MacBook or MacBook Pro

[MyLittleRiley]

Hello!

I am currently using an HP Notebook but I am thinking about switching to Mac. I am tired of the security problems, during one of the "updates" MS One Care was added and it was completing with my McAfee security. So, neither one was working, my computer was infected and it cost $300 to back up and fix. Needless to say, I am very unhappy. Not just because of this issue but the constant security issues and the constant changes to the software (ex: IE).

I am looking at buying a MacBook but I am not sure if I need the Pro. I am a Nursing student, so I will need MS and lots of room to save documents. I am not a gamer. Would you recommend MacBook or MacBook Pro? And which software would you recommend? I am not familiar with any of the Mac software products.

Thanks!
Marissa

 

[superspiffy]

Hello!

I am currently using an HP Notebook...

OK to be fair, HPs are crap anyway.

From what it looks like, a MacBook will serve you just fine. The only reason why you'd get a MacBook Pro is the video card and you won't need that unless you play hardcore games or you work with a lot of 3D animation (like Motion or Shake) The only other comparison is the MacBook's 80gig vs the MacBook Pro's 120gig hard drive. I don't think you'll ever need that entire 80gig chunk and if you ever do, external drives or replacing the internal hdd is way cheaper than paying the $700 price difference for the MBP.

 

[dukebound85]

macbook is great. im a senior engineering student and its more than capable. i would reccomend getting an external monitor if you can afford it. i like my 2 screen setup and it still cost less than a macbook pro

 

[Deepdale]

I am a Nursing student, so I will need MS and lots of room to save documents. I am not a gamer.

Marissa: A MacBook would seem to be a far better fit for both your needs and budget. All purchases should be made based on current and forseeable usage over the life expectancy of the product ... why pay for features that are likely not needed or destined to be dramatically underutilized? Go with a MacBook and don't look back.

 

[3nm]

welcome marissa!

keep in mind that even with a mac, backup should be done periodically to avoid data loss.

with that said, i'd think the macbook should suit you well. just make sure to try out macbook's keyboard. personally i found it prone to errors.

in terms of software, MS Office 2004 is very popular. it is a little slow on the intel-based macs but it runs great once it's launched. and a new version of Office, which will run natively on the intel-based macs, is expected to released around Q3 this year. apple's Pages (like Word) and Keynote (like PowerPoint) can also open and edit most MS docs. another nice alternative is openoffice (openoffice.org). mac specialists at the apple store are also very informative in regards to software.

good luck with your purchase!

my computer was infected and it cost $300 to back up and fix. Needless to say, I am very unhappy. Not just because of this issue but the constant security issues and the constant changes to the software (ex: IE).

I am looking at buying a MacBook but I am not sure if I need the Pro. I am a Nursing student, so I will need MS and lots of room to save documents. I am not a gamer. Would you recommend MacBook or MacBook Pro? And which software would you recommend? I am not familiar with any of the Mac software products.

Thanks!
Marissa

 

[iW00t]

I notice that ladies generally have a greater affinity for the white Macbooks

 

[MyLittleRiley]

Thank you so much! I will be going with the MacBook! Which software program would you recommend: iWork, Aperture, Final Cut Express HD or Logic Express? It gives me these options.....

 

[Roy Hobbs]

Thank you so much! I will be going with the MacBook! Which software program would you recommend: iWork, Aperture, Final Cut Express HD or Logic Express? It gives me these options.....

as a student I dont think any of those would be a necessity (assuming you have MS Office).

 

[dreamfocused]

the MacBook will do you just fine.

 

[dreamfocused]

Thank you so much! I will be going with the MacBook! Which software program would you recommend: iWork, Aperture, Final Cut Express HD or Logic Express? It gives me these options.....

there's no need for those software for what you're doing. iWork is good as it can save to .DOC and PDF, if you don't like that then there's always MS Office for the Mac

 

[dukebound85]

or the free app text edit (which is included). i would reccomend neooffice if you don't have iwork or ms office yet as that too is free and it is office compatible

heres the link if you want to check it out

http://www.neooffice.org/

 

[iW00t]

Thank you so much! I will be going with the MacBook! Which software program would you recommend: iWork, Aperture, Final Cut Express HD or Logic Express? It gives me these options.....

You won't need any of them for what you are using your Mac for

Out of the box you can do everything from editing photos in iPhotos, making home videos with iMovie, to creating Microsoft Word documents, functionality that Microsoft Windows users pay upwards of $200 to get! All this is free with the one simple app known as Text Edit.