Heading off to boarding school...need a laptop

[bluedoggiant]

I am not asking for Mac Pro power in a MacBook Pro package, I am asking for my 2007 Aluminum iMac in a 2009 Macbook Pro package. I just want to verify if I will lose any power.

Air is a definite no.

Are you sure you will have to run all the programs together?
Isn't there any chance that you'll quit the other apps when you're doing something else?
I really don't think that even a MacBook Pro can handle your demands.
The best bet would just be to change your habits.
However, if that is not possible, definitley go with the 17" MacBook Pro.
The RAM will definitley also be faster, because it is DDR3 vs. DDR2.
Also go with the fastest processor, and don't disable any of the GPUs.
Good Luck finding your perfect laptop!

As far as running all those apps together, dvdhsu. Those can be on my hefty days, usually 3-4, but every other day or at times I could be doing alot, and my iMac doesn't choke at all.

OK, here's how I see it (not that my opinion is worth anything at all, lol):

nVidia 9600 in MBP should be an improvement over 2600XT.
4GB DDR3 > 4GB DDR2 (speed-wise)
Even though 17" < 24", resolution is the SAME (you don't lose any space, just size)
2.93 C2D > 2.8 C2D
Hard drive speed should be equal - BOTH are 7200 RPM.
(While 7200 RPM is fast for a laptop drive, it's NORMAL for a desktop drive)
MBP is "portable" (personally I think any 17" behemoth is WAY TOO BIG - I had one and never want another)
If you want HD speed, skip the HD altogether and get the 256GB SSD.

That's my thoughts on the performance question. Here's some suggestions:
-If you're using a lappie 100% of the time, get a stand of some sort to raise the sucker up to eye level - and make sure it has ports so that you won't have to disconnect 20 wires when you take it with you.
-Get a mouse! (I'd say that's a duh suggestion) And BT is the only way to go.
-Keyboard is your call. I still can't figure out why Apple won't put a number pad in a 17" laptop.
-Even though the new 17" is an LED screen, the viewing angle will never be that of a desktop LCD (like the iMac)

Personally, I'm a desktop advocate - a full-sized, full-powered machine is always more comfortable than any portable (this coming from the guy whose desktop is a Mini, lol). However, I think in your case a top of the line MBP will be at least equal to your current iMac.

Thank you js81 for your well constructed response, I will look more deeply into what you wrote.

If money isn't a problem then why are you trying to save a few bucks on memory? Just buy the high end MBP17 with memory, large 7200 HDD and get on with it.

dubhe, I know its an oxymoron, I just want it to be reasonable.

and for the rest of you saying how I'd be doing internet browsing sh*t, well, I do, I do have a facebook, but thats not want I spend my time doing.

 

[js81]

Thank you js81 for your well constructed response, I will look more deeply into what you wrote.

Anytime, anytime - just doin' my best to help the forums be, well, helpful.

 

[bluedoggiant]

Thanks

Does anyone else disagree with my plans?

 

[alexlovesmacs]

I would go with the MacBook Air since you already have an iMac.

 

[BlueRevolution]

I have to say the iMac isn't too bad to cart around from time to time. I brought it home for Christmas, although I wouldn't have wanted to take it on a flight or anything. My perfect combination would be iMac + MacBook Air if I were in the same spot most of the time, or MacBook Pro + external display if I were on the go a fair bit. I think the latter would probably serve you best.

My suggestion is a 15" MacBook Pro with a 24" external display, an Apple LED display if you're really feeling affluent. A 17" laptop just drags you down and keeps you from moving around, and the $300 premium could buy you a lot more screen space. Why the aversion to a second monitor? I love having two, personally.

 

[Pixellated]

I have to say the iMac isn't too bad to cart around from time to time. I brought it home for Christmas, although I wouldn't have wanted to take it on a flight or anything. My perfect combination would be iMac + MacBook Air if I were in the same spot most of the time, or MacBook Pro + external display if I were on the go a fair bit. I think the latter would probably serve you best.

My suggestion is a 15" MacBook Pro with a 24" external display, an Apple LED display if you're really feeling affluent. A 17" laptop just drags you down and keeps you from moving around, and the $300 premium could buy you a lot more screen space. Why the aversion to a second monitor? I love having two, personally.

