01-10-2011, 02:25 PM

I wasn't quite sure where to ask it, but I'm guessing this is the right place. This is kind of my first time using this forum, after all...

Anyway, I'm planning on buying a Mac notebook. I already own an iMac, which is why I'm trading my current Windows laptop for a Mac one (that and the operating system just has been bugging me ever since I switched... it's slow and I'm not good at using it anymore). I like to have those operating systems the same... It gets so messy if not.

I've been looking around but I'm still stuck with one question: should I buy a MacBook or a MacBook Pro? Money isn't the issue, by the way.

I'm planning on mainly using the notebook for school. Writing papers, browsing the internet, etc. I won't use it for games - that's my iMac's job. Oh, and editing videos and music.

I know a MacBook would be good enough for me, but some people told me that if I have the money, I should just go for the MacBook Pro. Instead of hearing that again, I'd rather know the pros and cons of owning a regular MacBook. I don't want to spend an extra 200 dollars just because. I'd rather save that for something else if it's really not worth it.

Thank you!

EDIT: I decided to add a reason for even owning a laptop besides a computer. I love the big screen a computer offers, but I also like the portability of a laptop. I travel from time to time and always take my laptop with me. I'm also required to take it with me to school from time to time. Just thought I'd tell.

01-10-2011, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by Imbrication

I've been looking around but I'm still stuck with one question: should I buy a MacBook or a MacBook Pro? Money isn't the issue, by the way.

I'm planning on mainly using the notebook for school. Writing papers, browsing the internet, etc. I won't use it for games - that's my iMac's job. Oh, and editing videos and music.

I know a MacBook would be good enough for me, but some people told me that if I have the money, I should just go for the MacBook Pro. Instead of hearing that again, I'd rather know the pros and cons of owning a regular MacBook. I don't want to spend an extra 300 dollars just because. I'd rather save that for something else if it's really not worth it.

Thank you!

Well, at normal retail, the price of a MB 13" vs. a MBP 13" is $200 difference ($999 vs. $1199).

For that $200 you get (in a MBP):

2GB more RAM
SD card slot
Backlit keyboard
Firewire port

Plus these additional options are available on the MBP:

Faster CPU (2.66 vs. 2.4GHz only)
More RAM (8GB max)
Factory SSD options

...and of course, the Pro has the really outstanding aluminum design. Other than a little cost difference, the Pro should be the same or better on all considerations.

[edit]

I wasn't sure so I checked it out, but the Pro is even a little smaller in all physical dimensions and lighter by ~0.2 lbs

01-10-2011, 03:33 PM

Get the MBP. In my opinion, the SD card slot and backlit keyboard are well worth the extra $$$.

01-10-2011, 03:56 PM

Off the top of my head and I'm sure that others have far greater insight to this than I do.

Pro's of a Macbook Pro 13 inch over White Macbook

-faster CPU
-Back light keyboard
-SD card slot
-FireWire 800 Port
-More base model ram with capacity for 8GB compared to just 4GB
-Aluminum unibody enclosure case compared to just a plastic one
-Thinner
-Just a tad bit lighter

Con's
-Higher price.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head right now. Good luck!

01-10-2011, 04:43 PM

Have not met anyone yet that regretted buying the MBP over the MB and most MB owners
either upgrade to the pro or get an iMac or so its been my experience with our customers.

01-10-2011, 10:15 PM

Since you want a portable one the MBP wold be perfect for you since it is much lighter than the MB, plus MBP's design is really cool and its performance is much better than the MB.

01-11-2011, 12:15 AM

Originally Posted by rachellesmith

its performance is much better than the MB.

FYI, the MBP @ 2.4Ghz is the same internals at the MB @ 2.4 (C2D processor, 1066MHz bus, 3MB L2 cache) and they share the same GPU (320M), so they're the same performance.

The MBP +does+ have an option for a 2.66GHz proc, so that's ~10% faster (and potentially with more RAM capability it could be faster for memory intensive tasks).

That being said, I still believe (like me and several folks indicated above), there are some pretty compelling reasons to buy the MBP over the MB!

Just thought it was worth clarifying that for folks shopping the two machines