New MBP vs. New MB

I am ready to buy one of these machines any day now but facing decision problems. Why didn't they wait and release the macbook with LED update and santa rosa together with the MBP yesterday. Since I am a student, the MB would fit me perfectly, carrying it everywhere (durability, battery life, compact, more bang for the buck). However, I wouldn't be able to stand the GMA950. Also, this laptop would be my main computer at home as well as outside so I would like the higher resolution. The 13.3 is good compact wise but I would definitely have to buy an external monitor and use it with that at home*. If the MB had the new santa rosa with a slightly improved graphics card at least, with LED backlight, I would definitely go for that. However, when i configure the 2.16 model with 2 gigs, I come to $1649 CDN and the MB 2.2 model is $2199.99. Anyways, can you guys please help me finding the correct laptop. Thanks

List of things I am going to do with this computer. (Student)

office
browse
logic pro or express
run parallels (accounting class)
MINOR MINOR gaming
I will probably have all these running all the time except for logic.




*Is it true that if I use the MB with and external monitor (20-22 inch), it would badly strain the graphics on the MB and would damage it in some way.

 

It sounds like the MBP is the way for you to go if you need graphics. The macbook pro is Apples flagship notebook, so it will get all the goodies a while before the macbook will. If you don't really need the gaming part then there's no real reason to go for the mbp over the macbook.

I've not heard of anything being damaged because of strain on the graphics system, but you may experience some lag if things get too hectic. GMA 950 is a pretty competent graphics chip for everyday use, and minor gaming. You can actually run a lot of the semi-current games at lowest settings. As for external monitors, if you can get something that will allow the macbook to display at its native resolution, then you should be fine.

 

The GMA950 isn't going to kill you for any of the things you're doing (nor would an updated MB with GMAX3100 graphics make that much of a difference).

I think the extra screen space of the MBP is especially nice for Logic though...... the ability to run with 4GB of memory could definitely come in handy too if you'll be running all those apps at the same time.

Apple is probably waiting til later to do a more significant update of the MacBook line (this isn't uncommon; they've done similar things in the past, updating the MacBook a few months after the MacBook Pro).

-Zadillo

 

If I were getting a Macbook I'd get the very cheapest one. I'd even look for a leftover previous-gen Macbook. I got one for my wife ($850 on sale) and put 2gb of RAM into it. It runs everything she can throw at it, including Parallels and 8-10 apps always open (she doesn't seem to understand the concept of quitting an app.) Graphics are very fast for movies, dragging windows, whatever.

But if you're looking at the high-end Macbook I'd just opt up for the Pro. Why pay $1500 for a Macbook when for $500 more you get the real deal? It costs 25% more but it's twice as nice.

I do like her little white Macbook. It's cute... for a student I think it would be close to ideal if you never game. It's just not worth $1500 for the fancy black one.

 

I'm guessing you meant the MBP? And you know there's a discount for students that brings the price down $200 CND right?

 

I quite agree with your reasoning. Apple has to differentiate the MB and MBP somehow, since the original lineup was quite similar. I'd also go for a low-end MPB instead of a top Macbook, if I could (must resist impulse to buy a MBP!)