Why did you buy an MBP?

[klb028]

I'm really interested in hearing some of the reasons as to why most of you decided to pick up an MBP and why you chose the specs you have on your computer. I'm going to college in August, and I plan on getting one over the summer. I'm intrigued by computers, business and graphics/pictures, but that's not completely or specifically why I've decided to buy an MBP.

Can't wait to hear some of your responses!

 

[bmcgrath]

Got it for speed, looks, bigger screen, the keyboard, and a graphics card

 

[xfiftyfour]

I'm a graphics communication major, so a mac was a natural choice. When I first bought my lappy, I had to choose between an iBook and a PB, which was an easy choice since I absolutely hated the iBooks. This past summer, I upgraded the PB to a MacBook for the increased speed. While there was definitely a performance jump, it still felt too much like an iBook. So I thought, hey, maybe a blackbook will be better. So I jumped to that. But, I was still a bit disappointed.. it was always dirty, a little too small... and the C2D MBPs were out, so I was lured into selling the blackbook and going to a MBP.

I'm finally happy - it looks beautiful, has a nice sized screen, all the performance I need for my Pro apps...

It took me a while to get there, but I'm glad I made it. Good luck with yours!

 

[ezzie]

i chose the MBP because of the screen size (i went with the 15" because 13" in the MB just doesn't cut it for graphics), the backlit keyboard, and the speed/performance. i do lots of graphic design and photo processing, so i needed something a little more on the powerful side. my MBP is also great for all my traveling, because it's thin and light.

so, yeah...that's why i bought her.

 

[mattscott306]

Honestly, the biggest factor was the screen. I didn't want a glossy screen. But toher then that, I wanted a larger screen and a graphics card.

 

[GFLPraxis]

I'm really interested in hearing some of the reasons as to why most of you decided to pick up an MBP and why you chose the specs you have on your computer. I'm going to college in August, and I plan on getting one over the summer. I'm intrigued by computers, business and graphics/pictures, but that's not completely or specifically why I've decided to buy an MBP.

Can't wait to hear some more responses!

My mom *just* bought an MBP for the bigger screen; she edits photos in Photoshop. The higher specs will probably help her, but she wouldn't know the difference. No offense to her, but she's kind of a trained monkey (yeah I know that sounds bad); she knows what steps to take to perform all kinds of things, but she really doesn't understand how the app works (layers, masks, selections, etc), she can just use the move and brush tools, filters, and clone stamp, and run various image adjustments.

But since it's gonna run in Rosetta, she'll need all the speed she can get. I'm hoping a Core 2 Duo 2.16 GHz w/1 GB of RAM running in Rosetta will beat a 1 GHz PowerBook G4 w/768 MB of RAM (12") running natively. The images are *very* high resolution; she's an artist and gets scans done of her work for print.


I wanted a MacBook Pro for myself because of the bigger screen and more importantly the graphics card. I dual boot my machines with Windows for games, and that graphics card makes a HUGE difference for games (as well as video editting on the Mac side of things; Final Cut can do things in real time if you've got that video card). But I didn't have the money so I got a MacBook; I'll probably get an iMac for games and high-end applications.

 

[klb028]

I'm a graphics communication major, so a mac was a natural choice. When I first bought my lappy, I had to choose between an iBook and a PB, which was an easy choice since I absolutely hated the iBooks. This past summer, I upgraded the PB to a MacBook for the increased speed. While there was definitely a performance jump, it still felt too much like an iBook. So I thought, hey, maybe a blackbook will be better. So I jumped to that. But, I was still a bit disappointed.. it was always dirty, a little too small... and the C2D MBPs were out, so I was lured into selling the blackbook and going to a MBP.

I'm finally happy - it looks beautiful, has a nice sized screen, all the performance I need for my Pro apps...

It took me a while to get there, but I'm glad I made it. Good luck with yours!

I'm glad you're satisfied now and you finally got a hold of your MBP.

I'm getting an MBP because I feel that the 13" Macbook is too small for me. I don't really mind the white color, though. I've played around with both (Macbook and MBP) in the Apple store numerous times and I've always spent more time looking at the MBPs. I just feel that it's a better computer in general (obviously) and I like what I want. Plus, it'll be my first computer upgrade since 2000-2001. It's going to be exciting!

