Still hesitating...

So... I'm still not sure which one would be the best option for me between these two : A macbook (+external monitor keyboard and mouse for my home) or a Macbook Pro for everything. I won't be using the extra power from the MBP, but I will definitely prefer the 15 inch screen without having to buy an external monitor if I wanna watch a movie/video/serie, etc. It's not my main usage anyway. I'm a french canadian and I have always worked with a french keyboard and loved it. An option was to get a refurbished MBP for 1899$ instead of 2050$. But it's on the english canadian website, not the french one, so the keyboard will be in english and the os too i guess... so, it may be not ideal for me. I don't need raw power... My usual situation is simple multitasking, 1 to 4 websites + word + itunes + messenger... Both computers could handle it well and both seem really great for my needs. I'm not sure how often I will have to carry it around, but i know that it won't stay at home everyday. That's my dilemna at the moment. The prices are pretty much 1350 and 2050, a huge difference for 2 more inches on the screen... What do you guys think about that? If you need any more infos the help me better tell me.

 

Keep the cash and go with the MacBook

 

I agree with Diggy. I thought I needed a MBP for games and movies, but the MB turned out to be just perfect for both of those. The 9400M is underrated, and can handle COD WaW just fine "for me." I'd say MB all the way...

 

For sure save the money. With an external screen you'd also be able to gain extra real estate in addition to being able to duplicate the screen, well I think you can.. I haven't worked with apple's too much in that respect.

 

Actually, getting a macbook doesn't save you $$ because you will need to buy a monitor for it. I think the point here is if you need the portibility from MB or not.

 

Well I think he could get a quality monitor for under $600, unless he is getting the LED Display...

 

Definitely get the 24" LED ACD.

 

Just hook it up to a future tv. Problem solved.

 

I haven't shopped for a monitor yet. I've looked around. I don't need something huge. I'd say 20'' is more than enough, in fact anything between 17 and 24 inches would be great. I won't be spending too much on that, I just want it to work well for a long time, not a super fancy screen...
So you guys go all on the MB's side? I've talked with people recommending the pro over the macbook all the way, ToshibaDude for example, saying that the mb was crappy compared to the pro...
And about the macbook, with my needs, i guess the 2 Ghz version will be enough, unless the 2,4 Ghz one is by far superior... I think it's about 300$ more approx...

Edited to add a question:
Does anyone know if there is a big difference in performance between the unibody and white macbooks?

 

I'm not indian and I haven't been at Who wants to be a millionaire and won 20 000 000 rupees... I can't afford this monitor...

 

Performance wise no, there would not be a difference.

But the screen on the unibody is the LED, which is better than the LCD on the white macbooks.

THe unibodies are obviously better built and has a better screen. That right there is worth the extra couple hundred for the unibody.

OK...as for MB vs MBP...

You know what you should do you should go to Best Buy or Futureshop and BUY the 13" macbook (the French keyboard is offered on both of their websites). Once you get it you have 14 days to use it and then return it, hassle free.

I did this. First I bought 2.4 MBP from Best Buy, then exchanged it on the 14th day for the 2.53, no hassle, no problem.

So for 14 days you can use it worry free and see if you like it or not. Then make your decision!!

AND...even if you buy online, you can return it in store at any BB of FS. I have also done this with a digital camera and hard drive. Just make sure you print out the online receipt.

Another thing Thomass, you can obviously afford the MBP because you are considering it. I think you should go ahead and get it and be happy. I have a feeling that you are only considering MB for saving $$...but inside you really want MBP. Trust me if you skimp out this time you will regret down the road. I have also been through this.

 

Its not like he is NEVER ever going to get a MBP...and that this a lifetime decision.

I say go for the macbook, save $$$, then you can upgrade to a future MBP earlier, with the future MBP having Nehalem CPUs (perhaps quad core ?), SSD, USB 3.0 etc.

If he goes for a MBP now, he will have to wait longer to upgrade...

Its not really a good time to buy a "long term" laptop.

 

There is never a "good time" to buy a laptop...technology moves so fast that you just have to buy it when you need it, as many other people here have said.

He is a student...and it's not like students buy a new notebook every 2 years. Why buy a MB now and then save again to buy MBP in the future? WHy not just buy the MBP now and not have to buy another notebook...

Besides he won't gain anything from "Nehalem"...he's not a power user.

 

Some people prefer the slightly smaller form factor of the MB.

The only problem of going the MB + External Display is if you end up using your notebook away from your desk a lot, you will not use the external display much. The money spent on an external display will not be worth it in that situation.

The MBP would be better in that situation. Even though the LCD is not the highest quality option compared to an external display, it would still be quite good for a notebook LCD.

As long as you get at least WSXGA+ on the 15" MBP, it would have enough resolution for good workspace. I would only get an external display if you have a specific need such as graphic design, desktop publishing, or accounting.

 

Which is exactly why the MB would be sufficient for his use

 

Is this possible when buying on the official Apple website?

I've seen a white macbook the other... The 13'' screen isn't crappy it's just not comfortable when you are used to an iMac screen... You feel stuck when you work on it...

