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MacBook, or MacBook Pro?

Tumeg101 said:
I am now thinken, "Why do I need a pro? Don't think I need the big screen, and I won't play games often, I am not a big gamer anyway, and... the MBP gets really hot
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The pro has a lot of qualities the macbook doesn't. Your first post made it clear that you indeed do need a pro.

The macbooks also get pretty hot. In fact, they stay pretty hot once they get going. The mbps seem to cool down faster (though the flip side is that they heat up a little faster too).
 
Movie editing, according to the 5th Avenue Apple Store and the helpline here at least, takes advantage of the superior graphics processor in the MBP (consider 256MB).

The bigger screen is a lot better for photo editing, though you could just add an external monitor to the MB and have slightly better portability.

All in all, if you are happy with the size, I would recommend a MBP.
 
netdog said:
The bigger screen is a lot better for photo editing, though you could just add an external monitor to the MB and have slightly better portability.
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Not to mention possibility of getting a better screen. Even MBP does not have color-accurate 8bit IPS panel so while it surely is *bigger* than the MB screen it is not necessarily that much *better* in terms of color accuracy and viewing angle.

But those are not important points for everyone...
 
techlover828 said:
I'm in the exact same situation!

I either want a black macbook or a macbook pro. I think that the macbook pro is amazing but its a lot of money to fork over.

Portability is also something to keep in mind if you want to bring it to school.

I was also thinking of running vista or xp.

I look forward to seeing others opinions.
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jedivulcan said:
I kind of had the same problem. I ended up getting a Macbook Pro and a small 12" Powerbook for classes.
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Where'd you get the powerbook?
 
I'm also waiting for Leopard and trying to decide between the middle MB and the low-end MBP. For me, it will depend on the next updates to the MB. I think LED displays and a better graphics chip (x3100?) will narrow the performance gap between the two. The MB should be an incredible value at that point. But on the other hand, I usually subscribe to the notion of "buying the best" to extend the life of your purchase.

Tough call. If money isn't really the issue - go for the MBP. If portability is the key factor - get the MB.
 
Minority

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but unless you are really into gaming just get the MacBook, don't forget the educational discount you are eligible for. Upgrade the HD, and buy RAM on sale.

Take the savings and open a mutual fund, or buy a couple shares of apple stock.

I love my MacBook. It does everything you mentioned, the only weakness may be graphics for gaming.
 
netdog said:
The bigger screen is a lot better for photo editing, though you could just add an external monitor to the MB and have slightly better portability.
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I am thinking about doing that, the screen I would hook up to it is 15",


--

I think you guys are right, by telling me to go for the MBP since it is replacing my desktop, because, in the future, I will probably regret my decision of the MB, even though the MB looks good, I now, once again, am thinking of going for the MBP lol... Thank you guys for all of the suggestions, comments, and opinions!
 
sailnavy said:
don't forget the educational discount you are eligible for. Upgrade the HD, and buy RAM on sale.

Take the savings and open a mutual fund, or buy a couple shares of apple stock.
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He isn't eligible for the EDU discount because he's only in high school. He'll have to wait another three or four years before the EDU discount applies.

Your other advice is good (esspecially the part about saving money) but I think he should go for the mbp.
 
CalBoy said:
He isn't eligible for the EDU discount because he's only in high school. He'll have to wait another three or four years before the EDU discount applies.

Your other advice is good (esspecially the part about saving money) but I think he should go for the mbp.
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Even if I was in college, I wouldn't get the discount, because my dad works in the computer business, so he can save allot on any computer, and he can get me $100-$200 off the MBP, $50 off the MB, + I don't have to pay the $100+ tax like I normally would have too, so I am actually saving more then if I used the educational discount
 
Tumeg101 said:
Even if I was in college, I wouldn't get the discount, because my dad works in the computer business, so he can save allot on any computer, and he can get me $100-$200 off the MBP, $50 off the MB, + I don't have to pay the $100+ tax like I normally would have too, so I am actually saving more then if I used the educational discount
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I know that your dad has some special deal, but I was just reminding the other poster that you aren't in college yet. Even so, do your homework when you start college. Your dad's discount looks good, but for certain models, the Apple EDU discount might be better (but that's four years from now, so don't sweat it!).
 
Edu Discount

Ok, I didn't realize that K-12 didn't get a discount... That's bizarre. Apple, are you listening? You should really fix that.
 
Another thought for MB

Another reason that I like my MB instead of a MBP is that I don't worry about it as much. A MBP is much brighter and shinier, and in my opinion more of a target for theft. Just something to think about.:D
 
I now have a new problem, (well... more of a debate)
Since I have my mind set on a MBP, I would like to know if 120gb is enough, or if I should spend the extra $75 for 160gb,
I could get a free external HD(20-40gb) but I would MUCH rather have it IN the laptop, instead of out,
I am not even sure if I would need 160gb, my computer atm is only 75gb and it is good for me, but I don't have any games on it, or pictures (I got 4gb of pics I am going to load onto my mac when I get it) so the known space I will have taken up on my mbp is =

4gb Pics
2gb Music
3gb Call of Duty
__gb preloaded stuff (anybody know how much this is)

and I will be making movies and sideshows ALLOT, so idk if that matters, but I am sure all those slideshows and movies will start to add up and take up some space, I might just spend the measly $75 for the extra 40gb, just so I have it, in case I ever need it... but I am still not sure
 
