$825 more for a MBP worth it vs. a MB?

[GadgetNeil]

Lots of good advice!

I would add only one thing: I think the size/weight issue is a big deal, especially for a woman. No, I'm not sexist, but as a 6'1inch 190 pound man, I don't mind lugging a heavier laptop. But to most women, to lug a laptop around campus all day, the lighter the better. Of course the MBP is a more powerful machine, but compactness is very important - hence the excitement over the new macbook air.

 

[turtlebud]

MB & MBP weight almost the same

Lots of good advice!

I would add only one thing: I think the size/weight issue is a big deal, especially for a woman. No, I'm not sexist, but as a 6'1inch 190 pound man, I don't mind lugging a heavier laptop. But to most women, to lug a laptop around campus all day, the lighter the better. Of course the MBP is a more powerful machine, but compactness is very important - hence the excitement over the new macbook air.

I had a friend that was originally going to go with a macbook because he wanted a smaller/lighter laptop. But then he realized that the macbook (5lbs) is only 0.4lbs lighter than the macbook pro (5.4lbs). Needless to say, he was very excited about the macbook air when it was announced and will probably get it once he gets a chance to see it in person and play with it.

 

[odinsride]

Lots of good advice!

I would add only one thing: I think the size/weight issue is a big deal, especially for a woman. No, I'm not sexist, but as a 6'1inch 190 pound man, I don't mind lugging a heavier laptop. But to most women, to lug a laptop around campus all day, the lighter the better. Of course the MBP is a more powerful machine, but compactness is very important - hence the excitement over the new macbook air.

I have to say...the MB is pretty damn heavy for a 13". I'd say neither the MB or MBP has an advantage in the weight department.

 

[KingYaba]

I would bring your daughter to an Apple store or reseller to gain some hands on experience manipulating both machines. I purchased a Macbook Pro over the Blackbook because the glossy screen annoyed me, 13" was too small, typing on the keyboard was poor, and of course the GPU. I like to run X-Plane from time to time and I feared a Macbook could not handle it. Since she plays WoW I would suggest getting the "low end" Macbook Pro. Take a look at the stats from BareFeet.

http://www.barefeats.com/rosa03.html - 2.2 vs 2.4 vs 2.4 17" MBP

http://www.barefeats.com/mbook.html - 2.2 MB vs 2.2 MBP

The last one shows how poorly Macbooks play games.

 

[akadmon]

I would bring your daughter to an Apple store or reseller to gain some hands on experience manipulating both machines. I purchased a Macbook Pro over the Blackbook because the glossy screen annoyed me, 13" was too small, typing on the keyboard was poor, and of course the GPU. I like to run X-Plane from time to time and I feared a Macbook could not handle it. Since she plays WoW I would suggest getting the "low end" Macbook Pro. Take a look at the stats from BareFeet.

http://www.barefeats.com/rosa03.html - 2.2 vs 2.4 vs 2.4 17" MBP

http://www.barefeats.com/mbook.html - 2.2 MB vs 2.2 MBP

The last one shows how poorly Macbooks play games.

Ouch! I hope she doesn't read your post, 'cos if she does I'm out 800 bucks She read everything up to this point earlier tonight and said she'd be OK with a MB.