sorry for another one of those threads!

[count chocula]

i know the macbooks havent been released yet, but i need some help. i want to know how much longer it will be before i need to upgrade from a 17" mbp than from the expected macbooks. i'll be off to college in 2 years, and i would like something that will last a while. i dont need the extra speed right now, but i do like the bigger screen. i'll be getting a job very soon, so money wont be much of an issue. that said, i dont want to spend alot more money just to get the flagship computer. thanks!

P.S. I'll be using my mom's education discount, so i'm looking at 17" mbp with 120 gb hd, 1x1 gb ram, and applecare for $66/month

 

[lamina]

Get the 17" MBP.

I have a 17" PB and it is absolutely stunning. Yes it's not as portable (although it fits perfectly into my laptop backpack designed for a 15.4" laptop), and its much more money (than the current iBook line), but for me it's all worth it in screen size.

 

[jsw]

Counterpoint:

Smaller is often better in classrooms and while lugging things to/from class. At least wait for the MacBooks before you buy.

 

[count chocula]

thanks guys, i definitely will wait to see the macbooks before i buy.

 

[fowler.]

good luck getting financing through apple.

they're pretty stringent as to whom they'll lend money.

as for your question,

I was agonizing over whether to get a 17" or 15". I chose the 15 beacause of the size mostly. I already have a 24" display at home and lugging around a 17 didn't seem to make much sense. I loved the portability of my old 12" powerbook, so I figured a 15 would be the next best thing.

Look into refurbs. I picked up a nearly maxed out 15" for around $2400 shipped (including tax).

 

[count chocula]

financing shouldnt be a problem, the payment will be in my mom's name. i'll just give her the payment in cash each month. She has good credit, so i doubt they'll give us trouble. i dont have another display i can hook it up to, so i would like a decent sized screen, 17" just makes me drool. i'm not really sure about portability. would it leave a decent amount of space in a normal sized backpack? the 17" is only 1.3 inches wider, 0.8 inches deeper, and 1.2 lb. heavier than the 15". i guess that adds up though. and its a giant compared to the 13.3" macbook. if i really had to, or maybe just for the sake of the mbp, i could get a bag built for it.

 

[fowler.]

I just think it's a bad idea to make payments on a computer.

By the time it's paid off, it'll be obsolete. Plus, you'll end up paying much more for it through credit than you would if you paid cash.

Essentially, you'll end up paying nearly $4k or more for a laptop.

Doesn't seem to bright to me... although very tempting.

 

[count chocula]

I just think it's a bad idea to make payments on a computer.

By the time it's paid off, it'll be obsolete. Plus, you'll end up paying much more for it through credit than you would if you paid cash.

Essentially, you'll end up paying nearly $4k or more for a laptop.

Doesn't seem to bright to me... although very tempting.

i know what you mean, but it's my only option right now. i desperately need a computer, and i plan on paying it off as soon as possible so i can save myself a bit on interest.

 

[zorg]

If you are in school and need portability, smaller/ lighter is the way to go.

 

[count chocula]

i'm not deperate for portability at the moment, i dont want it to take up too much space in my backpack though. thanks to everybody that's been helping me with their advice. this will be my first mac purchase and i'm really excited!