Do I really need a MBP?

[jasonng]

I did a quick search to see if there is anybody in my situation but couldn't find anything.

Anyways, I have plans to get a new macbook ever since I broke my powerbook. If I do get a MBP, I will dip myself into quite a few games (Orange box, Spore, SC2). Having said that, the bad news is that I'm a poor college student and it turns out that I may not have the luxury.

What I want to know is do I need a pro regardless? Aside from your usual web surfing/email/etc, I will need it to for my assignments and projects. I'm a new computer science major and I'll be doing a whole lot of coding/programming (C++, javascript, etc) and I'll be teaching myself and using a lot of photoshop. That means I have to buy a drawing palette attachment on top of everything else.

This will become my main computer and the greedy troll inside me wants to best. I do enjoy video games but work unfortunately comes first. Maybe regular macbooks can handle games mentioned above?

Someone give me advice!

(On a side note, does anyone know any programs for C++ coding? I can't seem to find one for mac.)

 

[TEG]

Get the pro. The expence to start, will pay off by having a relevant comptuer when you graduate (so you can use the first year out of school paying down debts).

XCode works great for C, C++, and Java programming. Another solution is JGrasp which is also handy for all three. However, real UNIX nerds will just use vi built into the system, and use the XCode version of gcc for compiling.

TEG

 

[Whorehay]

An MBP. I find the matte (and bigger) screen makes more comfortable viewing for long term viewing.

 

[honeycrisp]

An MBP. I find the matte (and bigger) screen makes more comfortable viewing for long term viewing.

MBP will never let you down...

 

[jasonng]

Thanks guys, glad to know I don't have to settle for a macbook.

 

[ChrisN]

you should check out the refurb page because those MacBook pros are significantly cheaper.

ChrisN

 

[noodle654]

I did a quick search to see if there is anybody in my situation but couldn't find anything.

Anyways, I have plans to get a new macbook ever since I broke my powerbook. If I do get a MBP, I will dip myself into quite a few games (Orange box, Spore, SC2). Having said that, the bad news is that I'm a poor college student and it turns out that I may not have the luxury.

What I want to know is do I need a pro regardless? Aside from your usual web surfing/email/etc, I will need it to for my assignments and projects. I'm a new computer science major and I'll be doing a whole lot of coding/programming (C++, javascript, etc) and I'll be teaching myself and using a lot of photoshop. That means I have to buy a drawing palette attachment on top of everything else.

This will become my main computer and the greedy troll inside me wants to best. I do enjoy video games but work unfortunately comes first. Maybe regular macbooks can handle games mentioned above?

Someone give me advice!

(On a side note, does anyone know any programs for C++ coding? I can't seem to find one for mac.)

Get the Pro. Just get it....a MB will be crap with Orange Box and the coding/programming that you were saying.

If you are on a tight budget...Apple is selling the previous models (Santa Rosa) 2.4GHz 256MB 8600GT for like $1650. That is a sweet deal. The 2.2GHz is only $1450. Its like a steal!!!

 

[skitzogreg]

you should check out the refurb page because those MacBook pros are significantly cheaper.

ChrisN

I've been refreshing all day waiting for them to put back on the refurb site a 2.4 glossy MBP (15.4). I hope they post more late tonight.

 

[ChrisN]

I've been refreshing all day waiting for them to put back on the refurb site a 2.4 glossy MBP (15.4). I hope they post more late tonight.

I did not notice how fast those things go, on Tuesday I saw atleast 4 different models of the 15 inch now there is just one. What a steal.

ChrisN