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If you had the money for a macbook pro, would you buy it rather than a macbook?
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There's a few possible reasons to choose the MacBook over the MacBook Pro, if you have the money for an MBP:
1) Keyboard. A preference thing, mainly, but if you prefer the MB keyboard, it would be a selling point over the MBP.
2) Smaller size. The MB is smaller than the MBP, and for someone who doesn't need the extras of the MBP, the MB would have some appeal on size alone.
3) Easily replaceable hard drive. This is conceivably something more of interest to pros than consumers, but at least as of now, it is much easier to swap out a MB hard drive.
4) Durability. The iBook/MacBook design is aimed at durability, and perhaps less "delicate" than the MBP. Not to say the MBP isn't durable either, but just in different ways. A good case of course makes that kind of irrelevant anyway.
Probably some other things as well, but these are the ones that come to my mind.
1) Keyboard. A preference thing, mainly, but if you prefer the MB keyboard, it would be a selling point over the MBP.
2) Smaller size. The MB is smaller than the MBP, and for someone who doesn't need the extras of the MBP, the MB would have some appeal on size alone.
3) Easily replaceable hard drive. This is conceivably something more of interest to pros than consumers, but at least as of now, it is much easier to swap out a MB hard drive.
4) Durability. The iBook/MacBook design is aimed at durability, and perhaps less "delicate" than the MBP. Not to say the MBP isn't durable either, but just in different ways. A good case of course makes that kind of irrelevant anyway.
Probably some other things as well, but these are the ones that come to my mind.
i just ordered a macbook and did seriously consider the mbp instead. but, portability was a big factor for me, and making the leap from my current 12" to the mbp was not appealing. i've had a 15" powerbook g4 for work for a while now, and at one point thought i would never want anything smaller than that (and avoided using my 12" for lack of screen real estate for a time), but i've moved past that phase and now appreciate a smaller laptop again. if apple made a 12" mbp, i would have bought on in a heartbeat. the macbook is the closest i can get while still offering the speed and features i need.
This is one aspect im stuck between. I currently have a powermac g5 and I sold my iBook a while ago, and want another laptop. Do I just get an older powerbook, get a macbook? Or do I sell my powermac g5 and get a macbook pro and switch fully over to that. As of right now, $2800 seems way to steep to be spending on a computer.
I think it really depends on what you want. I love having alot of room and screen real esate. I also just love the aluminium casing of the MacBook Pro. But that does not mean I do not love the MacBook casing either. I had a MacBook when I first switched to Mac. The only reason I upgraded was for a bigger screen. Overall, I think it all really depends on what you want in your computer. 
Sideonecincy said:
Get a refurb Macbook.
To the OP - it really depends. You can put that extra money towards an external monitor or something else you want. You should buy based on what you need, not necessarily on how much money you have. (ah the car analogy) Sure I could buy a BWM, but I bought a Toyota, and saved the extra money.
Perfectly said. As for my opinion, I would prolly buy a MacBook and save my money for something else since I am in favor of the MB in #1,2, and 3. I'm like 5'5" and I hate to lug something big that I don't need.Zadillo said:
F
freakonguitar
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ill totally go for macbook if i didn't care so much about the graphics and the new upgrades (personally i would wait for them to upgrade the macbook too) but i like the macbook for its smaller size, and for the same durability reasons. I have a friend who owns a powerbook g4 15" now it may be a bit older than a new macbook pro but the case is the same and he has some dents in it and noticeable scratches, its durable but the moving it around shows. Now i have an ibook. The macbooks are made of the same material as the ibook, and i throw my ibook around TONS. I actually dropped it from 3 feet side ways by accident. I mean aside from little scratches ont he white plastic which only show under light, and one mark on the bottom thats not a surface scratch, the ibook is just fine. It doesn't dent and doesn't mind being dropped into a backpack and thrown around, because of its tough plastic casing.
Anyways...if you are gonna be throwing it around (figuratively) but if you are toting it around a lot and want something that won't dent and is really durable, i would say the macbook is the way to go, but if you want ultimate power, and speed and style and are a bit more careful, get the macbook pro
Anyways...if you are gonna be throwing it around (figuratively) but if you are toting it around a lot and want something that won't dent and is really durable, i would say the macbook is the way to go, but if you want ultimate power, and speed and style and are a bit more careful, get the macbook pro
For what it's worth, the MBP isn't that much larger really than the MacBook. If you put them side by side and on top of each other, it is pretty remarkable that the MBP still isn't quite that much bigger or heavier.
