04-18-2008, 06:55 PM

Hey guys,

I am totally new to the whole mac scene and i am going crazy trying to figure out what laptop to purchase so maybe someone can help me. I have narrowed it down to 3. Just so you know i have never used a mac before but have done alot of research and know i want one! I will be using it mostly for college, web surfing, photos, ect. pretty much just a basic user, but I don't want it to be slow (very impatient...probably due to using PC's for so long ). I would like bluetooth and i am pretty sure all the ones i have picked out offer it. I am trying to keep it around $1100 which is why i picked the ones i did. Please let me know which one would be best for me. Thanks

here are my picks:
2.1 ghz version $1099
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...family/macbook

1.5 or 1.67 ghz version $699-799 (my top pic because of price, if it's a decent model)
http://www.wegenermedia.com/alum15.htm

Referbished mac book pro, 1.83 ghz model $1099 (how much better than regular mac book?)

http://www.wegenermedia.com/macbookpro.htm
Thanks for your help

04-18-2008, 07:11 PM

I'd take the 2.1 MacBook, but as long as you upgrade the RAM. 4GB kits go for ~$90. From what you said the computer will be for, a dedicated video card is not necessary, so the PowerBook and the MB Pro as not needed. The question is the screen size: 13" is enough for you? Will you use the notebook with an external monitor?

04-18-2008, 08:02 PM

I 2nd that. I'd go for the 2.1 MacBook.

04-18-2008, 08:06 PM

i have never used a mac before but have done alot of research and know i want one! ...

1.5 or 1.67 ghz version $699-799 (my top pic because of price, if it's a decent model)
http://www.wegenermedia.com/alum15.htm

I'd go with that one, personally.

04-18-2008, 08:39 PM

pnut312,

Welcome to the forum.

I'd go for the 2.1 Macbook mainly because of it's speed, size and weight. The 13 inch screen is plenty large enough for your for college work and the weight won't tax your lap. While the Powerbook is a good price, it is slower and heavier. Consider that a larger laptop is heavier and not necessarily better...

Noel

04-18-2008, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by D3v1L80Y

I'd go with that one, personally.

is there any particular reason why you think i should go with this? Other than price?

04-18-2008, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by pnut312

2.1 ghz version $1099
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...family/macbook

I'd say go with this one. Being Intel-based, it will give you the option to install Windows if you find you have the need. Intel-based hardware is the future of Macs... may as well start with it.

The problem with the refurbed Powerbooks is that they aren't Intel-based, so you can't run Windows if you wound up needing to, and you will have increasingly limited software choices over the next few years. They also only come with 512 mb of RAM... adequate, but you'd be more comfortable with double that. The same goes for the G4 processor... adequate for your needs, but the MacBook should be a fair bit speedier.

The refurbed MacBook Pro would be a good choice if it had more RAM. But the new MacBook should suit your needs fine and you should get more longevity from it.

04-18-2008, 09:45 PM

You can also get a refurbished MacBook directly from Apple: 2.2GHz white, 1GB RAM for $999. Some good deals in there:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...m=CertifiedMac

04-18-2008, 10:42 PM

Hey guys,

I am totally new to the whole mac scene and i am going crazy trying to figure out what laptop to purchase so maybe someone can help me. I have narrowed it down to 3. Just so you know i have never used a mac before but have done alot of research and know i want one! I will be using it mostly for college, web surfing, photos, ect. pretty much just a basic user, but I don't want it to be slow (very impatient...probably due to using PC's for so long ). I would like bluetooth and i am pretty sure all the ones i have picked out offer it. I am trying to keep it around $1100 which is why i picked the ones i did. Please let me know which one would be best for me. Thanks

here are my picks:
2.1 ghz version $1099
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...family/macbook

1.5 or 1.67 ghz version $699-799 (my top pic because of price, if it's a decent model)
http://www.wegenermedia.com/alum15.htm

Referbished mac book pro, 1.83 ghz model $1099 (how much better than regular mac book?)

http://www.wegenermedia.com/macbookpro.htm

From what i can gather from reading the forums the G4 is really inferior compared to the macbook or macbook pro....is this the case??

PLEASE HELP THANKS!!

04-18-2008, 10:42 PM

As a student, you are entitled to Apple's education discount. The $1099 MacBook that you linked to is available on their education store site for $999. I would go for that or the 2.4ghz, 2gb, 160gb HD version for $1199 if you could swing it without a major problem.

04-18-2008, 11:07 PM

Yep i agree with everyone else. Go for the 2.1 or like Jay said the 2.4 if possible.

04-19-2008, 12:17 AM

Thanks for all your input, so my final question is should i go with the macbook or the refurbished mac book pro, since they will end up being the same price??

04-19-2008, 12:18 AM

any help??

04-19-2008, 12:31 AM

It's generally not a good idea to cross post. You already have a pretty active thread in the Switcher area with the exact same question.

04-19-2008, 01:05 AM

sorry about that, kinda new to all this, just trying to make the best possible desicion