the age old ques..... MB vs MBP

I'm sure this thread surfaces all the time. I'm looking at macbooks, and as tempting as a pro seems, I'm not sure I can justify it.

For starters I plan on using this laptop for logic pro 8, and chances are it will function as everything else I use computers for as well. This basically means watching movies/shows occasionally, maybe LIGHT gaming (like, light as in WC3 DOTA), organization, web browsing... and some movie editing maybe. Nothing complicated, I just mean cutting and pasting stuff, maybe adding rather simple effects. I dont think that entails anything with 3D rendering, does it?

So my concerns are:

-Screen size. I am slightly concerned that the petite 13'' screen will make it hard to work with logic on the go. I have a 19'' monitor from 4 years ago that I used for my PC desktop when it was up and running, and I plan on putting that to use when I'm at my "home studio". I know the resolution transfers to external monitors are different between the MB and MBP

-Display and graphics. Like I said, I dont think I'm doing anything complicated with video, but I'm worried about being limited. I wont have to do any video on the go, though, so as long as I will well equipped enough with my external monitor, then I guess it isnt a problem.

-Lifespan: There are a couple things happening that seem really important in the world of computers: USB 3.0 (supposedly faster than firewire?), and solid state drives. I would hate to spend money on a macbook pro and then be missing out on those features in a years time. At the same time I'm not sure it would be worth it to settle for a (used?) macbook that isnt [ i]quite[/i] what I need and put up with that for however long.

-Processor speed: I know that I can easily upgrade to 4 gigs of RAM (even though it voids the warranty....), but I still havent been able to get an idea of what kind of Processor I need to run leopard with logic 8 proficiently. If I can get away with 2.1G, then it might be a bit silly for me to spend 2000+ on a MBP when I can buy a used MB in working condition and not have to worry about voiding the warranty by upgrading it.


This is such a headache.

 

Look at refurb MBP's

 

Any recommendations other than smalldog.com?

 

I'd definitely recommend just buying directly off of the Apple Refurb site.

I haven't seen anyone having prices lower than them. I also just bought the iMac in my sig from them, and I couldn't be happier with it. It's pretty much brand new, and I saved a good deal of money by going with a refurb. Plus the standard warranty on Refurbs is 1 year, and you have the chance of getting upgrades (RAM, HDD, even an entire model higher) for free.

 

Is there an Apple Store near you? If there is, go play with laptops there. At least any computer store that sells Macs should have a demo model or two out.

I don't like making arbitrary purchasing decisions for other people.. well actually I do, but in your case I'll refrain. Only *you* know what you will be happy with. Nobody here can know.

 

Yeah, now that I look at my post I kind of just whined a bit about a hard decision and didnt give you much to really advise on. Thanks for pointing out the refurbished option.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nplm=FA867LL/A

Not bad at all.

 

I suggest the Macbook Pro, you can always buy an ExpressCard USB 3.0 (MBP's have ExpressCard slots right?)

yes, they do

 

Mbp will do you good.

 

MBP is the way to go. Like an earlier poster said before, check out the refurbs from the Apple online store. Great deals.

 

these threads are always the same...

If you cant decide, chances are either will suite your needs. i say, and being a mbp owner 2x now, buy the MB, save the money, and be happy.

the only real reason to get the pro is if you want the bigger screen, and video card, all other things are just 'features'

i was mainly worried about the screen size in the last few years with my MB, it worked out just fine. Spaces really sets the bar high for that stuff.

 

MB is much lighter and smaller, which makes it more suitable for travel.
MB heats less - plastic transfers much less heat the palmrest and the bottom.
MBP has larger screen, which is better suited for serious work
MBP has better video card, which is a must for some graphics applications and games. I personally don't run any of those, so this is not an advantage for me.

 

MB is not much lighter than MBP, the differences is not really noticeable. In fact, MB is consider quite heavy in its class, while MBP is much lighter compare to other machine in its class.

I do fair traveling due to the job requirement, so far the size didn't bother me even compare with my previous smaller machine, I can still comfortably using it while on the plane.

As for the heat, I found that my MBP is actually running cooler than my colleague's MB despite that I also run load my Vista through vmware and do a lot of CPU intensive tasks. My MBP constantly run below 50C with those CPU intensive tasks and VMWare Fusion running. I hardly sense the palm rest area getting warmer even the temperature goes beyond 50C at times. I don't run game in my notebook, so the above is purely base on my personal usage though.

I was once having hard decision choosing between MB and MBP too, the major reasons that lead to my final decision are, 1) screen size and, 2) LED backlit screen. My job requires me to review a lot of code, while at home I can use my external 22" monitor, I don't have such luxury while I'm at work or outside, so the screen size is important to me. I don't frequently change the notebook as well, I do hope my new MBP can last me for another 3 years, but I use my notebook at least 14 hours a day, I don't want to see the brightness goes down after 2 years just like my previous machine, so LED backlit screen becomes another important reason of my decision.

