First Time Buyer

[mattgk01]

Hi, i am soon going to be purchasing my very first mac (im 16) and I decided to buy a macbook pro after help from you guys. Now i seem to have found an amazing offer.

17" Macbook Pro 2.66GHz - $2099.99 / £1294.21:
NEW Apple Macbook Pro 2.66GHz 2.66 GHz 17" MB604LL/A 4G on eBay (end time 11-Sep-09 10:54:06 BST)

or

15" Macbook Pro 2.66GHz - $1899.99 / £1170.95:
NEW Apple Macbook Pro 2.66GHz 2.66 GHz 15" MB985LL/A 4G on eBay (end time 12-Sep-09 22:39:25 BST)

Which should i get?

 

[walkerj]

Between those two it comes down to how much computer you want to lug around vs. how big of a screen you want/need. The 17" is a lot like hauling around a 23" LCD without the computer itself. in other words, it's a lot of computer for a 'portable'.

Personally, I have a 13" MBP, and carrying it is no worse than carrying an average book-bag sized textbook. The 15" is more like a rather large just-fits-in-the-book-bag sized textbook.

They're all fast, they're all brilliant. For this 6' tall 180lb adult, a 13" MBP fits my needs, and I even have a car to carry it around with. Between those two I would recommend the 15", but that's just me and given the parameters.

 

[mattgk01]

Ok, what if told you what i will be doing with it. I do not want to pay more than what I need to and would prefer to keep the cost as low as possible.

-Larger screen for using dreamweaver (split view for those who know what im talking about)
-Heavy photoshop usage
-Small amount of gaming
-Small amount of video editing
-Internet/e-mail/word processing
-Would only be taking it to college and to work (short distance for both)

Should i wait until after the 9th?

 

[jrichard012]

In your situation, I would stay away from the 17" model. My neighbor has one of these and it's way too big for portability. My view, is either the 13 or 15 with as much hard drive capacity as your budget will afford. Consider a 7200 rpm 320 GB hard drive. Processor speeds are really not that important. They all are fast enough for your stated needs. Don't get the glossy screen. It will show too much reflection in classrooms and libraries with windows behind you. Also, a must is Apple Care. Have fun.

 

[jrichard012]

Oops. I just read your second post. Being a potential gamer and photo guy, then opt for the faster speeds with as much hard drive capacity you can handle. Definitely get the faster hard drive. Stay with the 15" as a better choice for what you want to do.

 

[mattgk01]

Thanks so much.

Could you give me a rough idea though of how much bigger a 17" macbook is compared to a normal laptop with the lid closed(15", they have move plastic around the screen so just for a comparison). Because it will only be used on a desk. I know what your both saying but to me that extra screen size + battery life may help

 

[deathcloud]

I would suggest visiting your local apple store, best buy, or something that carries apple products and go and visit it first hand so that you can touch it, feel it, and carry it. Then you would know YOURSELF if you like it or if it is too much. I have the 13'' and I love it. It is perfect for what I do. My mom has the 15'' and it is a little bigger but it is still portable. Now I don't know anyone that has the 17'' but it is huge cuz I saw it at best buy and wow, it is significantly bigger. But it sounds like you need portability and also fast processor, ram, and hard drive, but also a decent sized screen. I vote for the 15'' but again I stress for you to go and see for yourself. This is a big purchase and will be with you for a long time so MAKE IT COUNT!

 

[pigoo3]

All I know is when I was 16 I didn't have that kind of money to buy a computer!!!

So whatever you end up with you're a winner!

- Nick

 

[deathcloud]

All I know is when I was 16 I didn't have that kind of money to buy a computer!!!

So whatever you end up with you're a winner!

- Nick

That's exactly what I was thinking!