Your input on deciding between MBPs

[thinkdesign]

13" MB-Pro + 256 gig SSD...

... comes in at about $1950. under $2,000. Solid state memory, in whatever laptop, is attractive because it's more durable, (plus the added icing on the cake is that it makes the computer even faster).

Of course that's plus added warranty. i-Work, and 1:1 if you happen to want that. I know that proportionally the SSD seems like a high % of that total... 1200. + 750. = $1,950. .... but I say, forget proportionality and just look at the total.

I'm about to get my first Mac (the 2.13
air)... but will have to forego discounters, as I want the 1:1 help program which is only available if you buy the computer directly from Apple.

 

[TrojanX]

I appreciate the input guys and here is what I have decided!

# 2.4GHz Intel Core i5
# 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
# 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
# SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
# MacBook Pro 15-inch Glossy Widescreen Display
# None
# Backlit Keyboard (English) & User's Guide
# iWork preinstall

 

[Hydrocity]

I appreciate the input guys and here is what I have decided!

# 2.4GHz Intel Core i5
# 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
# 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
# SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
# MacBook Pro 15-inch Glossy Widescreen Display
# None
# Backlit Keyboard (English) & User's Guide
# iWork preinstall

How much is that? Do they offer a 320GB @7200RPM? People say its a noticable difference.

 

[TrojanX]

How much is that? Do they offer a 320GB @7200RPM? People say its a noticeable difference.

total is 1848 and with tax it is almost exact 2000 ( for my area)

No they don't, or trust me I would jump on that and go sell my self for the extra dough! all they offer is a 500GB @7200rpm and I am not sure i want to spend the 150 on it. I have a WD 2TB external that my dad picked up for me for 100 bucks(dad works for a computer parts distributor so he gets stuff for half off. To bad they dont sell macs T_T) that im going to format to GUID mapping for my mackbook so I see NO need for a huge storage internally. And I have a 320GB wireless external already formatted for Fat32 so I can transfer files and such with my dad in his network. Nice to have a super high tech family, but im the traitor (or soon to be)

 

[TrojanX]

oh and here is a link for a 89 buck harddrive from western digital. It is a 320gb @ 7200 rpm. My dad is the rep for distributing to this company. It is a good electronics store. http://www.frys.com/product/6085668?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

 

[kevinli123]

take out the iwork pre-install and get it from somewhere else if you know what i mean.

buy the 3-year applecare
buy a speck macbook pro case or if youre careful if electronics just go with a incase bag for the macbook pro. both are really good

i would also recommend 7200rpm. noticeable difference.

macbook pro's dent easily, but u'll get used to them. they feel very natural after a while, and they get personal

 

[TrojanX]

take out the iwork pre-install and get it from somewhere else if you know what i mean.

Im not so sure i can justify stealing the intellectual property of the developers and robbing apple of the funds neccisary to continually produce good word proccessors. Pages is superior to word and for only 49 dollars, why would I steal from people. I think that is just rude and inconsiderate of the lives and families of the developers who put there hard time into making that software. I am definately anti-pirating. Most especially when there are free alternates (e.g. gimp instead of PCS5)

Not to give you a hard time, just explaining why i can't justify it.

 

[tactician1016]

You can easily find iwork on ebay for around 30, brand new. Or, if you're willing to go open source, neo office is almost as good as pages and ms word. My thoughts: if you can save money, do so. Ebay is basically a gold mine if you know how to look.

 

[notblackmac]

Im not so sure i can justify stealing the intellectual property of the developers and robbing apple of the funds neccisary to continually produce good word proccessors.

You sir, have just earned my respect.

 

[TrojanX]

You sir, have just earned my respect.

Thank you! Guess not stealing has been imbedded in my head. Plus, my uncle is a program developer for Microsoft and he, although he is one of the head developers in his division (on like a fricken million divisions) he only makes like 70,000 a year. Pirating not only cuts there lively hood but is just morally wrong.

