01-09-2008, 11:10 AM

I've read a lot on the MB vs. MBP (15") question, but my can't find a discussion that addresses my specific decision criteria. If you know of one elsewhere, please let me know!

I've decided to get one or the other in the next 4 to 8 weeks, and these are my needs. I need a sub 6 lbs. machine because I'm a grad student and take my computer virtually everywhere with me. In this regard 5.1 lbs. vs. 5.4 lbs. doesn't effect the decision much. However besides this, I do a lot of digital photography (photoshop CS3 and lightroom), but only a very little video (probably iMovie). This is where I've been going back and forth the most. I'll put in 4 gigs of ram in either case, but I don't know if the better graphics card or other features will make a difference. I prefer the larger / LED / matte screen of the pro, but I'm getting a decent 21"-23" external monitor for home in anycase which I'll use for most of my editing.

Other needs include the ability to run parallels all most all the time; I depend on two or three Windows only programs for my school stuff. I know about the lack of firewire 800 in the MB, etc., I'm mainly curious about the photoshop performance / other 2D graphics performance issues. Are there benchmarks listed somewhere?

Thanks!

01-09-2008, 11:41 AM

I think that if you are going to get into editing a lot... you should probably get a MacBook Pro. If you are using it everyday, and its going to be your desktop machine as well... best stick with the pro.

While the MacBook can handle most 2D things without a hitch... the screen real estate is not fantastic for photos and large projects. I understand you will be using a large monitor at home, but there are going to be times when you wont have that luxury, and will need as much as you can get on the road.

I was in a position like you at first, but I started to find myself not at home, or not having enough time to get home or when at home, time to even work on editing. I had to do much of it on the road without my lovely display at home.

I say make your decision based on how much you would need out in the field, not what you got at home.

01-09-2008, 11:43 AM

I feel the macbook should is more than capable of running photoshop and such. It's small display might get in the way, but since you say you are getting an external anyway, that shouldn't matter.

I'd say go for the faster white macbook with 4GB of RAM. Although, I'd also warn you that Macworld might bring in some new macs into the market, so wait till the 15th at least before you make any concrete decision.

01-09-2008, 11:55 AM

My MacBook (see specs in sig) runs Photoshop CS3 just fine... quite well actually. If you get a brand new one with 4 GB or RAM, it will run it even better. There is no need for the Pro in this instance. Of course, it's a better machine. If you can afford it, go for it. All I'm saying is that you won't be disappointed with either from a performance standpoint.

Side note: If you plan on going with 4 GB of RAM, buy it from a third party and install it yourself. You'll save several hundred dollars.

01-09-2008, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Kalison

I think that if you are going to get into editing a lot... you should probably get a MacBook Pro. If you are using it everyday, and its going to be your desktop machine as well... best stick with the pro.

While the MacBook can handle most 2D things without a hitch... the screen real estate is not fantastic for photos and large projects. I understand you will be using a large monitor at home, but there are going to be times when you wont have that luxury, and will need as much as you can get on the road.

I was in a position like you at first, but I started to find myself not at home, or not having enough time to get home or when at home, time to even work on editing. I had to do much of it on the road without my lovely display at home.

I say make your decision based on how much you would need out in the field, not what you got at home.

True. If you can afford to get the Pro, then go for it.

01-09-2008, 08:55 PM

the only diff would be screen size, for 2D there would be no noticeable diff, BUT you could simply buy an external LCD monitor (crt really if it is serious editing) and it would still be cheaper then a MBP.

i also run cs3 fine under OSX and windows, with 2G of ram it is fine, 1G it struggles abit cause of the OS overhead.

01-10-2008, 04:33 PM

well both will do the job nicely for 2d work but the pro will do it that bit faster when you have 3 or 4 apps open also its just nice to have the extra power there even if you dont use it every day its there when you need it.