A different perspective on what to buy (longevity?)

[blackstone]

So I've been continuing my research and I know I must upgrade computers for the following reason:

The exam software my law school uses is only available for Windows.

I have to get a computer that will run Windows using Boot Camp so I can take the exams in my classes - my current powerbook will not run Windows. That said, will Windows XP run the same under the MB and MBP? Is the extra power of the MBP worth it if I know I will be running another operating system fairly often (for exams and certain law websites - lexis - that need windows)? I don't want to be dreading my Windows XP "experience" (any more than I have to)...

As always, thanks so much for your responses.


Steven

The exam programs are all basically just stripped-down versions of Microsoft Word, so any performance difference between the MB and MBP will not be noticeable under Boot Camp. (You should double-check to make sure, though, that your school is okay with you using Boot Camp for exams -- some school IT departments refuse to support it, for some reason.)

As for Lexis, I doubt you'll actually need to load it under Windows. I went through all of law school using Lexis on my Mac with Safari, and it mostly worked fine. It was just a couple of the fancier features that refuse to work on Safari -- the kinds of things that I was easily able to live without.

 

[doctor pangloss]

I'm also in a similar boat with a 3 year old 12"PB.
3 years and not even a hiccup! (knock on wood)

I almost sprung for a new MB last month because I also wanted to run a windows app.

Instead I bought a copy of VPC off eBay for $30.00!(including a copy of windows 98)

It's a slow way to run a windows app. But it does work! I don't need windows very often so I can live with the slow speed to run the GPS mapping software.
$30.00 vs $1500.00, it was an easy choice.
Also the PB still just feels like a quality machine, the plactic MB while seemed fine just doesn't have the nice feel of my trusty PB.

As long as my old PB works I'll feel good about hanging on to my money for now.
I'm sure I can get another year out of my PB.
By then all the issues and zippy upgrades for the MB and MBP should be well sorted out.

Also I think waiting till Apple starts shipping the intel/macs with bootcamp already integrated isn't a bad idea.

 

[MikeyTree]

The exam software my law school uses is only available for Windows.

I have to get a computer that will run Windows using Boot Camp so I can take the exams in my classes - my current powerbook will not run Windows. That said, will Windows XP run the same under the MB and MBP? Is the extra power of the MBP worth it if I know I will be running another operating system fairly often (for exams and certain law websites - lexis - that need windows)? I don't want to be dreading my Windows XP "experience" (any more than I have to)...

Be careful with the exam software. Some law schools won't let students use it on a mac, even in boot camp. Irrational, I know, but that's the way it is for now. Ask your registrar whether you can use it on a Mac running Windows. I'm buying a new MBP soon, but I'll be keeping my 5 year old Dell to write exams on.

There'll be no difference between a MB and MBP running XP, unless you're running graphics-intensive programs or games. Vista might be another story, because of all the bloatware and unneccessary graphics and animation.

 

[slefkoff]

Be careful with the exam software. Some law schools won't let students use it on a mac, even in boot camp. Irrational, I know, but that's the way it is for now. Ask your registrar whether you can use it on a Mac running Windows. I'm buying a new MBP soon, but I'll be keeping my 5 year old Dell to write exams on.

According to the Law School, I'll be able to use a mac - as long as I use Boot Camp. I can't run Windows inside OS X because then I could potentially look up answers on my computer. The point of the exam software (for those that don't know) is to lock your computer out of using other applications and programs. As a result, I know I'll have to get a new computer.


Steve

 

[aquajet]

It doesn't seem like your needs really require the extra features and power of the MBP (again, unless of course the larger screen would be a significant benefit to you). If I was you, I'd save the money and get the MB. It'll be a significant upgrade over your PB.