I ask myself why buy a MacBook pro, if you can buy yourself a regular macbook, thats customized off the apple.com website? The Pro version is ridiculously more expensive, and when u customize a MacBook on the internet (near the same specs of a MacBook Pro), the price is still considerably lower...whats the point?
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MacBook Pro Needs To Go
- Thread starter GabeMac
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GabeMac said:
The main reason for me will be the 17" screen. Even then I will be taking a hit from my current 1920x1200 resolution laptop, there is no way I could go to a 13" screen.
Video. Style. Dimensions given capability/screen. FW800. Lots of things. I'd be careful if I were you, you're talking like Dell Boy... 
GabeMac said:
Some of us actually need larger screens, ACTUAL graphics performance, FW800, and ExpressCard slots...that's the point
...and don't forget backlit keyboards!MovieCutter said:Some of us actually need larger screens, ACTUAL graphics performance, FW800, and ExpressCard slots...that's the point
tobefirst said:...and don't forget backlit keyboards!
Don't forget pulsating backlit keyboards
http://web.mac.com/keindesign/iWeb/Site/iSpazz.html
GabeMac said:
It depends on what you plan to do with the machine. Most first time Apple buyers should buy the Macbook if they need a laptop or a Imac. Since alot of them will just use it for internet. Not going to notice the difference to the pro except the case and bigger screen.
The price is considerably lower and so is the content.
As we've just seen with the 17 inch iMac and its educational configuration, you can really cut cost, if you pull out the good stuff.
I happen to think that the 15.4 inch display driven by the Radeon Mobility x1600 is worth the extra cost, though the 13.3 inch display and the GMA900 (?) is okay for most things.
As we've just seen with the 17 inch iMac and its educational configuration, you can really cut cost, if you pull out the good stuff.
I happen to think that the 15.4 inch display driven by the Radeon Mobility x1600 is worth the extra cost, though the 13.3 inch display and the GMA900 (?) is okay for most things.
Good point
I'm not so sure that the PRO is worth the extra outlay at this point. I use Macs for pretty much everything - CS Suite, Logic Pro, Ableton LIVE, Final Cut Express....and I've gone for the wonderful 13" MacBook over the pro. If the chip had been different then I may have opted for the Pro but the price difference isn't worth it, trust me. Who uses the Express card slot? I never used it on my Powerbook G4. FW 800 - again, do you REALLY need that?! 400 / USB2 is fine for everything I do.
Screen - ok, maybe you need a BIG screen but even a 15" screen won't compare to the 23" i have at home and the resolution of the MacBook is the same as my old Powerbook! Video Ram - i've got 2GB Ram in my MacBook and have had no problems editing HD video in Final Cut Express - it flies!
I do believe that Apple will significantly change the MacBook PRO with its next iteration possibly leaving a larger performance gap between it and the MacBook. But right now i'd go for the MacBook every time. The other thing I hate about the 'pro' is the same boring Aluminium case and awful latch / hinge - just reminds me of my warping Powerbook that is so bad it pops open and wakes up from sleep, terrible.
The magnetic closure of the MacBook is brilliant.
Sesshi said:Video. Style. Dimensions given capability/screen. FW800. Lots of things. I'd be careful if I were you, you're talking like Dell Boy...
I'm not so sure that the PRO is worth the extra outlay at this point. I use Macs for pretty much everything - CS Suite, Logic Pro, Ableton LIVE, Final Cut Express....and I've gone for the wonderful 13" MacBook over the pro. If the chip had been different then I may have opted for the Pro but the price difference isn't worth it, trust me. Who uses the Express card slot? I never used it on my Powerbook G4. FW 800 - again, do you REALLY need that?! 400 / USB2 is fine for everything I do.
Screen - ok, maybe you need a BIG screen but even a 15" screen won't compare to the 23" i have at home and the resolution of the MacBook is the same as my old Powerbook! Video Ram - i've got 2GB Ram in my MacBook and have had no problems editing HD video in Final Cut Express - it flies!
I do believe that Apple will significantly change the MacBook PRO with its next iteration possibly leaving a larger performance gap between it and the MacBook. But right now i'd go for the MacBook every time. The other thing I hate about the 'pro' is the same boring Aluminium case and awful latch / hinge - just reminds me of my warping Powerbook that is so bad it pops open and wakes up from sleep, terrible.
The magnetic closure of the MacBook is brilliant.
jbee said:
PowerBooks had PC Card slots.
jbee said:
Look at the benchmarks from barefeats.com and see how better drives perform when FW800 is used.
jbee said:
Ahem, 2GB VRAM? I think you meant 2GB of system RAM. VRAM is RAM on the videocard, so your MacBook doesnt have any
jbee said:
Go try Motion on MB or run a modern game.
jbee said:
I find MBPs (and PBs) alu case to be superior to the plasic MB/iB. Its so much more durable and best looking notebook case ever.
