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MB or MBP - Which should I get?

B

BrittQ

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 23, 2007
235
0
I'm sure threads like this pop up from time to time, but I want to get some feed back on my personal situation.

I would be using the laptop for:
Music
Watching movies
Connecting to a TV to watch movies
Some video encoding
DVD burning
A little video editing
Photoshop
Spreadsheets
Word processing
iChat
and Traveling with.

If a Macbook will suffice that would be great because I save some money and it is easier to travel with. I would probably upgrade to 2gig Ram if I got a macbook.
Also, I am not in a huge rush. I am planning on waiting until at least Leopard to come out.

Which Mac am I?
Thanks :apple:
 
I have to agree with Cybergypsy. The base MBP is a lot more computer for your buck.
 
The MacBook would work fine for all your needs, it just depends on your budget, if you can easily afford an MBP, totally got for that... if you can just barely, or not even afford an MBP, get the MB, a great laptop that can actually be used on your lap :p
 
CalBoy said:
I have to agree with Cybergypsy. The base MBP is a lot more computer for your buck.
Click to expand...

I beg to differ :)

The minimum Macbook that supports DVD burning is the $1,299 model. For $700 more, the base model MBP is only giving you extra memory and a graphics card + larger screen (we can ignore the 0.04Ghz processor difference). And since upgrading your Macbook to 2GB RAM would only cost you about $100, you would essentially be paying $600 for a graphics card and larger screen.

I've heard that the Macbook's onboard graphics can handle video editing just fine, so according to your list this is essentially a question of 13" versus 15" screen for watching TV/movies. Is a larger screen worth $600 to you?
 
Do you like glossy screens? don't have a choice on the MB.

Depending on how much video editing you want to do (FCP vs imovie) and how much resolution you want for photo editing you want to do (1280x800 vs 1440x900), you might want to go for the MBP.

The processors are pretty similar so you can do most of those things the same (music, video encoding, movies)

2GB of RAM will cost you about $90 online, so that pushes the midrange macbook to around $1400, still a lot cheaper than the $2000 base MBP.

So decide if the 2" of screen and dedicated graphics are worth $600. I'm replacing a desktop and hate glossy screens, otherwise I would have gone with the macbook.
 
People are so quick to automatically sell the MBP. :rolleyes: You do not need a MBP. You could easily save over a GRAND and get the mid MB and install more RAM yourself from NewEgg. Honestly, with what your using the computer for, a MBP is simply overkill. Unless you really need better graphics, a larger screen, or love aluminum, the Macbook is your best bet especially since it's more rugged and smaller for travel. :apple:
 
jrodatus said:
I beg to differ :)

The minimum Macbook that supports DVD burning is the $1,299 model. For $700 more, the base model MBP is only giving you extra memory and a graphics card + larger screen (we can ignore the 0.04Ghz processor difference). And since upgrading your Macbook to 2GB RAM would only cost you about $100, you would essentially be paying $600 for a graphics card and larger screen.

I've heard that the Macbook's onboard graphics can handle video editing just fine, so according to your list this is essentially a question of 13" versus 15" screen for watching TV/movies. Is a larger screen worth $600 to you?
Click to expand...

After owning 3 macbooks i am not sure i will ever buy another the build quality is much better on the MBP also no sharp edges and a light up keyboard....much betterIMHO but its up to you :)
 
Etrain said:
People are so quick to automatically sell the MBP. :rolleyes: You do not need a MBP. You could easily save over a GRAND and get the mid MB and install more RAM yourself from NewEgg. Honestly, with what your using the computer for, a MBP is simply overkill. Unless you really need better graphics, a larger screen, or love aluminum, the Macbook is your best bet especially since it's more rugged and smaller for travel. :apple:
Click to expand...

