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13" macbook vs macbook pro

G

gagaliya

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 24, 2010
466
394
is there anything not obvious about the difference between macbook and the base model 13" macbook pro?

I went to the apple store in nyc and checked out both, the metal casing on macbook pro isnt a big factor for me. microcenter has the macbook on sale for 800 bucks, i might just get that to hold me over for this year if the new version of macbook pro isnt coming out this tuesday.

are there any other "hidden" differences between the two?

thanks
 
MBP has FireWire 800 and SD-card slot while MacBook doesn't but MacBook has 250GB HD while MBP has 160GB. MBP is little (very little though) bit lighter and smaller but that can't be recognized with human eye.

Biggest difference is the aluminum vs. polycarbonate
 
backlit keyboard/firewire isnt needed, sd slot is good to have definitely but not a big deal.

Now mbp has "better screen" is that really true? according to this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/202306/ they are just preferences, one isnt really better than the other. A few other places also mentioned better screen, but didnt really explain why mbp screen is better.
 
gagaliya said:
backlit keyboard/firewire isnt needed, sd slot is good to have definitely but not a big deal.

Now mbp has "better screen" is that really true? according to this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/202306/ they are just preferences, one isnt really better than the other. A few other places also mentioned better screen, but didnt really explain why mbp screen is better.
Click to expand...

Did you notice any difference while looking at them in Apple Store? Alu and earlier MacBooks did have worse screens but I think the screen in uni MB is as good as MBP's
 
Hellhammer said:
Did you notice any difference while looking at them in Apple Store? Alu and earlier MacBooks did have worse screens but I think the screen in uni MB is as good as MBP's
Click to expand...

+1

Some of the Macbooks and some of the MBPs use the same panel model - 9C9E. I suspect that all the MBs and MBPs share the same set of panels. So I don't think LCD panel should be on the list of differences
 
gagaliya said:
backlit keyboard/firewire isnt needed, sd slot is good to have definitely but not a big deal.

Now mbp has "better screen" is that really true? according to this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/202306/ they are just preferences, one isnt really better than the other. A few other places also mentioned better screen, but didnt really explain why mbp screen is better.
Click to expand...

I think the display issue must be related to the backlight being possibly better in the pro, because the new macbooks are using some of the same LCD panels as the pros, but the specific panel you get, at least in the pro, is a lottery and could be in the macbooks too (I do not know). I am just guessing there is a difference between the backlights.

Here is what Gizmodo said though:
They also have a really similar LED backlit display, which eliminates the problem of narrowed viewing angles that we docked the first generation unibody MacBooks for, and both now have the same contrast ratio. The only difference is that the Pro has a 60% greater color gamut.
Click to expand...
http://gizmodo.com/5386688/unibody-apple-macbook-review


The review on Engadget though seems to agree with my assertion that the backlights are different.
As far as the screen, it's much nicer than previous plastic MacBook screens -- it's similar to the panel in the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro in that it's LED-backlit and has a nice wide viewing angle, but the Pro has a 60 percent great color gamut. We didn't notice the difference in day-to-day usage, but we did notice that it's rather dim -- to the point where we initially assumed the max brightness setting was only halfway up. It's still a nice screen, don't get us wrong; we just wish it was a little brighter.
Click to expand...

http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/22/unibody-macbook-late-2009-review/
 
Also about the unibody polycarbonate macbook there is something wrong with the base plate on them.

I saw this same thing on one at frys electronics, and it is mentioned here in the review by engadget.com.

Sadly, that doesn't carry over to the bottom panel, finished in a soft-touch rubberized material which picks up all sorts of grime. Again, this machine has only been out of the box for a day, during which time we've taken its picture and used it on a desk to write this review, and all four contact points on the bottom have become worn and discolored. (That little yellow patch wasn't there when we unboxed it, remember?) To be fair, the dirt there cleaned off pretty easily -- Apple recommends a microfiber cloth, of course -- but the color didn't change back, and we imagine it would've been even worse if we'd actually taken it out of the office.
Click to expand...

