Should I go with a MacBook Pro over my current setup?

[dmw007]

Lately I have been tossing the idea of selling my beloved Power Mac G5 and iBook G4 and replacing them with a MacBook Pro.

I was contemplating buying a 15" 2GHz MacBook Pro, 1GB RAM (will upgrade via 3rd party) 100GB 7,200rpm HDD.

The most computing intensive tasks that I perform are playing games like Quake 4, Doom 3, C&C Generals, etc... Most of the time I use my computer(s) for iTunes, surfing the web (mainly MR ), checking e-mail, Microsoft Office (mostly Word), and organizing pictures. Nothing real exciting, although I would like to start using Photoshop in the future (maybe in a year or so), just to dabble- but I need a new camera first.

The MBP would also be replacing an aging 2.2GHz P4 Dell Dimension computer that I use for Windows games. So basically, I would go from having 3 computers to having one computer.

So I have two questions-

1) Should I consider selling my two computers and buying a MacBook Pro? Will I be happy with a MacBook Pro? Judging by the benchmarks that I have seen, the MBP will be slightly slower than my G5, but incredibly faster than my iBook G4.


2) What do you think that I could get for selling my Power Mac G5 & iBook G4?

Here are the specs:

-----Power Mac G5-----
2.3GHz DP Power Mac G5
2.25GB DDR (currently 2GB, but I have an extra 256MB of RAM on the way)
250GB HDD
256MB ATI Radeon 9800 XT
16X DL SuperDrive
Mac OS X 10.4.6
56K V.92 modem (upgraded when purchased from Apple- ~$45 add on)
Applecare (good until ~May/June 2008).

All the original discs, manuals, box, etc...

-----iBook G4-----
12" screen
1.33GHz PowerPC G4
1GB DDR
40GB HDD
Combo Drive
ATI Radeon 9550 w/ 32MB DDR
Mac OS 10.4.6
Apple Care (good until ~October/November 2008).
VGA & S-Video Adapters included

All the original discs, manuals, etc...

Was not sure whether to post this in the Marketplace or in this section, so mods feel free to move this post to where it best belongs.

Thanks for the help and advice!

 

[jsw]

Personally, I'd wait. The MBP is not only slower than your PM - I'd say it's competitive with my Rev A dual-2.0 - but it has substantially less HD space.

I love my MBP - purchased by my employer - but I wouldn't rush into it if I were in your position. The PM is faster, the iBook is smaller and has vastly better battery life.

If my employer hadn't bought this for me, I would not have traded my PM and 12" PB for this. Personally, I'd wait for the fall. Or I'd sell the iBook and save up for a MacBook (non Pro). The MBP's are nice, but they're quite hot, there are numerous reported problems, and I'm expecting much better screen resolutions later on, as Leopard is supposed to be going resolution-independent.

 

[atari1356]

I prefer having just one computer, and a PowerBook/MacBook Pro works well for that because you can use it either as a portable computer - or connect it to an external monitor/keyboard/mouse and use it as a desktop computer.

The biggest problem you'll have is the lack of hard drive space... especially if you put Windows with games on it. If you don't already have an external hard drive for backups and storing extra stuff, I'd definitely invest in one if you get the MacBook Pro.

 

[spencecb]

No way, stick with what you have. You will probably be disappointed by the performance of the MBP as compared to your dual G5.

I'm pleased with my MBP, but I think if I had that setup, I would stick with it. The PowerMac is vastly superior.

 

[dmw007]

I prefer having just one computer, and a PowerBook/MacBook Pro works well for that because you can use it either as a portable computer - or connect it to an external monitor/keyboard/mouse and use it as a desktop computer.

I was thinking that this might be a nice way to go. One computer would certainly take up less room (resulting in less clutter) than having three computers all in the same room.

The biggest problem you'll have is the lack of hard drive space... especially if you put Windows with games on it. If you don't already have an external hard drive for backups and storing extra stuff, I'd definitely invest in one if you get the MacBook Pro.

This is a problem that I saw as well. I would probably end up springing for an external HDD. Although, I am only using ~55-65GB of space on my Power Mac's HDD as it is.

 

[dmw007]

No way, stick with what you have. You will probably be disappointed by the performance of the MBP as compared to your dual G5.

This was my first thought as well, but I don't really need my G5 for the tasks that I do- an iMac or MacBook Pro would probably be just fine. That said, I do feel a need for speed.

I'm pleased with my MBP, but I think if I had that setup, I would stick with it. The PowerMac is vastly superior.

I agree, the Power Mac G5 is superior to the MBP. But it is almost too superior for my needs...I think.