Keep the replies comin'!

 

[jamdr]

For me the two biggest were the screen and the aluminum: I wanted a bigger screen that wasn't glossy and I like the feel of the metal more than the plastic. I couldn't care less about the graphics card (well unless Aperture would run slower without one, I'm not really sure).

 

[Airship]

I bought a 17" MBP because the Core Duos in the refurb store are a bargain, and I could really use a laptop for my graphic design. That's why I opted for the 17", for the screen real estate for Flash and Photoshop. I've also been very mac-curious for a while now, and with Parallels and Bootcamp it's less daunting to become a switcher than ever before.

 

[suneohair]

Grammar Police

Why did you buy a MBP?

That is all.

Oh, I bought a MB

 

[mikes63737]

Why did you buy a MBP?

That is all.

Oh, I bought a MB

Actually, you can say it either way. Since most people read it as "Emm Bee Pee" you would use "an" with the "Emm" sound. But if you read it as "Muhbuhpuh" than you would use the "a".

I bought neither, but I will buy an MB after Leopard comes out.

 

[dreamfocused]

i gave my 12" iBook to my sister and got myself a 17" MBP. It blew me away coming from an iBook to MBP. Everything about it was just gravy.
It's been awesome to me and the main reason would be the screen size. It was so hard doing web design using the 12" and a 13" wouldn't have made any difference. I'm happy with my 17" and I doubt I'll ever get anything smaller ever again.

have fun when you get yours...

 

[2ndPath]

I bought the MBP because at the time I bought the MB was not available yet. And I didn't think the MB would be as good as it is now, but more crippled like the iBook was (no screen spanning). The biggest advantage I still see in my MBP is the better GPU and the express card slot but I wouldn't pay the premium for a MBP over a MB for it.

 

[TWEO]

One word: ExpressCard

I love the HSDPA connection through my XU870 from Vodafone.

 

[JDN]

I bought my MBP when i was moving to Sweden for a year to study and there was no way i could take a desktop.

In the beginning i wasn't even looking at Macs, i knew about them, but had never used one. I have experience in Windows laptops, and was never really happy with their performance. Then a friend of mine brought his MBP round (this was about a month after they had been released) and after about an hour i was totally hooked.

I got the MBP because of the screen size and other upgrades over the MB because it is my main machine, and it looks like it will continue that way until i can afford a Mac Pro.

My MBP is a 2.0Ghz CD 1Gb RAM 80Gb HD. It is fast and reliable. It handles everything i do on it fine. Of course, like anyone and any windows/OSX based machine i have had a few glitches, but to be honest, 99% of the time this involves 3rd party software and it is that which caused the problem.

I use the Express Card 34 slot all the time, with a memory card reader. It is FAST and so convenient. I don't have to carry any cables around with me for my camera, PSP or phone.

Im thinking with my level of use, ill still be using this MBP in 3/4 years. I will upgrade the RAM to 2Gb when i get the money. The next test i see for my machine is Leopard. Knowing nothing about OSX and the inner working of Macs (or PC's) i can't hypothesise ... but im thinking ill be just fine.

 

[klb028]

Why did you buy a MBP?

That is all.

I've tried it both ways and I believe they're actually both appropriate in this situation. I know the "rule" on when to use an/a with what vowels/consonants. Oh well, not a big deal...

Actually, you can say it either way. Since most people read it as "Emm Bee Pee" you would use "an" with the "Emm" sound. But if you read it as "Muhbuhpuh" than you would use the "a".

Thanks.

I've also been very mac-curious for a while now, and with Parallels and Bootcamp it's less daunting to become a switcher than ever before.

Exactly!

have fun when you get yours...

Thanks! Thanks for your response as well. I'm happy to hear you loved the switch from the iBook to the MBP.

 

[klb028]

I bought my MBP when i was moving to Sweden for a year to study and there was no way i could take a desktop.

In the beginning i wasn't even looking at Macs, i knew about them, but had never used one. I have experience in Windows laptops, and was never really happy with their performance. Then a friend of mine brought his MBP round (this was about a month after they had been released) and after about an hour i was totally hooked.

I got the MBP because of the screen size and other upgrades over the MB because it is my main machine, and it looks like it will continue that way until i can afford a Mac Pro.

