Apple Macbook or Macbook Pro

Well I'm very tempted to sell off my rig and get a Macbook of some type. Basically, I'm unsure if I want the 8600 mobile graphics mainly, I don't game anymore, but I feel the intel intergrated graphics on the MB will be rather poop for coverflow and what not and some partial 3D work.

Also I'll be doing a lot of video editing, so there's a partial reason to keep my Q6600. Would the C2D's on the MB and MBP be able to cope with the editing etc (as well heavy photoshop use and generally a large amount of multitasking)? Giving me the incentive to sell off the unnecessary parts of my pc, watercooling, CM Stacker 830 (I'd just get a small lianl li) and the 8800, which has already gone. Tuning the main rig down and just buying a Macbook (2.2ghz) and upgrading it to 2Gb of ram.

OR sell the lot, keeping my Dell 2407wfp and use some of my savings to get a MBP 2.2ghz (possibly the 2.4ghz) but then I'd only be getting 200mhz more, an 8600, and a slightly bigger drive, for what ? 770 quid more (compared to the 2.2ghz macbook)! It's all a bit off putting, the only thing I can see my self actually wanting is the bigger screen... 1680*1050 would be nice too, but thats on the 17"...

I'd deffo' be taking it to college, using it for video editing and what not, so the macbook's res at 1200 by 800 just seems too small for use away from home... whilst the MBP would be considerably better at 1440.

I've also considered the whole Apple finance option, putting in a large chunk first (eg 900 quid) then paying the rest off monthly (I'd look to pay for the entire amount in about a year rather than 3, but then theres a rather large interest rate)... in which I'd considor the 15" 2.4ghz or 17" MBP... (Is there any other finance options for students at all ?)

So out the large amount of choices what do you think I'd be best off with ?

Oh and I get a FE student discount according to my media teachers, I assume it'd be about 10-15% off...

Hope that makes some amount of sense...

/Fr4nk

edit: That or I head down the eBay route and try get a nice 15" or 17" cheaper... that the RRP...

Also, why the hell are the iMacs so much cheaper than the MBPs!

Just looked at the refurbs on apple.com, 17" 2.4ghz MBP - £1,529.00, thats tempting!

 

I would get that refurb if you aren't going to be gaming anymore, and keep your Dell. If you want to go some of the way, you may as well go all the way.

Alternively, as you said, you could go for an iMac.

 

Macbook Pro definitely, im selling my macbook to get a pro, I'm also doing media course like you and the macbook just doesn't cut it when it comes to using final cut etc

 

MBP + Big screen. Since you already have the 24" screen, I'd get the 15" MBP and a USB hub to make up for the "lost" port.

 

hey i was toying with the idea of a macbook pro a couple of weeks ago as i realized that the macbook just would be enough for me as well!

However considering the price differences between the macbook pro and the imac, and the difference between their hardware (as in pretty much none)
i went for the 24" imac for just £1112 which is very good! when you look at an equally spec macbook pro (although they are really really nice)!!

hope that wasnt too confusing!, i say unless you want the portability that much i would go for an imac anyday!

 

Well, I can tell you the MB/MBP is pretty good value when you get student discount (the MBP more so). If you get HE discount, you can get the entry model 15" MBP and Applecare for £1160, which is something of a steal; it costs over £1550 normally.

 

Just been out and about, went into the apple store quickly, the 17" is quite big, but 15" looks good, also I'm running leopard on my pc, so there's no need for an iMac, as I'm after the portability. I'll have to look into the FE/HE discount this week...

 

If you need a laptop, then I'd go for a MacBook Pro. It's a different league when it comes down to build quality. The 15" Led displays are stunning. The 17" is just too big for me to be a laptop.. If it is going to sit on your desktop all the time, then I'd go for an iMac... 24" !

 

I've just switched full time to using my macbook pro. Before that I was using it and a pc with a dell 2407fpw, but I was fed up with vista and maintaining two computers.

I would certainly recommend the pro over the standard macbook just on size and build alone. They are in a different league. I would always go for a refurb as they are as good if not better than the standard ones (Sometimes you get free upgrades I have on one of my refurbs)

 

i've also switched to using my MBP full time, it is mainly my home/couch rig + some portable work at school or on location when taking pics. If you need portability tho I would recommend normal MB - smaller, lighter, longer battery time and to my surprise, better wifi range

 

Macbook Pro.

 

Great point mate, the wifi range on the MBP is horrific. I couldn't get signal from my bedroom in my parents house (router is in the other side of the house), but when I tested using 2 other laptops, they both had 2+ bars. At first I thought it was a OSX thing, but it was the same in XP. Weird, huh? Sorry, that was a little OT

 

Hrm, wifi shouldn't be too much of an issue, as I'll be using it on my desk mainly so I can always plug in the enternet cable... None the less slightly off putting... Also a refurb 15", 2.4Ghz pro comes in at 1329, whilst on the education store a new one comes in at 1471, either way, I think I'm sold

/Fr4nk

 

QFT

The MBP burnt my lap

 

where are you finding these so called refurbs?

 

here

 

http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/ukstore.woa/wa/RSLID?find=refurb

Really? Since this going to be replacing my rig, I hope it wont be too much of a prob, after all, it will prob be on a desk most of the time...

 

Yeah, they get damn hot! Get a 24" iMac to replace your rig as there is no difference really.

 

But the whole point of the MBP is for the portability, next year I'm going to Prague and NY in which we'll be filming and editing and I'd love the ability to take my pc to college. Also I have Dell 2407WFP on its way, and my pc is running leopard so a iMac is pointless, even it does look a million times better

 

I've recently been looking into getting a MB/MBP too. I have to say I'm inclined to go for the MB as the extra cost for the MBP doesn't justify for it's spec's imo. I can just do stuff that requires a more powerful machine on my desktop. I wasn't aware there were heat and wifi issues with the MBP either, so that's another reason for me not to get one heh.

I'm a finalist at a UK uni and as far as I can work out, I'm entitled to 6% discount (it's different depending what education your in apparently). I believe that's a saving of about £50ish and £75ish on a MB and MBP respectively. I reckon it might be possible to swindle a little bit more if you go into a store that's not meeting it's targets

One more thing I will add, I spoke to a friend working for Apple in his placement year and he advised me not to purchase until week beginning 14th Jan 2008. Wouldn't say why but I'll do a bit more digging and see if I can get some more details.