Highschool student which MBP to buy

[Piehead]

Hey everyone,

I'm a complete newbie to this site, so I'm not to sure if this is in the right spot. Anyways, I am going into grade 11 next year and have been really wanting a MBP. For the past year or two I have been drooling over them in the apple store, or in YouTube videos.

I do not want to buy a PC ever again, because I am sick and tired of all the headaches. I was thinking of finally purchasing a 13 Macbook Pro either the 2.4 Ghz or the 2.66 ghz model. I would be using the laptop for light gaming, like the sims, or COD 4. I would also use it for word processing/ keynote and Internet browsing. I might also do a bit of video editing (HD). Do you think the 13 MBP would handle all my needs. I also have an Acer 22 inch moniter to plug into at home.

I have like 1500 dollars saved up and I want to buy it relatively soon. ( I am from Canada so the prices are a bit higher then in the states.) Should I buy the 13 inch or save up more for the 15 inch with a 2.4 i5? I also want the laptop to last me a good 4 to 5 years.

Cheers,
piehead

 

[shadygrove]

Some might disagree, but for all that you said you wanted to do I would go with something that has a discrete GPU, not just an integrated one. I would go with the bottom 15''. At the point of already spending $1500, I wouldn't let 2 or 3 hundred dollars be the deciding factor in the laptop I choose.

That said, you could probably get away with a 13'' but the i5 + discrete GPU would totally be worth the few hundred extra dollars, plus you get a bigger screen.

 

[Hellhammer]

13" is good, just don't expect high graphics and FPS

 

[murdercitydevil]

My vote goes for the 15" as well. For me, I was either going to get an MBP with a descrete GPU or no MBP at all.

 

[elpmas]

13" is good, just don't expect high graphics and FPS

I agree. Get the 13". If you're gna do some light gaming, i say just build a PC desktop specifically for it. with the 13" you'll be fine :]

**people would recommend the 2.4ghz over the 2.66, since it won't make much of a difference. with the $200-300, you can buy an SSD
hope this helpd

 

[Ack]

To clarify what people are saying about the GPU, the 15" and 17" MBPs have a better GPU than the 13". The better GPU will help your gaming performance a lot, especially if you plan to do any gaming at higher resolutions while connected to your external 22" monitor.

Your choice really comes down to:

1. Whether you'd like the bigger 15" screen vs. the easier portability of the 13"

2. How important gaming performance and the ability to play newer games over the 4-5 years you'll be using this laptop is to you.

 

[iamrawr]

if you plan to use for for 4 to 5 years then i'd say you get the 15" for a little more future proofing

but if you're waiting for the back-to-school sale this summer maybe you can take a chance and hope for a minor upgrade for the 13" if you wanna go cheaper.