 

[stefan1975]

Thank you! Guess not stealing has been imbedded in my head. Plus, my uncle is a program developer for Microsoft and he, although he is one of the head developers in his division (on like a fricken million divisions) he only makes like 70,000 a year. Pirating not only cuts there lively hood but is just morally wrong.

"only" 70k? jeez wish i made anything like that.

 

[Vihzel]

Check your school to see if they have free or significantly discounted software for the Mac. My school has lots of free software for both Windows and Mac, more towards Windows though. Students, including myself for my Vaio (which is being replaced), were able to get Windows 7 1 1/2 months earlier before retail.

 

[iambasil]

I appreciate the input guys and here is what I have decided!

# 2.4GHz Intel Core i5
# 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
# 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
# SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
# MacBook Pro 15-inch Glossy Widescreen Display
# None
# Backlit Keyboard (English) & User's Guide
# iWork preinstall

That sounds like a sensible decision given the requirements you stated.

The HD & RAM will be sufficient for a fair while, and come the time you need something more, SSDs and RAM memory will be a lot cheaper to upgrade to.

Are you getting an education purchase? If so Apple Care isn't necessary - education purchases give you 3 yrs cover as standard - the only difference between it and Apple Care is telephone cover (1 v 3 yrs).

 

[saxon48]

I appreciate the input guys and here is what I have decided!

# 2.4GHz Intel Core i5
# 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
# 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
# SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
# MacBook Pro 15-inch Glossy Widescreen Display
# None
# Backlit Keyboard (English) & User's Guide
# iWork preinstall

It looks like you've made a very good choice here. This is definitely going to last you through your college years, without a doubt.

I would advise that when you finally do go away to further your education, bring your own printer. Not all colleges support Mac OSX, while others (mine included) do, yet instead have decided NOT to install iWork on their machines.

 

[Kristine]

Im not so sure i can justify stealing the intellectual property of the developers and robbing apple of the funds neccisary to continually produce good word proccessors. Pages is superior to word and for only 49 dollars, why would I steal from people. I think that is just rude and inconsiderate of the lives and families of the developers who put there hard time into making that software. I am definately anti-pirating. Most especially when there are free alternates (e.g. gimp instead of PCS5)

Not to give you a hard time, just explaining why i can't justify it.

Great Post.
I also think iWork is worth the small price.

 

[johnnymg]

I am currently going into my senior year of highschool, and after an extreme distaste in my mouth from my Toshiba Satalite (screen has a large green line and it crashes every 2-3 days! Never been dropped and no viruses) I have decided to go mac! I am expecting this to last up to 5 years( final year of highschool + College 4 years) without giving it relief from purchasing a new one. I want whatever I purchase to be functional in society uptill i get out of college and be reliable word processor, web browser (mostly youtube ect. but heavy use), and light photo/video editing. My conflict is between the 13" macbook, 13" MBPs, and the 15" MBPs. I want it to last and still be functional 5 years from now. My Budget is no more than 2000 including tax. What is your suggestion?? Should i go to the 15" entry level or stick with the bottom macbook?

The 13" C2D will easily "last and still be functional 5 years from now". People are obsessed with new and better and it's a loser's rat race.

Given that you will be using it for 4 years of school-portability I'd recommend the 13" with an SSD. Put the stock HD in an external enclosure and periodically clone the SSD drive to it.

cheers
JohnG

 

[TrojanX]

As you may be able to tell by my signature I went out and purchased the base 13" model the moment the Apple store opened! I went with it because, and the above post states, I felt it was a good balance between functionality and price. In addition, I found that I could walk away it and some accessories to create a ultimate "Mac-gasm" set up by hooking it via HDMI to my personal TV in my signature and set on my couch with my wireless apple mouse and keyboard and chill with 37" Mac goodness. Also I got a Itouch which I have never personally owned which just amazes me!