Macbook or Macbook Pro

[Clutz]

Hi everyone,

My iBook is dying (it has started turning itself off spontaneously). I don't really have the money to replace it, but I need it for work/school, so I don't have a lot of choice. I'm trying to decide whether I should get the bottom end MacBook Pro or the low end Macbook with SuperDrive. Either way, I'd get them configured with 1GB RAM and a 120GB HD. I know the Macbook Pro has a much nicer screen than the Macbook, and the keyboard on the Macbook Pro is also much nicer than on the Macbook, but I can get the desired Macbook for $1349 CAD, versus $1799CAD a similarly configured Macbook Pro (with the 128MB video card). I don't play games on the computer very often, so that's not a huge consideration.

Thanks for your input (may not be around much for the next few days).

 

[devin_mm]

The higher resolution on the pro is a big plus, I also like the aluminium,faster processor speeds, and a dedicated video card all weigh in huge for the pro.

 

[AuroraProject]

Pro, aluminum enclosure, lighted keyboard, dedicated video card. I've been around computers my entire life, and this MacBook Pro is hands down my favorite.

 

[roastpuff]

Pro, if you can swing it. The extra features are just SO worth it. I had both, at one time, and I kept the Pro.

I think the Macbook keyboard is nicer than the Pro keyboard, by the way.

EDIT: I need an optical DAC to use this Pro, gah! Right now it's a decent source, but I know it can do better with a DAC.

 

[ruZZ.il]

you should post what you think you'll be using it for. Do you plan to play games? Do any graphic stuff? What work apps do you run and what are you going to study (what apps would you need for school)?

The macbooks are pretty capable machines. One of the main drawbacks is the lack of a dedicated video card (and dedicated video memory) so if you run graphics stuff, you'll be lending your ram to video..

I find the larger screen (got 15.4") of the mbp much more comfortable to work on for longer periods.. one of the reasons I got it, too. Its a c2d 2.33ghz 2gb. *The extra ram goes a long way, I assure you that*. its a complete desktop substitute, and I feel it.

in comparison to friends mb's, I find myself far more capable of running multiple apps at the same time.

If you're lookign at the mbp's though.. there's a general graininess issue mostly with the 15.4" matte screens on the gen 1 and 2 (the new LED screen is gorgeous though!!!). It's still a decent screen and it may or may not bother you.

Also, there are plenty of mbp vs mb threads on mac rumors, you should search a couple there.

so, what you gonna do with it?..

good luck.

-ruZZ.


Edit: Roastpuff: I built an Alien DAC. its USB fed and sounds great

works perfectly with osx.

 

[roastpuff]

Yeah, the new LED screens make me want to cry because I still have the old-school CCFL screens. I saw a friend's LED Macbook recently, and it was so bright it hurt. I loved it.

 

[Wodgy]

The keyboard issue is not clear-cut. If you like a firm keyboard, the Macbook actually has the better keyboard. It's closer to a ThinkPad keyboard than the Macbook Pro. The Pro is better if you prefer a keyboard with more "give." I personally prefer the Macbook keyboard.

I'd recommend the Macbook. Longer battery life, easier to carry around, cheaper, and roughly identical performance if you're not into playing games. I don't really see the point of the Pro unless you play games, need the bigger screen, or want the choice of a matte screen. The 15 inch LED display is a nice feature though.

 

[Clutz]

I'm a PhD candidate working in the fields of evolutionary biology and molecular genetics, so most of my computer work involves Mathematica, XCode, Microsoft Word, Excel (for data management and modification), and R. The biggest reason I'd like the Pro is that I've heard they're of much higher quality in terms of parts (I heard this from a Apple Repair Tech), the 15.4" screen (I find the 12.1" screen on my ibook frustratingly small). The dedicated video card is a nice touch, but I don't do a lot of video applications - the last time I played a video game on this machine was a month ago, and previous to that it had been nearly six months.

I do like a nice firm keyboard though, and the longer battery life of the Macbook are appealing. The biggest thing for me is the larger screen.

 

[no1likesme]

Are you dead set on a Macbook?

What about buying another Intel based laptop and installing OSX?

I like OSX but I refuse to spend extra money just to have an apple on my laptop.

Apple's website has the cheapest macbook pro configured as follows for $1999:
2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1440 x 900 resolution
2GB memory
120GB hard drive1
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics with 128MB SDRAM

My YEAR OLD acer that I paid $1399:
1.66ghz CoreDuo
2gb ddr2 800
120gb hdd
radeon x1300gpu
15.4" widescreen

All I am saying is that there are MUCH better computers for your money than what apple offers. Just buy a cheaper brand and install OSX on it.

 

[blessingx]

The differences between the v1 of both were less, then now, when I made my decision, so I might go differently now. I went with a MacBook and 20" widescreen Viewsonic LCD monitor for less than I could have bought the 15" MBP. That way I have smaller laptop when portable and larger/higher res monitor when home. Something to think about.

 

[Clutz]

How hard is it to install OS X on a non Mac hardware?

A MacBook and then buying a 20" widescreen monitor later might be a good idea actually.

 

[J-Pak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clutz /img/forum/go_quote.gif How hard is it to install OS X on a non Mac hardware?

It's a huge pain, and wifi drivers, etc might be hard to come by. It's also not very stable since there are so many different PC configurations.

I would stick to getting a laptop from Apple.

 

[Mogul]

Quote:

Originally Posted by no1likesme /img/forum/go_quote.gif Are you dead set on a Macbook? What about buying another Intel based laptop and installing OSX? I like OSX but I refuse to spend extra money just to have an apple on my laptop. Apple's website has the cheapest macbook pro configured as follows for $1999: 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 1440 x 900 resolution 2GB memory 120GB hard drive1 8x double-layer SuperDrive NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics with 128MB SDRAM My YEAR OLD acer that I paid $1399: 1.66ghz CoreDuo 2gb ddr2 800 120gb hdd radeon x1300gpu 15.4" widescreen All I am saying is that there are MUCH better computers for your money than what apple offers. Just buy a cheaper brand and install OSX on it.

So I assume you purchased a copy of OS X in order to do this?

 

[no1likesme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mogul /img/forum/go_quote.gif So I assume you purchased a copy of OS X in order to do this?

I am sorry I forgot to add in the price of OSX.
I am running linux/winxp on it but I know a few people who have installed OSX on similar hardware and have had no problems.

 

[blessingx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by no1likesme /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am running linux/winxp on it but I know a few people who have installed OSX on similar hardware and have had no problems.

Can you verify current 10.4.10? I haven't heard of anyone running the more recent versions (let alone next).