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Macbook VS Macbook Pro

kdawg

kdawg

macrumors regular
Original poster
Dec 14, 2004
166
17
Aside from the integrated video and lack of a back light keyboard, there doesn’t seem to be much difference between the Macbook and the 15 Macbook Pro

Both have the same BUS, and hard drive speeds are the same speed, So is stock memory…. Anyone care to share their opinion as to why they feel the 15” Macbook Pro is worth the extra $$?
 
It's the dedicated GPU. It really comes down to that.

The auto-light adjusting display, backlit keyboard, Firewire 800, and Express Slot are all just perks. Some people may need those features, though. Oh, and the ability to keep the matte screen (non-glossy) finish as well. Let's not also forget the larger screen size and higher resolution display.

So, not so alike as some would lead you to believe.

I prefer the styling of the MBP, but it's hard to argue against the tremendous value of the MB if you can live with that GPU.
 
Here are the main differences...

Macbook memory - 2x256, Pro-1x512
Macbook 13" 1280x800, Pro-15" 1440x900
Macbook integrated graphics (64MB), Pro dedicated (128MB)
Macbook external DVI support (sold separately), Pro builtin
Pro - expresscard slot
Macbook overall smaller, Pro thinner
Macbook lighter
Pro - illuminated keyboard
Macbook 6hrs battery, Pro 4.5
 
kdawg said:
hardly worth the difference in price imo
Click to expand...
Ok, let's break it down using Pluckie's list starting from 2GHz white MB vs 2GHz MBP, both 100GB HD, i.e. $1449 vs $1999
Macbook memory - 2x256, Pro-1x512 - $50
Macbook 13" 1280x800, Pro-15" 1440x900 - $75
Macbook integrated graphics (64MB), Pro dedicated (128MB) - $120
Macbook external DVI support (sold separately), Pro builtin - $30 (cost of connector)
Pro - expresscard slot - $50-100?
Macbook overall smaller, Pro thinner - $100?
Pro - illuminated keyboard - $50


I used common figures for upgrades from other manufacturers websites. I get $50-100 difference. The cost of the express card slot and the sleeker MBP design is really unknown and could be argued.
 
plinden said:
Ok, let's break it down using Pluckie's list starting from 2GHz white MB vs 2GHz MBP, both 100GB HD, i.e. $1449 vs $1999
Macbook memory - 2x256, Pro-1x512 - $50
Macbook 13" 1280x800, Pro-15" 1440x900 - $75
Macbook integrated graphics (64MB), Pro dedicated (128MB) - $120
Macbook external DVI support (sold separately), Pro builtin - $30 (cost of connector)
Pro - expresscard slot - $50-100?
Macbook overall smaller, Pro thinner - $100?
Pro - illuminated keyboard - $50


I used common figures for upgrades from other manufacturers websites. I get $50-100 difference. The cost of the express card slot and the sleeker MBP design is really unknown.
Click to expand...
Ok, my 2.0GHz MB (stock) was $1199 after EDU. Add $189.99 for 100GB 7200RPM HD and $185 for 2x1GB sticks of RAM. The total comes to $1573.99. Then lets add $30 for the DVI adapter. Total $1603.99

The cost of the graphics card, expresscard slot, and illuminated keyboard can not be accurately accounted for.
So $1603.99 for the MB and $1999 for the MBP (in its base configuration).

Seems like the MB is the better buy for the vast majority of users IMHO.
 
faintember said:
Ok, my 2.0GHz MB (stock) was $1199 after EDU. Add $189.99 for 100GB 7200RPM HD and $185 for 2x1GB sticks of RAM. The total comes to $1573.99. Then lets add $30 for the DVI adapter. Total $1603.99

The cost of the graphics card, expresscard slot, and illuminated keyboard can not be accurately accounted for.
So $1603.99 for the MB and $1999 for the MBP (in its base configuration).

Seems like the MB is the better buy for the vast majority of users IMHO.
Click to expand...
Ok, one flaw in your logic. If you are counting Edu price for your MB, you have to include it for the MBP too, so make that $1603.00 vs $1799.

Most other PC manufacturers charge $100-$150 for graphics card.

The cost of adding an express card slot is likely to be considerable. Even if it cost $50, the prices are now within $50 of each other - $1750 - $1799

You pay more for the professional design of the MBP - whether you agree with it or not. The aluminium just looks more professional.

By the way, I just bought a white MacBook for my wife. I like it. It's worth every penny. But so is the Pro.
 
faintember said:
Agreed. So add the HD and RAM upgrade to the MBP. $1603 vs. $2174, a $571 difference.
Click to expand...

The MBP has a different upgrade path, so it could go either way.

And I'm not sure how you get $75 for 1440 x 900...
 
If it wasn't for the dedicated GPU, I would buy a MacBook too.

But I might need the GPU for windows gaming.

Simple as that... ;)
 
dferrara said:
The MBP has a different upgrade path, so it could go either way.

And I'm not sure how you get $75 for 1440 x 900...
Click to expand...

I'm looking at other manufacturers - you can configure e.g. a Dell E1405 and a Dell E1505 almost identically, except the E1405 with a 1280x800 and the E1505 with a 1680x1050, and the difference is price is $95. That's going from 14" to 15.4" screens, but also to a higher resolution. Hence $75 ...

You can add a 256MB X1400 to the E1505 for $100. This is still not as good as a 128MB X1600.

You get similar differences when upgrading with HP and Gateway.

And faintember is being disengenous by still not including the cost of the express card slot, gpu, single 512MB RAM, cost of DVI adapter and backlighting.

For professionals, the white MacBook just doesn't work ... it's still a consumer machine.
 
plinden said:
And faintember is being disengenous by still not including the cost of the express card slot, gpu, single 512MB RAM, cost of DVI adapter and backlighting.
Click to expand...
I included the DVI adapter, than you. Since the other options can not be assessed with accuracy they are not included, and left for the reader to infer when comparing the specs of both machines. The single 512MB stick of RAM is irrelevant considering the RAM upgrade performed to both machines.
For professionals, the white MacBook just doesn't work ... it's still a consumer machine.
Click to expand...
Wow, i am a processional (audio) and the machine works fine for me. Please be informed before you make mass generalizations and thanks for starting the name calling....:rolleyes:
 
I know, I'm sorry. I couldn't resist the comeback though although I should know better.

But hey, the MacBook works for me too, but I don't have to stand up and give presentations in front of clients. I just think looking at a few of the specs misses the big picture. Both have their places. Both are well priced and worth what they cost.
 
The dedicated graphics in the MBP make it worthwhile enough IMHO, without taking anything else into account. Apple customers don't have a choice if they want a dedicated graphics card, so whatever Apple charge for the MBP becomes the going rate.

It's not like Apple products can be directly compared to other PC manufacturers since they have OS X. If they want to charge a premium for a Pro machine, they can.
 
Tis all good.

I both do have their places and i guess my argument is that the MBP has a much much smaller place. My view is skewed though as three people in my field (electronic audio/electronic composition) that i know personally that have purchased MBP's have returned them for MBs.

The addition of your perspective helps to balance mine, and that only helps to give a more "real" perspective on the whole issue. No hard feelings...lets just get back OT.:p
 
Here is the way I look at it-

The MacBook Pro is the computer for people who will be using this computer for more enterainment. This includeds games, movies, pictures and such. This is because of the graphics card

The MacBook is really for everyone else. This includes the people that need this for work, and actually this is for anyone that will do everything exept play games.
 
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