13" MacBook Pro 2.26 vs. 2.53 GHz

[kny3twalker]

I really dont see any difference between the current 13" mbp and the 13" macbooks, except firewire (usb 3.0 will change all that imo and the aluminum body). Now if they stuck a dedicated GPU in the 13" uMBP I'd say it is a "pro" machine. Who knows, maybe they will in the upcoming upgrades?

You realize that the unibody MacBook was recently a few months after the MacBook Pros right? And I guess the aluminum body is not enough? That is how many companies differentiate there consumer and premium consumer/professional notebooks.

And you realize that Apple sells a 15" without discrete graphics?

You dont have to own an ati-glare mbp just because your a professional (as I am a student as well), you can own one just because you prefer it. The week that I've used the 13" uMBP was such a pain (for me) as the reflections were a HUGE distraction in every class. Especially when your outside trying to use it. I knew what to expect from the 17" matte but wanted a smaller dimension (which the 15" is the best suited) so I got the 15" matte.

As for spending $2000, I dont mind. If you have to money to spend then I dont see whats wrong with it.

I never once asked for advice on how to purchase or what to purchase. I simply think its too much.

It may be or may not be true that you care that my machine is faster than yours but my comments sure as hell bothers you. I've notice you got some kind of beef with me for no apparent reason, especially for me giving my opinions on the 13" 2.26GHz vs. 2.53GHz. Whether your just taking it personally as you own that exact spec'd machine or not, originally my opinions were not meant to be directed towards specifically you or to attack you.

OK

At least now that you are outside of the return window, you will have to take a hit on selling this MacBook Pro, so it lessens the likelihood that I will have to come across the three or four topics you started whining about your decision as well as you taking your plight to every thread you reply to.

 

[jjahshik32]

You realize that the unibody MacBook was recently a few months after the MacBook Pros right? And I guess the aluminum body is not enough? That is how many companies differentiate there consumer and premium consumer/professional notebooks.

And you realize that Apple sells a 15" without discrete graphics?


I never once asked for advice on how to purchase or what to purchase.



OK

At least now that you are outside of the return window, you will have to take a hit on selling this MacBook Pro, so it lessens the likelihood that I will have to come across the three or four topics you started whining about your decision as well as you taking your plight to every thread you reply to.

Of course I know that there are 15" mbp without the discrete graphics. And I believe those models shouldnt be called a "pro" machine either. But Apple cant make the names all that too specific because it'll confuse the majority of consumers.

Jeez its like playing the cyber, you hit me last~!

 

[kny3twalker]

Of course I know that there are 15" mbp without the discrete graphics. And I believe those models shouldnt be called a "pro" machine either. But Apple cant make the names all that too specific because it'll confuse the majority of consumers.

I do not believe the graphics card is what determines whether a machine is a pro machine, and Apple seems to agree with me.

Jeez its like playing the cyber, you hit me last~!

Oh so you concede now. The $400 premium for the upgraded MacBook Pro is not worth it.

 

[jjahshik32]

I do not believe the graphics card is what determines whether a machine is a pro machine, and Apple seems to agree with me.

I still dont get this logic. I think the GPU is the huge deciding factor that makes a machine "pro" worthy.

IMHO the white unibody macbook is just as much a "pro" machine as the 13" uMBP and the 15" mbp without the discrete graphics.

I guess my flaw in believing that the 2.53GHz is worth paying $400 more is equal to your gpu isnt the deciding factor that considers a computer "pro" worthy.

I think were even, now off to bed I go.

 

[kny3twalker]

I still dont get this logic. I think the GPU is the huge deciding factor that makes a machine "pro" worthy.

IMHO the white unibody macbook is just as much a "pro" machine as the 13" uMBP and the 15" mbp without the discrete graphics.

I guess my flaw in believing 2.53GHz is worth paying $400 more is just as equal to your gpu isnt the deciding factor that considers a computer "pro" worthy.

So I guess the Lenovo thinkpad X200/X200s/X200T, X301, T410s w/o discrete graphics, T410 w/o discrete graphics, T510 w/o discrete graphics, Dell Latitude E4200, E4300, E6400 w/o discrete graphics, E6500 w/o discrete graphics, HP Elitebook 2540p, 2740p, HP ProBook 4320s, 4420s, 4520s w/o discrete graphics are not professional laptops?