For now, I'm not playing at any game, but i've been playing a whole lot in the past. I'm studying in psychology so I don't need a extremely powerful computer for graphic stuff, photo editing (more than the simple iPhoto one..), etc.

 

I've checked on FutureShop and BestBuy websites.
There is no mb or mbp presently @ FS.
And on BB they don't have the educational discount on, so it's not a great deal for the price...

 

Hey, is it possible to see a price drop for these models in the near future, with these new MacMinis, iMacs, MacPros arriving...?

 

Prices probably won't drop because they just introduced new desktops...no new notebooks.

The whole point of the Best Buy thing is to be able to have a MB for 14 days hassle free. You can return it to Best Buy without a restocking fee. If it turns out that you do like it, then return it to BB and order a new one from the Apple website with the education discount.

It's a little complicated and takes some effort, but is well worth being able to use the MB first hand for more than 30 minutes that you spend at the store.

This is what I did with a $1200 digital camera. I bought it for my 2 week Italy trip last summer then when I got back I returned it, but kept all the quality pictures it took!

 

Okay so, Apple website don't have that type of return possibility...
And the closest Best Buy store is pretty far from where I live... I will have to deal that by Internet but going to the store for a potential return... That's complicated... It's pretty much 2 and half hour drive to get there...

 

Then I'm not sure what to do Thomass...I'm out of ideas.

 

I say go with the MBP, my father started out with the latest white macbook (one with 9400m). But just found the 13" screen and 1280x800 to be too confining for his browsing, daily activities etc.

Then he bought an MBP (selling me the MB to me, woohoo me!) and has been very happy ever since. I personally have no problems with my new MB, but I have very good eyes plus a pc with a large monitor so for me it worked out.
Have not had to use my external monitor on my MB yet but I happen to have very good eyes.

Like Toshibadude said, it will last you longer and in the long run and I think it would be best (assuming you can comfortably afford it).

Just my opinion, but I also like his idea of the 14 day trial!

Whatever you decide I hope you enjoy and let us know how you like whatever you purchase!

 

There is always the option of not buying either the MB or the MBP

 

lol true... nub.

 

I disagree. 2007 was a very good time to buy a laptop when core 2 got introduced. After than, 2 years later, there have been minor bumps in processor speed, ram, cache and fsb. Oh and unibody design.

Now, project out to 2011 and what the differences will be 2 years from now.
Nehalem architecture with on board memory controller and elimination of FSB.
SSD hard disks.
USB 3.0 with 10x the speed of USB 2.0
Quad core highly likely when they do a die shrink with accompanying power reduction.

There are significant bosts coming up.

Similarly 2005 would have been a bad time to get a laptop, just before core duo.

All of us are going to buy upgraded laptops in the future. The only question is when.
Its also about the ammortized cost spent per year on laptops. If on average your laptop lasts 4 years, and you spend $2200, then the cost per year is $550.

Buying a less expenssive MB now would enable him to upgrade sooner, keeping the ammortized cost/year low.

 

I guess you are right, the Core 2's was a good time to buy.

I think I should read up on what is coming up because it sure sounds good. SSD is what I was going to order but held off on it for prices to come down.

If what you say about Nehalem and all that jazz is true, perhaps it's worth tthe wait...

Honestly, I don't give a crap about ammortized costs unless I'm buying a car or a house. For a laptop i care about the amount I pay up front...

 

Hmm guys, I've been looking around on Apple's website and I saw there was a bunch of sleeves. Is there one that is better than the others? For example :
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TR632LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=MjQyMDU2Ng
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TR559LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=MjE0NjkxNQ&p=1&s=topSellers
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TU054ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=MjQyNjM1Ng&p=2&s=topSellers

 

I like the Incase one, buts it's all a personal opinion.

 

I use the 15" version of the incase one. It's excellent. Either the incase of the tucano second skin will be perfec.t

 

Unfortunately, Intel's tick-tock timeline is going to make it relatively tough to pick a specific time where only minor upgrades are coming down the pike. There's a change to their processors every 1-2 years, now.

My personal rule of thumb is a laptop will average about 2-3 years before it becomes too "weak" to perform well. Of course, when it comes to things like word processing and web browsing, the timeline can be extended (but hey, isn't that was netbooks are for?). However, most of the people on this forum either use their laptop as a desktop replacement or for somewhat heavy-use activities (e.g. gaming, video/photo editing, productivity programs) for a fair percentage of the laptop's usage time [I myself use my laptop for gaming and minor word processing when I'm on the road for work]; so that rule holds relatively true.

There is always going to be something "on the horizon." Heck, I read an article yesterday that HP finalized a new, smaller transistor in their labs and are beginning development.

- PCI Express is staying
- SATA has finally taken over
- USB 3.0, I feel, will take a good 1-2 more years before it becomes prevalent
- Nehalem is going to need at least a year to mature enough for mobile processing
- SSDs are only going to get bigger and cheaper, but I don't think they will ever dethrone platter drives for pure storage volume. The technology is still too young for my taste.
- I don't have any experience with OS X, so I don't know how/if it needs to be more optimized for multi-core. I do know Windows is going to need some more tweaking to truly take advantage of multi-core.
- Larrabee could shake up the video card business, but it remains to be seen how it will.