He said his iMac was too big. So an equally large display will be fine.

 

[bluedoggiant]

Yeah but my iMac will be at home. Macbook Air is a NO.

I need something to REPLACE my iMac. But not TOO big.

 

[txhockey9404]

Based upon what you said you wanted, I specced out two machines I think you may want to take a look at.

The first is a 17" MPB for USD$3149
2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
MacBook Pro 17-inch Hi-Resolution Glossy Widescreen Display
Backlit Keyboard (English) / User's Guide
This baby is a BEAST!

The second is a 15" MBP for $2849
2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
320GB Serial ATA @ 7200
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Backlit Keyboard (English) / User's Guide
Yet another beast.

So, for $300, you can get an extra 2" of screen space (and more resolution), .13ghz of processing power, a non-removable battery, and the ability to upgrade to 8gb of RAM should need be.

Personally, I would go for the 15" because it is smaller, not because it is cheaper. Honestly, I think 4gb of RAM is enough for almost anyone, aside from those who must run VMs all the time. Also, .13ghz is not much at all, and will not make any noticeable difference. Also, since you will be going to classes, a removable battery and portability are probably pretty important to you, so that is another plus for the 15 incher.

Here are some reasons for the 17". For only $300, you get an extra 2" of screen space that can be very valuable for research, gaming, etc. Also, the extra RAM space could prevent you from needing an upgrade as soon. Third, the single battery on the 17" lasts longer by itself than a single 15" battery, so instead of swapping after about 3-4 hours for another 3-4 hours, you would die in 5-6 hours. You would not have to reboot after 3-4 hours to put in a new battery. The .13ghz is still .13ghz, and you will see it a bit when encoding videos and such. That will make you a bit more productive.

 

[natebookpro]

I used to go to soccer academy there for a week every summer... like 10 years ago. Good times...

 

[bluedoggiant]

Hmm.

From a 2.8 C2E

How does the 2.53 ghz compare? since its penryn? the 2.8? is it the same as the one in my imac, or better? is it noticeable?

 

[brendanryder]

Based upon what you said you wanted, I specced out two machines I think you may want to take a look at.

The first is a 17" MPB for USD$3149
2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
MacBook Pro 17-inch Hi-Resolution Glossy Widescreen Display
Backlit Keyboard (English) / User's Guide
This baby is a BEAST!

The second is a 15" MBP for $2849
2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
320GB Serial ATA @ 7200
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Backlit Keyboard (English) / User's Guide
Yet another beast.

So, for $300, you can get an extra 2" of screen space (and more resolution), .13ghz of processing power, a non-removable battery, and the ability to upgrade to 8gb of RAM should need be.

those are the 2 im trying to decide between haha. I also currently have a 07 Alu iMac with the same specs as yours. i also have an air, DO NOT BUY AN AIR haha. Im selling y air to by a new MBP for video editing and school stuff. Im leaning towards the 17" because of the resolution, which would come in handy for gaming and your video editing. Also the 8Hr battery would be a nice benefit. I think i can handle the extra weight and size of the 17" at school just to gain the extra screen size/resolution. Also something to note: im not sure how much video editing you do but having the 2.93GHz will help with rendering time.

 

[brop52]

How can you afford all of this? I'm going to be adopted into your family. You still haven't told us what exactly you do want to do with your notebook. Gaming, CPU intensive things, what? If you want portability and battery life go with the 2GHz Aluminum MB and keep it as is or upgrade the HDD/RAM. If you want price go with the 2GHz White MB and upgrade it to 4GB from Newegg for $39.99 since it still uses DDR2 and buy this 320GB HDD for $59.99 if you need more space. If you want portability and power and have the cash go with the 2.4GHz MB and keep it as is or upgrade the RAM. If you want gaming power and even more cash go with the MBP. Otherwise, there is zero difference between the MBP and MB besides firewire, gaming, screen quality/size, price, less battery life, and heavier weight. (Unless you want an even higher speced MBP with the faster processors in which case no MB is going to do it for you as they only go up to 2.4GHz)

If you want upgrades to the HDD and RAM it is going to be the cheapest, by far, to have the White MB due to the DDR2.

 

[brendanryder]

You still haven't told us what exactly you do want to do with your notebook. Gaming, CPU intensive things, what?