Which one is really the best choice, it's really depends on one's usage and what you like to do with your notebook in the future while you still own it. Our opinions are all biased and fit to our own requirements.

 

I would say that if I carry MacBook Pro to work and use it in the office the difference is not that noticeble, but if I want to carry it with me causually and take it out in the cafe or in the car I can feel the weight and the size difference. The total weight and size of 15.4 inch notebook with the bag (don't forget the bag difference) is larger than that of 13.3 inch.
The larger size of MBP makes it harder to handle. In a cafe I can take my MB out of the bag with one had and open it right away, but with MBP I have to use two hads to handle it, because it's larger and aluminium is more slippery. Also I its cover-lock is harder to open. Many times cafe tables are quite small and MBP is harder to fit on it. So, many times I just find myself unwilling to get out my MBP just to look at some news in the cafe or in my car.

That's true that MB is heavy in it's class.

 

Upgrading the RAM on your machine will NOT void your warranty!

 

I have both a Macbook and a Macbook Pro and run Logic Studio on them.

I would say that the one to get depends on what you plan to use Logic for. If you are planning on recording a lot of audio - singing, guitars, etc. - then the Macbook Pro is definitely what you should get. Mostly for the additional IO capacity.

Current wisdom says that audio should be recorded to a fast drive other than your system drive. The Macbook Pro gives you the option of Firewire 800 or, with an external express card, eSata. The Macbook only offers one Firewire 400 and USB2.

If you plan on just using software instruments with 1 or 2 tracks audio here or there, then it is a wash. Both machines work well in this situation, but make sure to max out the RAM.

I hope this doesn't come too late to do some good.

cycloptic

 

I have to completely disagree there. The MBP is VERY easy to handle for it's size. Its footprint is not that much bigger than the MB in reality. Stack the MB on top of the MBP and you will see the MB is not much smaller. The MBP is actually perceived (at least by myself and many others) to be lighter, smaller and easier to handle due to it's weight vs. size and it's thinness.
I have no problem handling my MBP with one hand. It's easy to do and the aluminum is no less slippery than the slick plastic on the MB.

I actually go to cafe's sometimes to do some development work when I'm stuck on problems (dunno... working in cafe's... works for me sometimes) and the tables are small, but pose little problem to holding a 15" laptop and a cup of coffee.

Honestly though, it's less than half a lb difference between the two. It's not noticeable at all. I was carrying two MBP's in my backpack last year and it was hardly noticeable.

 

A MBP was way overkill for my needs.

I opted for one simply for cosmetic reasons.

 

I just returned my hi res 17" mbp (without restock fee) because it has some kind of a led buzz noise. And the genius told me that he's pretty sure the new 17" hi res would have the same problem (I'm guessing other people brought it back with this problem too).

Anyways I couldnt justify paying $3190 for the 17" hi res (even though the screen was freaking gorgeous and it was very fast, awesome speakers and bad ass on your lap... it was very very hard to take it back). But I came down to my senses as the 17" hi res was way over kill for me + I didnt want to carry it around since its so expensive!

Same goes for the 15" 2.5Ghz macbook pro that I had as well, I exchanged it (without restock fee) because it had a magsafe problem sometimes it doesnt charge and the led light doesnt come on either. Also for me though paying the $1300 more for the bigger led screen (which I didnt really need since most of the time I had it connected to my 23" ACD) and the gpu that I hardly ever use since I dont use any 3d modeling programs or game at all. I do miss firewire 800 though but 400 is good enough for my external hdds.

The 2.4Ghz macbook imo runs pretty much the same as the 2.5Ghz mbp that I had connected to the 23" ACD. I dont game at all or use any 3d app so the macbook is still more than powerful enough for my everyday needs! Plus I got to pocket $1800 from exchanging my 17" hi res mbp and this macbook will last me for at least 2-3 years until I upgrade for the Nehalem Quad Core probably rev. b.

 

Size bothers some people, but not me. I got my fully loaded 17" Penryn MBP earlier this year, and nothing about it bothers me. Yes, it's expensive, and maybe overkill for some people, but that doesn't make it any less desirable. IMO it is a true desktop replacement, and although at (approx.) 7lbs it's no MBA, it's still very portable, and a far cry from the 12+ lb bricks that Alienware is selling. The MBP is a bit awkward at first in your lap, but then again it was never meant to be used that way (unless you prefer your reproductive organs irradiated and non-functioning).

 

After I read some of these reply that say that MBP can be handled as easily as MB I tried to compare, since I have both. I can't take MBP out of the bag with one hand, it's too heavy and too splippery. I can't lift MBP by the corner with cover open with one hand, again it's too heavy and too slippery. Of cause it's possible to do this, but it's very uncomfortable and I would naturally do that with two hand.
Also, on MBP I can't open the cover in one move. I can't close the cover in one move.
I would rather buy MBP 17" instead of 15", since I feel that both are similar in turms of portability, but 17" has larger screen, heats less, has better speakers. Unfortunatly only HiRes version of 17" MBP has LED screen.