Upgrading from pc to macbook

[Sanderr]

Hello all,

Currently I have the following windows desktop and would like to upgrade to a macbook;

Standard S939 Motherboard
AMD athlon 64 3200+ (@2.3 ghz)
2x 512 ddr400 ram
200 GB HD (sata-150)
Sapphire Ati Radeon X1600pro

My question is if the following macbook configuration will be faster/slower than my current desktop.. One thing I do know that I will give up graphics but I don't game much anymore so i'm looking at the processing power.

macbook config:
2.0 ghz core 2 duo
1 gb ram (2.0 gb ram later on when I install third-party ram)
Hitachi Travelstar 160GB 5400 RPM

When I'm at home the macbook will be hooked up to an 19" widescreen monitor running at 1440x900. Will the macbook be faster with 1 gb ram? and with 2 gb? Thanks in advance!

EDIT: before anyone will mention: I will only burn dvd's sometime and when I do this will be at home so I don't need the superdrive and will use a external burner. With the third party HD the cheapest macbook will then be a better and cheaper choice because I can sell the original HD and get more ram

 

[matthewinnj]

As with any computer

whether the MacBook is faster or slower, is going to depend a lot on what you're using it for,i.e. what programs you run the most.

There are many people on here far more familiar than I with the overall performance of a Mac vs. PC, but they'll need to know how you plan on using it to give you a better idea.

Be sure to post what you decide and how you make out with your purchase.

Good luck with everything!

 

[aethelbert]

It should be faster, but there will be a decline in video performance (with the GMA 950). The dual core CPU should help a lot, though, and with 10.5 coming, it will be much better with a 64 bit OS (unless you're using Windows x64 now).

 

[Sanderr]

whether the MacBook is faster or slower, is going to depend a lot on what you're using it for,i.e. what programs you run the most.

There are many people on here far more familiar than I with the overall performance of a Mac vs. PC, but they'll need to know how you plan on using it to give you a better idea.

Be sure to post what you decide and how you make out with your purchase.

Good luck with everything!

good point there I will mainly use it for MSN, browsing,
graphical work such as: Photoshop, adobe Designer,
and music production programs such as: garageband, ableton live etc.

It should be faster, but there will be a decline in video performance (with the GMA 950). The dual core CPU should help a lot, though, and with 10.5 coming, it will be much better with a 64 bit OS (unless you're using Windows x64 now).

Currently i'm not running windows x64 so that should be an improvement then..

 

[AuburnCap]

The 64 bit wont be any improvement unless the programs you are running are designed to utilize the extra resources.

 

[Wolfpup]

The CPU is definitely faster. GPU much slower of course, and the hard drive will be slower. So once stuff's loaded in RAM, it will probably feel a bit faster, although an Athlon 64 3200 isn't' slow, so it may not feel that different.

 

[dartzorichalcos]

Can you wait until October to buy the MacBook with Leopard installed?

 

[AuburnCap]

Can you wait until October to buy the MacBook with Leopard installed?

Thats what I am doing

 

[Sanderr]

The CPU is definitely faster. GPU much slower of course, and the hard drive will be slower. So once stuff's loaded in RAM, it will probably feel a bit faster, although an Athlon 64 3200 isn't' slow, so it may not feel that different.

I could also choose to upgrade to an 7200 rpm hard drive, that should be much faster right?

Can you wait until October to buy the MacBook with Leopard installed?

That could be an option but I have edu discount so the upgrade shouldn't be too expensive and if I buy it now I can use when i'm on holiday...

 

[Sanderr]

can anyone tell me if performance will drop a lot when the macbook is hooked up to a 1440x900 19 inch WS monitor?

 

[Sanderr]

please anyone?

 

[GimmeSlack12]

Everyone will run pretty damn flawless with the MacBook. There is very little to be concerned about regarding performance. Its quite a fast system.

 

[Sanderr]

ok thanks! In about a week I will order the 2.0 ghz, 1 GB RAM, 80 GB HD low-range white macbook and will also buy 2 GB ram and a 160GB 5400 rpm WD scorpio HD at the same time What are good protection sleeves for the MB? It's only meant for protection in my backpack so it doesn't really need to be a whole bag..