I think every manufacturer seems to disagree with your definition of professional laptop.

I wonder what they use to define this? Maybe quality of build? Maybe quality of support and service? etc...
Some, not all, do require something more than integrated graphics, so it is optional on many models.

 

[vant]

Wow. Do people really like paying markups?

The 2.26 and 2.53 processors both cost Apple the same. They have the same wholesale price. 2GB ram vs 4GB ram is a simple fix. In fact, most people won't even need the 4GB if they are just browsing or writing Word documents (Easily upgradable for under $100 if needed). The hard drive is moot, because both of them are insufficient. Either stay with the stock drives, or upgrade to SSD (Preferred) or a 7200RPM drive.

To sum it up:

Average user: 2.26 is fine.

'Pro' user: 2.26 + 4GB RAM + SSD and pocket the change for your next upgrade.

'I have more money then sense' user: 2.53 + anything or nothing.

These statements don't apply to the MBP15 tiers however.

 

[cwlaw84]

has anyone ever had any luck getting Best Buy or Apple to price match to microcenter? I live in Florida, where unfortunately we do not have a microcenter, but my parents retired to Northern Virginia and are only about 20 minutes away from the Microcenter there. If I wanted to take advantage of this offer they'd be happy to go pick it up for me and ship it down, or bring it with them when they come visit in a couple of weeks. Do you think there is any chance the local best buy would price match even though the Microcenter is another state? I figure I'll try regardless, but if anyone else had previously had success with that to bolster my request that'd be awesome. I can pay the $1050-$1070 up front, but if I have a best buy card with 0% on purchases over 499 for 18 months... so if I can get it for $200 off the regular price, and 0% for 18 months that'd be awesome.

I don't do anything more than the very occasional fixing of red eye in photoshop, beyond that I'm just looking for a professional well built machine to do general day to day stuff. I'll bump it up to 4gb of Ram at some point I'm sure, just because for less than $100 it seems worth it. I really don't need a 2.53, but I understand the position many of you have taken regarding maxing out the feature you can't upgrade. I'm just not interested in spending the extra $300 for it when I could just as easily put that $300 to the side towards a new computer in 2-3 years which would, I suspect, me a better value for me.

Thanks for any insights you guys have!

 

[zipa]

I'd recommend getting the Macbook if you don't absolutely need the MBP. Much better value. And the difference between the two CPUs is simple maths, it's about 13 %. Noticeable, but only if you regularly run very CPU intensive tasks.

 

[cwlaw84]

Yea, no luck with Best Buy matching microcenter (didn't really figure that would work). They said they lose money on them as it is with the $100 off deal for students. Oh well

 

[jjahshik32]

has anyone ever had any luck getting Best Buy or Apple to price match to microcenter? I live in Florida, where unfortunately we do not have a microcenter, but my parents retired to Northern Virginia and are only about 20 minutes away from the Microcenter there. If I wanted to take advantage of this offer they'd be happy to go pick it up for me and ship it down, or bring it with them when they come visit in a couple of weeks. Do you think there is any chance the local best buy would price match even though the Microcenter is another state? I figure I'll try regardless, but if anyone else had previously had success with that to bolster my request that'd be awesome. I can pay the $1050-$1070 up front, but if I have a best buy card with 0% on purchases over 499 for 18 months... so if I can get it for $200 off the regular price, and 0% for 18 months that'd be awesome.

I don't do anything more than the very occasional fixing of red eye in photoshop, beyond that I'm just looking for a professional well built machine to do general day to day stuff. I'll bump it up to 4gb of Ram at some point I'm sure, just because for less than $100 it seems worth it. I really don't need a 2.53, but I understand the position many of you have taken regarding maxing out the feature you can't upgrade. I'm just not interested in spending the extra $300 for it when I could just as easily put that $300 to the side towards a new computer in 2-3 years which would, I suspect, me a better value for me.

Thanks for any insights you guys have!

The Apple store will price match the microcenter's price.

I've asked the employee when I purchased the 13" and they told me they would be happy to.