Help rate these Mac Books as purchase options

[nightsky]

1. PowerBook G4 15-inch 1.67GHz SuperDrive, 512MB DDR2 PC2-4200 SDRAM, 80GB Hard Drive, ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (128MB DDR) $1350. + Tax

2. MacBook 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo - Black, 13.3-inch glossy widescreen display 1280 x 800 resolution, 1GB memory (2x512MB SODIMMs), 120GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive, SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW), Built-in iSight camera $1300. +Tax

3. MacBook 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo - White, 13.3-inch glossy widescreen display 1280 x 800 resolution, 1GB memory (2x512MB SODIMMs), 80GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive, SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW), Built-in iSight camera
$1,099.00

4. iBook 14-inch 1.42GHz SuperDrive, 512MB memory (DDR333 SDRAM), 60GB Ultra ATA hard drive, ATI Mobility Radeon 9550 (32MB DDR video memory
$1000.+ Tax

5. mac book pro 15" screen is out of my price range at $2000. +

Must run quark xpress, adobe photoshop, adobe illustrator and acrobat. Concern w/macbook 13 screen, graphic quality and expandability? Appreciate the benefit of your personal experience. Thanks

 

[Multimedia]

C2D MBP Is Best Choice DO NOT CONSIDER CD MBP - Bad Vents

1. PowerBook G4 15-inch 1.67GHz SuperDrive, 512MB DDR2 PC2-4200 SDRAM, 80GB Hard Drive, ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (128MB DDR) $1350. + Tax

NO.

2. MacBook 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo - Black, 13.3-inch glossy widescreen display 1280 x 800 resolution, 1GB memory (2x512MB SODIMMs), 120GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive, SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW), Built-in iSight camera $1300. +Tax

Waste of $200. Save $200 and buy a 200GB Toshiba for $260 and put it in yourself by buying white.

3. MacBook 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo - White, 13.3-inch glossy widescreen display 1280 x 800 resolution, 1GB memory (2x512MB SODIMMs), 80GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive, SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW), Built-in iSight camera. $1,099.00

BETTER

4. iBook 14-inch 1.42GHz SuperDrive, 512MB memory (DDR333 SDRAM), 60GB Ultra ATA hard drive, ATI Mobility Radeon 9550 (32MB DDR video memory. $1000.+ Tax

WORST.

5. mac book pro 15" screen is out of my price range at $2000. +

What MBP? C2D or CD? BEST IF C2D. Refurb C2D MBP Is Less Than $2k.

Must run quark xpress, adobe photoshop, adobe illustrator and acrobat. Concern w/macbook 13 screen, graphic quality and expandability? Appreciate the benefit of your personal experience. Thanks

Only get C2D MBP. Has radically BETTER VENTS cooling system among other numerous reasons. Hook an external monitor to the MacBook up to 24" 1920 x 1200 Dell 2407WFP for only $689 more (when on sale).

 

[bob909bob]

For your needs a MBP seems your best bet. It will last alot longer than the others performance wise and in the long run you'll be happier with it.

 

[dmw007]

For your needs a MBP seems your best bet. It will last alot longer than the others performance wise and in the long run you'll be happier with it.

I agree, a MacBook Pro would be better for nightsky's needs, but assuming that the OP has to pick one of the four listed options, I would go with option #3 ( 2GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook) and then upgrade the RAM to at least 1GB (preferably 2GB).

 

[Roy Hobbs]

He stated in the first post MBP is out of his price range.

 

[siurpeeman]

I agree, a MacBook Pro would be better for nightsky's needs, but assuming that the OP has to pick one of the four listed options, I would go with option #3 ( 2GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook) and then upgrade the RAM to at least 1GB (preferably 2GB).

no to the powerbook and the ibook. $1k for an ibook? that's ridiculous. if the mbp is out of your price range, get the macbook. color is up to you, really, but upgrade the ram to 2gb (macbooks already come with 1gb).

 

[polevault139]

You would have no need for the pro model with what you are going to be running. So my vote goes for the white 2.0 Macbook, just make sure to do what everyone is suggesting and upgrade to 2GB RAM. I think the attached photo is the one you are talking about, and if thats the case I say go for it.

 

[kermit4161]

You would have no need for the pro model with what you are going to be running.

I'd disagree with the above statement. Depending on how large of files the OP would be running in Quark, PS and Illustrator, there will be a large performance hit with the MacBook due to its graphics card limitations. I was having screen delays working with basic designs on a MB CD (2GB RAM) in Illustrator and PS when they first came out.

I'd suggest trying to find a refurb MBP if possible. Try to save up a little more money and get a refurb MBP C2D (I think they can be had for around $1500... just $200 or so more than the Black MB.If not, then the White MB with RAM maxed out (what everyone is suggesting).

 

[xfiftyfour]

I'd disagree with the above statement. Depending on how large of files the OP would be running in Quark, PS and Illustrator, there will be a large performance hit with the MacBook due to its graphics card limitations. I was having screen delays working with basic designs on a MB CD (2GB RAM) in Illustrator and PS when they first came out.

er - wrong. photoshop and the adobe suite aren't dependent on the video card, so that was definitely not causing any performance hit.