First Mac

[Wilden]

Hi everyone,
I'm planning on getting myself a Mac in the next month or so, after the Merom chips become available, and I need your advice on what would be a better choice. I'm not fussed about whether it is a desktop or notebook yet, I just want the best value for money I can manage.
My budget is going to be about £1000-1400, and I will obviously be buying in the UK, so please bare this in mind.
First question is, would I be better off getting a high spec Macbook, or a low spec Macbook Pro, depending on what I can afford.
Secondly, what is the upgradeability like on the new iMac? Being able to upgrade my system is a big thing for me, so it has to be a must.
Lastly, if I upgrade the HDD of any of these machines I assume I will have to reinstall OSX, will I be able to do this using the disc that comes with the Mac?
Thanks in advance, any other suggestions are welcome.
Wilden

 

[miloblithe]

What do you plan to use the computer for? That has some bearing on which specifications you should prioritize.

 

[Wilden]

General use for school, but I would like to be able to use some 3D programs, as I will be doing some 3D design next year in my Computing course. I wouldn't mind it being able to run some games aswell, doesn't need to be anything spectacular though.

Edit: Just realised this should probably be in the Buying/Advice section, I would be abliged if a Mod would move it please.

 

[Wilden]

Come on guys, lend me a hand please.

 

[kered22]

I'd say go for whatever MacBook Pro you can afford. The Macbook has integrated graphics and shares it's VRAM with the main memory. So for the 3D stuff, you'll definately want a dedicted video card and VRAM which only the MacBook Pro has.

iMac upgradeablity is minimal at best. The only things you can upgrade are the RAM and hard drive. Processor and optical drive are upgradeable, but the degree of difficulty goes up a ways. So if you're looking for a desktop with a lot of upgradeablity, a MacPro would be best for that.

And finally, yes. All the restore stuff is on the included disc, bundled apps, iLife, OS X etc.

 

[Wilden]

Great, thanks for the help mate.

 

[kered22]

No problem. Let us know what you decide on.

 

[j26]

If you don't care about portability, an iMac will give you better value for your money, particularly if they go for Conroe in the next revision.

 

[vv-tim]

If you're going to buy a Mac, get an iMac. Don't even consider a laptop right now. It's like asking for trouble...

 

[^squirrel^]

If you're going to buy a Mac, get an iMac. Don't even consider a laptop right now. It's like asking for trouble...

Plus it looks like there will be a new cpu for the notebooks at the Paris expo. (sept 16th i think)

 

[gadgetgirl85]

Why is it asking for trouble?

If you're going to buy a Mac, get an iMac. Don't even consider a laptop right now. It's like asking for trouble...

 

[Wilden]

Why is it asking for trouble?

Yeah, I'd like to know that aswell.

 

[vv-tim]

Why is it asking for trouble?

Unless you are ok with the possibility of:

- Discoloration / degredation of wrist rests.
- Paint peeling
- Upper bezel coming apart
- Whine (Screen and Processor)
- Overheating
- Burning your lap
- Randomly shutting down
- Battery problems
- [Yet to be determined]
- A month without a computer while the above are [not] fixed

 

[kered22]

Yeah, I'd like to know that aswell.

I assume that's a reference to the stuff like the battery problems (one caught fire in Japan and another in San Francisco), the issues with the heat and whine noises.

I'd honestly not worry about. My Dad got a 2.1Ghz 15" MacBook Pro and it's had zero problems. No whine noises, no excessive fan noise, nothing.

 

[Mackilroy]

Because vv-tim has the mistaken idea that all MacBooks are failure-prone, poorly-constructed machines.

 

[gadgetgirl85]

Because vv-tim has the mistaken idea that all MacBooks are failure-prone, poorly-constructed machines.

Agreed. And I can honestly say I have had NONE of those problems. It all depends on what the users needs are. I chose a notebook because I take it to university with me to do work however I use it as a desktop at home.

 

[vv-tim]

Agreed. And I can honestly say I have had NONE of those problems. It all depends on what the users needs are. I chose a notebook because I take it to university with me to do work however I use it as a desktop at home.

Just because it has no problems now doesn't mean it won't get them later. My MBP had no problems really (other than the heat/whine everyone had) for the first 2 months. Then the top bezel started degrading and coming apart. A month after that... now the machine randomly powers off.

So keep your ignorant attitude of the problems EVERYONE may face... just don't come here complaining if it happens to you.

 

[gadgetgirl85]

Just because it has no problems now doesn't mean it won't get them later. My MBP had no problems really (other than the heat/whine everyone had) for the first 2 months. Then the top bezel started degrading and coming apart. A month after that... now the machine randomly powers off.

So keep your ignorant attitude of the problems EVERYONE may face... just don't come here complaining if it happens to you.

There's a thing called warranty. Did you use it?

 

[vv-tim]

There's a thing called warranty. Did you use it?

Is that supposed to be a witty remark?

I'd be happy to use my warranty to either:
A.) Have the part replaced the same day
B.) Have the computer replaced.

Sadly, with AppleCare you get friendly technicians that fail to fix your computer and leave you without one for a month.

When I had a problem with my Dell, they simply asked me to send it back for a replacement or a refund. If you want a replacement (no offer of a refund) with Apple you have to send it in THREE TIMES to be fixed first.

GIVE ME A BREAK!

 

[Wilden]

Calm down guys, no bickering please. That's not what I made this thread for.

 

[gadgetgirl85]

I'm not trying to be witty heck I'm not even trying to get your goat all I asked was what the problem was with getting a laptop then you get your knickers in a knot over it. I'm just trying to tell the person who started this thread that notebooks are good computers as well.

GIVE ME A BREAK

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

vv-tim, you say all those problems, but umm.. whining? been addressed by apple. discoloration been addressed by apple. paint peeling... that happened with the powerbooks too, and it's rare. burning your lap, well, try using a Dell you'll see, they're the same, and not nearly as bad. Battery problems taken care of, randomly shutting down... meh, one relevant problem so far, but then again, who comes to MR mostly? People who are having problems- no one knows the people who are just fine with the product.

Like me, and most people, I have no problems with my MacBook, and have a few friends with MBP's and they have no problems.

You need to stop making a flamewar.

 

[poppe]

I assume that's a reference to the stuff like the battery problems (one caught fire in Japan and another in San Francisco), the issues with the heat and whine noises.

I'd honestly not worry about. My Dad got a 2.1Ghz 15" MacBook Pro and it's had zero problems. No whine noises, no excessive fan noise, nothing.

From what i understood the fires that were started were all from Powerbooks and iBooks. Am I wrong?

 

[kered22]

From what i understood the fires that were started were all from Powerbooks and iBooks. Am I wrong?

Correct, but there is an ongoing recall on some early MacBookPro batteries as well. The closest to a fire I've heard (MacBookPro or MacBook) are the 3 cases of Magsafe meltdowns.

 

[freakonguitar]

if you don't need portable, then get a desktop because this would be better value for your money. Permitting that imacs get conroe (core 2 duo for desktops) that would be your best bet, but if you want to be able to upgrade things easily aside from ram, then the ONLY mac item that is "easy" to upgrade the drives, ram, allows you to put in diff video card, change monitor, etc would be the macpro. I ordered the base model mac pro because of those reasons. Along with its just plain faster! So basically, do you want a notebook (go macbook pro) or desktop and if you want a desktop do you want extreme expandibility (macpro) or not (imac)