Macbook vs Pro noobtastic questions

projectmayhem

alright folks after long deliberation (about 6 months) i've made my mind up. i need/want a laptop for college, work and general pissing about in places that aren't my room. i'm also delighted with my ipod experience, so thanks to that apple managed to hook me in.

i have vista here at home so i've no mad requirements to stick to that (or any windows format for that matter) as i'm covered there. so a mac is what i will have.

my questions lie in the quandary around whether the difference between the macbook and macbook pro are noticable? i've only used an imac in a mates house, and have had a chance to piss about with a macbook with leapord in currys on their display units. is it worth the extra €800 odd (from apple's website)? if so, why?... bar the extra performance with the hardware (graphics card is a deal for me as most of my creative work will be PS and the like)...

also, if i buy now (or in the next month or two, when i've money) will i regret it in 2 months time if/when apple announce a new model, a-la iPod generations each year?

440Hz

Other than graphics in PS what else will you want the machine for? Any more intensive graphics like Ai or ID? Most likely a Macbook would do you just fine, esp if you pimp the RAM yourself after you get the machine.

im...LOST

The normal Macbooks are only after getting an update so I doubt that there will be a new one for another while. I think the Pro models are due an update soon but I'm not 100% sure.

Erm, graphics cards are only necessary for running 3d applications smoothly, no? So therefore PS will run smoothly enough. I have had no first hand experience here but I've used Fireworks on Windows XP via Bootcamp and it works seamlessly. I realise that the new PS is more intensive than this but I'd imagine it's the same.

I guess go for the Pro if you have the money (and if you want to run 3d stuff or games) but they are both cool systems. Also, a Macbook is handy for just carrying around due to it's size. A Pro might be a little more cumbersome.

babypink

watch out for updates in January, particularly to MBPs........intel are launching mobile versions of the 45nm pennryn chip in the 1st 2 weeks of Jan!! perfect timing for updates @ macworld

all a big maybe however. Remember you'll get an edu discount as a college student, making the MBP that bit more affordable. Also consider that the MBPs are aluminium clad, making them that bit more durable (and sexy)

440Hz

I guess the essential point is a Macbook will certainly hack what you need it for, but if you can go Pro do, cos like the others have said, its yummy. My MBP is like part of my family now

Creamy Goodness

photoshop can be a bit of a pain on a 13inch screen but if you connect it up to your monitor everything is dandy.

i think the price difference is a little stiff if the only noticable differences are different casing, bigger screen and a graphics card.

Chardee MacDennis

wait till macworld in Feb, i would be very surprised if the Macbooks didnt get a at least a screen update maybe more. then again we could see 13.3inch mbps, who knows!

imo there are two safe times a year to buy a mac mid Feb and end Sept at the two mac events.

if you can go for the pro, thats my next update next year, unless of course you like the small form factor.

ZENER

440Hz wrote: »

My MBP is like part of my family now

. . . . I sleep with mine !! . . . . . *hides*

The MBP is definitely the model to opt for I think. The bigger screen being the clincher for doing anything graphical that requires accuracy.

ZEN

flywheel

babypink wrote: »

Also consider that the MBPs are aluminium clad, making them that bit more durable...

i hear and read that a lot... but i've seen lots of MBPs with dinks and dents... and two mates who have that bit of metal just above the screen release button bent out of shape... apart from a minor scuff on the base my black MB has lasted the year (of pretty extensive traveling) really well...

with a bit of care and one of those sleeves (e.g. like those from Tucano) you can keep your laptop in good nick be it MB or MBP...

projectmayhem

well it seems the smart money's on waiting for macworld. especially with news like this. how long does it usually take for macbook announcements to actually see retail?

Oirthir

Sometimes almost instant, sometimes a few weeks..

Creamy Goodness

ever since they've announced the iphone things haven't been as instant as what they were before.

still the most you'll be waiting would be like 3 weeks.

justfortherecor

Remember to buy the laptop through the higher education store on Apple.com if you're still a student as well!

Save about 15% on laptop retail prices and you can pick up the 3yr cover for an exceptional price as well.