Comments on: MacBook or MacBook Pro?

By: Sean

Sean — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 05:47:45 +0000

Amy, if you’re looking to get your daughter a computer just for web surfing (sorry, the 90s caught up to me for a moment!), email, twitter, and basic entertainment, and the requisite being it has to boot Windows, you may as well get her a PC notebook. The basic Macbooks don’t have the option for you to select matte screens and it would cost $150+ to retrofit one onto it. You actually don’t get that option until you start looking at the Macbook Pro 15″.

TBO, it sounds like she’s wanting to be one of the cool kids in school with a Mac

By: DAXXAZ

DAXXAZ — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:00:06 +0000

THANK YOU SO MCUH! This has gotten me to realize that a macbook pro is better than a macbook! thanks for stopping from buying a macbook!

By: SEV

SEV — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:33:05 +0000

I have the same issue – Mac Book or Mac Book Pro. I will be working mainly on logic 9 editing sound for films but I am not editing films. I am tempted by a Mac Book with a 4gb ram upgrade…Can anyone please advise? What are the differences? I will be going for the smallest screen as I am a very small lady and can’t carry huge laptops…..Thank you for your help

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:52:11 +0000

Hello, I am looking to get a mb or mbp for daughter at gcse level for school work, music stuff, surfing, facebook, and stuff like that, she does do graphics but has never really needed anything special to do the work, i was thinking macbook because of its lightness and more portable also because i know she would prefer the look, but not sure about glossy screen, id be looking to get 13″ screen on both mb and mbp, i dont mind about the diff. in cost but as long as she can get windows on it and stuff to do music then i think anything more might be too much, views?

By: man and van

man and van — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:21:39 +0000

i love my new macbook pro i have a friend that has the book mac and i cant see any diference apart from the name PRO

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:46:37 +0000

Ive getting either the macbook pro or the macbook tomorrow, but im more edging towards the Mavbook. i will be using it for photoshop, illustrator, internet, itunes, ipod, images, storing files, playing music ect…

Plus i am going to need to take it to university almost all the time, and its just the right size to fit in my bag!

I think that if you don’t need that extra graphics then theres no point in spending the extra money, plus i would never get it in my bag! Lol

And i dont think the macbook is too small that it would affect my views on it…if i had more money and didnt need to travel around with it alot, then i would probably go for the mac pro, just for the luxery factor…

By: Steven

Steven — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:26:20 +0000

For a non-design major, or more simply for one who will need basic functions like word processing/internet (English and Biology double major), which is the smarter buy, Macbook or Macbook Pro?

By: Christina

Christina — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:54:27 +0000

hey guys!
i have been debating for a while whether i should get macbook or macbook pro.
i wanna get 13 inch one, and will be using the laptop for basics.

im a highschooler so i will be mostly doing word processing, surfing on the internet, email, etc.
but i love the new design on macbook pro, plus its keypad.

however i heard people saying that if im only gonna use macbook for basic stuff, then i wont need macbook pro.

i need your advice!! help me!! thanks

By: Dennis

Dennis — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:16:36 +0000

Hey! I need some help right know, im have a very difficult decisicion to take, but im not shure.

I got 2 MB, one is the black MB 13.3 screen, 2.4Ghz, 4Gb Memory, 250 HDD and he other one is a MBP 15.4 screen, 2.0Ghz, 2Gb Ram, and all the features of a MBP like the independient graphics card, backlit keybord, the amazing screen. I have to let go one of both, so, whats better to keep… the MB or the MBP? Please help!

I use it at most for final cut ( video editing)

By: Marcus

Marcus — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 04:15:02 +0000

Hi,

So I’m planning to get a mac, but im not sure which one i should get,
white macbook or 13′ macbook pro unibody.

My main usage will be for dj-ing, and the white mac has already enough specs to have my mixer run with. However, i’m not sure if i should get the mbp cause afterall, ” the faster the better” in my case, especially for dj-ing.

Some advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

By: ash

ash — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:01:11 +0000

Hey guys.. Thanks a lot for all the comments here,, it makes me more confuse, though.

I’m a graphic design student and it’s mandatory to have a mac for some courses.. I’ll be using photoshop, and maybe flash and stuff..
Well, money is a major problem for me.. I have pc at home and wouldn’t change to mac if it’s not for school.

