Which one to get MacBook 13" 2.4Mhz 2GB RAM or MacBook Pro 2.4Mhz 4GB RAM?

[JimmyMac123]

I'm looking to buy a MacBook or MacBook Pro but i can't seem to decide to which one would be the best fit for me.

I am a business student and will be using it primarily for research, writing assignments and making excel worksheets.

Is the macbook 2gb ram enough or should i get the macbook pro with 4gb ram? also i'm intending to be using it for at least 3 years.

 

[wbham]

The Macbook will do those tasks fine. I had mostly the same requirements as you, but chose the MacBook Pro anyway, mainly due to the aluminum case. I don't like the white plastic at all, and with the education discount the price difference between the two computers wasn't that great. You also get the backlit keyboard which I have found to be really useful.
So if you like the macbook, get it, it should meet your requirements for the next three years, but I highly recommend the MacBook pro

 

[themadrhino]

Buy the MacBook Pro

Hello,

I just upgraded from a iBook G4 1.33 GHz to the MacBook Prog 2.4 with 4 GB and a 320 GIG hard drive and could not be happier. I was more concerned about the 13 inch screen but got over that when I spoke with someone who has an older MacBook Pro 13 inch and said no problem doing spreadsheets and presentations. My friend bought a cheap $200 good monitor at Best Buy for big jobs.

I also kept going back and forth on configurations and by the time I got the MacBook to the the configuration I wanted it cost the same for less overall capability.

But what finally made my decision was telling the person at the Apple store I intend to hold on to it for 5 years like my iBook that now my older kids wanted and wouldn't let me sell on Craigs List.

So go for the MacBook Pro. The standard configuration is fine but I wanted more space to run parallels/windows for the work specific reasons.

Good Luck

 

[willieva]

2 gig is not enough memory. Once you start opening up excel and a browser and itunes and whatever else you'll be using on a regular basis the computer will start to slow down with 2 gig. My imac had 2 gig in it when I got it and would regularly slow down. Once I upgraded to 3 gig it was much better, but I still have to be conscious about not having too many open windows. My new 13" mbp is even better.

 

[red0n]

It's Ghz, not Mhz

I would get the MacBook (not the pro) I have it and i use it for gaming. You should have no problems with your business software. It's plenty powerful.

Good luck! and enjoy your new MacBook!

 

[nemE]

2 gig is not enough memory.

I unno. I've used Photoshop with 1GB of RAM. 2 is a godsend.

My desktop has 4GB though, and I'm happy with that. The base MacBook can use up to 4GB, and if you're on a budget, get that and 2x 2GB DDR3 So-DIMMs from your local computer shop.

Refer to the manual here on how to upgrade the memory.

EDIT: Newegg prices a single 2GB Stick (Kingston) at $52. You can get cheaper but I recommend either Kingston or Corsair for RAM.

SECOND EDIT: That being said, it would raise the price to just above $1100. For an extra $99 you could get the aluminium case. Yay for aggressive pricing.

THIRD EDIT LOL: Get the base MacBook if you're on a budget. Screw the memory upgrades for now, and wait for RAM prices to plummet after a year. Currently running 2GB in my MacBook and loving it.

 

[jolawson]

I am a business student as well, and went with the base 13" MBP. The 4 gigs of RAM is plenty enough for what you mentioned. Also, just a thought, if you have a camera with an SD memory card, the MBP has an SD card slot in which you can just pop it in, and DL your photos. The Macbook does not. Its a feature that I love, due to its simplicity. As others have said though, the Macbook will do what you want, and you could add the RAM later. Its only upgradeable to 4 gigs of RAM...someone please correct me if I am wrong...but the MBP is upgradeable to 8 gigs.

 

[Mikeadelic]

I'm looking to buy a MacBook or MacBook Pro but i can't seem to decide to which one would be the best fit for me.

I am a business student and will be using it primarily for research, writing assignments and making excel worksheets.

Is the macbook 2gb ram enough or should i get the macbook pro with 4gb ram? also i'm intending to be using it for at least 3 years.

Get the MBP, if you're near a Micro Center. They're selling them in-store for $999 plus tax, which is the same price as a white MB. I got mine and I love it. Even without the discount, I'd still lean towards the MBP. The aluminum body feels ridiculously sturdy, and the 4GB ram is great for a business student.

 

[budugu]

I'm looking to buy a MacBook or MacBook Pro but i can't seem to decide to which one would be the best fit for me.

I am a business student and will be using it primarily for research, writing assignments and making excel worksheets.

Is the macbook 2gb ram enough or should i get the macbook pro with 4gb ram? also i'm intending to be using it for at least 3 years.

I think i will echo the sentiment here. paying the extra 150$ might be worth it as it has a much more professional look. And that is all you are paying for (mind you). Alu also ages better than white plastic. Damn it apple bring the black macbook back!!

 

[wordoflife]

Right now I'm using my cousins Macbook Pro (13) with 2.66ghz, 8GB RAM, 500GB HDD - and I can't believe I don't have a Mac yet (specifically a Macbook Pro)

I love the backlight keyboard.

 

[Corrosive vinyl]

Hello,

I just upgraded from a iBook G4 1.33 GHz to the MacBook Prog 2.4 with 4 GB and a 320 GIG hard drive and could not be happier.

I did the same, but only have 2 GB of RAM on mine. As RAM goes, I have 57,000 page ins and only 577 page outs.

If you can afford it, look into the 4 GB of RAM, or get some after market RAM from a good RAM seller. If not, then you can always get some later when the price drops on DDR3 RAM.

 

[sondress]

I would say go for the 13" macbook pro. It's more futureproof, and the alu-unibody make it a little tougher. The macbook's plastic-unibody easly get cracks. And i think you can fit more ram into the mbp.

 

[EasyJW]

i say go for the MBP for the extra future it will have, 2gb ram laptops are beginning to be a bit underpowered, and for the little price increase between the MB and MBP, you'd see a massive power increase, that being said, you could get a macbook and install ram yourself

 

[appleusapromac]

The Macbook will do those tasks fine but I think you should go for the MacBook Pro - aluminium case and more ram .