Here's my attempt at an information thread regarding which MacBook people should buy, since there are so many threads people post on this topic.
Wondering which MacBook you should get? Read the following information to help you decide:
MacBook Pro - A good portable MacBook usually with better specs than the MacBook Air, good if you need more power for photo / video editing and gaming.
MacBook Air - A good choice if you do a lot of traveling, such as if you are a student going from class to class or if you simply travel a lot of places.
11" (Air only) - This is the smallest screen size available in a Mac. This is best if you carry your Mac lots of places. This is good for:
Note-taking
Browsing the web
Simple photo editing (cropping, resizing, etc.)
Basic, non graphics-intensive gaming. (flash games, solitaire, chess, etc.)
Pros:
Fits best on desks, tables
Very lightweight
Cons:
Screen too small for most tasks
Overall: If you do very basic tasks, and need to travel a lot, the 11" is a good size MacBook for you.
13" - The most commonly bought size of a Mac, because it is the cheapest (Pro). If you are doing a lot of traveling, this is a good size. This is good for:
Browsing the web
Note-taking
Basic photo / video editing
Watching movies
Chatting (Skype, FaceTime, IM, etc.)
Basic, non graphics-intensive gaming. (flash games, solitaire, chess, etc.)
Pros:
Portability
Fits better on desks
Price
Cons:
Integrated graphics
Screen too small for intense photo / video editing
Overall: The 13" is good for you if you move around a lot and do more casual tasks.
15" (Pro only) - Also a commonly bought size, better if you are doing photo and video editing or gaming. This is good for:
Web browsing
More graphics intensive gaming (World of Warcraft, etc.)
Photo / video editing (casual and professional)
Chatting (Skype, FaceTime, IM, etc.)
Watching movies
Pros:
Dedicated graphics
Better screen size for photo and video editing
High resolution screen option
Cons:
May not fit as well on desks
Heavier, your arms may get tired if you carry this a lot
More expensive
Overall: The 15" is good for you if you do more intense photo and video editing or gaming.
17" (Pro only) - The largest portable Mac size, best for photo and video editing, watching movies and gaming. This is good for:
Browsing the web
More professional photo / video editing
More graphics intensive gaming (World of Warcraft, etc.)
Watching movies
Pros:
Large screen size
Best specs, will not let you down
High resolution screen option
Cons:
Weight
Cost
Screen may be too large for some
Does not fit very well on desks
Overall: The 17" is good for you if you do more professional video and photo editing or gaming, but if you carry this around a lot, your arms will get tired.
What about RAM or a Solid State Drive?
RAM - If you do a lot of multi-tasking, video editing or gaming, you should obviously get more RAM for your MacBook.
4GB is better for more casual things, while 8GB will give you the best results if you are doing more memory intensive processes such as video editing and gaming.
SSD (Solid State Drive) - This will give you better start up and shut down times, and will make applications open faster. This will also not make any noise. This is better if you do not ned a lot of space, (unless you want to spend $1000+,) but you can remove the disc drive (Pro only) and put another drive in there. You can also have an external drive if you need more space.
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Please leave comments on how I can improve this guide, and I hope I answered most of the questions you might have.
Wondering which MacBook you should get? Read the following information to help you decide:
MacBook Pro - A good portable MacBook usually with better specs than the MacBook Air, good if you need more power for photo / video editing and gaming.
MacBook Air - A good choice if you do a lot of traveling, such as if you are a student going from class to class or if you simply travel a lot of places.
11" (Air only) - This is the smallest screen size available in a Mac. This is best if you carry your Mac lots of places. This is good for:
Note-taking
Browsing the web
Simple photo editing (cropping, resizing, etc.)
Basic, non graphics-intensive gaming. (flash games, solitaire, chess, etc.)
Pros:
Fits best on desks, tables
Very lightweight
Cons:
Screen too small for most tasks
Overall: If you do very basic tasks, and need to travel a lot, the 11" is a good size MacBook for you.
13" - The most commonly bought size of a Mac, because it is the cheapest (Pro). If you are doing a lot of traveling, this is a good size. This is good for:
Browsing the web
Note-taking
Basic photo / video editing
Watching movies
Chatting (Skype, FaceTime, IM, etc.)
Basic, non graphics-intensive gaming. (flash games, solitaire, chess, etc.)
Pros:
Portability
Fits better on desks
Price
Cons:
Integrated graphics
Screen too small for intense photo / video editing
Overall: The 13" is good for you if you move around a lot and do more casual tasks.
15" (Pro only) - Also a commonly bought size, better if you are doing photo and video editing or gaming. This is good for:
Web browsing
More graphics intensive gaming (World of Warcraft, etc.)
Photo / video editing (casual and professional)
Chatting (Skype, FaceTime, IM, etc.)
Watching movies
Pros:
Dedicated graphics
Better screen size for photo and video editing
High resolution screen option
Cons:
May not fit as well on desks
Heavier, your arms may get tired if you carry this a lot
More expensive
Overall: The 15" is good for you if you do more intense photo and video editing or gaming.
17" (Pro only) - The largest portable Mac size, best for photo and video editing, watching movies and gaming. This is good for:
Browsing the web
More professional photo / video editing
More graphics intensive gaming (World of Warcraft, etc.)
Watching movies
Pros:
Large screen size
Best specs, will not let you down
High resolution screen option
Cons:
Weight
Cost
Screen may be too large for some
Does not fit very well on desks
Overall: The 17" is good for you if you do more professional video and photo editing or gaming, but if you carry this around a lot, your arms will get tired.
What about RAM or a Solid State Drive?
RAM - If you do a lot of multi-tasking, video editing or gaming, you should obviously get more RAM for your MacBook.
4GB is better for more casual things, while 8GB will give you the best results if you are doing more memory intensive processes such as video editing and gaming.
SSD (Solid State Drive) - This will give you better start up and shut down times, and will make applications open faster. This will also not make any noise. This is better if you do not ned a lot of space, (unless you want to spend $1000+,) but you can remove the disc drive (Pro only) and put another drive in there. You can also have an external drive if you need more space.
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Please leave comments on how I can improve this guide, and I hope I answered most of the questions you might have.
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