By: David

David — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:39:32 +0000

I bought the 15″ Macbook Pro and have NO regrets at all. It is a piece of art inside and out. Backlit keyboard, magnetic power plug etc. just had to have it. Of course I have more money than sense….eerr HAD more money than sense!

By: pallavi

pallavi — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:59:04 +0000

hi,

i am a editor. and going to edit documentaries or ADs shot on formats like DV, or HD or HDV. I also want to be mobile in handling the machine. but i am confused between macbook and macbook pro. please help and guide me. offcourse money is the matter of concern. i can afford money to buy a macbook pro but then mac pro(desktop) also costs around that much only. so then why buy a MBP? YEEKS…confused…

By: revman

revman — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:00:38 +0000

I bought a MacBook Pro Unibody 2.53 Ghz with 4 Gig Ram and 320Gig Drive and regretting the purchase ever since, and looking to get a MacBook instead. The MacBook Pro is a very nice machine, but resolution wise, it does not deserve the “PRO” term. I do video editing and Photoshop, and keep the NVIDIA 9400M on rather then using use the 9600GT. One thing to thing about when you turn the 9600GT, the Machine becomes uncomfortably hot.

Now if you want to play games, or require the firewire port then that’s a different story, but there is a lot of cheaper and better machines out there then the MacBook Pro for playing games. I personally do not play games. The other thing to think about is, that for carrying day in and day out, the MacBook Pro is a little big and heavy. I think the MacBook is better machine.

Hope this helps.

By: DC810

DC810 — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:57:20 +0000

Hi,
I’m replacing my MB (1GB Ram 120GB HD). I can’t decide if I should get the new MB with 250 HD or the MBP, apart from the size is graphics the only difference? I only use Logic 8 apartand office sodo think I need the extra graphics for £200 GBP more?

By: Joeshmo

Joeshmo — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 05:33:48 +0000

If you want a macbook pro but you’re torn between the performance of a MBP and the price of the MB, go on ebay and you can buy the MBP for a $1650 at the buy it now price!! Brand new, factory sealed, warranty included! it’s a no brainer to me. That’s what I’m gonna do. $1650 is the cheapest I’ve seen it on there at the Buy it now price, but you can ALWAYS find them for $1750! K bye!

By: israel

israel — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 04:30:24 +0000

man i cant choose im in nz and the cost is 1000 dollars more. but i ran a system rating program xsomething, not sure, and the difference between the macbook 2.0ghz, so not even the 2.4 version, in comparison to the 2.4 MBP was about 50 points. and the graphics part of that analysis was only 20 points different. im a student and I do design professionally but 1000 bucks, thats heaps of money.
will i have to upgrade eventaully

By: me

me — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:01:08 +0000

i think macbook is all u need BUT if u do really hardcore photoshop then macbook pro but that will be a bit of a waste cos all the other stuff the macbook will take care of as if it were nothing

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 05:41:12 +0000

If you do any sort of photo or video editing you will need the Pro. The macbook cannot handle it. Yes there is a version of Office for Mac. It’s called Office for Mac. Although I’ve used both Office for Mac, and Apple’s own iWork, and iWork is much better.

By: Kirsten

Kirsten — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 01:54:47 +0000

I’m currently a sophomore highschool student, and I can’t decided between a Macbook or the Macbookpro.

Im going deeply into graphic design when I go on to college, but even now I’m working with it every day on my PC and it sucks.

I’m also a writer, and I do prefer Microsoft Office Word for that, can that also work on a Mac?

Either way, cost is a little bit of an issue, but when I make the purchase I’m really going to use the thing for a long time so I want to make it worth it even if that means saving a little longer.

What im wondering is – does this graphics card really make a difference, and is the Pro a bounding leap better then just the Macbook?

By: Maxpuck

Maxpuck — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:38:24 +0000

I’m deciding wether I should buy a MacBook or a macbook pro. I want the bigger hard Drive but I don’t know if it’s worth it, can someone help me. I also don’t know a bout the price difference.