The MBP's are nice, but they're quite hot, there are numerous reported problems...

This was of concern to me as well. But I figure, that is why there is AppleCare. Plus, I thought that Apple has taken steps to correct these problems (e.g., the silent revisions).

 

[mac000]

i dont think u should worry about computers as you have one too many to "surf the internet and type on word" with.

if anything, maybe i would try to get ride of the ibook on ebay, and have a intel mac to be able to boot windows.

honestly, you probably have a windows machine too, and u have a dual g5, and a ibook laptop. how many computers/power do you need to be able to open safari type in macrumors.com and surf the internet?

some people have their priorities all messed up

 

[jamesi]

you want to ditch your PM G5 for a macbook pro? i know the MBP is snazzy and all, but your G5 is most definately a more capable machine. its expanable and was built to last you a long time. from what it sounds, you have a solid setup as is. when you need some muscle you use your desktop and when you are on the go you have your ibook. i would wait considerably longer before replacing what you have. sure your ibook is slow for heavy applications, but do you even use it for that?

 

[dmw007]

i dont think u should worry about computers as you have one too many to "surf the internet and type on word" with.

if anything, maybe i would try to get ride of the ibook on ebay, and have a intel mac to be able to boot windows.

True, but I do need a laptop- I go to college and I am a commuter. I sometimes use my iBook G4 to take notes in class, use PowerPoint, etc...

honestly, you probably have a windows machine too, and u have a dual g5, and a ibook laptop. how many computers/power do you need to be able to open safari type in macrumors.com and surf the internet?

This is the question that I have been asking myself as of late.

some people have their priorities all messed up

I do, but I kind of enjoy it.

We all have our addictions, right?

 

[jsw]

I didn't mean to imply that the MBP sucks - it's a great laptop. I'm just not sure you won't feel some pangs of regret when the PM goes out the door and you've lost that easy access to space (which I guess you don't use, so never mind), and your iBook goes out the door and you're left with what seems like a much bigger, hotter laptop.

I do think you'll like the MBP... I just hope you don't sell your other systems, buy an MBP, and then see a faster chip and FW800 in the 15" size a few months later - when you could easily have waited.

So... if you buy the MBP, just stay away from apple.com for a while.

 

[dmw007]

i would wait considerably longer before replacing what you have. sure your ibook is slow for heavy applications, but do you even use it for that?

No, my iBook G4 is spared from running any heavy applications.

 

[AvSRoCkCO1067]

The MacBook Pro will run pro apps just fine; and, for what you do, it'll run aps at about the same speed as your G5 (there isn't as much an improvement in speed in iLife and Office suites as there is in professional applications)

If I were you, I'd definitely go with the MacBook Pro. You'll easily come out on top financially if you sell both (or even all three) of your computers and pick up a fast MacBook with 2GB of ram. In the future, you can pick up an external HD as well (although it doesn't sound like you need one at the moment...)

You'll probably get near 3000 for both the PowerMac and iBook...right?

 

[jamesi]

im looking over this thread again and honestly im shocked you are even considering this. the MBP is the latest toy from apple but it doesnt mean you should get it. your PM G5 is a fast, exapandable, and capable machine whose muscle shadows over the MBP. you already spent a lot of money on the PM, and you arent going to get a good return if you try and sell it. isnt it clearly obvious that you are talking about throwing away money here?

 

[dmw007]

So... if you buy the MBP, just stay away from apple.com for a while.

This is probably my #1 problem. I should just stay away from Apple.com- it forces me to spend waaaaay too much money.

 

[jamesi]

AvSRoCkCO1067, how could logically argue the MBP being better than the guy's G5? you are wrong

 

[dmw007]

The MacBook Pro will run pro apps just fine; and, for what you do, it'll run aps at about the same speed as your G5 (there isn't as much an improvement in speed in iLife and Office suites as there is in professional applications)

If I were you, I'd definitely go with the MacBook Pro. You'll easily come out on top if you sell both (or even all three) of your computers and pick up a fast MacBook with 2GB of ram. In the future, you can pick up an external HD as well (although it doesn't sound like you need one at the moment...)

This was my train of thought. Plus, I can start saving up for a Rev B intel Power Mac/Mac Pro when they come out.

You'll probably get near 3000 for both the PowerMac and iBook...right?

I think that seems to be about right.

im looking over this thread again and honestly im shocked you are even considering this. the MBP is the latest toy from apple but it doesnt mean you should get it. your PM G5 is a fast, exapandable, and capable machine whose muscle shadows over the MBP. you already spent a lot of money on the PM, and you arent going to get a good return if you try and sell it. isnt it clearly obvious that you are talking about throwing away money here?

