Buying a new MacBook

[hansoffate]

I have recently decided to buy a notebook. I have been researching notebooks for about a month. A lot of people say that they love the new Intel Macbooks. I must say that I have never owned a Mac before. I have 2 desktops right now: 1 Windows XP Prof and 1 Linux (Ubuntu).

I love both of them. Anyways, I have been reading more and more about macs, and I have been finally convinced to buy one. Anyways, I want to get a new MB. The question is, do I get the 1.83/Combo or the 2.0/Super? Is there a noticeable difference between the two? I am getting an EDU Discount so it would mean an extra 150 Bucks. Also, is 60 Gbs enough? I know on my desktops 1 computer has 280 gbs, and my other one has 450 (It’s a PVR aka Tivo like machine that i built). I think it will be enough, I just want to use it for school.

Anyways, from trolling around on this board i know to get the G.Skill 1GB DDR2: Free shipping @ NewEgg and get 2gb's of RAM ASAP.

Thanks for the help
-Hans

 

[xfiftyfour]

Anyways, I want to get a new MB. The question is, do I get the 1.83/Combo or the 2.0/Super? Is there a noticeable difference between the two?

It depends what you're doing. If you're just web surfing/word processing/email/IM/etc, then you probably won't notice much of a difference between the 1.83 and the 2.0 processors.

Also, is burning DVDs on your laptop important to you? If so, go for the super. If you already have two desktops, chances are one of them has a DVD-RW, so you may not need the superdrive on your laptop.

A third consideration might be whether or not you plan on reselling this laptop down the line. Typically the lowest end models do not do so well. combo drives don't do as well as super drives, either.

I am getting an EDU Discount so it would mean an extra 150 Bucks. Also, is 60 Gbs enough? I know on my desktops 1 computer has 280 gbs, and my other one has 450 (It’s a PVR aka Tivo like machine that i built). I think it will be enough, I just want to use it for school.

If you're just using it to store word docs and emails and that sort of thing for school, then 60 gigs will probably be more than enough (especially considering you have all that space on your desktops that you could offload to, if need be). If down the line you find that you need more space in your lappy, it's a really easy upgrade that you'll be able to do yourself.

One heads up: when you get your macbook, think about doing a reinstall of Tiger, without the extra printer drivers, apps you won't use, and all of the extra languages. This will save you LOADS of space.

Anyways, from trolling around on this board i know to get the G.Skill 1GB DDR2: Free shipping @ NewEgg and get 2gb's of RAM ASAP.

2gb's of RAM will make your machine fly. If you're just using it for school work (ie: no Adobe, etc), then just 1 extra gig would suit your needs just as well (that's what I have in mine and it's still speeeedy).

Good luck on your buy!

 

[hansoffate]

Right now, I use my windows comp to do some Video editing on Adobe Premiere. I wanted to try the included iMovie HD editor and also if there is a Trial to Final Cut try it out and see why everyone is raving about it. I have heard nothing but amazing commments about Final Cut.

You bring up a good point about HD space, if i am ever full, i can just transfer it over the network to one of my other computers.

I am more interested to see if 1.83 vs 2.0 Ghz if there will be a noticeable difference in rendering time. (I don't mind waiting an extra minute) I know for rendering more RAM = Faster rendering, thats why I want to get the 2gb upgrade.

Also, Is it easy to reinstall tiger w/o the extra options? I would assume so, I have reinstalled both of my comps numerous ammounts of times, and since mac is known to be user-friendly (hell im guessing it will be 1000% easier then using my linux box) it should be decently easy.

I am so excited to be using a mac!!

Thanks for your comments and suggestions
-Hans

 

[WildCowboy]

Here are some benchmarks you might want to consider...

 

[xfiftyfour]

Right now, I use my windows comp to do some Video editing on Adobe Premiere. I wanted to try the included iMovie HD editor and also if there is a Trial to Final Cut try it out and see why everyone is raving about it. I have heard nothing but amazing commments about Final Cut.

I am more interested to see if 1.83 vs 2.0 Ghz if there will be a noticeable difference in rendering time. (I don't mind waiting an extra minute) I know for rendering more RAM = Faster rendering, thats why I want to get the 2gb upgrade.

I had to ask my fiance (he's an IT guy) cause I wasn't sure (I don't do any video editing). If you're going to be using iMovie and Final Cut though, he said you should opt for the 2.0 model - you will be able to tell a difference.

Also, Is it easy to reinstall tiger w/o the extra options? I would assume so, I have reinstalled both of my comps numerous ammounts of times, and since mac is known to be user-friendly (hell im guessing it will be 1000% easier then using my linux box) it should be decently easy.

Yepp, very easy. When you get your MB, just insert the restore disks they give you, power down, and power back up holding your "C" key. From there, do an "Erase and Install" and customize your settings, just unchecking what you don't need.

 

[hansoffate]

Thanks to both posts.

I think I have decided to go 2.0Ghz w/ Super drive. The added performance and the capability to burn dvds will be nice.

Also, thanks for the info for the reinstall. I'll do that after about a week of playing around on the mac. (I havn't really ever used a mac, this will be an interesting experience)

Thanks for all the advice. This forum ROCKS!!
-Hans

 

[JackSYi]

Get the 2.0 model. The Superdrive is going to come handy.

 

[BAspecialCake]

I would wait since the duo mobile's will likely easily upgrade in the macbooks...