Entry level 13 MBP ok - Should I have gotten the 2.53?

[Takashi]

The base model is fine. If you get a killer deal on it, then you made the right choice by buying it.

Don't regret when you buy something with a killer discount. You can always upgrade your computer after you buy it. Sometimes it's more $$ to get the upgrade offered by Apple.

 

[cluthz]

Hey I do have one question that might seem a bit odd.

The torx screws you remove on bottom to upgrade the RAM -

Do they look scratched up a bit after on screwing them? That might be a reason to buy the computer with memory you want already in it?

I know like on my old powerbook, the RAM access door screws, look less shiny after opening it up.

If you have decent tools that wouldn't be an issue

 

[Demosthenes X]

Most regulars around here know my feelings on the matter but just to clarify for you if money is no problem ALWAYS buy big to future proof your investment for longer.

And as has probably been pointed out ad nauseum to users like shambo, this is fallacious logic.

Fact: it is more economical to buy a lower-end machine and upgrade it more often than to buy a high-end machine and upgrade less often. This is true even comparing hardware alone: once you factor in costs like upgrading software, replacing components, etc., it is completely nonsensical to spend more than you need to now.

Fact: "future proofing" is a myth. Assuming the computer is being used for tasks like web surfing, word processing, and email, any computer now will be "future proofed" until it dies. Email isn't going to get any more processor intensive in the next three years.

Fact: even if e-mail does somehow get more processor intensive, future proofing will not protect you. Intel switches processors roughly every three years. Even if you buy an i7 now, you can bet that in under four years it will be replaced with something new. So much for "future proofing".

 

[Velin]

Nevertheless, the 2.26 seems on the low end these days.

Should I consider returning it, or you guys think this model is still a great choice especially at this price? I guess I just normally try to not to get the very base model.

I just picked up a baseline 13" MBPro from the Apple Store. I am pleased with the machine and its performance out of the box. The processor difference you highlighted won't matter much -- you'll see much better performance if you upgrade the RAM from 2 to 4 G. I plan on doing the 2 to 4 G of RAM soon. In my opinion the Macbook Pro needs the extra RAM.

Other than the RAM issue, I'm finding the 13" MBPro a joy to use. And this is coming from someone who's daily computer is a decked-out Mac Pro with key upgrades (10K raptor drives, 10 Gig RAM and with professional equipment (pro NEC monitors, projectors, scanners, etc.).

Hence even though my daily Apple machine is a blazing desktop few other desktop machines can touch, I still found the Macbook Pro base model quite acceptable out of the box.

I'd keep it, esp. at that price.

 

[powerbook911]

If you have decent tools that wouldn't be an issue

Um, maybe I didn't post my question clearly. No, I did not scratch my computer taking the screws out.

However, Apple has a fancy coating on the screws, and just the process of putting the screwdriver into the screws seems to change their appearance somewhat by removing the light layer of coating/color.

I guess it's probably the same on this computer ?

 

[vant]

Um, maybe I didn't post my question clearly. No, I did not scratch my computer taking the screws out.

However, Apple has a fancy coating on the screws, and just the process of putting the screwdriver into the screws seems to change their appearance somewhat by removing the light layer of coating/color.

I guess it's probably the same on this computer ?

Jesus who cares?!

Is someone really going to lift your computer and complain the screws look ugly?

 

[powerbook911]

Jesus who cares?!

Is someone really going to lift your computer and complain the screws look ugly?

Well, when it's my computer, yes. me, the only person I care about.

You won't even believe the things I obsess about on my car.

 

[subvocal]

Thanks again everyone.

With the sale and cash back, I ended up paying $1,000 basically spot on the nose for the 2.26 model. I could return it and buy the 2.53 model for $1,400.

However, $300-$400 extra doesn't seem worth it, I mean 40 percent more money is a bit much I think.

The entry level system with more memory and maybe faster/bigger hard drive if needed, should be fine I hope.

Thanks again.

Sad thing, I wish I had one now too! The box looks so nice. Can't wait to see my mother open it up. Should be a big surprise. I don't really have use for notebooks much myself though, so I still use an old 12 Powerbook, since 99.999 percent of the time or more, I'm on my desk with iMac.

Hello, I'm new here and already have a problem. I am on the verge of committing to the purchase a MBP (tonight I thought before I talked with a friend out West) and am wondering if there is info to be had about particular models to steer clear of (issues) or other info. I'm looking at a 15in, 2.53, 4g 250g (model: Z0EZ065I) I do music and will be primarily using for live shows with logic. Any help here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[powerbook911]

Hello, I'm new here and already have a problem. I am on the verge of committing to the purchase a MBP (tonight I thought before I talked with a friend out West) and am wondering if there is info to be had about particular models to steer clear of (issues) or other info. I'm looking at a 15in, 2.53, 4g 250g (model: Z0EZ065I) I do music and will be primarily using for live shows with logic. Any help here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Cool. Despite my post, I am fairly knowledgeable with Macs.

I think a 15 2.53 is a very competent machine. You'll find it quite fast I think. If you need larger internal drive, it's not too hard to upgrade, but you may be using big externals with it too.

There really is nothing bad with that model. That model does have the integrated graphics only, like the 13-inchers. This is not as good if you were going to be playing lots of games, or doing graphic and video type work intensively. However, for music work, I don't see a problem with that.