My MBP is a 2.0Ghz CD 1Gb RAM 80Gb HD. It is fast and reliable. It handles everything i do on it fine. Of course, like anyone and any windows/OSX based machine i have had a few glitches, but to be honest, 99% of the time this involves 3rd party software and it is that which caused the problem.

I use the Express Card 34 slot all the time, with a memory card reader. It is FAST and so convenient. I don't have to carry any cables around with me for my camera, PSP or phone.

Im thinking with my level of use, ill still be using this MBP in 3/4 years. I will upgrade the RAM to 2Gb when i get the money. The next test i see for my machine is Leopard. Knowing nothing about OSX and the inner working of Macs (or PC's) i can't hypothesise ... but im thinking ill be just fine.

I feel like the MBP is more of a desktop, too. My dad probably would prefer me to bring a desktop to college, but I think he's out of his mind! I want something completely portable but incredibly powerful at the same time since I know I'll be travelling more than usual for a college student.

How has the 1 gig of RAM and 80 gigs of HD worked out for you? Are you running low on space or have ever wished you had more? I'm just wondering because I'm not too sure on how much HD space I should get. It's a tough decision...

 

[JDN]

I feel like the MBP is more of a desktop, too. My dad probably would prefer me to bring a desktop to college, but I think he's out of his mind! I want something completely portable but incredibly powerful at the same time since I know I'll be travelling more than usual for a college student.

How has the 1 gig of RAM and 80 gigs of HD worked out for you? Are you running low on space or have ever wished you had more? I'm just wondering because I'm not too sure on how much HD space I should get. It's a tough decision...

I chose the 80Gb HD because i couldn't afford any bigger at the time i bought and i thought the RAM would be a lot more useful. I have an external HD (320Gb lacie) for all my music and photos etc. But for my uni work, im doing fine for space. I don't do anything that creates particularly big files. All of my work is essays or GIS. I do store a LOT of journal articles for my course and even they don't really take up much room.

 

[iW00t]

Got it for the matte screen, and 160gb hard drive, and 2gb ram.

Figured that it is not worth the trouble to do it myself so might as well go pro, since it doesn't cost much more than a fully tricked out Macbook anyway.

 

[JohnMC]

I bought the MBP because I: 1)Needed a laptop 2)Needed a laptop that could run FCP Studio & 3)Need a matte screen (I'm outside a lot).

So I bought a 15" MBP C2D 2.33GHz @2GB RAM & a 160GB HDD.

JohnMC

 

[Collin973]

I started looking at laptops about a year ago and I originally looked at convertible laptops, then at regular laptops, but then the MBP's were released. From that day, I wanted one.

I bought it because I think it's the best looking laptop around; the backlit keyboard was a big plus, C2D, and the 15.4" screen is the perfect size for me. It's light enough for me to carry to class, home and on trips. Always reliable and dependable and absolutely wonderful.

And I haven't seen a PC laptop that I'd rather have...

 

[smartalic34]

I got a MBP for college... I wanted a bigger screen than the macbooks (but still got glossy for my movie-viewing pleasure). It's also very portable for taking it to class/library. The backlit keyboard distracts me from my work

 

[FF_productions]

I bought a MacBook Pro because it was a perfect replacement for my PowerBook. It's super-fast and it's portable.


Best Mac I've owned...EVER!

 

[Mr. MacBook]

i like cheese

MacBook Pro is useless, just a little bit faster. If its really that big of a deal, bring a monitor with you.

$1000 more expensive, 1.5gb more RAM, 2 inch bigger screen. It's not even a notebook.

For $400 i could buy a 17 inch widescreen monitor, and 2 gigs of memory.

Money burners

 

[iW00t]

MacBook Pro is useless, just a little bit faster. If its really that big of a deal, bring a monitor with you.

$1000 more expensive, 1.5gb more RAM, 2 inch bigger screen. It's not even a notebook.

For $400 i could buy a 17 inch widescreen monitor, and 2 gigs of memory.

Money burners

I don't see the point of this rant, you might as well post something like "... and for $1 I can get a 2.66Ghz Core 2 Duo PeeCee with 8GB of ram, a XTXZ100000 graphics card, and 1TB of RAID-10 STORAGE LOLL!!!!11

Macs are more expensive but they are better. There is no such thing as a free lunch.