By: Levi

Levi — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:01:38 +0000

photoshop= Macbook Pro.

bigger canvas, graphics card, more grunt.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:38:17 +0000

Hey guys,

I’m a web developer and wondering whether I should go with the MacBook or the MacBook Pro. I’ll mostly be using Flash, Illustrator and Photoshop.
Is the extra graphics really needed? Advice please! ;p

By: stevey c

stevey c — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:02:00 +0000

hey guys im having the sam trouble aswell i would be using my macbook or macbook pro for all 6th form stuff, alot of word processing, i do alot of gaming on, playing fps and mmorpg at a fairly high level, i listen to alot of music and love my quality, im also in a band so need the audio editing side and i spend an awful lot of time surfing the web and i would be taking it everywhere so mobility is a big factor . . . i love the power of the macbook pro but im worried its a tad over kill, which to go for guys?

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:31:10 +0000

Nate you’d be fine with a MB. I’m getting the MBP because I’m a college student, and I play some games, do a lot of music and video, and photoshop…I also couldn’t handle the smaller screen lol. But I think the MBP are more “Futureproof” because of Snow Leopard (the new Mac OS coming out in ‘09), which will take advantage of the dual GF Cards.

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:07:47 +0000

I bought the latest MacBook from Sydney Apple store, have been using it for one week. Everything was fine except for the 13” screen. It’s really painful. I like larger font, when I use larger font, it’s really hard to read. Though I could adjust myself, but I find it a nightmare to live in such a condition for the next few years.

I used IBM T30 for the previous three years, I found my productivity was even lower with a much more powerful laptop that has a smaller screen size. I think the importance of screen size is underestimated by too many people, including myself. I need to pay extra $AUD1100 for a MBP if they allow me to change the machine, but as Economics textbook tells us, “Rational People think at the margin”, if I could get my productivity back and be more productive, I will go for it.

By: Nate

Nate — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 23:27:50 +0000

I have been a PC user for my entire life and my most recent PC is about to eat it, so I am contemplating a Mac since those are the rage right now. I am a financial planner, so I don’t play games, don’t do any design/publishing work, or don’t produce music/videos. I mostly need a laptop for word processing, spreadsheets, software that is comparable to Microsoft Office, web browsing, music for my iPod, basic computing abilities, and something that isn’t ridiculously heavy. I am used to a 15″ screen, but I think that I can adapt to a 13″ screen. My instincts tell me that a Macbook is all that I need especially with the upgrades since this thread was first started, but I just want to get others input. Is it relatively easy to understand Mac coming from PC?

By: maurizio

maurizio — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:47:26 +0000

what should i buy? mac book pro or macbook ? what is the deal with the dual graphics: you have to log in and logout to use the other chip.???

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:28:38 +0000

If you want to play games you’ll probably need the pro. New macbooks come out on Tuesday October 14th.

By: John

John — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:34:04 +0000

I’m also unsure of which to get. I want to use either one for online games, surfing and hwk. I wouldn’t be using it for video editing or anything like that but i want the macbook pro because it is faster better graphics and looks better which should i get?

By: William

William — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:59:52 +0000

I have had a pc my whole life. And finally after complaining about my how much I detest my pc for a year, my dad finally agreed to have his windows laptop and the pc in his office and buy a mac for my room. So yesterday, I went to the Apple store to either buy a macbook or a macbook pro.
I really liked the pro, but some of my family/ friendstold me to go macbook. This made me unsure because they got me thinking that I wouldnt use all that the macbook pro would give me and I only needed a macbok for my daily life.Anyways, at the store, I still could not decide by myself. The Apple store has a very nice and intelligent staff that is here to help you and specializes in situations like this. The staff member asked me what I would use my labtop for and she told me the differences between the labtops. She said, because of my extensive video editing/ picture editing/ video games and using many programs at at once the macbook pro would be best for me. Also, the macbook pro is more of an investment then the macbook and macbook air, as the macbook is an older model and the macbook air doesnt have alot of memory and costs alot for less then the macbook and macbook pro has to offer. So my dad and I agreed, that even though the macbook pro costs more, we would buy it. (Yay!)
Even though it has only been 1 day, I love my macbook pro!
Hope this helps!

