Really, I've been intent on switching to a Mac for a very long time. I'm a PC user, mainly because my parents refused to buy me a Mac, but now that I've got a steady income of my own, I've decided it's time to grow up out of a PC. I just don't know which (Macbook) is the best for me. A lot of guides are out there to help, but I kind of dabble into everything. Price isn't a HUGE issue, but it still needs to be something reasonable. I don't want to buy this ultra-powerful machine and let it waste OR buy a more inferior machine than I need. Here's a short little rundown of what I'd like to be able to accomplish:
0. Portability
I move a lot. I take notes and then head to the library, then to my aunts' house to babysit, and home for homework and general entertainment. I'm really only looking at laptops, so that I can take power with me.
1. Web browsing
Simple, but I want it done right. Browsing on my Windows comp is sluggish sometimes and I feel like no matter what browser I use, it's like a lot of my comp's resources are getting drained. I'll admit, I usually have 3-5 windows/tabs open for my web browser only, but still... You'd think things would run smoothly.
2. Media
I'm a music collector (pack-rat). I've got tons of it that I love to browse through and listen to a lot of the time. I've also got a lot of music videos, music television shows, and movies that I enjoy watching on my computer. I'd like to be able to enjoy all of my media without many hitches. I also burn CDs infrequently, if it matters at all.
3. Graphics stuff
I'm not a hardcore graphics artist, but going into college next year, I'm going to be taking a few graphics design courses that will require some power on behalf of my computer. Nothing real complex; layout editting, maybe some 2D design.
4. Notetaking, reports
Being in school, I'd like to be able to use my laptop to take some notes and write my reports and papers. Basic typing, really.
5. Minor gaming
I don't game all of the time, but I do do it some. Not WoW or anything that requires a ton of power, but I do like playing some old-fashioned Unreal Tournament and other old junk. It's not a necessity, but it'd be nice.
EDIT: (sorry about this, I totally forgot) 6. Instant Messaging
Sometimes, I have a chat with friends. Having moved completely across the country as old friends, I like to hop on IM ever-so-often and check up on them, as well as with a few pen-pals halfway around the world. Although I doubt their world geography will change how my Mac performs, I'd still like to be able to hold multiple conversations from time to time.
I've set my eyes on the "13-inch, White, 2.2GHz, 2GB memory, 160GB HD" configuration of the MacBook. Is this too much? Not enough? Any other recommendations? Any help at all would be appreciated.
(Also, first post. Looks like a nice community
)
0. Portability
I move a lot. I take notes and then head to the library, then to my aunts' house to babysit, and home for homework and general entertainment. I'm really only looking at laptops, so that I can take power with me.
1. Web browsing
Simple, but I want it done right. Browsing on my Windows comp is sluggish sometimes and I feel like no matter what browser I use, it's like a lot of my comp's resources are getting drained. I'll admit, I usually have 3-5 windows/tabs open for my web browser only, but still... You'd think things would run smoothly.
2. Media
I'm a music collector (pack-rat). I've got tons of it that I love to browse through and listen to a lot of the time. I've also got a lot of music videos, music television shows, and movies that I enjoy watching on my computer. I'd like to be able to enjoy all of my media without many hitches. I also burn CDs infrequently, if it matters at all.
3. Graphics stuff
I'm not a hardcore graphics artist, but going into college next year, I'm going to be taking a few graphics design courses that will require some power on behalf of my computer. Nothing real complex; layout editting, maybe some 2D design.
4. Notetaking, reports
Being in school, I'd like to be able to use my laptop to take some notes and write my reports and papers. Basic typing, really.
5. Minor gaming
I don't game all of the time, but I do do it some. Not WoW or anything that requires a ton of power, but I do like playing some old-fashioned Unreal Tournament and other old junk. It's not a necessity, but it'd be nice.
EDIT: (sorry about this, I totally forgot) 6. Instant Messaging
Sometimes, I have a chat with friends. Having moved completely across the country as old friends, I like to hop on IM ever-so-often and check up on them, as well as with a few pen-pals halfway around the world. Although I doubt their world geography will change how my Mac performs, I'd still like to be able to hold multiple conversations from time to time.
I've set my eyes on the "13-inch, White, 2.2GHz, 2GB memory, 160GB HD" configuration of the MacBook. Is this too much? Not enough? Any other recommendations? Any help at all would be appreciated.
(Also, first post. Looks like a nice community
)
