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

Going All-In

J

Jagurandi

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 9, 2008
15
0
Here's the deal: I'm intending to buy an aluminum macbook tomorrow (more specifically, I plan to order it from the online Apple Store), and I want to get a final check that I'm not making a terrible mistake.

A little about me: I'm a college senior and (with luck on my side) bound for graduate school in the Fall. I've scraped together the funds to upgrade my black macbook... a computer I love dearly. I plan on taking my savings and going in on a kitted-out macbook.

The question: I've done my research, so I know that (at least on paper), the macbook is the computer that I want. What I'm asking is this: given all the crying and complaining on these forums... am I just making a terrible mistake ordering this computer? Cutting through all the chronic complainers and apple apologists... what's the bottom line?

Thanks in advance
 
The forums offer a disproportional amount of users with problems, compared to those without, you don't see everyone who has a lovely new working MB posting a new thread just to say it's all working fine, but you do however get every user who has a problem on here, which gives a false representation.

Go for it, they're amazing little machines, I'd love to get the unibody MBP, they look pretty damn lovely.
 
None of us can tell the future, nor do we know your personal taste and preferences. you might love it, you might now. i say give it a shot.
you've read about people's views and feelings about the Alu. Make your decision on what YOU feel and like.
 
hmm..going to get a ton of opinions on this but if you have to have it now and cannot wait I say go ahead. On the flip side if you can wait a few months may want to wait till the macworld 09...never know what they will reveal..think a lot of the aggravation can be attributed to buying revision A of the product line also but that is the risk you take purchasing a new product line. Overall I think its great though and I was lucky enough not to get one with all the minor annoyances with exception of a seemingly crocked or slanted E key but the rest of the keys are fine as well the lid closes flush. That being said if you can wait a little longer why not? As for the MB I purchased I love it as well as find it enjoyable experience to use. Hey you have till Fall after... :)

Got mine from MacMall
 
If your going to be doing basic school stuff on it you'll be set. If your Blackbook provided you with everything you needed, then your set, minus FW of course.

Also remember that there are a lot more threads online like "I have a problem" then threads like "What's wrong with my Mac, it's working".
 
Jagurandi said:
Here's the deal: I'm intending to buy an aluminum macbook tomorrow (more specifically, I plan to order it from the online Apple Store), and I want to get a final check that I'm not making a terrible mistake.

A little about me: I'm a college senior and (with luck on my side) bound for graduate school in the Fall. I've scraped together the funds to upgrade my black macbook... a computer I love dearly. I plan on taking my savings and going in on a kitted-out macbook.

The question: I've done my research, so I know that (at least on paper), the macbook is the computer that I want. What I'm asking is this: given all the crying and complaining on these forums... am I just making a terrible mistake ordering this computer? Cutting through all the chronic complainers and apple apologists... what's the bottom line?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Why are you upgrading? Can your black MacBook no longer handle the tasks you are giving it? Is the new one really going to be that much of an upgrade? Are you going to be in financial straits if you go through with the purchase?

If you can answer those questions without regret then you should buy it.
 
Thanks for the quick replies, keep them coming!

I realize that these forums give a biased perspective, that's why I made this thread. I've read many a review, many an opinion, but I'm looking not for individual anecdotes so much as thoughts on the product line in general. In this, you've been quite helpful.

To answer some questions:
-my black macbook just isn't doing it for me anymore... I'm not a power user or any such thing, but I often have a ton of programs running at once and it's really tripping my current macbook up quite often
-I won't be in dire financial straights with this purchase... these are purely discretionary monies that I'm spending on this computer
-I prefer not to wait on electronics... there's always something major over the horizon... I don't need the cutting edge stuff, I just need something that does everything I need it to do. For instance, I'm considering buying an iPhone as well (through the apple educational store, the computer is costing less than I anticipated)... if I get an 8gb iphone and a 32 gig version comes out tomorrow... I won't bat an eye, 8 gigs is plenty for some songs, some books, and a few episodes of whatever show I'm watching. I say this just to explain my feelings on the matter.

Again, very helpful... keep the thoughts coming, eh?
 
Love my new macbook, not having any troubles with it, my keys are lined up just right, my case looks great!, and over all i love this notebook.

go all in.
 
