Another "What should I do?" thread...Sorry :p

[enklined]

Alright, here's the low down:

I need a laptop for school. My MBP will be my first ever mac computer.

I'll need the MBP for basic uses - music, word processor, internet, as well as the ability to run Windows XP without any issues - I need Windows mainly to run a program called ArcGIS (some of you may know this app) - and possibly Autodesk Civil 3D 2008.

So, I have a couple questions (I have read the buying guide for the MBP, and some threads in this forum, but I'm looking for specifics).

1) 2.2 or 2.4 MBP? I'm leabing towards the 2.4 only because of the increased amount of video memory. Does anyone here use AutoCAD or ArcGIS with a 2.2? Would you have rather bought the 2.4? Or does the 2.2 handle these apps without trouble?

2) Now or wait? I recently had my car broken into, and my iPod stolen. If I buy my MBP before the 16th, I get an iPod for free (handy, I need it for the gym). Also, I should be getting $200 worth of store credit from Apple for the iPhone(s)...

3) Matte or Glossy? As I understand it, Matte is anti-glare, and glossy increases color saturation. For my class/work, I dont think color saturation is important - I'm not a graphic artist or anything like that...but maybe some of you have opinions you'd like to share

If I wait, I could POTENTIALLY have the option to buy a slightly better MBP - as a new one MIGHT be released/updated in Oct when OS X.5 launches. Also, if I wait, I assume that the MBP will come installed with Leopard, saving me what, $150? In theory, the iPod and OS upgrade costs cancel eachother out...i guess...

Thing is, I could really use the computer now. I mean, I could wait, but it would be extremely handy to have the machine now for class homework. I have a PC at home i can use, but nothing beats the portability of a laptop (MacBook).

So what are your thoughts? 2.2 vs 2.4 for ArcGIS? Anyone have any experiences with this program running via parallels on either of these machines? Also, buy now, love it, or wait for sometime in oct, get the new OS, and potentially a new/updated MBP?

I'm specifically interested in answers from users of ArcGIS, but any and all opinions/thoughts are welcome!

Thanks for your time!

 

[Corrosive vinyl]

generally speaking, there isn't THAT big a difference between the 2.2 and 2.4 GHz in terms of CPU. the important difference is that double video RAM which is in the 2.4. with your credit with the iPhone and your using AutoCAD it might not be a bad idea to get the extra video RAM. Remember also, the less amount of processes you have when running graphically intense apps the easier on the computer it will be.

Have you gone to the store and played around on a 2.2 and a 2.4 using graphical apps and checked out the different screens (glossy and matte)?, it is all preference. personally speaking, even the 128 MB of vRAM is a lot. I have an ibook G4 with a whopping 32 MB of vRAM which I watch videos and run shockwave internet movies on.

Check out either boot camp which I believe is free (I hope)or parallels to run windows apps on. all the different apps do the exact same thing. just depends on preference. I know someone who threw down $70 on parallels because that is what he needed.

 

[enklined]

I thought bootcamp was for booting into windows or mac os during bootup of the computer, and parallels was for opening windows inside of the mac os (would mean both OS's were running).

I think I'm going to go with the 2.4, due to the extra vRAM, unless some others post persuading me not to

So, do I buy now, or wait? I'm leaning towards buying now, and just buying Leopard when it comes out...hopefully no updated MBP's come out

 

[zioxide]

First, IMO the $500 for a mere 200mhz processor increase and 128mb vram is a rip off. It's worth like $200 at most.

Second, buy now. You'll get the ipod rebate which is worth more than Leopard will be. leopard should be $69 for students (thats tiger's price)

Third, matte > glossy. When you're at school you wont be able to control your lighting and you don't want to have reflections from the glossy screen all over the place.

 

[KingYaba]

First, IMO the $500 for a mere 200mhz processor increase and 128mb vram is a rip off. It's worth like $200 at most.

I have been told the 2.2 ghz models have been selling like hotcakes.

 

[zioxide]

I have been told the 2.2 ghz models have been selling like hotcakes.

Yeah they definitely are. I went to buy one last week and they were sold out. Now I've been waiting for them to ship it (i ended up ordering online) for almost a week.

 

[Sesshi]

For your stated uses, you could also look at the HP 8510w, the RM287UA spec. Of course it depends on how much weight you want to give to what you need to do vs what you might want to do.

2.2Ghz vs 2.4 and no camera, but with 1920 x 1200 resolution for finer detail, the uncripped Quadro 570M (the workstation equivalent of the 8600M GT), 3-year onsite warranty, better built and more consistently performing than the Macbook Pro under duress (I can say from first-hand experience) if somewhat less inspiring. Hardwarewise it's a little like carrying a more dependable 17" MBP in a 15" form factor.

$2799 list (HP) vs $2848 list (Apple) so pretty much neck & neck pricewise.