Considering a laptop

Tek · Jul 23, 2007

I'm considering purchasing an, "Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33GHz, 15.4" TFT, 2GB DDR2, 120GB SATA, ATI Mobility Radeon X1600, 6x SuperDrive, Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T, 54-Mbps Airport Extreme, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and iSight, OS X v10.4 Tiger," and I'm wondering if I can leave it on for long periods of time without ruining it or it consistently overheating. I've never owned a laptop before and I guess I'm just wondering if it should only be on for a few hours at a time.

Also, if anyone knows how the internet speed ranks on one of these, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

Stretch · Jul 23, 2007

You can leave it on as long as you need.

Internet speeds depend on your ISP, not the computer.

jhartford6 · Jul 23, 2007

That's the older version of the MacBook Pro...how much are you paying for that?

fleurya · Jul 23, 2007

Heat depends on what you're doing and how you're using it. With the screen open I can do anything forever. During "normal use" including things like typing on these forums, using MS Office, or watching videos, I can run mine forever even in closed screen mode. However, if I'm playing some 3D game, I can't run it in closed screen mode without it it getting too hot, but leaving the screen open takes care of that and I can run it forever.

As far as internet speed, it'll take as much as you can feed it.

Tek · Jul 24, 2007

Very cool, thanks for the replies. I felt kind of retarded for asking but I'm not only new to laptops but to macs as well. Just want to cover everything before I take the plunge.

And yeah, it's the older version I found for 2,000. I'm still not solid on if I'm going to be getting that one or the latest version but I was debating on saving a few hundred unless the improved specs were worth it.

P.S. Thanks for the gaming reference. I'm not sure that I'm going to game with it much (if at all) but it still gives me a nice ballpark area of what it can handle.

fleurya · Jul 24, 2007

Just so you know, you can get that same model, factory refurbished, from www.apple.com for $1900. Click on the store link at the top then look for "special deals" at the bottom right of the page.

Tek · Jul 25, 2007

I hope this is alright to post here but I figure I might as well just add on to my already open topic with a new question that has come up.

If buying the MacBook directly from the Apple store, what all do I need to receive the student discount? Is just my student ID enough to have at the time of purchase?

Thanks again.

fleurya · Jul 25, 2007

Yep, the student ID will be fine.

When I got my MBP, I had just enrolled and didn't have an ID. To prove I was a student, I just logged into my student email account on one of the floor model computers to show the guy in the store I was registered and got the discount. They have some way of verifying your student status later, but as long as you really are a student, an ID, acceptance letter, or even email should be enough to get the discount.