Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

ADVICE HELP PLEASE: Buy New Macbook or Macbook Pro, Or Wait.

T

trevh101

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 23, 2006
4
0
:eek: Hi, I've been waiting a month and a half for the new Processor that was rumored to be going into the laptop line-up. I'm very anxious to get a new lap top so please give me your advice... Should I wait for the line-up, or go a head and get an apple laptop now... and which one, the macbook, or pro. THANKS!:)
 
trevh101 said:
:eek: Hi, I've been waiting a month and a half for the new Processor that was rumored to be going into the laptop line-up. I'm very anxious to get a new lap top so please give me your advice... Should I wait for the line-up, or go a head and get an apple laptop now... and which one, the macbook, or pro. THANKS!:)
Click to expand...

There are rumors that the MacBook Pro will be introduced with Core 2 Duo chips on Monday at an Apple event before the start of Photokina.

Wait until Monday at least.

Assuming that Monday brings no new news about C2D. You might as well buy if you need a new computer. As to which one: depends on your needs.

Comapring the upper MB to the lower MBP:
-13.3'' vs 15'' screen
-MB: better battery, lighter
-2x256MB RAM vs. 1X512RAM
-Glossy screen only option with MB
-MB has easy swap HD, easy access to RAM
-MBP has better graphics card
-same processor

I am sure if you post what you will be doing with this computer, you will get a load of opinions on what to buy.
 
I would wait until at least this Monday.
Apple is expected to update it's MacBook Pro line then.

As for the MacBook or MacBook Pro.
Nobody can make that decision for you.
What do you need?
Power or affordability.
Choose wisely my young grasshopper.
 
Advice.

Im a college freshmen, and are going to be doing normal average work on the computer... The reason i've having trouble choosing is due to the fact that I don't want to have to buy a new computer in a year... I'd rather get the best of the best, and be able to keep it longer... but if i'm not doing any graphics work on it... other than watching movies and that, do I really need the pro? I can afford to upgrade the macbook to the max, would that be better than getting the starting base of the pro? Thanks for your help!:)
 
trevh101 said:
Im a college freshmen, and are going to be doing normal average work on the computer... The reason i've having trouble choosing is due to the fact that I don't want to have to buy a new computer in a year... I'd rather get the best of the best, and be able to keep it longer... but if i'm not doing any graphics work on it... other than watching movies and that, do I really need the pro? I can afford to upgrade the macbook to the max, would that be better than getting the starting base of the pro? Thanks for your help!:)
Click to expand...

I think the MacBook will work for you.

The biggest thing you can do to "future proof" your computer is get the best processor (Cor Duo 2.0GHz in both MB and MBP) and increase the RAM. Since the MB (high end) and MBP (low end) come with the same RAM you are going to have to buy for either. So, if you can afford it, I would buy the MacBook with 2x1GB.

I would suggest, however, take a look at the screen. Personally I do not like the glossy screen. When I am doing school work for lengthy periods I find the glossy screen annoying.
 
MacBook is probably fine for your needs, they really are very fast, lightweight and portable computers. I'm running a MacBook 2GHz, 512RAM and 60GB HD (Coreduo obviously). I for one am not bothered by the new 64bit Core 2 Duos, firstly because it's going to be years and years before 32bit processers are phased out and secondly, I'm quite certain my MacBook will be suffice for the next three years or more. Moreover, the next OSX Leopard (despite being designed with 64bit processing in mind) is going to run even quicker that OSX Tiger.

Regarding the MacBook Pro, then if someone offered me a straight up swap with my MacBook, I'd definitely take it because the Pro's are better notebooks. That stated, I doubt for my requirements they are worth the extra cash if indeed I had to pay. They are only quicker in the graphics department and I use my computers for audio productions, not intensive graphic design or computer games (have a PC for them!).
 
Great, thanks.

ChickenSwartz said:
I think the MacBook will work for you.

The biggest thing you can do to "future proof" your computer is get the best processor (Cor Duo 2.0GHz in both MB and MBP) and increase the RAM. Since the MB (high end) and MBP (low end) come with the same RAM you are going to have to buy for either. So, if you can afford it, I would buy the MacBook with 2x1GB.

