Pre-Purchase Questions: MBP 17

[seidell23231]

Hi ALL,

Disregarding Aug 8th, I am looking into buying the MacBook Pro 17, Specs:

Intel Core Duo Processor, 2.16GHz, 1GB RAM, 120GB Hard Drive, 17-inch XGA TFT Display, ATI X1600 256MB VRAM, 8X DVD+/-RW SuperDrive, Mac OS X Tiger v10.4

Cost $2,799.99 @ CompUSA

Questions:
1. Should I purchase the Extended Warranty?
2. This is replacing my Sony Desktop VGC RA-710G (Water Cooled, Basically NO noise), Specs:

P4 3.2 EE, 1 GB RAM, 250GB Hard Drive, ATI 9600 XT 256MB VRAM (8xAGP), 8x DVD+/-RW DL (1st Drive), DVDROM (2nd Drive), XP MCE 2005. Sony 17" SDB-HX73 via DVI, Logitech G15 illuminated Keyboard, Logitech MX Laser Mouse.

Will I be excited about the performance increase or will the performance increase be minimal or none at all?
3. Would the MacBook Pro 17 be fully self sufficient, or would I need to buy additional items to acquire the comfort level of the Sony Desktop?
4. Of all the reviews I have found regarding the MacBook Pro 17, it seems to be built well with very few repairs being reported/needed. Any issues I should be aware of regarding quality?
5. I viewed the 17 next to a 15 and the 17 screen looked washed out next to the very bright and vibrant. Why and is it true, or was it just a freak incident?


Any recommendations or thoughts?

Thanks!

Joey

 

[KingYaba]

What will you be using your MacBook Pro for? But to answer question #1. It's always a good idea to get apple care just in case. If your willing to pay for it, do it.

 

[seidell23231]

I will be using it for EVEYRYTHING. From MS Office, internet, email, games (mostly RPG's) and some programming. That is why I like the ATI x1600 w/256MB, which is a Must Have!

 

[Makosuke]

First, put a second gig of RAM in it--it's silly to get a computer that expensive and not spend the small additional amount to max it out. As for the rest of your questions:

2) I'd expect it will perform at least as well as your existing computer, probably somewhat better though *probably* not enough to get worked up about. The processor should be noticibly faster (though as always, it depends on precicely what you're doing), the X1600 mobile should be somewhat faster than the 9600, the hard drive will be a little slower (you're getting the 5400RPM, but even at 7200 desktop drives are somewhat faster just because of physical reality), and the screen will probably be roughly similar.

3) Depending on your personal preference, you may want an external mouse and maybe a keyboard too. I've been using the built-in and trackpad exclusively on mine for over a month now, and were I using it at a desk I'd definitely be more comfortable with an external mouse, and I miss the numeric keypad on a full keyboard. You could always just grab the keyboard and mouse off your desktop and use them.

4) I seriously doubt it. MacInTouch just finished a good-sized survey of MB/MBP owners, and the 17" was the least repaired of anything else in the survey, and was rated the highest for satisfaction. Mine's near perfect, anyway.

5) Was the 15" a gloss screen and the 17" a matte, by any chance? That would explain the difference. Or the brightness could have been turned down. In any case, I've only compared a matte 17" and a MB side by side, so I can't say for sure, but mine certainly seems to provide good, even color. It's not as bright as a desktop monitor, or the MB glossy screen, but the color rendition on the brigter MB screen was DRASTICALLY worse--just not in the same league (it's a cheaper panel in addition to the gloss finish). If you're worried about brightness, get the gloss, but if you want more faithful colors, matte is a better choice.

In all, I've been extremely happy with mine, and I expect you will be, too. It's worked admirably as a replacement for a DP 2GHz G5 desktop with a 20" screen in my case.