blackbook or macbook pro

[Georg Bouk]

New member and 1st time post.

Like many folks I'm on the fence of which machine to buy. I consider myself a professional but just not along the lines of what some of you do. I’m from the PC world, which I work everyday. The databases and Apps that I currently user are window based only. Why now a Mac? Well I do have a Beige yes Beige G3, which to me is/was the bomb. I experienced no problems at all with this machine. So now that I looking to purchase a new notebook I figured where else should I look but Apple. As for PC/windows world now with Boot Camp and/or Parallel I could VPN and remote access to my office computer for work related issues. And, on my private end really have some fun with OS X.

Blackbook duo 2gb 160 or new MBP "15? As far as the monies goes not a big issue, but like us all I don't want to just throw it at sometime that wouldn't last and most of all, not needed. When I purchased my G3 years back it was the top of line at that time. Nothing Apple produced was better and it proved to be just that.


My usage for a Mac today: internet, some music, light graphics, relaxation from windows, etc.

Pretty much what I'm asking is with some of your knowledge do you feel that the MB's will now upgrade within the next couple of weeks/month? I know the MBP wouldn't due to the new release.

Cheers. And thanks in advance for responding

 

[munckee]

The macbook was recently update (three weeks ago) and should be plenty sufficient for the uses you listed.

 

[Trepex]

It might come down to the feature set - namely do you want keyboard back-lighting, more screen real estate, etc. The 15" screen size is one reason alone that I opted for the MBP myself. The 'low end' model will do more than what I need

As for the features like keyboard back-lighting... I thought of those kind of things as gimmicks before I used them on my PB at work and became hooked. Apple has such great taste when it comes to little features like that.

 

[Cybergypsy]

Macbook all the way.......

 

[Georg Bouk]

It might come down to the feature set - namely do you want keyboard back-lighting, more screen real estate, etc. The 15" screen size is one reason alone that I opted for the MBP myself. The 'low end' model will do more than what I need

As for the features like keyboard back-lighting... I thought of those kind of things as gimmicks before I used them on my PB at work and became hooked. Apple has such great taste when it comes to little features like that.

You are right in the sense of screen size. The 15" would be best especially if I cascade between Parallels and OS X.

 

[holamiamigos]

go for the bigger screen. MBP

 

[x Shadow Dragon]

MAcbook definitly will suffice for the needs u listed...

 

[theheyes]

You cant really go wrong with either machine going off what you intend to use it for.

It boils down to whether you want to pay the extra money for the more premium features of the MacBook Pro.

 

[JNB]

I'm a long-time Mac dektop owner (1985) and had been planning on my first Apple notebook for nearly as long (Powerbook DuoDock, anyone?). I had pretty much convinced myself that it was the MB Pro, period. Wouldn't even consider the MB, as to me, it just seemed like a carryover from the iBook, which was not nearly "serious" enough for my needs.

I started doing my research in earnest last winter, following the forum(s), and visiting apple.com and the local Apple Store.

It came to this. There was nothing in the MacBook that was missing for my needs (and based on your brief description, mine are somewhat similar to yours). I need complete Windows compatibility, ability to manage both Oracle and SQL db's (in Windows), decent power consumption, ample RAM (2GB rated, 3 usable) and HD capacity, the ability to play DVD's on the road and burn them at home, manageable size, durability in case construction, and a good processor.

I really don't need a backlit keyboard, that large of a screen (the 13" widescreen is actually better than a "traditional" 15" for me), a separate video card (no heavy gaming or 3D modeling work), or 4GB RAM capacity. Plus, it's pretty much guaranteed that I would ding the aluminum case within the first week.

So, it turns out that for this particular business traveler, the MB is sufficient for 99% of anything I would ever want over its life-span. Ended up an easier (and better) choice than I imagined.

OK, so I did splurge for the Blackbook. I still saved over $500, which pays for all kinds of accessorizing!

 

[Georg Bouk]

I'm a long-time Mac dektop owner (1985) and had been planning on my first Apple notebook for nearly as long (Powerbook DuoDock, anyone?). I had pretty much convinced myself that it was the MB Pro, period. Wouldn't even consider the MB, as to me, it just seemed like a carryover from the iBook, which was not nearly "serious" enough for my needs.

I started doing my research in earnest last winter, following the forum(s), and visiting apple.com and the local Apple Store.

It came to this. There was nothing in the MacBook that was missing for my needs (and based on your brief description, mine are somewhat similar to yours). I need complete Windows compatibility, ability to manage both Oracle and SQL db's (in Windows), decent power consumption, ample RAM (2GB rated, 3 usable) and HD capacity, the ability to play DVD's on the road and burn them at home, manageable size, durability in case construction, and a good processor.

I really don't need a backlit keyboard, that large of a screen (the 13" widescreen is actually better than a "traditional" 15" for me), a separate video card (no heavy gaming or 3D modeling work), or 4GB RAM capacity. Plus, it's pretty much guaranteed that I would ding the aluminum case within the first week.

So, it turns out that for this particular business traveler, the MB is sufficient for 99% of anything I would ever want over its life-span. Ended up an easier (and better) choice than I imagined.

