Help me decide Macbook or Macbook Pro

[acrafton]

Hey - getting a new laptop and am having a hard time deciding on the Macbook or Macbook Pro (refurb). Here is how I will be using it:

* Approx 50% of the time on Win XP via Parallels (Lotus Notes, DB2, OneNote and a few other custom pc aps)
- need 70GB or so disk space on Win side
- no real cpu/graphic intensive work
* Mac side 50%
- ILife
- Photoshop Elements
- MS Office
* Lots of travel
* Some games but I am not a real gamer
* Need at least 100GB of total disk

Here are the price/specs:
* New Macbook/black (core duo2 2.0, 1GB RAM, 120GB) - out the door $1400
* Refurb macbook pro (core duo, 1GB RAM, 100GB) out the door $1650

So, I have looked at both at the Apple store and still can't decide which way to go. I like the Macbook size and . . but the larger screen of the Pro, the backlit keyboard, etc. . .also is attractive.

So . . .pls weigh in . . .

Thanks
Adam

 

[Skrilla™]

lots of travel = get the smaller one

 

[synth3tik]

In my opinion you will see better performace with the core 2 duo in the MacBook. The only thing I could see you missing from the Pro would be the extra connectivity as far as ports go. But it sounds like the MacBook would be enough for what you are doing, Now if the past (ibook/powerbook) holds up, your resale value of the Macbook Pro would be more. don't know if that is really a concern of yours or not.

 

[compuwar]

Go with the C2D.

 

[Lucky8]

I exchanged my 15" MBP for a 13" Black MB because I couldnt live with the poor viewing angle & grainy LCD screen anymore. it was just driving me crazy.

 

[iBookG4user]

If you're doing any graphics art then go for a matte MBP because glossy oversaturates the image and what you see on the screen is not what you get on the print. I went from a 14" iBook to a 15" MBP and the weight difference was minimal and wasn't any more of a pain than the iBook. The Pro is less than $300 more also, so it wouldn't be that much more of a hit on the wallet.

 

[vansouza]

That's like asking if this makes my butt look big...

There is no correct answer. I went in to get a Mac Book and walked out with a MacBook Pro. By the time I upgraded, the price was too close... and I had $500. in Apple cash (Christmas gifts) so... got the pro... base entry unit and upgraded the memory today my self... I was unhappy with the video response until the mem went from 1 to 2 gigs...

Play with them at the store until you are sure... 2 cents.

 

[e12a]

- no real cpu/graphic intensive work
- Some games but I am not a real gamer

...dont go together. Macbook pro will cover all bases though.

 

[thumb]

look on the refurb page again, there are now some c2d mbps there, base config at $1599. i would suggest that one (i did not compare it to your specs, but i assume comprable.)

 

[leekohler]

look on the refurb page again, there are now some c2d mbps there, base config at $1599. i would suggest that one (i did not compare it to your specs, but i assume comprable.)

I agree. Just looked at this page myself. I would go for this computer. It has a 120 Gig HD too.

 

[erkanasu]

I exchanged my 15" MBP for a 13" Black MB because I couldnt live with the poor viewing angle & grainy LCD screen anymore. it was just driving me crazy.

Do you regret the switch now?

 

[saikyan]

It sounds like you're better off with a black macbook... Amazon.com has a $100 rebate on it currently. IMO, it's more portable and rugged and the only real compromise is the video card.

Games on macbook is a hot issue... in my experiance, most of them run better than the "hardcore gamers" would have you believe, just not on maximum settings for the latest 3D games.

 

[2tallyAwesome]

Also, the most important point to consider is that silver is ugly, and white goes better with most outfits.

White > Black > SIlver

And frankly who cares how much power you have, if your laptop doesn't match your fit?

 

[Scarlet Fever]

Go into an AppleCentre and try them both out. If you need more HDD space, you can get an external drive, and if you need more screen estate, you can get an external monitor. You can't, however, get an external upgrade to a chip faster than 2.0GHz. If you need that extra power, get the MBP

Also, the most important point to consider is that silver is ugly, and white goes better with most outfits.

thats blasphemy here

And Lucky8, you might want to change your signature to reflect your exchange

 

[holamiamigos]

go for the mbp... you'll be very satisfied