D!ABOL!C Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 I'm sure you've seen hundreds of these threads, and I even made one a year or so ago, but this time i'm definitely getting one of those Macbooks. I know the first question to be asked is what will I do with it? Well I'm not a photo editor or video editor so that eliminates the need for more horsepower. I basically want to do all the stuff I can do on my windows computer on my new mac, web browsing, office based programs (already plan on getting iWork) but I also intend to use it at work. I know it has a built in VPN client so that is definitely helpful and i'm assuming they have a similar program like Remote Desktop built in. So yea that's about it for usage. What I have priced out for both the regular Macbook and Pro will be with these upgrades. iWork installed and the Apple Care. I was planning on getting 4GB of memory which is only a $100 upgrade. The main reason I would get it from them as opposed to upgrading myself is from what I have read is, if you replace the memory, that will not be covered by Applecare. I'm not sure if that is 100% accurate but if any one can straighten it out, I would be most appreciative. Considering the light amount of work I'll be doing on it, I'm wondering if I can just skip the memory? If the general consensus is yes, I may swing for the Pro. Just curious what everyone thinks. I'm definitely excited to be have a Mac and can't wait to jump in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Helix Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Seems to me the a Plain Macbook is what you need not a Macbook Pro, I have the older version and it was just fine for that so the new model should be even better. I did end up Buying an iMac though so I could Run Windows and play games not that a macbook can't run windows, but windows is needed for the good games lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrizzMan Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 In my opinion, you can't go wrong with either one. Both of them are fantastic machines and will deliver results. I have owned my MacBook for roughly a year and my MacBook Pro for a few months now. While I have noticed slight differences in performance (graphics-wise in particular), they've both impressed me equally and I feel safe in saying that either of them would work nicely for you. There is something about Snow Leopard's (and Mac OS X's in general) interface that "grabs" the attention of Mac users... myself included! Best of luck. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D!ABOL!C Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 I don't think I'll run Windows on it, i'd rather be fully immersed in the Mac OS. If I absolutely have to use Windows, I still have my main tower. Firewire and the SD slot are not important to me, but is the aluminum body and backlit keyboard worthy of the extra $200 price? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Helix Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 I don't think I'll run Windows on it, i'd rather be fully immersed in the Mac OS. If I absolutely have to use Windows, I still have my main tower.Firewire and the SD slot are not important to me, but is the aluminum body and backlit keyboard worthy of the extra $200 price? well I have heard the aluminum unibody itself if recycled is worth quite a nice price, and the backlit keyboard is the best thing they have added to the macbook line in forever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisalem Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Does the 13" Macbook Pro have LED displays? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrizzMan Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 I agree in regards to the addition of the backlit keyboard. Talk about a handy feature when using the Pro in a dark and/or horribly dim environment. Aesthetically, it simply looks cool as hell, if that is important to you. More importantly, is screen size a major deciding factor when it comes to making the final decision? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Helix Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 (edited) Does the 13" Macbook Pro have LED displays? yes The only thing that Mac's need to start incorporating is HD iSight Cameras with 720p, they are 640x480 now http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/specs-13inch.html Edited January 2, 2010 by Phantom Helix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadrack Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 I'm sure you've seen hundreds of these threads, and I even made one a year or so ago, but this time i'm definitely getting one of those Macbooks.I know the first question to be asked is what will I do with it? Well I'm not a photo editor or video editor so that eliminates the need for more horsepower. I basically want to do all the stuff I can do on my windows computer on my new mac, web browsing, office based programs (already plan on getting iWork) but I also intend to use it at work. I know it has a built in VPN client so that is definitely helpful and i'm assuming they have a similar program like Remote Desktop built in. So yea that's about it for usage. What I have priced out for both the regular Macbook and Pro will be with these upgrades. iWork installed and the Apple Care. I was planning on getting 4GB of memory which is only a $100 upgrade. The main reason I would get it from them as opposed to upgrading myself is from what I have read is, if you replace the memory, that will not be covered by Applecare. I'm not sure if that is 100% accurate but if any one can straighten it out, I would be most appreciative. Considering the light amount of work I'll be doing on it, I'm wondering if I can just skip the memory? If the general consensus is yes, I may swing for the Pro. Just curious what everyone thinks. I'm definitely excited to be have a Mac and can't wait to jump in. That is what I've been told. AppleCare is SO expensive. I need to make up my mind if i want to get it. You basically only get +2 year extended warranty. You have a year after you purchase your Mac to buy the extended warranty... So I will re-evaluate it then. At the very least you should be able to get a new battery at the end of 3 years... Firewire and the SD slot are not important to me, but is the aluminum body and backlit keyboard worthy of the extra $200 price? Yes. I think that a backlit keyboard should be standard on all. Aluminum is expensive as hell right now. Really the only alternative would be a type of plastic body when it comes to weight. The whole thing has a very nice cool touch to it. Doesn't seem to ever get that warm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisalem Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 yesThe only thing that Mac's need to start incorporating is HD iSight Cameras with 720p, they are 640x480 now http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/specs-13inch.html The old unibody Macbook didn't have an LED display though, did it? The reason I'm asking is that someone mentioned that the quality of the unibody Macbook display was horrid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D!ABOL!C Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 More importantly, is screen size a major deciding factor when it comes to making the final decision? It's more of a cost thing. I've played around with the 13" in the store and it's not too bad, I guess the slightly annoying thing would be scrolling on web pages. Although... bumping up to the 15" may be nice. My current notebook that i'm replacing is 15.4" I was