New to Mac & looking to purchase MBP - advice

Hi there

I've been doing extensive research on laptops and after 6 months of looking through reviews and seeing tons of laptops in person at the stores, I've decided on getting a new MacBook Pro. This will be a personal laptop used primarily for emailing, web surfing, some documentation, but mostly photo editing (serious amateur photographer). I'd love to purchase this laptop within the next 2 weeks - but I thought I'd see what your thoughts are - are you aware of any updates coming out soon? I know there's been talk about the Penryn update - I really don't want to wait another 3 months...but say, if some updates will be rolled out in a month or so, I could be persuaded to hold off a bit.

I'm considering the following configuration:

2.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
200GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
MacBook Pro 15-inch Widescreen Display (matte)

Let me know what you think - should I wait a tad longer?

 

Possible update this month... or at least that's what the rumours say. Hold out another week or two if you can.

And that's a great config.

 

Well it really comes down to whether you want to wait for the MBP update or not. Theres no definitive answer to when the new MBP's will come out, everything is pure speculation right now. The current MBP would fit your needs perfectly the way it is configured right now. If I were you I would wait the two weeks your planning to wait anyways and if the new MacBook Pro isn't out by then you could just buy the current ones. Maybe there will be official info on the MBPs by then and you can make a better decision then.

 

Thanks Arquis! Do you know what the slated update will encompass?

 

It's really all just speculation and rumour, no one knows for sure, but possibly penryn or something. Don't think it'll be anything major.

 

I would go with glossy screen, as you say your are going to edit photos, so they would appear more natural on a glossy screen

 

im pretty sure Apple is trying to upgrade the video card to the 8800 in the more expensive version as well.

also, yes glossy screen as well. Some people say that they do not like the glossy in sunlight, but i find that it is no easier to see on a matte screen than a glossy screen outdoors.

 

I think an 8800 is unrealistic at this point, since even the 8600 gets the laptop blistering hot. Laptops with an 8800 in them are usually 2 to 3 times as thick as the MBP, with much better ventilation. But who knows...

 

I don't think an 8800 will fit in the MBP.

 

I know there's a whole thread on matte vs glossy and in the end it has a lot to do with personal preference.

Having said that, IMO and having used both, for photo editing I found the matte to be superior. I was able to calibrate it easily and was able to match screen and print output perfectly. I just couldn't get it right on the glossy no matter how and what I tried, as it changed constantly based on room lighting, reflection, angle of view etc...

Anyhow, my vote is for matte for image editing.

Now, as far as waiting for the MBP update well that's anyone's guess as to what's best to do. I decided not to wait as I really like everything about the current MBP and thought if they changed things it might be for the worse for me.

For example, there's talk about changing the keyboard and trackpad to match those on the MB and Air respectively. Well I prefer the MBP keyboard to the MB's and also think that a larger trackpad with gestures is a gimmick that might get in the way of functionality (such as accidentally rubbing the now even-larger pad and getting an undesired action).

Also, Penryn benefits appear to be marginal at best. And who knows if there will be any teething problems with the new design.

It's probably best to wait a couple more days/weeks as the current MBPs will still be there and you can then make a more informed decision.

 

I definitely would wait. Its pretty much too likely that new MBPs will be released, possibly even tomorrow (hardware updates are usually on Tuesdays).

I would not expect a 8800 in a MBP. Its going to run hot, not to mention may not be the best idea to fit into the slim casing that is the MBP.

 

Definitely not a 8800, but Penryn should be enough for a refresh. That's what I realistically expect from Apple to release. They could do something about the HDDs (make them higher capacity for the low 15" and 7200RPM for the rest).

 

Does apple have an event for the updates? Or do they just update the apple store? How does this work? How do they announce it?

 

Usually, just hardware updates will not warrant a special event, although there are rumours for an Apple event later this month.

Usually, it'll be updated through the website and Apple Store. I suggest you keep an eye on the Mac news sites, they'll update with news should an update happen .

 

Gaaaaah.

Update the Macbook base model's combo drive!
:[.

 

Yea I highly doubt the new MBP is going to have the nVidia 8800M GTX (mainly because of size - All though Alienware did it =/ ). But the 8600M GT isn't terrible anyway

As for Penryn, I'd say it's definitely worth waiting for.