I think you'll find that machine impresses you. When I get a new model myself, not as a gift, it's one like you suggest that I'll certainly consider for myself. Good luck deciding.

 

[thesmoth]

I have the 2.26 ghz 13" mbp with the stock HD and 4 gigs of ram, and I typically have the following running 24/7.

-Safari with 3-4 windows and 5-7 tabs per window
-MS word
-Preview/adobe acrobat pro
-powerpoint
-itunes
-icalender
-iphoto
-skype
-Sometimes chemdraw/photoshop and scifinder

I'm usually at about 60-80% memory usage (out of 4 gigs), and my cpu usage usually sits between 5-30%. The only times it takes a dive is sometimes I beach ball when switching things, and sometimes word messes up. I also have 95% of my HD filled up so when I replace it with a bigger one that should help.

Most users don't have half of the stuff open that I do at the same time and really this is more than enough power. Things like games/rendering/video editing/photo processing/computations/protein folding are the things that eat up CPU power, and are the things most people don't do.

 

[mosesko]

I'm going to buy the MBP 13.3" 2.26ghz with 2GB RAM. I want to upgrade it to 4GB RAM. Can I just buy another 2GB module or do I have to buy a 4GB module and replace the existing 2GB module? Thanks for any advice!

 

[MrBrekke]

I'm going to buy the MBP 13.3" 2.26ghz with 2GB RAM. I want to upgrade it to 4GB RAM. Can I just buy another 2GB module or do I have to buy a 4GB module and replace the existing 2GB module? Thanks for any advice!

you need to buy 2x 2Gb modules.

 

[jb1280]

I'm going to buy the MBP 13.3" 2.26ghz with 2GB RAM. I want to upgrade it to 4GB RAM. Can I just buy another 2GB module or do I have to buy a 4GB module and replace the existing 2GB module? Thanks for any advice!

You need to buy two 2GB dimms

 

[mosesko]

You need to buy two 2GB dimms

Thanks! Any recommended memory dimms? I was thinking of buying from OWC which is around $100.

 

[vant]

Thanks! Any recommended memory dimms? I was thinking of buying from OWC which is around $100.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...8&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&Order=PRICE

 

[mosesko]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...8&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&Order=PRICE

Thank you very much. That's a great choice!

 

[vant]

Thank you very much. That's a great choice!

Don't get the Geil. It's Cas latency is only 9. Stick with CL7.

 

[subvocal]

Cool. Despite my post, I am fairly knowledgeable with Macs.

I think a 15 2.53 is a very competent machine. You'll find it quite fast I think. If you need larger internal drive, it's not too hard to upgrade, but you may be using big externals with it too.

There really is nothing bad with that model. That model does have the integrated graphics only, like the 13-inchers. This is not as good if you were going to be playing lots of games, or doing graphic and video type work intensively. However, for music work, I don't see a problem with that.

I think you'll find that machine impresses you. When I get a new model myself, not as a gift, it's one like you suggest that I'll certainly consider for myself. Good luck deciding.

Thanks very much for the feedback. I'm actually still up in the air about this purchase. Now I'm considering just going with the 13in 2.53, 4g, 250g I will save about 200.00 and I could use 200.00 right now. The minus in this, other than screen size (and extra vid card which I don't really need), is the single audio in/out as opposed to the 15 which has a dedicated in and out. I've really only used my out jack all these years on my g4 so I can't see why I'd need the in anyway... Comments are appreciated. Something I'm not thinking about? Issues I don't know about?
thanks...

 

[powerbook911]

Thanks very much for the feedback. I'm actually still up in the air about this purchase. Now I'm considering just going with the 13in 2.53, 4g, 250g I will save about 200.00 and I could use 200.00 right now. The minus in this, other than screen size (and extra vid card which I don't really need), is the single audio in/out as opposed to the 15 which has a dedicated in and out. I've really only used my out jack all these years on my g4 so I can't see why I'd need the in anyway... Comments are appreciated. Something I'm not thinking about? Issues I don't know about?
thanks...

you must also consider total pricing with shipping and other fees in your area, from various retailers including Macconnection and Amazon . Perhaps, from the right place, you can get more of the machine you want for about the same price.

The 2.53 13 is a great machine too as you know. If it's your main and only machine, I do think you might appreciate the extra screen space of the 15. Otherwise the 13 is very good too.

Yeah, most users don't use the audio in especially on a more consumer machine. I have used it rarely myself, but a couple times on my iMac. Anyway, you could always get a USB sound input device, if you ever needed to get various forms of audio into the computer in the future.

For portability I really like a size like a 13. I think it's great. When I'm at my desk, I like to have a bit larger screen sometimes, so just get whatever you think is best for you. Good luck

 

[powerbook911]

Thanks! Any recommended memory dimms? I was thinking of buying from OWC which is around $100.

Some of the ones on Newegg are great. However, the $100 from OWC is not too bad either, and I've always had a great experience with them. You might consider total cost in your area from both retailers. I can say you can really put faith in the memory OWC sells from my experience, but I've bought from New Egg too, I was just careful to find reviews (on the new egg item page itself) of people saying that particular module is working in their mac.