desktop substitute for college

[austere]

I'm going to college and I want the portability and energy conservation of a laptop but I'm crazy about the imac for it's screen size, hd space, and general beauty. Of macbook and macbook pro owners here, have you ever felt crazy limited by your machine not having the screen size or disk space of a desktop? Would anybody recommend getting a big external LCD for the dorm, or would that likely just be a waste?

I know merom and maybe conroe are coming to the line but most speculation seems to be about the imac. Do you think the 64 bit generation will come by mid-August? I.E. a wwdc launch?

Finally, if I can get a 64 bit machine out of it, I will likely be buying refurb. Am I correct in thinking this means you can't add RAM at order? If so, Apple doesn't have diy RAM adding guides on its site yet for the MBP (I know the MB is really simple). Would an apple store install 3rd party RAM or would it be simple and not warranty-voiding to do it myself?

 

[realityisterror]

I know my 15" PowerBook has the same resolution as a MacBook Pro, and for regular schoolwork I've never felt very limited. Of course, if you're majoring in Video, Graphics, etc, you'd need to take that into consideration.

But as far as a WWDC announcement, I doubt it would go into the iMacs so soon, but keep in mind that there will likely be a wait for such a product (months for the original G5, weeks for the MBP..)

Also, installing RAM is covered in the products user-manual, which I believe is online, but regardless, it's not terribly difficult.



edit: MBP RAM is covered on page 83 of this manual.

 

[yoda13]

I am pretty sure that adding RAM is a user upgradeable part on the MBP. I know it is on my Powerbook, which has similar form factor. Anyway, I have a 15" Powerbook and I don't feel limited at all by the screen size, and I believe that the MBP has better resolution, or at least I think it does. But you can always get you a big extra display for the dorm room if you feel limited. I don't think you can add RAM to refurbs when you buy, but it won't void you warranty to do it yourself later either. Good luck. Oh yeah, it will be a while before any 64 bit processors show up in the refurbs, except for the iMac G5s and PowerMac G5s.

 

[celebrian23]

I don't feel like my mbp screen limits me at all. I've rcently used a 17 and 20'' but it's the widescreen aspect that makes it feel so big. Of course, if you're a serious graphics user, I would think about getting an external monitor.

 

[Kace]

I'm going to college and I want the portability and energy conservation of a laptop but I'm crazy about the imac for it's screen size, hd space, and general beauty. Of macbook and macbook pro owners here, have you ever felt crazy limited by your machine not having the screen size or disk space of a desktop? Would anybody recommend getting a big external LCD for the dorm, or would that likely just be a waste?

I know merom and maybe conroe are coming to the line but most speculation seems to be about the imac. Do you think the 64 bit generation will come by mid-August? I.E. a wwdc launch?

Finally, if I can get a 64 bit machine out of it, I will likely be buying refurb. Am I correct in thinking this means you can't add RAM at order? If so, Apple doesn't have diy RAM adding guides on its site yet for the MBP (I know the MB is really simple). Would an apple store install 3rd party RAM or would it be simple and not warranty-voiding to do it myself?

adding RAM on a MBP does NOT VOID your warranty...

changing RAM on MBP is easy as changing RAM on a MB.

remove the battery, open up the little lid (4 screws), insert your new RAM at a 25 degree angle, push it in. thats it.

to remove just rotate the inserted RAM chip 25 degrees and pull it out.


ive got a iMac G5 (isight) and a 17MBP. and i find myself using the MBP more and more. Its quite portable (all comes down to what you intend to use it for)//...
iMac G5 is now my primary media center + TV (using Elgato Eye TV DTT).

hope this helps
cheers