Tumeg101 said:
I now have a new problem, (well... more of a debate)
Since I have my mind set on a MBP, I would like to know if 120gb is enough, or if I should spend the extra $75 for 160gb,
I could get a free external HD(20-40gb) but I would MUCH rather have it IN the laptop, instead of out,
I am not even sure if I would need 160gb, my computer atm is only 75gb and it is good for me, but I don't have any games on it, or pictures (I got 4gb of pics I am going to load onto my mac when I get it) so the known space I will have taken up on my mbp is =

4gb Pics
2gb Music
3gb Call of Duty
__gb preloaded stuff (anybody know how much this is)

and I will be making movies and sideshows ALLOT, so idk if that matters, but I am sure all those slideshows and movies will start to add up and take up some space, I might just spend the measly $75 for the extra 40gb, just so I have it, in case I ever need it... but I am still not sure
Click to expand...

Keep the base 120 and buy an external. By the time you're ready to buy one, $75 will get you a lot of storage space.
 
For what I am doing, the MB with 1 extra gig of ram would be perfect, the MBP would just be too much, even though I am replacing my desktop, MB would be perfect

Get the MB and add an external display (Dell or Apple CD) for home. The MB is sturdier and smaller - you'll take it more places.

And get it insured! Safeware.com or something. You'll get accidental damage and theft protection....:eek:
 
I'd say save the money and go with a MB, unless you really plan on playing games. The MB can do all the things you want, and maybe add on an external firewire drive and LCD down the line.
 
macpluslaptop said:
Get the MB and add an external display (Dell or Apple CD) for home. The MB is sturdier and smaller - you'll take it more places.
Click to expand...


He said he wouldn't be taking it to too many places. The places he did mention were doable with a mbp. For him it doesn't really make too much difference.
 
netdog said:
Movie editing, according to the 5th Avenue Apple Store and the helpline here at least, takes advantage of the superior graphics processor in the MBP (consider 256MB).
Click to expand...
Although that is not actually true.

Editing footage is a CPU intensive app - if you check something like the comparisons of FCP running on a MB, MBP and a G5 Tower that creativemac did last year, the MB trounced the G5 and was effectively equal to the MBP.

According to various editing/film forums, when creativemac released its review, most Apple employees seem to have been telling people that it was impossible to run Final Cut Studio/Pro on a MB. When creativemac posted its review, it cause a tremendous hoohah on editing forums, because the conculsion was so contrary to what Apple had been telling people.

If you're doing something like 3D compositing for a film, having the MBP's video card would be a huge plus. But if it's just straight editing, then the MBP will obviously be quicker because of the faster processor & FSB and greater RAM (if you maxed it out) in the same way that it will be when performing a CPU intensive task.
 
If you're not going to be gaming much why not just get the MB? Seriously the power in that machine is more than enough for any 14 year old (and I don't mean to be patronising). If you're not going to be moving much with it then just get an external monitor. Seriously you'll be delighted with the MB.
 
Tumeg101 said:
I now have a new problem, (well... more of a debate)
Since I have my mind set on a MBP, I would like to know if 120gb is enough, or if I should spend the extra $75 for 160gb,
I could get a free external HD(20-40gb) but I would MUCH rather have it IN the laptop, instead of out,
I am not even sure if I would need 160gb, my computer atm is only 75gb and it is good for me, but I don't have any games on it, or pictures (I got 4gb of pics I am going to load onto my mac when I get it) so the known space I will have taken up on my mbp is =

4gb Pics
2gb Music
3gb Call of Duty
__gb preloaded stuff (anybody know how much this is)

and I will be making movies and sideshows ALLOT, so idk if that matters, but I am sure all those slideshows and movies will start to add up and take up some space, I might just spend the measly $75 for the extra 40gb, just so I have it, in case I ever need it... but I am still not sure
Click to expand...

Thank god I found this thread...I'm also 14, and I am in DIRE need of a laptop. I live in Cupertino, of all places, so naturally (?) the schools all have Apple computers and laptops. I think apple sells whatever they can't to the public to the schools:D Because of this,there isn't a project in existence that wouldn't benefit from a Mac. Every project is based off of iLife, making it impossible to do work at home. What's worse is that none of the teachers are younger, so they assign some crazy stuff (Read: A fully featured iMovie with transitions at least 15 minutes long with recorded video and a plot with restrictions in 3 days). So I've always wanted a mac to use at home. I share a computer with 5 other people, which means that there is a TON of junk on that computer. I've wanted a laptop for 3 months now, and I've been through the MB/MBP debate hundreds of times.
My advice is save the extra money and go for the Pro. The reason is that the Pro is already based on the highest architecture possible right now with SR. Unless Apple uses quantum computing, there is no way that the current pro will be left in the dust for at least a few years, until we settle on Mars and learn from the aliens:p The macbook is still using the original Core 2 duo with a few boosts, and it doesn't have the LED-backlit screens of the future or the ability to go up to 4 gigs or ram. I really liked the macbook but the thing that puts me off so close to October is leopard. With all the animations that it brings, im kinda scared to put $1600 in a laptop that might not run smoothly with just 64 mb of VRAM. Plus, you'll second-guess yourself when Apple finally releases the MB with SR and LED screens:)
So just sit back, relax, and save that cash like I'm doing. It'll be worth it xD
 
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