Also, if the polycarbonate of the MB appeals to you, one product worth looking into might be the new SeeThru hardshell case from Speck Products:
http://www.speckproducts.com/15mac-seethru.html
Available in clear or red, it basically adds a hard polycarbonate covering to your MBP, while still allowing access to all ports and buttons, and offering plenty of vents.
It definitely looks pretty appealing to me.
Also, if the polycarbonate of the MB appeals to you, one product worth looking into might be the new SeeThru hardshell case from Speck Products:
http://www.speckproducts.com/15mac-seethru.html
Available in clear or red, it basically adds a hard polycarbonate covering to your MBP, while still allowing access to all ports and buttons, and offering plenty of vents.
It definitely looks pretty appealing to me.
i chose the macbook over the mbp after using them both in store many many times i love the macbook keyboard. the macbook is what i wanted to be my first mac even before they came out. im completely happy with it. Im not a heavy gamer nor do i do video work. but the macbook hasnt let me down once.
maybe ill consider a macbook pro when im done uni lol
maybe ill consider a macbook pro when im done uni lol
Zadillo said:
I know this isn't the place to comment on this but I got the SeeThru for my MBP and think it makes it look at least a little more durable. However, I'm worried about putting the bottom case on and causing the MBP to heat up even more, if that's even possible.
I'm a professional video editor and I had the money for a MBP but was going to buy White MB and swap the Hard Drive for a 7200 to add some speed. I have a home system so I just wanted something to travel with. I liked the smaller size, ease of changing the HD, keyboard, and I had a hard time justifying spending 2000-2500 on a laptop, but when the new MBP's came out today I bought a MBP 15" refurb because it was worth $300 dollars for a bigger screen, more HD, more RAM, 256mb video card, pc-express slot and I like the matte screen much more than the glossy... so I guess the answer was no yesterday and yes today
marissaaa said:
I would think that all the ventilation slots, etc. on the bottom case would take care of that though (I think I read it has like 74 ventilation slots or something).
By any chance, could you take some photos of your MPB in the SeeThru? The photos on the Speck site don't necessarily seem to give much of an indication of what it looks like in "the real world".
-Zadillo
r6girl said:
The same here...
The MacBook is too big!
BTW... something is telling me that the MacBook will be updated soon!
i would buy a MBP cause of the hardware in it. i don't care for intel integrated GPU's IMHO its a down fall. but if your not into games then the MB is a good machine. i would rather have the ATI X1600 128mb/256mb GPU than a intel integrated gpu with shared vram with main ram.
weiss said:
But really, they are both pretty portable. When you look at them on top of each other and side by side, the MacBook Pro is only little wider and longer.
i chose that Macbook b/c i thought a smaller laptop would better fit me. and it was much cheaper than the MBP. now i'm thinking i should have gotten the MBP, b/c the macbook really isn't that much smaller.
Am I the only one who thinks that the Macbook just looks cheap? I compared the two at the local Comp Usa and the Mackbook Pro just seemed to be a much nicer all-around notebook. The Macbook just felt like a toy.
(Not trying to offend lovers of the Macbook, mind you!!)
Eric
(Not trying to offend lovers of the Macbook, mind you!!)
Eric
I'm just back from a reseller, put them side to side and I will go for the MacBook. I'm not a Photoshop addict or a hardcore gamer, so I'm not sure what extra the Pro would give me. Not to mention if I buy MBP for Christmas, I won't have money left for a tree?
For portability and general sleek factor, get the 12" PowerBook refurb. chances are, if you're in the market for a MacBook, the older Powerbooks will give you the same -- web, photos, iTunes, etc. And it's the smallest aluminum-encased notebook out there.
Forget the discolored MB's ... go silver.
Forget the discolored MB's ... go silver.
i chose the macbook because of size. MBP was in my budget, but i wanted something smaller than 15". if the MBP was offered in 13", I'd probably get it.