My macbooks never left the house and they are scratched, love the aluminum....
 
jrodatus said:
The minimum Macbook that supports DVD burning is the $1,299 model. For $700 more, the base model MBP is only giving you extra memory and a graphics card + larger screen (we can ignore the 0.04Ghz processor difference). And since upgrading your Macbook to 2GB RAM would only cost you about $100, you would essentially be paying $600 for a graphics card and larger screen.

I've heard that the Macbook's onboard graphics can handle video editing just fine, so according to your list this is essentially a question of 13" versus 15" screen for watching TV/movies. Is a larger screen worth $600 to you?
Click to expand...

Ahh, so many things. Firstly, we cannot ignore the CPU, as the SR chipset allows more maximum RAM. In the future, should the OP decide to buy even more RAM to speed things up (and who doesn't like faster?), the macbook will be capped at 2gigs (officially, unofficially, 3.3). The mbp has an officialy cap of 4gigs. Big difference when your machine begins to slow down and needs some help.

Secondly, the $600 price difference ignores things like the LED backlit screen, the Matte option (which in my opinion is worth a lot...glossy angers me), backlit keyboard (I also happen to dislike the macbook's keyboard, it's weird feeling; the mbp is much better for me), better speakers (mind you notebook speakers are never great, but the mbp speakers are much, much better), and let's not forget the little things like a card reader, USB ports on BOTH sides (for those of you who are left-handed, or just want one on each side), an extra Firewire port, and the abilty to power a 30" external compared to the macbook's 23".

Not so simple when you look at the entire picture.

Etrain said:
People are so quick to automatically sell the MBP. You do not need a MBP. You could easily save over a GRAND and get the mid MB and install more RAM yourself from NewEgg.
Click to expand...

Where did you get over a grand from? the macbook starts at $1099 and the mbp starts at $1999. Not to mention that the OP is probably looking at the mid range macbook so he can have a DVD burner (Apple, what's up with that:rolleyes:), so that's $1299. Difference equals $700, and factor in RAM to give you $600.
 
If price is of ANY concern, I 100% recommend the mid MB. Here are the stats I made for my personal reference. Note the prices are EDU prices. The performance data was found at Macworld (Speedmark) and Geekbench.

compareix5.png


I'm sure you will love whatever you choose. Price is the #1 priority so I couldn't justify spending 60% more money for only a 10% boost in performance. :cool:
 
You will probably do just fine with a Macbook, just up the ram to 2GB (not thru Apple, buy your own ram), or maybe more (but if you want more better get the MBP anyway because then you can have and USE 4GB.)
 
I would lean towards the MBP, but my final decision would depend on my budget.

There's nothing in what the OP has listed in terms of usage to suggest that he wouldn't be ok with a MB.
 
BrittQ said:
I'm sure threads like this pop up from time to time, but I want to get some feed back on my personal situation.

I would be using the laptop for:
Music
Watching movies
Connecting to a TV to watch movies
Some video encoding
DVD burning
A little video editing
Photoshop
Spreadsheets
Word processing
iChat
and Traveling with.

If a Macbook will suffice that would be great because I save some money and it is easier to travel with. I would probably upgrade to 2gig Ram if I got a macbook.
Also, I am not in a huge rush. I am planning on waiting until at least Leopard to come out.

Which Mac am I?
Thanks :apple:
Click to expand...

That's pretty much what I do and believe me, a MB is plenty of computer for that - my 2.0CD with 1.25 gigs does an admirable job, 2.16C2D with 2 gigs would be even better. If you don't game, the MB is fine - save the money or use it to get get an external hd, keyboard & mouse or monitor. Get the ram yourself - it will be far cheaper.

Just a warning, to connect to a tv you will need a mini-dvi adaptor (which one depends on your tv's conections). You can get them on the Apple store for $19.
 
Strong opinions on both sides. It is interesting to note that -- so far -- all advocates of the Macbook are either newbies or regulars, while all advocates of the MBP are long-time members with thousands of posts and presumably more experience with different Mac models. It is my opinion that the OP should listen more to the latter.