2009-10-21macbookreviewbt.jpg
 
There is speculation that the macbook pro line will be updated in the next few weeks. You may see more differentiating the Macbook and the Macbook Pro after that update.

The details are, as always, being closely guarded by Apple, but should see something soon. Some speculate as early as tomorrow. Some speculate March 23. Others say april. A select few naysayers say June. My money is on it being within the next couple of weeks.
 
I think the update on the MBP will be soon but definitely after the launch of the iPad which is Apple's principal focus right now.
 
yes you would have to say at the moment to wait.

there will really be an increase in pound/performance ratio

if you can wait, do. if not you will still pick up a great computer either way
 
kny3twalker said:
I think the display issue must be related to the backlight being possibly better in the pro, because the new macbooks are using some of the same LCD panels as the pros, but the specific panel you get, at least in the pro, is a lottery and could be in the macbooks too (I do not know). I am just guessing there is a difference between the backlights.

Here is what Gizmodo said though:

http://gizmodo.com/5386688/unibody-apple-macbook-review


The review on Engadget though seems to agree with my assertion that the backlights are different.


http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/22/unibody-macbook-late-2009-review/
Click to expand...

I have never in my lifetime wished an Apple screen could be "a little brighter"
 
I'd say the biggest difference is $400. I purchased a Macbook for my wife for $800 two weeks ago. We have no need for firewire or the SD card. Apple priced matched it and I picked up at our local Apple store.


s
 
Hellhammer said:
Did you notice any difference while looking at them in Apple Store? Alu and earlier MacBooks did have worse screens but I think the screen in uni MB is as good as MBP's
Click to expand...

MBP Screen is much nicer than the Macbook. I did a lot of comparing then next to each other at best buy. The 13"-17" MBP were more clear and were brighter when I had the brightness up 100%
 
I was under the impression that the 13" macbook pro's could accomodate 8GB of RAM while the macbooks can only accept a max of 4GB. Is that so?

cycloptic
 
dukebound85 said:
i recently upgraded form a first gen blackbook to the new unibody mb and the screen is alot better
Click to expand...

that was almost completely useless to the thread.

and i think that even now, the aluminum and keyboard are simply worth 200 dollars for me. i don't think i would fill up 160 gigs, but maybe so the MB has that going for it. with the price drop, though, i think that it would be a better deal to go for the MB since you don't care about the casing, which means a lot (20, maybe 300 dollars) to me.
 
SteveSparks said:
MBP Screen is much nicer than the Macbook. I did a lot of comparing then next to each other at best buy. The 13"-17" MBP were more clear and were brighter when I had the brightness up 100%
Click to expand...


This is because the MBP has a glass panel; which the MacBook doesn't have. It makes the colours more vibrant and makes them pop out more.
There shouldn't be any difference in the lighting, just the colour gamut is better on the MBP.
 
My daughter couldn't wait any longer for the MBP update and bought an MB 13" yesterday. At least if they bump the MBP to a higher specs, she won't lose anything..
 
Hellhammer said:
Did you notice any difference while looking at them in Apple Store? Alu and earlier MacBooks did have worse screens but I think the screen in uni MB is as good as MBP's
Click to expand...

dukebound85 said:
i recently upgraded form a first gen blackbook to the new unibody mb and the screen is alot better
Click to expand...

Hellishness said:
that was almost completely useless to the thread.
Click to expand...

Um no, I merely confirmed the statement that the current mb screens are alot better than earlier mb's. See the bold. What's exactly your issue?
and i think that even now, the aluminum and keyboard are simply worth 200 dollars for me. i don't think i would fill up 160 gigs, but maybe so the MB has that going for it. with the price drop, though, i think that it would be a better deal to go for the MB since you don't care about the casing, which means a lot (20, maybe 300 dollars) to me.
Click to expand...
to some, i can see it being worth the extra 200. however, i was able to get a mb for 700, so a substantial discount
 
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