I multitask alot (6 spaces), Mail, Safari with lots of tabs, Firefox for downloading, Transmission, iSquint rendering, Final Cut Express, iMovie HD (2006), iMove '08/'09, Pixelmator (GPU based photo editor), iTunes with over 30GB of media, iChat, and pretty much all of these apps will run at once on my iMac. Without ANY issues, only difference is, I don't run all the video rendering/editing apps at once.

and

If you want portability and battery life go with the 2GHz Aluminum MB and keep it as is or upgrade the HDD/RAM. If you want price go with the 2GHz White MB and upgrade it to 4GB from Newegg for $39.99 since it still uses DDR2 and buy this 320GB HDD for $59.99 if you need more space. If you want portability and power and have the cash go with the 2.4GHz MB and keep it as is or upgrade the RAM.

I am leaning towards the Macbook Pro, not sure if 15" or 17"...... And my standards are, the same exact power as my iMac, no less....

Please read before you post.

On another note, you mentioned:

Otherwise, there is zero difference between the MBP and MB besides firewire, gaming, screen quality/size, price, less battery life.

ARE YOU LISTENING TO YOURSELF!!!!
Firewire: for video editing
Gaming: which has to do with graphics, which he needs for editing and playing COD4 and quake
Screen quality: helpful for gaming and video editing
all of those are HUGE differences!!!!

 

[brop52]

and




Please read before you post.

On another note, you mentioned:

ARE YOU LISTENING TO YOURSELF!!!!
Firewire: for video editing
Gaming: which has to do with graphics, which he needs for editing and playing COD4 and quake
Screen quality: helpful for gaming and video editing
all of those are HUGE differences!!!!

I'll stand corrected but concede that I am tired and sick. Of course my whole problem with this is the price and how he can afford this. Though the White MB is a capable machine, the best price by far (have 2-3 white MBs for the price of a MBP and does still have firewire.) As for the OP if he's doing a lot of those things he won't be happy with the MB most likely. I still haven't heard how much cost is an issue though when someone is considering a $3000 computer I guess it isn't much of an issue. How are you paying for this?

I still also say that he should try to take the iMac to school with him and play his games and do the video encoding on there as it will be far better with games/GPU due to the screen size at a price of 0. It is often a pain to play games on a notebook unless you end up getting an external monitor, mouse, keyboard, and are sitting at a desk. If you do that, it ends up as an even more expensive endeavor. In fact, if someone is really in to games they might as well get a game system and play it or build a cheap PC system. Leave the MB for what it is meant to be and that is a cheaper and very portable system.

Ah hell get a MBP. Still though if you really need a larger screen get a good external monitor.

 

[brendanryder]

Its all good, im not one of the e-Douce bags haha
***

How are you paying for this?

+1 im having trouble finding $$ for my new MBP and thats after i sell my MBA and possibly my iMac haha

I still also say that he should try to take the iMac to school with him and play his games and do the video encoding on there as it will be far better with games/GPU due to the screen size at a price of 0.

Agreed, call the school and ask, it would allow you to get either an Alu macbook pimped out, or a baseline MBP. and if your worried about it getting stolen, put a security lock on it to the desk and use a bike lock around the base haha. If theres only 1 desk in the room, create a limited account for your room mate then you can put it on the desk haha.

 

[8767092]

Yeah but my iMac will be at home. Macbook Air is a NO.

I need something to REPLACE my iMac. But not TOO big.

My personal experience says the 17" Macbook Pro just feels too big to carry around with you everywhere. It isn't too heavy.. it just feels too big to me.

I purchased a 15" Unibody Macbook Pro with 2.8GHz processor, 4GB DDR3 ram, 512MB 9600GT/9400M integrated, and Samsung 128GB SSD. The machine is very fast breezes through everything I throw at it including very heavy tasks such as compiling code in several virtual machines at once.

It is all personal preference though so it might be a good idea to go look at them in the Apple store before buying anything.

 

[iCantwait]

Get an iBook g4 and be thankful

 

[leighonigar]

Get an iBook g4 and be thankful

Agreed, failing that get a white macbook. They're delightful. Art is about the struggle!