And yes...I am one of the newbies :eek:
 
well also consider the source. some of us newbies are here because we're waiting for our macbooks or macbook pros and were recently faced with the same decision.

The people with tons and tons of posts are probably the longer mac users that have had several portable macs, and by now have upgraded to the MBP, so yes they have experience but they're also biased.
 
I'm on a MacBook 2.16ghz with 2GB RAM

this is what I do on mine without any hicups
- Photoshop CS3 Editing 8MP and 12MP RAW images
- Watch movies while connected to the TV with my Mini DVI
- Edit music in Reason (sometime Garage Band)
- Plays music easily with itunes
- Edit Video's with iMovie '06
- Burn DVD's with my internal super drive
- Run Aperture
- Play WoW
- Play Civ 4
- chat, browse and other internets stuff.
- Spreadsheets on Excel (04) Excell in windows via fusion and now trying out numbers.
- Word Processing using the same suites as above.

The one thing I've tried, but i'm no expert or even profficient at is Final Cut) i can't tell if it runs well or not. iMovie is all I need to work on vids.

Traveling with this guy is a breeze, it's small, light and compact.
It looks sweet too
 
Thanks for all the replies and breaking it down.
Right now I'm leaning towards a 2.16 Macbook w/ 2g Ram. I'm going to wait for Leopard and then asses the rumors and possible MB upgrades that might come soon after.
If I find out I need more umph, I can always buy the 2.8 iMac :eek: :confused:
 
BrittQ said:
Thanks for all the replies and breaking it down.
Right now I'm leaning towards a 2.16 Macbook w/ 2g Ram. I'm going to wait for Leopard and then asses the rumors and possible MB upgrades that might come soon after.
If I find out I need more umph, I can always buy the 2.8 iMac :eek: :confused:
Click to expand...

Glad we could help, but I have to advise against an iMac. If you were looking for a notebook, then buy a notebook. Sure the iMac is more powerful, but notebooks have that portability factor. Since you're going to wait to buy until after Leopard comes out, reevaluate your budget at that time, and decide what to do from there. A lot can change in two months.
 
CalBoy said:
Glad we could help, but I have to advise against an iMac. If you were looking for a notebook, then buy a notebook. Sure the iMac is more powerful, but notebooks have that portability factor. Since you're going to wait to buy until after Leopard comes out, reevaluate your budget at that time, and decide what to do from there. A lot can change in two months.
Click to expand...

I meant that I would buy the notebook (work/travel/friends house/around the house/etc, anytime portability is needed). Then buy an iMac (for home use - media editing/games/storage/etc) in addition to the notebook, if I still wanted more power.

But yes, I need a notebook.

I hope the Macbook changes in two months ;)
 
The only reason to get the MBP for your needs is if you need the bigger screen. For Photoshop, a larger screen makes sense. Otherwise the MB and MBP are identical for the applications you listed (CPU speed is the same, video card speed won't make a difference).
 
BrittQ said:
I meant that I would buy the notebook (work/travel/friends house/around the house/etc, anytime portability is needed). Then buy an iMac (for home use - media editing/games/storage/etc) in addition to the notebook, if I still wanted more power.

But yes, I need a notebook.

I hope the Macbook changes in two months ;)
Click to expand...

If you're looking at a macbook + iMac combo, wouldn't that put you above the price of a macbook pro?

MB: $1299
iMac: $1199
Total:$2498

I think a base mbp with an external moniter would be better. Just my opinion though; you'll have to make your own judgement (again, when you're ready to buy).
 
I'd concur with CalBoy. I'm in the process of selling my 24" Imac, and assuming that goes OK, I intend replacing it with a mid-range MBP and a 24" Dell 2407 monitor for when I'm not on my travels. Seems to be the best of both worlds to my mind. Shame the hard drive on the MBP isn't so easily upgradeable as that of the MB, but I've got plenty of external storage, and a separate Windows machine when I need that too (media center).
 
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