Hmph
jbee said:
I agree. The magnetic latch on the MB is the best. I love it. But I can't understand why you don't like the aluminium case
I LOVE it!! I would kill for a 13.3" MBP!!!!! 
markkk! said:
Sticking a Benz logo to a Honda doesn't make it a luxury car either...
MovieCutter said:Some of us actually need larger screens, ACTUAL graphics performance, FW800, and ExpressCard slots...that's the point
Hmm, where is the FW800 port on the 15" MBP? Geez, I suppose it is too much to expect Apple to actually use a real FW controller for a $800 price premium isn't it? Nevermind the fact that the Intel switch has probably brought them a lot of cost savings from having free "Airport Exress" (also known in PeeCees as Intel Wireless) already!
eXan said:
Hmph, let's have a bet. I'll go to the nearest Applestore tomorrow and get a Macbook. Then we meet up. Then we both simultanously drop our laptops together on a concrete floor. Then we pick them up. Then we flip them over.
If the Macbook Pro ends up having less dents than the Macbook, then I will give you my Macbook for free. Else we just swop them.
Deal?
The MBs are great machines. So are the MBPs. If you can't see the difference, then you don't need a Pro. Actually, even if you can, you might not need a Pro, but some of us do.
For example, I need that Expresscard slot for an external SATA controller so I can get some serious drive speed on externals when I edit video (frankly I just never bothered with FW800--I'm not saying it doesn't have its place, but eSATA is faster and with a case from FirmTek I can swap in new drives for the cost of a $20 tray). Being able to swap my eSATA case directly from my tower to my portable is a good thing.
Likewise, since right now I'm using my MPB for my main machine a 13" monitor isn't going to cut it, and hooking up an external isn't an option. In fact, the 15" was going to be cramped to, so I have a 17" with the same resolution as my 20" ACD on my tower. That works for me, and is easily worth the extra cost. Hugely beefier graphics card doesn't hurt, either, depending on what you're doing with it.
Other nice touches like the lighted keyboard, auto-adjusting screen backlight, and very nice speakers are a bonus--the little touches that make it Pro.
Oh, and incidentally, if you've never put them side by side (I have), while the MB has a VERY bright screen, and is quite nice for a budget laptop, it's of far lower quality than the 17" MBP screen--the color rendition is much worse, and it's much more sensitive to viewing angle.
For example, I need that Expresscard slot for an external SATA controller so I can get some serious drive speed on externals when I edit video (frankly I just never bothered with FW800--I'm not saying it doesn't have its place, but eSATA is faster and with a case from FirmTek I can swap in new drives for the cost of a $20 tray). Being able to swap my eSATA case directly from my tower to my portable is a good thing.
Likewise, since right now I'm using my MPB for my main machine a 13" monitor isn't going to cut it, and hooking up an external isn't an option. In fact, the 15" was going to be cramped to, so I have a 17" with the same resolution as my 20" ACD on my tower. That works for me, and is easily worth the extra cost. Hugely beefier graphics card doesn't hurt, either, depending on what you're doing with it.
Other nice touches like the lighted keyboard, auto-adjusting screen backlight, and very nice speakers are a bonus--the little touches that make it Pro.
Oh, and incidentally, if you've never put them side by side (I have), while the MB has a VERY bright screen, and is quite nice for a budget laptop, it's of far lower quality than the 17" MBP screen--the color rendition is much worse, and it's much more sensitive to viewing angle.
It comes down to 3 things:
Express Card 34 for SATA, Firewire 800 for my Big Disk and the huge screen.
People always say that they can always hook up a monitor to their macbook. Yea I know that but I like how I can open up my 17" and start working with a nice screen.
Express Card 34 for SATA, Firewire 800 for my Big Disk and the huge screen.
People always say that they can always hook up a monitor to their macbook. Yea I know that but I like how I can open up my 17" and start working with a nice screen.
Sesshi said:Video. Style. Dimensions given capability/screen. FW800. Lots of things. I'd be careful if I were you, you're talking like Dell Boy...
I see many people posting negative endorsements for Apple, or just spreading disinformation. Some is obvious and others are more skilled and may not be detected by the casual reader. I guess Dell/MS are starting to get worried. I also noticed eWeek (Redmond Pravda) has stepped up their subtle negative campaigning.
GabeMac said:
Bet they wished they didn't ask
I think major thing is the screen size and of course the graphics card
jbee said:
I'll draw your attention to what eXan said. I have both MB and 17" MBP (+ 23" ACD, used in a dual-monitor config at home). The MB is supposed to be my actual laptop, but actually the MBP is finding it's way outside quite often as well.
I prefer the styling of the MBP, have no problems with the latches and it is a more powerful machine in virtually all respects. FW800... well, I have FW800 audio interfaces and disks. I guess you're just not high-end enough