 

Well, the Alienware one is thicker, so it has more ventilation room and stuff.

And any improvement is welcomed . But at the same time, Penryn does not make the previous Merom processor obsolete either. Even the Core Duo chips are really powerful right now.

 

Yes, they should do it, but I'm afraid it will take some time before the MacBook is going to be updated again.
I'm hoping for a better 8600M GT and possibly a bigger HDD by default. It wouldn't hurt for a normal 8600M GT in the slower 15" MBP. I could hope for lower prices, but that's just so not Apple .

 

All that glossy screens do is make the pictures on the screen more pleasant(deeper, richer colors) and the screen more reflective. Glossy screens will be bad for photo work because, as ATC said, glossy screens aren't going to give you as good an estimate as to how the picture will turn out as mate screens do. If you are really confuddled with all of this, go check out both screen types on MBPs at a local Apple Store. But I think you are definitely making the right choice by going matte.

And I say you should wait for as long as you can for the next update. It is not far off and you most likely won't regret waiting for it whereas on the other hand you may regret rushing into buying it....

 

Definitely, but that update may not come as soon as expected.

 

is 2.6 not a bit of overkill, especially with the premium it takes to get there on the 15". save that money and then spend it on ram from newegg or something.

waiting for the new penryn is suffering...it will come out and you'll hope for a price drop (although apple generally keeps their prices fairly constant) and then when (if) they update it you'll be like hm...montevina is only a few months away...i'll wait for that..since the performance increase will be significant.

hardware circle is so vicious.

 

we're in the same position, i'm a serious amateur photographer and looking to get my first mac, a macbook pro i'm getting the 2.4 MBP 15" end of the month (updated MBP or not, i'll get whatever MBP is available by then)!

go for the matte screen, much more accurate colors. the glossy may look nicer with richer colors but we need accuracy for photo editing. pair it up with a calibrator (i use a spyder2express) and you're good to go! i can't wait!

 

Yeah, for photographers I'd go for a matte screen.

 

thank you everyone~. quick question, if i were to get an additional widescreen monitor, would you all recommend the apple cinema 20" or 23"? or one from another manufacturer?

 

I would not go for an Apple Cinema Display, they're really expensive. Just get a Dell display, I'd say. And I personally think 20-inch, 22-inch is the sweet spot.

 

I have matte as well. Glossy is supposed to "look better", the tradeoff being that it has more reflections. I took a long time to compare the two in the store and found matte to look almost as good as glossy except without the reflections. I simply liked it much better all around.

Display choice: 24" Dell at 1920x1080 (HDTV resolution) is the sweet spot for me. Apple displays are nice but way overpriced.

 

i think i'm leaning towards the 2.2ghz 15" MBP. there isn't much difference in performance between the two and you can save quite an amount of money. i wanted the 256MB vram but from http://www.barefeats.com/rosa03.html you only seem to be getting about 3-5 fps more than the 2.2ghz's 128MB vram. that isn't worth the extra cost to me.

the number crunching isn't too much difference too http://www.barefeats.com/rosa02.html

any thoughts?

 

I think i'll also get a Macbook Pro soon after lots of searching for a new laptop. Think i'll wait for upates though...what price do you guys think the updated version will be?

I think they'll announce it possibly at the iPhone SDK event

 

Apple rarely changes their pricing. So the updated ones *should* be the same price as the current ones, just with some new features, or newer hardware.

 

Updated version will most likely the same price as the current one. Apple rarely, if ever, changes prices on its products. The update is coming very soon, so definitely hold off.

 

I think that the new MBP's would be most likely the same price (there was actually a price drop with the MB update), but it's hard to say.

 

I have one more week after which I won't be able to return my MBP and have yet to activate my AppleCare. For the love of God Apple please at least announce it by next week. I have this nagging feeling that it might be more than just a CPU upgrade, with possibly a bigger HD, more VRAM and better trackpad all for the same price.

 

I find it funny that some people who recommend matte screens also talk about how they have an external LCD, which is glossy. Go figure.

 

I find it funny that you forget that external LCDs aren't carried around with you everywhere and are usually in places where you can control the lighting, while matte is pretty useful just about anywhere. Go figure.

 

my external LCD isn't glossy. mine's matte.

 

Well, you don't move around your external display, so you just need to set it up for one area, so its kinda different.