almost going to buy it today, but i'm glad I'm waiting a week. Again my main concern is if I do go with a higher end Macbook Pro, i'll be letting all that power go to waste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Gonzo Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Might want to wait a bit longer, since they are due for an upgrade soon. Personally, I'm waiting for the updated higher-scale 13" mbook pro myself. I went from a 17" laptop to a 14" right now, and the convenience is so much better. Especially if you have a functional tower at home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Helix Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 The old unibody Macbook didn't have an LED display though, did it?The reason I'm asking is that someone mentioned that the quality of the unibody Macbook display was horrid. They are LED backlit, not LED display's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShamRocker1 Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Seems to me the a Plain Macbook is what you need not a Macbook Pro, I have the older version and it was just fine for that so the new model should be even better.I did end up Buying an iMac though so I could Run Windows and play games not that a macbook can't run windows, but windows is needed for the good games lol And how did you come to that conclusion? I say go for the Pro. I don't think I'll run Windows on it, i'd rather be fully immersed in the Mac OS. If I absolutely have to use Windows, I still have my main tower.Firewire and the SD slot are not important to me, but is the aluminum body and backlit keyboard worthy of the extra $200 price? It will run Windows (using Boot Camp or otherwise). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Helix Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 And how did you come to that conclusion? I say go for the Pro.It will run Windows (using Boot Camp or otherwise). He already said there is no reason for him to need extra horsepower of the pro And he said he didn't care if it runs windows or not he already has a Windows Tower Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Gonzo Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 He already said there is no reason for him to need extra horsepower of the proAnd he said he didn't care it it runs windows or not he already has a Windows Tower The horsepower difference is marginal, however the Pro is a much better laptop, and worth the $200 or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrizzMan Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 It's more of a cost thing. I've played around with the 13" in the store and it's not too bad, I guess the slightly annoying thing would be scrolling on web pages. Although... bumping up to the 15" may be nice. My current notebook that i'm replacing is 15.4"I was almost going to buy it today, but i'm glad I'm waiting a week. Again my main concern is if I do go with a higher end Macbook Pro, i'll be letting all that power go to waste. One of the more prominent differences I originally noticed after purchasing my 13" MacBook (a year or so ago - different generation) was the font size fluctuations while using instant messaging programs such as AOL Instant Messenger. For example: Verdana using a Size 12 font looked nearly identical to what Verdana using a Size 10 font would look like on AIM running on a Windows machine and so on, so forth. This should of course be expected when using smaller screen sizes, however it is something that I noticed only on the 13" MacBook. I hope that's not too confusing! Like I said earlier on, you can't go wrong with either one. If you don't need the excess "power" and/or enhancements that come with the Pro by default, take a look at the MacBook. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master1 Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 I would suggest the MacBook Pro, since it has the aluminum design which is stronger and looks better, SD card slots, backlit keyboard. The MacBook imo SUCKS design wise. Countless friends of mine bought it since it costs less, yet a few months later, the plastic begins to crack. You might also want to hold off buying them, since the lineup update is IMMINENT READ THIS and READ ME ALSO The links will explain everything :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Helix Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 well, It is obvious we all agree that he should "Get A Mac" His budget is going to determine which he gets, the extra 200 is worth it for the machine you get and will make it more likely to resell down the road Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D!ABOL!C Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 I know that Apple has that announcement on the 26th of this month for their tablet or whatever it is, but will they announce at that time or maybe this week at CES when they will be releasing new MBP's? As I have read on all the buyer guides, the MBP is due for an update, potentially this month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Gonzo Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 I know that Apple has that announcement on the 26th of this month for their tablet or whatever it is, but will they announce at that time or maybe this week at CES when they will be releasing new MBP's? As I have read on all the buyer guides, the MBP is due for an update, potentially this month. Well, it depends. Rumor has it, Apple rejected the new design by Intel, since the portable i5 chips use an integrated graphics solution or some such. And that's something no one thinks Apple will want to put into the Pro line. At least, I hope not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master1 Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 Well, it would only make sense for Apple to update their laptops soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D!ABOL!C Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 You will probably all make fun of me or call me stupid or whatever, but i'll ask anyway :) Say I purchase a Macbook Pro (I think i'm going to go with the 13" Macbook Pro with 4GB) this upcoming weekend, and say in a few weeks they release an updated Macbook Pro. Would I be able to return the one I purchased and get the upgraded unit? If the answer is no, I will probably hold off until the announcement just to see what they say and see if they do in fact upgrade their notebooks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master1 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 You will probably all make fun of me or call me stupid or whatever, but i'll ask anyway :)Say I purchase a Macbook Pro (I think i'm going to go with the 13" Macbook Pro with 4GB) this upcoming weekend, and say in a few weeks they release an updated Macbook Pro. Would I be able to return the one I purchased and get the upgraded unit? If the answer is no, I will probably hold off until the announcement just to see what they say and see if they do in fact upgrade their notebooks. that depends on the stores return policy :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D!ABOL!C Posted January 9, 2010 Author Share Posted January 9, 2010 I just wanted to post back and thank you all for your help. I just purchased today a 13" Macbook Pro which I am posting on now! I just got the 13" with the 4GB upgrade and iWork. So far so good, it's just going to take me a bit of time to get used to everything, but I got Firefox and Keepass installed so i'm rolling pretty good right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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