help: Mac Book or Mac Book Pro?

gtmoon

i find MB at 13" is just the right size, where MBP at at least 15" is a bit too big, especially for travel, but it has more RAM, better graphics card, but almost twice the price of MB.

someone one share their MB/MBP experience?

many thanks.

isofa

You can put more RAM in the MacBook, just order it with the base amount, you can install up to 4Gb of RAM in it, use Crucial for cheaper prices on RAM.

The graphics card in the MBP is better than the MB (the MB uses shared RAM and on-board graphics) but it would only make a difference if you are into the latest games, or really high powered design software.

There is obviously more technology in the MBP, hence the higher price, but as they are now all running fast Intel Core 2 Duo processors there isn't a massive difference in general performance.

From what you've said, unless the graphics card is the clincher, or you need the larger display, the MB is the one for you.

You'll get more detailed advice and comparison on the hardware forums at MacUser:

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/macuser/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=14

gtmoon

i totally agree that MBP is only better for the graphics and bigger display. honestly i don't really need them and for that much premium.

i find 13" is really the maximum for laptops, otherswise it's too big to carry.

i think both MB and MBP allows max 4GB RAM. my purpose is to run Leopard, Windows and Linx on it, so would like good RAM, fast (maybe big) HD.

gtmoon

do you know if it's easy to DIY the RAM? becuase it's much cheaper to buy the RAM from other shops.

also how easy to DIY the HD?

kinesin_2

Also not that Apple upgrade the MacBooks 3/4 days ago to include Santa Rosa chipset (faster FSB) and the X3100 graphic card rather that the GMA950. It's now not a great card, but it's a lot better than the GMA.

I've on my 2nd MacBook, (sold the 1st Core Duo to my parents, and got a faster Core Duo 2) and love it - great machine at a compact size.

kinesin_2

gtmoon wrote: »

do you know if it's easy to DIY the RAM? becuase it's much cheaper to buy the RAM from other shops.

also how easy to DIY the HD?

it's very easy to change the RAM and HD in MacBook. Pop the battery off, undo 3 small philip's head screws, remove the blanking edge plate and it give you access to the memory and HD.

Just swap over new RAM sticks, or HD (need the caddie attaching)
Check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c6ckjy-gdY
(note I can't actually watch this at work, so please forgive me if it's not correct).

The internal drive is a normal 2.5" SATA as found in many external enclosures I swapped my internal MacBook drive with that found in a Western Digital Passport.

randomtask_2

I'm also considering getting a Mac laptop and had the same questions regarding the MBP's benefits over the MB not being in line with what I really need or indeed want to pay for.

I'm actually going to NY in a few weeks and was thinking of buying over there given the cost savings. Would there be any particular concern in doing this (aside from the obvious voltage difference, US keyboard and risk at customs)?

kinesin_2

Power supply should be fine, just get a 3 pin adapter, Warranty /might/ be the issue. Worth checking Dixon's tax free instead?

randomtask_2

I have read that Apple's basic warranty should be globally valid and I can buy a UK AppleCare policy here if I want further cover.

The cost of a white Macbook 2.2GHz in the US is $1299 ~ £650. The same model here is £829 and tax free it is £705, so still notably more IMO.

gtmoon

randomtask wrote: »

The cost of a white Macbook 2.2GHz in the US is $1299 ~ £650. The same model here is £829 and tax free it is £705, so still notably more IMO.

there is regional tax, i think NY is 8.25%.

teffers

I had some work over in the States last year and it meant flying backwards and forwards from Britain (4x in total) and my MacBook was a god send. The 1st trip I struggled with a dell and it was hopeless, the 13" macbook is perfect for long haul and if you get yourself an airline adapter (about £40 from amazon depending on whihc one) you can even just plug them into the seat on certain rows.

If it's a truly portable laptop you want for email, dvds, pictures, skype and so on whilst on the move then I would vote Macbook.

The ram is much cheaper from Crucial.com/uk than Apple and (along with hdd upgrades) they're very simple indeed.