Macbook - Macbook Black vs Macbook Pro - Mac-Forums.com

brinasty · 04-24-2007, 01:11 AM

Hi im new to these forums and mac's laptops. So heres my dilemma. Im preparing to buy a laptop for college and its hard to decide between a black Macbook and and a Macbook Pro. Just to let you see the specs are as follows

13 inch black macbook
2.0 ghz
* 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 1GB memory
* 120GB hard drive1
* Double-layer SuperDrive

VS

15 inch macbook pro
2.16 ghz
* 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 1440 x 900 pixels
* 1GB memory
* 120GB hard drive1
* 6x double-layer SuperDrive
* ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics with 128MB SDRAM

Im really not sure what to buy. I was thinking if i bought a black macbook i would have additional money to spend on maybe getting an awesome monitor to compliment it. Im also in need of a cell phone for college too. Im just confused and any input would help. Thanks. :dive:

OSURico112 · 04-24-2007, 01:17 AM

The all important question is, what do you want to do with your laptop? what will you mainly be using it for? If it's just typical college use then the Macbook would be a good choice. If you're looking for something more for gaming, intense 3d graphic design and rendering then the macbook pro would better suit your needs.

brinasty · 04-24-2007, 01:21 AM

Well im not much of a gamer anymore. Id probably use it to surf the internet, do stuff for school, i dunno just common uses. Watch movies listen to music. Just typical stuff. But i also do some video editing at school right now with FCP and id still like to do that. Hmm...

OSURico112 · 04-24-2007, 01:28 AM

ok, since you plan on doing some work with FCP, might wanna go with the pro, not sure if FCP works with integrated graphics chips. At least according to the FCP Studio package on apple's site certain applications included in the studio require a non-integrated graphics chip.

Kash · 04-24-2007, 01:52 AM

Based on your intended use, the Macbook would have been perfect. But since you mentioned Final Cut Pro, that changes things a bit. According to Apple's website, Final Cut isn't compatible with integrated graphics, so if you really want to use FCP on your laptop, then you're sort of stuck with the Macbook Pro.

digitalscrap · 04-26-2007, 01:52 PM

Final Cut Express HD runs fine on a MacBook though, so if that would meet your needs as far as video editing goes, then a MacBook with 2GB of RAM would save you quite a bit of money, especially if the Final Cut usage is just going to be casual usage.

MrMacbookMan · 04-28-2007, 12:22 AM

If you're not going to be doing anything really "hardcore" you'll probably be fine with a macbook. My macbook (once upgrading the 512 ram to 1 gig) has been plenty fast for regular daily use and a little gaming. It really depends how much money you have to spend and what you need it for, good luck in your choice!

DoubleCap · 04-28-2007, 12:01 PM

I have a MB white. Remember, with the black - you might get fingerprints on it that'll show easily.

I've also used the MBP, and it does get quite hot sometimes (without doing anything drastic, just some C++ programming/compiling)

bryphotoguy · 04-28-2007, 12:14 PM

If you have the money for the MBP, get it. If you are doing anything semi-intensive or planning on it, the MB will limit you. The integrated graphics will slow you down as well as the little 13" monitor. I got rid of mine after 3 months of use. I had a white macbook and it is way to expensive for what little it actually did for me in terms of handling my photo work.
Bryan

narf1899 · 04-28-2007, 02:17 PM

i would go with the macbook and use the money u saved to max it out with 2gb ram....the macbook is much more portable and will suit ur needs perfectly...the 160 mhz processor difference is hardly noticeable...