Thinking about getting a MBP, couple of questions for you experts

Hey guys. Last semester my girlfriend got a MacBook pro 13inch to replace her old dying Sony vaio. I've been using windows my whole life, so learning to navigate around on her mac took me a little while, but I really quite like it. Mac OS is definetly quite straightforward and nice. I just recently also got an iPhone which I'm currently posting from. I really like all the apple stuff so far.

My room has also been renovated and I have a new desk, I don't really wanna put my desktop on it even though it will easily fit. I plan on keeping it in my wardrobe until I need something off the HD. Regardless i've been looking to get a mac laptop. I just have a few questions.


1. On the 13 inch, how powerful is the gpu exactly? Will I be able to play world of warcraft or HoN?

2. I like watching movies and tv shows, will I be able to hook it up to a TV in my room and play it on that? How's the mac screen for watching movies and stuff?

3. I'm somewhat Internet addicted and I want to tone my usage down, hence why I don't want to splurge heaps of money on an epic gaming desktop or laptop, I just want something I can do light gaming on, do my uni stuff and browse the Internet on. I like the mac and i'm happy to pay the extra money for it, will it fit my needs?

4. If you were me, what laptop would you get? It wouldn't be leaving my room (I've already made a thread in which laptop for me, I'm more interested in what the mac users have to say.)

5. Thanks for reading and your help I appreciate it.

 

Well, I wouldn't consider myself an expert, since I've never used a Mac myself (I have an iPod Touch though), but I can help with some of those questions.

The GPU in the 13" is only a 9400M, which is currently the best integrated GPU on the market, however, it's still only an IGP, so don't expect too much from it, however, if it's only for light gaming it's acceptable. Problem is that you will need Bootcamp if you were to run games on it.

If the Mac has a DVI port or DisplayPort, then you could get either an HDMI or VGA adaptor to run it through. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

As I said earlier, since it's only for light gaming, then it should suit your needs, but you will need Bootcamp. Everything else should be fine for it.

If I were you, I would probably get the MBP, but take a look at the new Macbook (the one with the polycarbonate case), because it's pretty muuch the same specs for a cheaper price.

If you get a Mac, I hope you enjoy it. I have been thinking about getting an MBP 15" for a while now...

And also, welcome to the forums.

 

Bootcamp is only required if you want to play a Windows only game natively, and don't have a different way to run it....it is NOT required to just game in general. WoW and HoN both listed by the OP run on Mac OS X without needing Windows at all.

shouldn't be a problem, its only graphic intensive games that will be tougher on just a 9400M. If you want to play whatever comes out at super high resolutions and graphics details pumped up all the way... well that wont happen, you'll have to go with lower settings.

the 13" MBP has a pretty good screen for its size, shouldn't be an issue. As for hooking it up to a TV and watching, that should work just fine too, but what adapters you need to plug it in depends more on the TV and what it supports.

thats all pretty vague, but more than likely it would work for you fine.

if I didn't need it to be portable (staying in one room) then I wouldn't get a laptop at all, I'd get an iMac, which would be cheaper for some better specs.

 

doh123 makes great points. I have a 15" MPB and mostly use the 9400M. I edit photos and video so I wanted the 15" screen and the ability to switch between graphics cards gives me lots of options. With my experience with my MBP, if given the choice of the newer models I would have chosen one with only the 9400M. If I didn't need to take it with me once in a while I would get an iMac instead. I'm actually contemplating getting a Mac Mini for the living room TV.

 

YES! the GPU will easily runs the native screen res of 1280x800 for WoW. i saw my friend's notebook runs it very smoothly.

yes, you can plug your mac to an external tv. you will need display port compatible TV or buy Display port to DVI adapter.

the new macbook pro 13" screen is really good. certainly a miles away in comparison to the original 13" coreduo macbook.

if i'm not mistaken (last time i check)

the macbook pro 15" has better screen (wider viewing angle and more colour gamut)

the macbook pro 17" has even better screen (better viewing angle, colour, etc. plus you get higher dpi)

certainly. mac is really the way to go, especially for notebook.

for desktop gaming beast, stick with windows. i did..

depends on how much money you've got really. for me, i got the MBP17" (stationary), plus a thinkpad x300 for travelling... wish i got the MBP13" instead though.

since you've decided to get a notebook;

the MBP17" is the one you really want for stationary usage.

the MBP15" is the all rounder for travel and screen size.

if you're on a bit of a budget or want a travel notebook; get the entry 13"MBP.

glad to help