 

Good lord... I'm definitely unable to make a decision... I'm still so mixed up. I tried a friend's T61 the other day, this thing is nice. The screen was 14,1'' i think, and that was big enough. The newest version of it (T400) is pretty much the same price than the macbook... Such as the Latitude E6400 with a coupon... I hate this situation.

 

How about the 15.4" thinkpads with a WSXGA+ screen ?
You get a bigger screen, higher resolution (than the MBP).
And warranties should be inexpensive. You can even add accidental protection to thinkpads which is not available for Apple.

 

I'm semi like you, but I've made up my mind that I want a Mac. I want a mac because I get OSX and if I need my windows for whatever reason, make provides boot camp. =)

My problems is I'm highly stuck between a MB and a MBP, leaning towards MBP, bigger/better screen, more power, and it'd look pretty snappy with a 24" cinema. =) But then again...thats like $3000 right there.

 

I agree with the other guys, if you aren't doing photo/video editing, the macbook will do everything easily. Just plug it into an external monitor and it would function beautifully.

Also get a USB keyboard and mouse for it. Plug those into the laptop then working through your 22" will feel like using a desktop.

 

I really don't think it's possible to spend too much time highlighting how RUBBISH the Macbook screen is.

The Macbook Pro screen however, was sculpted by the hands of supermodels.

As I said in another thread. I went to the store to checkout the macbook. I had no interest in the macbook pro at all. I was there for two hours and went home and ordered a Macbook Pro.

In short, the macbook pro is SO good, that even people like me who didn't want one were convinced when we tried it.

The macbook is a good machine. But it's not a macbook pro!

The macbook i'd say is a porsche, while the macbook pro is James Bond's Aston Martin.

Seriously, supermodels will have sexy time with you if you get the macbook pro. How enthusiastic can I be?

 

Haha...good stuff.

 

I'll again reinterate that this is not a once in a lifetime decision.
He can get the porsche now, and upgrade to a much better Aston Martin two years down the line.
Why would someone buy a Aston Martin now when significant upgrades are just round the corner ?

 

Rubbish? *Takes gloves and smacks* You sir have insulted my honor! I challenge you to a duel!

 

THomass have you made up your mind?

 

Nah... Not yet... but i guess it would be much more reasonable and comfortable to get external kb, mouse and monitor... To make it pretty much like a desktop when I'm at home. And it's gonna be much cheaper even with the externals, unless i choose a really expensive screen (but I won't). So if i go with this option i'll have to choose between the 2 Ghz and 2,4Ghz models. I'm pretty much at this point in my reflection...

 

You're doing what I just did, a few days ago. =) Waiting for my setup anxiously.

 

I won't take the apple cinema though... definitely too expensive!
Did you add the 2 Gb of ram yourself or through apple when you bought it?

 

The cinema is a gift from the parents for the dorm next September haha, but I don't have my setup yet, but I ordered the Crucial kit off newegg, and plan to upgrade myself once it arrives. =)

 

Yeah... I'm not really secure opening a notebook,... I never did it before... but one of the two authorized apple resellers of my town offers the upgrade from 2 to 4. for something like 60$. I'd have to check to have the exact info though...

 

I've only done one to two ram upgrades on my desktops, this will be my first on a laptop, and my first mac haha. I'm not worried there are plenty of youtube videos out there, and it seems simple enough. Plus I trust myself more then I would trust someone else, so why not =)

 

I purchased my macbook on Friday, and dunno what takes amazon so long to ship. still patiently waiting .

 

I'm now pretty sure that the Macbook with externals would be the best option for me. So I got to choose between the 2 and 2,4 Ghz ones. I've also been checking out for some externals. A friend of mine studying in computer science has a lot of used externals at school that he could sell to me. An old mac usb keyboard, an old usb mouse and a old 17'' apple monitor that looked great ( looks like this one http://www.necoffee.com/thought/mini.jpg ) all these for 15$. I know that it's an old cathodic screen so I'd need to get the mini display to *VGA adapter instead of DVI. Is it a good deal or it's bull crap? Should I get something more recent, the little computer store in college has a 19'' LG Flatron Screen at 190$ that seems great... Is it worth it?...

 

since your friend is a CS student. take a look at Apple's Students developers program and see if the saving is worth asking him to register and purchase that laptop for you.

http://developer.apple.com/products/membership.html $99

http://store.apple.com/us_adc_38839 The actual ADC store.

Back in 2002, I signed up for the student developer programs and saved 20 - 30% off my laptop purchase. I can't rem the exact amount but it was more than the educational discount.

 

hmmm okay, I'll check that out with him. I don't think he uses it, he has a couple of macs and bought em all on the educational discount. But what about the externals? Should I get some of the latest stuff or old stuff that works would be okay for a really small price?

 

Out of interest, have you been to see both of them yet, comparing them side by side?