OK, so I did splurge for the Blackbook. I still saved over $500, which pays for all kinds of accessorizing!

JohnNotBeatle: Good post! And yes, that sums up my situation as well.

On another note, did you go with Parallel or Boot Camp?

 

[Fayler]

If you're looking to save a bit on bucks, I would consider if you really need a blackbook. You're paying a lot for that black laptop when compared to the white version. Just a thought. I'd personally have to get the black book though

 

[Dynamyk]

Refurbed Blackbook with upgraded RAM. It will fit your needs perfectly

 

[Martin C]

If you have the money, why not go for the bigger screen and advantages of the MacBook Pro.

 

[JNB]

On another note, did you go with Parallel or Boot Camp?

Both, plus trying out VMWare and Crossover.

The Parallels/VMWare decision is rapidly falling to VMWare (though Paralells wins the eye candy contest there. Big whoop. Parallels 3.0 is not playing nice with Ubuntu. VMWare just runs everything.)

Anywho, it's gonna be Crossover for real lightweight stuff (Quicken, etc.), VMWare for a little heavier lifting (RDP sessions with client sites, Ubuntu, etc.), and Boot Camp when I need to run db-dependent apps (Scanalyzer-SQL, Blackboard TS-Oracle) that will place he heaviest load on the processor & memory.

Obviously, it'll take a little experimentation to discover what I can get away with, and what will be minimum, but I think that's about the range.

I don't believe there's just one solution. Though Boot Camp would obviously handle everything, why reboot just to manage my bank account?

 

[anothermacaddic]

The parts in the mbp are nice, namely the dedicated graphics. But if you are like me the laptop needs to be portable and the 15 is just too big. Battery life on the mbp is shorter as well. Smaller lighter better BMB

 

[kinetik]

Blackbook vs MBP was my exact debate... on Tuesday though, I bought the new santa rosa MBP. I'm an occasional (but enthusiastic) gamer so the dedicated video was a key deciding factor. Also, I feel that the MBP will outlive the BB, so futureproofing (as-much-as-possible/practical) was another factor.

When you upgrade to 2gb RAM, the specs of the Blackbook better match those of the base MBP and that further closes the price gap. (although it's annoying that the blackbook gets 160gb drive, whereas the base MBP gets 120gb... looks like a torx driver is in my future)

Aesthetically, though, I REALLY like the black mac book. If they made one with dedicated video, I'd have bought that one instead.

 

[Georg Bouk]

Blackbook ordered.

Both, plus trying out VMWare and Crossover.

The Parallels/VMWare decision is rapidly falling to VMWare (though Paralells wins the eye candy contest there. Big whoop. Parallels 3.0 is not playing nice with Ubuntu. VMWare just runs everything.)

Anywho, it's gonna be Crossover for real lightweight stuff (Quicken, etc.), VMWare for a little heavier lifting (RDP sessions with client sites, Ubuntu, etc.), and Boot Camp when I need to run db-dependent apps (Scanalyzer-SQL, Blackboard TS-Oracle) that will place he heaviest load on the processor & memory.

Obviously, it'll take a little experimentation to discover what I can get away with, and what will be minimum, but I think that's about the range.

I don't believe there's just one solution. Though Boot Camp would obviously handle everything, why reboot just to manage my bank account?

Well, I went out an got the Blackbook. 2.16 2GB Ram. Like you mention should do me fine. If not, I'll make it work until a year or so and get the PRO. Thanks again for the feedback. Last thing does the new Paralells 3.0 let you run "remote desktop"?

 

[xpovos]

Well, I went out an got the Blackbook. 2.16 2GB Ram. Like you mention should do me fine. If not, I'll make it work until a year or so and get the PRO. Thanks again for the feedback. Last thing does the new Paralells 3.0 let you run "remote desktop"?

An excellent choice, sir.

If your question refers to outgoing remote desktop (i.e., to connect from your BlackBook to a remote Windows machine), then Parallels is irrelevant since Microsoft has a Mac version of Remote Desktop Client (I believe it's version 1.0.3, found at http://www.microsoft.com/mac/). I would imagine that even if Parallels allows outgoing RD, the Mac RDC solution would provide slightly better performance, especially on a machine with limited RAM.

If your question refers to allowing incoming RD connections to your MacBook, then I don't know the answer but you've piqued my curiosity and I'm going to test it and get back to you on that.

 

[Georg Bouk]

An excellent choice, sir.

If your question refers to outgoing remote desktop (i.e., to connect from your BlackBook to a remote Windows machine), then Parallels is irrelevant since Microsoft has a Mac version of Remote Desktop Client (I believe it's version 1.0.3, found at http://www.microsoft.com/mac/). I would imagine that even if Parallels allows outgoing RD, the Mac RDC solution would provide slightly better performance, especially on a machine with limited RAM.

If your question refers to allowing incoming RD connections to your MacBook, then I don't know the answer but you've piqued my curiosity and I'm going to test it and get back to you on that.

Yes, I believe it would be faster on the Mac end, but. I need to VPN via XP and then remote desktop to my office machine. Unfortunate for me, my job only supports Windows base VPN and XP, not even Vista is workable at this time. My mac really won't be the work hog just a buffer to my job PC, where all my window apps will run.