsie said:
OK, what about the 6MB cache, would I notice a difference in everyday use with that?

Also what does the 7200rpm drive do to my battery life? As I said I will be carrying it around to my university classes, so I would like the best battery possible.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure on the battery life toll with the 7200 drive, but you may want to consider getting an extra battery since you'll be using it for classes. Also, check out the Newertech Dual battery charger/conditioner, as it may be worth it for your situation. On the 6MB cache, again, unless you're doing intensive multitasking or CPU intensive work, I doubt that you'll notice. Good luck to you. :)
 
Bootsie said:
OK, what about the 6MB cache, would I notice a difference in everyday use with that?
Click to expand...

No.

Bootsie said:
Also what does the 7200rpm drive do to my battery life? As I said I will be carrying it around to my university classes, so I would like the best battery possible.
Click to expand...

The effect is minimal; also carry your AC adapter around and if you're really in a tight spot, it doesn't hurt to get an extra battery; I have one just in case myself.
 
alphaod said:
No.



The effect is minimal; also carry your AC adapter around and if you're really in a tight spot, it doesn't hurt to get an extra battery; I have one just in case myself.
Click to expand...

yes i have a 2nd battery aswell, the extra $200 was worth it!

the new penryn models get AMAZING battery life. my girl friend is consistently getting 6hours out of hers, thats with wifi on and brightness on about 1/3.

the 7200rpm will be great for you, battery life wont suffer that much really. and the extra 100mhz isnt that much lol.

probably recommend an external HD, if you dont already have some. or maybe just get your PC HD's, grab an external case for $30, reformat and start again.

goodluck!
 
I bought the 2.16GHz model (the low-end exactly a year ago) and I think even it would be fine for what you're doing. But since they decided to bump up the processor speed twice, you're even better off with the newest stuff.

Go get the model that costs $1999 and use your education discount. That'll knock you to $1799. Don't get the glossy screen unless you want glare-o-rama. I have a matte MBP and a 20" monitor that I hook it up to most of the time at home. I just could never recommend a glossy monitor.

I run Photoshop CS3 myself (get the entire CS3 for about $600 at academicsuperstore.com) and have no problems here with 2GB of RAM. If the MBP comes with 2 (I forget offhand), just keep it there for right now. I tried opening about 6 applications at once (Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark, etc.) and wasn't even using 2GB. I ran World of Warcraft on here, so you shouldn't have any problem with any of the games you mentioned.

As for the hard drive, I'd just stick with the 200GB unless the next step up is like $20. External hard drives are dirt cheap, and those drives like the WD "My Passport" that don't need power cords are really dropping as well (Best Buy has a sale on this week FYI). I am at the max on my 120GB hard drive, but I'd be more than fine with 200GB on here. I put all the video files on an external hard drive on the network.

Two things you should also consider are the bluetooth wireless keyboard and mouse that Apple makes. I have both (the older full keyboard though) and love having NO WIRES AT ALL. Buy some rechargable batteries and you're good to go. I think I might have to charge my mouse batteries once a month. The keyboard lasts for about 6.

That's about all I can say aside from find a very good USB hub. I could literally use about 4 on the front, left, and right of this thing (for a total of 12). If you do a lot of photo work, I know you'll buy an external HDD. Get one of the Western Digital My Book drives. You can get a terabyte for a pretty good price now. If you want more portability, get those My Passport drives I talked about.

Happy Mac-ing.
 
Michael CM1 said:
II run Photoshop CS3 myself (get the entire CS3 for about $600 at academicsuperstore.com) and have no problems here with 2GB of RAM. If the MBP comes with 2 (I forget offhand), just keep it there for right now. I tried opening about 6 applications at once (Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark, etc.) and wasn't even using 2GB. I ran World of Warcraft on here, so you shouldn't have any problem with any of the games you mentioned.
Click to expand...

For what it's worth, when I have Photoshop CS3 Extended/Bridge/ACR/Safari/iTunes/Mail open, it eats up almost all of my 4gb memory, with most of that (probably the 3gb max that PS can use) being Photoshop.
 
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