Macbook Vs. MBP Performance
- Started
- Last post
- 17 Responses
- mg33
I'll make this short and sweet, I know this topic has been done to death but some straightforward answers would be great.
Been planning to get an MBP. Waited till the Keynote. No new MBP's or Macbooks. Bottom line, I have the money, and need a new computer NOW. Need to make the switch, really want a laptop. I have a list of other gadgets/stuff to buy including an audio interface for guitar/MIDI, Adobe CS3 Standard, and an external hard drive.
Obviously will use a new computer for primary computer: Photoshop, Illustrator, maybe Flash, music recording, editing, general things, itunes, etc. etc. I don't do video editing or 3D work.
The 13" screen frightens me, but I do have a 22" Dell Widescreen at home and an external monitor at my Girlfriend's place.
I'd love the 2.0 Ghz Macbook Pro and have planned on getting that. But now I wonder if I'd be just as well off with a regular Macbook.
Can anyone who uses them as their primary computer talk about performance for Adobe programs, and/or music recording/editing?
I just need some solid convincing (if it's possible) that I could get by with a regular Macbook. I just need something new and ASAP. I'd get a Mini for the time-being if I knew it would handle what I needed to do and then totally hold out for a new MBP.
Thanks!
- ismith0
MacBook Pro. You'll want the video card and FW800 for your external.
- vwsung18t0
do macbooks have LED backlit screens?
- Jaline0
Just get the Macbook Pro. Everyone's going to say that anyway. Macbooks are always put down.
*sniff
- kona0
macrumors buyers guide says a mbp update will be VERY soon. it will suck if you drop the coin only to have it updated (new processor, multi-touch trackpad, maybe higher speed) in a month down the road.
if you're planning on refurb (which i hope you are) pull the trigger! get a 1gb external and hook up time machine. shwing! good luck mg33!
two developers here run the macbook hooked up to an external. 3gb ram i believe. absolutely no problems. i was helping them with some flash stuff yesterday and they had cs3 flash open, ff, entourage, adium, and itunes and it was running real nice.
i don't think i helped you at all did i. haha.
- mg330
Kona,
How do you buy refurbs? I get a discount at work on new ones, not sure if I can get refurbs?
And what do you mean by "get a 1gb external and hook up time machine?"
- kona0
refurbs.
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-…external + time machine.
time machine comes with leopard, which will most likely be installed on your new computer. when you click to set up time machine it will ask you to point it to an external hd. if you have a 1tb external point it to that. time machine automatically backs everything up, and, if you delete something, it allows you to go 'back in time' to try and find it if it was a mistake.you being a musician i bet you have tons of music. 1tb will fill up fast and you'll be thankful you had all that space. sorry i didnt' post this sooner. had to step out for coffee. :)
- mg330
Let's put it this way as well without opening my finances up too much.
I'll have nearly $1,800 from tax return to go along with about $1,600 saved for buying a new computer, plus some freelance $ in the $750 range.
Along with this purchase I also NEED to buy:
1) CS3 ($1,000-ish)
2) External hard drive
3) Apple keyboardFollowing that I have plans for better speakers, a guitar/MIDI interface, Reason or some MIDI program, and I think that's about it.
- mg330
Kona, I hope you stepped out for:
- kona0
I've just been doing a bunch of research on externals. I'm looking into a 1TB Western Digital for around $260 on ebay express. Also nice is a 750GB Maxtor One-Touch for $160, same place. CS3 I've seen there for near 1k, some over depending.
- There have been many helpful threads on externals. WD and Maxtor are said to be very reliable and make their own HD.kona
- joyride0
...word is trickling in that they have been delayed due to an issue with the thermal sensors. According to the report/rumor they won't be available in large numbers until the end of Febrary. If true, Apple may have intended to announce these new Pro machines at Macworld but were forced to delay because of the chip shortage.
- zod0
MG33. I think i'm in your place. I do a lot of work that doesn't center around 3d or video. I'm a drummer and do a lot of programming/loops as well as running cs3 master collection. my macbook works fine. I upgraded memory and my hd (320 internal + 1tb external) and I'm totally fine.
It works well for a lot of my design and I have a 19" 2nd monitor for when i want to do larger projects or just space things out better. Sometimes I think a 15" screen would be nice, but 13 is totally fine.
I think the biggest difference is color/style. I like black more than silver and I didn't have the bankroll. They are both great machines.
If you have the money, mbp has a bigger screen, the fw800 port and backlit keyboard. If that doesn't matter, save money and get the macbook.
- flashbender0
I bought my MBP from these guys - substantially cheaper than I could find it anywhere else.
Cheaper than a refurb from apple.
- johnnnnyh0
i have MBP and 3g ram as my main machine - works fine. I use a DELL external monitor and have various external drives (80GB,160GB,1TB).
Weird thing is I run WIN XP not mac OSX - but all is fine and dandy.
CS2 on win is fine. Some minor win/mac things which I live with.
I'd go with the MBP rather than the MB.
- Jaline0
You can have 3GB RAM with a Macbook. 2GB is usually fine though.
- mirrorball0
What bout the Macbook Air is it better than a Macbook but not as good as a macbook pro? Whats the craic with the solid state hard drive, does it really improve performance that much?