 

[bluedoggiant]

Get an iBook g4 and be thankful

I don't want to talk about "where" im getting this money from.

brendanryder i like your situation as its the same with me.

I said I WILL BE TAKING THIS FROM CLASS TO CLASS. It will be good enough for the dorm, no doubt, not that big of a deal to take home, and im not spending a fortune on a snazzy macbook air that is NOT worth it.

 

[brop52]

You are obviously kidding me...



I don't want to talk about "where" im getting this money from.


brendanryder i like your situation as its the same with me.

and for the motherf*cking milliionth time

I said I WILL BE TAKING THIS FROM CLASS TO CLASS. It will be good enough for the dorm, no doubt, not that big of a deal to take home, and im not spending a fortune on a snazzy macbook air that is NOT worth it.

Right but if you want something that will go class to class you should get a 15.4" MBP or the more portable MB with better battery life. Unless you are by a plug you may have some issues having it last the whole day. Obviously the 17" MBP lasts a long time, but then there is the portability issue. The problem also arises when you want to play a lot of games on such a small screen. Since you seem to say money is no object that makes your decision-making that much more difficult. It is going to come down to personal preference.

 

[Patriks7]

"And obviously losing my 500GB drive is a sad thing, but the 320 at 7200RPM makes up for it! lol"

Seagate is coming out with a 7200 RPM 500 GB drive. And if you need more, you can just pop in a Firewire drive.
If I'd be you, I'd go for the highend 15" or 17" MacBook pro. All depends on your preferred size (unless you need 8 GB RAM, for which you don't even need this thread cause that's a no brainer ) But if screen size is important, I would think about getting a monitor even though you don't want it. You then can use 2 screens and multitask even more

 

[bluedoggiant]

"And obviously losing my 500GB drive is a sad thing, but the 320 at 7200RPM makes up for it! lol"

Seagate is coming out with a 7200 RPM 500 GB drive. And if you need more, you can just pop in a Firewire drive.
If I'd be you, I'd go for the highend 15" or 17" MacBook pro. All depends on your preferred size (unless you need 8 GB RAM, for which you don't even need this thread cause that's a no brainer ) But if screen size is important, I would think about getting a monitor even though you don't want it. You then can use 2 screens and multitask even more

Getting an external monitor is not on my budget. The price of the "actual" computer isn't really limited but obscenity. Like I'm not going to buy 8GB ram just because I can, I won't need it.

I have 1 500GB Western Digital Studio edition drive, and a 2x1TB Western Digital Studio edition drive for extra space and time machine, I'm not worrying about that.

My concerns are reliability, the video card, and the processor.

 

[SkyBell]

Getting an external monitor is not on my budget. The price of the "actual" computer isn't really limited but obscenity. Like I'm not going to buy 8GB ram just because I can, I won't need it.

I have 1 500GB Western Digital Studio edition drive, and a 2x1TB Western Digital Studio edition drive for extra space and time machine, I'm not worrying about that.

My concerns are reliability, the video card, and the processor.

I think you have to understand, whatever you buy, it won't be exactly the same as your iMac. It may be very close, but not perfect.

I'd say go for the upper end 15". Unless you really think you need that screen space and battery life.

 

[brendanryder]

brendanryder i like your situation as its the same with me.

I said I WILL BE TAKING THIS FROM CLASS TO CLASS. It will be good enough for the dorm, no doubt, not that big of a deal to take home, and im not spending a fortune on a snazzy macbook air that is NOT worth it.

i plan on making my decision at the apple store once they have th 17's in. i need to see the actual difference in size an weight, then i will order one online with 2.93 and the 7200rpm. id advise you to find a store with the 15" and 17" and compare them your self. Only YOU can make the decision.

 

[brop52]

Getting an external monitor is not on my budget. The price of the "actual" computer isn't really limited but obscenity. Like I'm not going to buy 8GB ram just because I can, I won't need it.

I have 1 500GB Western Digital Studio edition drive, and a 2x1TB Western Digital Studio edition drive for extra space and time machine, I'm not worrying about that.

My concerns are reliability, the video card, and the processor.

Hold on. You are willing to spend nearly $3000 on a notebook and you can't spend $100-200 something on a monitor? As said previously, it is up to you on what you want and we can't tell you what you need or want to buy.