Macbook or Macbook Pro?

[macgeek77]

I am an experienced mac user, but need help selecting a new Apple notebook. I should be going to college for engineering and will be installing A LOT of software on my machine. Also, i need to be able to run both Mac OS X and Windows at the same time via Parallels. Which portable is right for me? I am deciding between the top of the line MacBook, the base 15" Pro, or the top of the line 15" pro. Thanks!!

 

[clevin]

3D gamer or not?

 

[macgeek77]

I am not a 3-D gamer YET. That actually leads me to my next question. What good games are there out there for Mac?

 

[flopticalcube]

Unless you need the GPU, go for the MacBook.

 

[GFLPraxis]

If you need a good graphics card and a big screen get the MacBook Pro, otherwise get the MacBook.

By graphics card...will you be using Final Cut, any kind of 3D modelling app, or doing any gaming?

 

[psingh01]

MacBook vs MacBook Pro comes down to the video card. If you want a good one then get the MBP, otherwise the MB seems like a good deal. There are very few good games for Mac, might as well install bootcamp and play in windows.

 

[clevin]

I am not a 3-D gamer YET. That actually leads me to my next question. What good games are there out there for Mac?

not much, goto apple store, they pretty much have all the games that are recent, and runs on mac osx, like..... 100-200 titles?

but hey.. u can always run windows through bootcamp.

 

[/"\/oo\/"\]

(assuming an education discount) you're looking at $400 between the blackbook and low end mbp...for that $400 you're getting a gpu that will let you game in windows well*, a wee bit faster processor, a higher resolution display (which may very well be handy if you're an engineer), firewire 800, and an oh so important backlit keyboard

is that worth $400 to you?

*let's be honest, there really aren't too many good 3d games in OS X beyond WoW...

 

[polevault139]

I'm having the same dillema as I will be attending Iowa State in the fall (I just got a letter saying they upped my scholorship to 7000 a year ) I e-mailed the engineering technology head, and he said that the GMA 950 should be alright. The "should" kind of worries me so I am going to hold off as long as possible before I make my decision so see if anything newer comes out, because I have no need for a portable. Anyways, if I was buying today I would get a maxed out MB.

 

[TequilaBoobs]

buy a macbook and use the $500-$700 for a PS3 or a Wii w/accesories - or if you need to able to play anywhere, buy a PSP.

 

[xtopher]

you can never go wrong with with a 17 inch pro maxed out. A) all you need B) nake your friends jealous

 

[mac000]

ask yourself how important screen real estate, hard drive capacity, graphical/computing power, aluminum enclosure, firewire 800, 3GB max ran, an express slot are.

obviously a macbook pro is a better computer but if your decision alone is on price, i think you know where you stand, if its on size, ask yourself how important screen real estate, hard dr.... etc. are.