I just got the 2.4GHz MacBook, my first mac, about a month ago and its been great. No problems what so ever, I haven't been able to spend a great deal in Leopard yet because the engineering programs I use require XP.

But as others have said the amount of complaining on the forums isn't a fair representation of the quality of the macbooks. I was afraid to start mine up the first time and find dust behind the glass, dead pixals, warped keys, loose battery cover, etc but mine had no defects what so ever.
 
If you are in the US, please check MacMall and MacConnection, their prices are sometimes lower than the Apple store (even with educational discount).
 
Get it! I have had some problems, but that is just because of the new OS, I just need to learn how to work it :D
 
I bought my MacBook a few weeks ago and I love it. Best laptop I've ever owned. After replacing my desktop with an iMac, I knew I'd have to replace my laptop with a MacBook...and I'm never going back =)
 
I'm loving the poker reference for this topic. I'm sure someone will be logging onto there Pokerstars account often on their new laptop :D
 
There's only two major reasons, and a few medium level reasons why many people don't like the new alu MB.

Major reason #1) no firewire - if you personally don't have any use for firewire, then no biggie

Major reason #2) glossy screen - again, if you've seen the screen and you're cool with it, then it's fine for you

moderate reason #1) chicklet keyboard - I know I sound like a broken record, but it all comes down to if you personally are fine with this keyboard or if you like or need a different keyboard

moderate reason #2) the trackpad - the whole thing is a button now, lots of people love it, some people just can't get used to it. I think you know what I'm gonna say now, you have to use it and see if you personally like it or not

minor reason #1) athstetics - some people think the black on grey is garish, some people think it looks cool. You better know what I was gonna say next

minor reason #2) wifi range is significantly reduced - but unless you often are trying to pick up weaker wifi signals, then this isn't a huge deal. It just means on occasions when you're dealing with weak wifi signals then you'll have to move closer to the transmitter antenna.

Basically, it all boils down to one thing, and one thing only. You. If you're fine with the features it lacks and the usability of the design it has, then go for it, you'll love it. But you must consider how well it meets YOUR needs and desires. But if you're not sure if you'll be okay with all the ergonomic designs like glossy screen, chicklet keyboard, and buttonless trackpad, then none of us can help you make a decision there at all. The only way for you to reach a conclusion about that is YOU must use it hands on and in person in order to really decide if you like it or not.
 
Again, thanks for all the replies.

I've done my fair share of research in deciding to purchase this laptop. I've scoured the internet, taken trips to the apple store (purely for research purposes, of course), and compared several potential laptops (including the MBP as well as other brands).

The bottom line is that I'm loving the design of the macbook. In making this thread, my hope was to get more qualitative or subjective thoughts on the product in it's totality. This s on instance where the ambiguity inherent in the way people understand the question "Are you satisfied with this product?" is to my advantage in that responses potentially cover bases I had not even anticipated.

As I said in my original post, this was the very last step in the long process of selecting a new laptop. A final check, if you will. You all have been very helpful in this... expect to see me frequent these forums more in the days to come.

Now... to marshal my resources and make this happen. :)
 
Have you maxed out the ram? If you haven't done so, I would suggest doing that and then saving the money. But it looks like you made up your mind already so enjoy your new MacBook!
 
Totally happy

As mentioned, these forums can provide a bias opinion of products, in general. I am one of those that hasn't posted a lot about my new macbook, but using it and loving it instead! I definitely recommend this laptop. Hell, my girlfriend thinks I love it more than her hahah.....but not true of course ;)
 
Go for it. Especially if you want it. I love my 2.4 Alu Macbook dearly.

Honestly, while there ARE problems, build quality will improve the longer you get from launch, and if your Macbook has a problem, don't hesitate to take it back.

I know some people will complain about being picky, but hey, if you're not satisfied you're entitled to return it. And Apple would MUCH prefer you exchange it for a new one than return it altogether.

I'm saying this just because mine had the slanted function keys, which I could most certainly deal with, but also a pixel stuck purple which was highly annoying, so the combination of the two led me to take it back, and I've never been happier with a machine than I am with my new Macbook.
 
Good choice Jagurandi!

smooth said:
Have you maxed out the ram? If you haven't done so, I would suggest doing that and then saving the money. But it looks like you made up your mind already so enjoy your new MacBook!
Click to expand...

Screw upgrading the RAM. I've only use more than 2GB less than 5% of the time.
 
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