New Macbook Pro time...several questions

[gangst]

Hi,

Right it has been quite a while since I've upgraded my laptop. I went from a PowerBook G4 to one of the original white Macbooks 2.16GHz I think, and it is now knackered. Having now fried it's second battery I cannot be bothered to shell out again, it is painfully slow at day to day operations even though it has 2GB of RAM and I clean installed Leopard in September 2008. Ultimately, Uni life has killed it. I need a new one.

So I'm currently weighing up a few things whether to jump in and get a 13" or 15" or wait. Seeing as I'm now back for summer from Uni I'm happy as Larry using my Quad PowerMac G5. I know there is the iPod Touch deal on at the moment, would September/ October be around the time for new spec upgrades for the MacBook Pro's (I know they have just been upgraded!), but seeing as I am not 'desperate' for a new laptop it could potentially last me longer. How would the power of these new Macbook pro's stack up against a Quad G5 with 4GB ram, just that I want my laptop to be uber snappy.

Also what are people's experiences of carrying a 15" compared to the 13". I find the 13" really convenient and nicely discrete for when I take it to Uni to do my work. Will I feel like a PC gommo with the 15". However, the screen space would be nice...

Thanks for any advice.

 

[crisito]

I'm thinking the same as you, would like the screen size etc.

I think I've decided on the 13"

 

[FSMBP]

Although I don't have hard evidence, but I'm sure a new MacBook would be snappy and snappier since you will get the benefits from Snow Leopard (which only works on Intel Macs).

 

[gangst]

Although I don't have hard evidence, but I'm sure a new MacBook would be snappy and snappier since you will get the benefits from Snow Leopard (which only works on Intel Macs).

quite possibly, SL looks promising; maybe upgraded Finder and threading if it lives up to expectations. I still think a notebook would struggle to compete though as I'm running 1TB in RAID0, e.g. Mail, Searching, moving files, etc..

 

[kurzz]

The 15" is perfect for a laptop screen and I really like the higher resolution on it.

But, man, the difference in carrying a 13" and 15" is noticeable and becomes magnified when you carry it every single day.

The 13" fits so nicely in my backpack and that 1 pound really does make a difference.

 

[Eric S.]

Seeing as I'm now back for summer from Uni I'm happy as Larry using my Quad PowerMac G5.

"Happy as Larry"?

would September/ October be around the time for new spec upgrades for the MacBook Pro's (I know they have just been upgraded!)

Normally I would say no, but maybe Apple will upgrade the SATA speed by then.

Also what are people's experiences of carrying a 15" compared to the 13"

13" would be a must for me, but I expect that's something everybody has to judge themselves.