Buying a new Macbook - advice?

[cpweld]

I am looking to buy a new Macbook for the quickly approaching school year – just looking for some advice. I’m a student, and on a budget, so I thought I’d opt for the Macbook instead of the Macbook Pro, but upgrade the memory to 2GB and perhaps the hard drive to 160GB as well. I don’t do any intense graphic work or gaming so I didn’t think I’d need the superior graphics of the Macbook Pro. I also need to be able to run Windows on my computer for school as there are some applications I’ll need for the business program I’m in that will require Windows. I was thinking I’d get a virtualization software like Parallels or VMWareFusion – does anyone have any experience with either/recommend one over the other? My program does a lot of Excel intensive work and I’ve heard that running Excel through Microsoft Office ’04 on the Mac can be very slow when working with some of the more intense functions so I was thinking I’d just run my currently owned Office ’03 on Windows until they release an Intel based Office for Mac’s.

How does this sound? Am I making a mistake in not upgrading to the Macbook Pro? I don’t think I’d need the graphics, and am happy with the smaller screen, but I know on the Macbook I’ll have the RAM maxed out at 2GB, so I won’t be able to upgrade later. I’d like this computer to last me for at least 3 years of solid performance. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[techlover828]

I would go for VMWareFusion

the macbooks memory can be upgraded to up to 3GBs although not officially

 

[iBookG4user]

Well, if your happy with the glossy screen and don't need to do anything that requires a decent GPU, then a MacBook should be fine for you. I think that Parallels is a bit better, but I haven't used either in a while. Although you might consider trying NeoOffice J before you buy either, as that might suit your needs and it is free.

 

[Grape]

... I’m a student, and on a budget ... I also need to be able to run Windows on my computer for school as there are some applications I’ll need for the business program I’m in that will require Windows ... My program does a lot of Excel intensive work and I’ve heard that running Excel through Microsoft Office ’04 on the Mac can be very slow when working with some of the more intense functions ... How does this sound? Am I making a mistake ... ?

Yes. Get a Dell.

 

[ogee]

You should also bear in mind that Office 08 for mac will not support (windows) excel macros. So you may need to run excel in windows for your projects.

 

[teflon]

The macbook would be perfect for your needs, and it's easier to take it with you from class to class. I would get the stock ram and hard drive and upgrade them yourself afterwards.
You can also try boot camp at first, and buy other alternatives later. If boot camp can tie you over until January 2008, when MS is supposed to release Office 08 (if they don't delay it again ), then you don't need to spend the extra money getting parallel or VMWareFusion.