I would suggest, however, take a look at the screen. Personally I do not like the glossy screen. When I am doing school work for lengthy periods I find the glossy screen annoying.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'm glad I posted on here, all this advice is Definitely helping me out - :)
 
ChickenSwartz said:
I would suggest, however, take a look at the screen. Personally I do not like the glossy screen. When I am doing school work for lengthy periods I find the glossy screen annoying.
Click to expand...

I love them to be honest, they make your wallpaper look like you've stuck a real photo over your screen. I couldn't go back to a dull finish on a notebook ever again.
 
Thank again.

XP Defector said:
MacBook is probably fine for your needs, they really are very fast, lightweight and portable computers. I'm running a MacBook 2GHz, 512RAM and 60GB HD (Coreduo obviously). I for one am not bothered by the new 64bit Core 2 Duos, firstly because it's going to be years and years before 32bit processers are phased out and secondly, I'm quite certain my MacBook will be suffice for the next three years or more. Moreover, the next OSX Leopard (despite being designed with 64bit processing in mind) is going to run even quicker that OSX Tiger.

Regarding the MacBook Pro, then if someone offered me a straight up swap with my MacBook, I'd definitely take it because the Pro's are better notebooks. That stated, I doubt for my requirements they are worth the extra cash if indeed I had to pay. They are only quicker in the graphics department and I use my computers for audio productions, not intensive graphic design or computer games (have a PC for them!).
Click to expand...



Great, thanks. I appreciate it! I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with my first instinct, and get a macbook...
:)
 
the MacBook is the one to get if you're only using it for school work and watching movies.. plus with the $ you can add 2GB of RAM which will make your MacBook blaze... if you really need the screen real estate than go for the MBP... but i think the MacBook is well suited for you
 
XP Defector said:
I love them to be honest, they make your wallpaper look like you've stuck a real photo over your screen. I couldn't go back to a dull finish on a notebook ever again.
Click to expand...

I will agree the glossy screens look fantastic in that respect.

I had to use a glossy screen for about 5 hours in an office with fluorescent lights working on an Excel spreadsheet. Afterwards it felt like my eyes were on fire. But, like all options, you have to choose what is best for your needs.
 
I'd rather get a top of the line MacBook than the lowest MBP, but mostly because of screen size and RAM. RAM will be the deciding factor on performance between these 2 laptops for most apps.
 
I was in your exact same situation. THen school started and I said screw waiting I'll just get a maxed out MB and I'm really happy with my decision. You will not regret it at all. I do the same stuff you're planning on doing and I haven't had any problems yet. Just buy it now and you'll thank yourself later.
 
trevh101 said:
:eek: Hi, I've been waiting a month and a half for the new Processor that was rumored to be going into the laptop line-up. I'm very anxious to get a new lap top so please give me your advice... Should I wait for the line-up, or go a head and get an apple laptop now... and which one, the macbook, or pro. THANKS!:)
Click to expand...

Get what you need. If there's one thing I know, having been a college student at one point in my life, is that college students aren't rich (unless you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth in which case you should buy the most expensive BTO MBP possible.) In other words, go for the macbook and skip the macbook pro, especially if you're simply doing word processing and the like.
 
XP Defector said:
I love them to be honest, they make your wallpaper look like you've stuck a real photo over your screen. I couldn't go back to a dull finish on a notebook ever again.
Click to expand...

I actually find the Macbook display really lousy, they make Textmate's icon look purple when it is pinkish on my desktop, and if you use the default colour profile it looks washed out and too contrasty.

Urgh.
 
trevh101 said:
Im a college freshmen, and are going to be doing normal average work on the computer... The reason i've having trouble choosing is due to the fact that I don't want to have to buy a new computer in a year... I'd rather get the best of the best, and be able to keep it longer... but if i'm not doing any graphics work on it... other than watching movies and that, do I really need the pro? I can afford to upgrade the macbook to the max, would that be better than getting the starting base of the pro? Thanks for your help!:)
Click to expand...


eh whatever you have will be better than what freshman got 3 years ago aka me lol with a 1ghz emac

it will be more than enough for your needs *current macbook that is
 
dukebound85 said:
eh whatever you have will be better than what freshman got 3 years ago aka me lol with a 1ghz emac

it will be more than enough for your needs *current macbook that is
Click to expand...

Ah yes the eMacs...friendly giants.

The Macbook should be fine for you if all you are doing is internet/IM/writing stuff.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back