Macbook or Macbook Pro?

[Candlelight]

Am going to be getting one of these, just need to know which one is better.

I know Macbook Pro has better features but the Macbook is cheaper, smaller and logistically better for me.

It will be used for word processing, server maintenance/management, running VMware or Parallels with Windows XP & Linux on seperate partitions, and possibly video editing if I can source a final cut pro licence (but that's highly unlikely at present).

Any thoughts?

 

[BoxWhatBox]

I do everything you pretty much just described on a black MacBook with 2GB of memory. Save the money on the pro and get yourself a 32" Visio 720p LCD with the savings so you have a big monitor when your at home. Lack of screen real estate is my biggest complaint when I am editing papers for school.

 

[Candlelight]

Yeah I just read this review:

http://www.nudjit.com/2008/03/04/macbook-vs-macbook-pro/

Pretty much convinced I'm gonna get a Macbook.

 

[BoxWhatBox]

I don't blame you. For the extra cost, they are just not worth it. If you order online and tell them your a student you'll save $100.00

 

[David cgc]

Yeah, the Pro is really only if you're doing lots of high-grade stuff, like graphics, video, gaming, or the other things I do.

 

[Candlelight]

Next choice is do I go black or white.

Extra NZ$300 just for 90GB more space and it's black...? Not that fussed...

 

[David cgc]

Actually, the black one costs more even if you build-to-order a white one so the specs match. They call it the "Black Tax." It makes no logical sense, but there you are. Unless you really care about looks (the white cases have a tendency to pick up dirt for obvious reasons), just get a white one.

 

[Rii]

It's unfortunate that Apple doesn't offer a dedicated GPU option in the MacBook size/price class. It's one of the more glaring holes in their product line.

 

[Hermiod]

You did say the V-word - Video - which would suggest MacBook Pro to me, but MacBooks are not exactly crippled computers even without the dedicated GPU. The other company that shares my office building uses off the shelf MacBooks as their standard staff laptop - and surprisingly the type of company you'd expect to be a Mac Shop.

 

[Sean Aaron]

A colleague has a white one. Looks nice and thin compared to my iBook G4, but I really don't get the widescreen display. I prefer the extra vertical real estate myself for web browsing; I certainly don't watch DVDs on it!

 

[BoxWhatBox]

A colleague has a white one. Looks nice and thin compared to my iBook G4, but I really don't get the widescreen display. I prefer the extra vertical real estate myself for web browsing; I certainly don't watch DVDs on it!

The wide display fits the target market of the notebook, ie college students who will be using it for media as well as school. It also means the notebook has a pretty small footprint. Overall the macbook is a good little machine, that I recommend to almost everyone.

 

[Lindley]

Widescreen displays are great in general. I wouldn't want to go back at this point.

 

[Hermiod]

I generally find widescreen is great for working on documents and especially IDE's like xCode or Carbide for software development.

 

[Rii]

MacBooks are not exactly crippled computers even without the dedicated GPU.

Wasn't suggesting they are, they're otherwise excellent machines well suited to the needs of many. The lack of a dedicated GPU option is unfortunate because if such were available I'd probably buy one. As it stands Apple doesn't currently offer a mobile platform that suits my needs.

 

[Hermiod]

MacBooks are not exactly crippled computers even without the dedicated GPU.

Wasn't suggesting they are, they're otherwise excellent machines well suited to the needs of many. The lack of a dedicated GPU option is unfortunate because if such were available I'd probably buy one. As it stands Apple doesn't currently offer a mobile platform that suits my needs.

I know, my point was that for the business users I mention they are great. And that is despite MacBooks being aimed at home users.

 

[Chess Piece Face]

Go with the Macbook on it...mine runs Final Cut Pro just fine for editing.

Get the white one, max out the ram and don't buy the ram from apple. Enjoy! They really are FANTASTIC machines.