I guess that I am throwing away money in a sense.
Perhaps, I am just awed and swayed by the MBP's latest "bells & whistles."

 

[AvSRoCkCO1067]

AvSRoCkCO1067, how could logically argue the MBP being better than the guy's G5? you are wrong

Wait...where did I say that??? If I implied it I didn't mean to!!!

I meant that, for the apps he uses (which are basic office, iLife apps, and a few games) the MacBook Pro would suffice. In fact, iPhoto runs about the same speed on the MacBook Pro and the G5 - you really don't notice a huge difference until you get into the pro applications.

That said, I had 3 computers once; two laptops and a desktop. And it drove me nuts. I like having just one computer; much easier

 

[jsw]

it'll run aps at about the same speed as your G5 (there isn't as much an improvement in speed in iLife and Office suites as there is in professional applications)

Office isn't even remotely as fast on Intel as on a PM. I'm not saying that Office is required, but it's sluggish and a real memory pig - real RAM and especially virtual memory. Sure, virtual memory doesn't seem like a big deal - until you're using many GB of it without even realizing it.

As more things go UB, this will be less of an issue. But unless you're just using Apple apps and other UBs you're fooling yourself if you think you won't notice Rosetta sucking the life out of your system - like my AirTraffic Control widget which uses just 20MB of RAM but which is sucking half a gig of virtual memory.

 

[jefhatfield]

either way you go, you win and as for adobe photoshop, it's not something you just try or may dabble with a year from now...usually, it's in your work or your school's major and not anything like a 39 dollar computer game from eb

 

[dmw007]

That said, I had 3 computers once; two laptops and a desktop. And it drove me nuts. I like having just one computer; much easier

Perhaps I should keep my Power Mac G5 and replace my iBook G4 with a MacBook when they come out. A MacBook would allow me to at least replace my Dell PeeCee (Boot Camp, gotta love it ).

 

[dmw007]

either way you go, you win and as for adobe photoshop, it's not something you just try or may dabble with a year from now...usually, it's in your work or your school's major and not anything like a 39 dollar computer game from eb

True, I have tried the demo on my G5, but shelling out the $$$ for the full version will probably never happen. It is just one of those things that I would "like" to do, but in reality, it is one of those things that will probably never happen.

 

[dmw007]

Office isn't even remotely as fast on Intel as on a PM. I'm not saying that Office is required, but it's sluggish and a real memory pig - real RAM and especially virtual memory. Sure, virtual memory doesn't seem like a big deal - until you're using many GB of it without even realizing it.

As more things go UB, this will be less of an issue. But unless you're just using Apple apps and other UBs you're fooling yourself if you think you won't notice Rosetta sucking the life out of your system - like my AirTraffic Control widget which uses just 20MB of RAM but which is sucking half a gig of virtual memory.

The thought of running Rosetta is rather unsettling (the MBP only handles 2GB of RAM, so I don't really need Rosetta gobbling that up). But, I believe that most, if not all, of my programs besides M$ office are UBs.

 

[jsw]

Perhaps I should keep my Power Mac G5 and replace my iBook G4 with a MacBook when they come out. A MacBook would allow me to at least replace my Dell PeeCee (Boot Camp, gotta love it ).

I think you'll be very happy with that choice, if that's the way you go. The MacBook will likely perform like my mini duo, which is surprisingly quick.

I'm sure the MacBook will be slower than the MacBook Pros, but they'll also be a lot lighter/more transportable as well as cheaper, and it allows you to keep the PM, which I know you'll miss.

 

[AvSRoCkCO1067]

I think you'll be very happy with that choice, if that's the way you go. The MacBook will likely perform like my mini duo, which is surprisingly quick.

I'm sure the MacBook will be slower than the MacBook Pros, but they'll also be a lot lighter/more transportable as well as cheaper, and it allows you to keep the PM, which I know you'll miss.

I'd agree with this option...

...although I still don't think Office on my MacBook Pro is that big of a deal

It runs as fast as it did on my iBook G4, and loads a bit faster

 

[jsw]

The thought of running Rosetta is rather unsettling (the MBP only handles 2GB of RAM, so I don't really need Rosetta gobbling that up). But, I believe that most, if not all, of my programs besides M$ office are UBs.

It's not really all that horrible if you're not the kind to keep an eye on available RAM, but I am that kind of person, and, today in class (a training class at work), my free RAM dipped to 43MB. On a 2GB system. Being used normally.

Of course, this will all get better over time. And a lot of that RAM was "inactive" and so was reclaimable. But, still, 43MB.