By: jeqal

jeqal — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:54:01 +0000

Yeah,
I’ve been debating on Macbook Pro or an ibm clone. I would love a tablet but I want to run Visual studio 2008 and the university I go to is supplying virtual pc. I have an external HD that is ntfs so not sure if that will work with a mac. I have my songs on it, so won’t try to switch it to fat 32 until the songs are somewhere else. No room on my hard drive on the other laptop anymore….I’m thinking of a refurbished. Any other thoughts? I was looking at HP because of the price but HP, Dell and Gateway I have had negative experiences with. My Acer and Toshiba are great, I think Asus and acer at the same so have been leaning towards Acer because the Toshiba’s that I have been looking at don’t have the dedicated memory that I’m looking for. Anyhow great blog.

By: Ajohnson

Ajohnson — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 02:28:55 +0000

Just bought a MBP, we’ll see how it goes. I’m installing Leopard as I type.

By: Megan Pros

Megan Pros — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:48:07 +0000

I am going through the same decision process as well about buying the new black macbook vs. a macbook pro. I’m am a college student about to start my senior year of undergrad with plans of continuing my education. I have been using an IBM thinkpad running windows 2000 for the past 3 years, and it was used by a business before I got it. It has run its course, and I’ve decided to buy a new laptop and switch to mac.

What I would be doing on my computer includes movies, web browsing, Microsoft office stuff, and Photoshop (as a hobby, I’m not a graphics design major).

With my student discount the price difference between the BMB and the 15″ MBP is $400, is it worth it?

They have the same 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, and 2 GB memory. The BMB acutally has a 250 GB (5400 rpm) hard disk drive while the MBP has 200 GB (5400 rpm) hard disk drive.

The main difference I’m seeing, besides the screen size, is the graphics processor which is an Intel GMA X3100 with 144 MB shared memory for the BMB vs. a NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT Graphics with 256 MB memory for the MBP…so is it worth the extra $400?

By: Ankorprok

Ankorprok — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:59:21 +0000

Hi guys, like others said… WHAT A THREAD !!

I was confused before reading it.
I am confuse after reading it.
DAMN !

Ok, I have the money for MB and MBP. I can’t choose, but I need it really quickly.

FACTS:

-I’m gonna do basic stuff (office, mails etc..) (Dont need pro)

-I’ll have to work with Autocad, UGS NX5, Solidworks, photoshop. Do I need pro for those programs ?

-Some video editing (I’m pretty sure I dont need Pro, because I’m not..)

-I WAS a gamer, now I dont spend much time on gaming but I like playing Warcraft 3 sometimes. Maybe in futur I’ll start a new game like Diablo3 or Starcraft2, but this is gonna be in so many years…

-Lifetime… 2 years before Macbook is crap, nothing will run anymore on it ! 1500$ on 24 month is expensive. MBP offer me 4 years ? 2500$ on 48 month

-Bigger screen ? I dont really need it… I need a computer, not a TV.

CONCLUSION:

I dont REALLY need Pro but I would like to run some games in the futur… so I WILL need pro…

If we look timelife vs cost, I dont think there is such a difference, MB could be an option less expensive. I would not say no to 1000$ more in my bank account…

So… I think I’m gonna go Macbook and just dont play new games… sad…

What do you think ?

To close my message, I must say that Apple is really wise ! Look at us, unable to chosse between TWO computer ! Haha It’s easier to buy a PC even if there is 1 milion possible configuration !!

Have a good Day, Thank you !
Carl

By: AppleSuperFan

AppleSuperFan — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:54:24 +0000

oops typo… (unless you are a gamer who needs huge Nvidia graphics memory then screw the 512 MBs on the Pro)

By: AppleSuperFan

AppleSuperFan — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:52:44 +0000

!!! —— Please read this since I’ve been loving macs for years and I’ve studied every little difference between macbook and macbok pro…GO WITH THE MACBOOK!!! Many of the posts here I see that people prefer the Macbook Pro because of graphics. You see, with the MacBook the graphics are not seperate, so they take 144 MB from your RAM… heck you can get 4GB of that. You want to make documents, work with Photoshop, basic audio/video editing, and probably just surfing the internet… last time I checked none of those need a super fast processor. The only difference between the Macbook and the Macbook Pro are: size (macbook is more portable), processor (Pro is only 0.1 – 0.2 GHz faster), and graphics (unless you are a games who needs huge Nvidia graphics memory than screw the 512 MBs on the Pro)

By: sluntmother

sluntmother — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:46:37 +0000

Im in the same boat…heading off to film school mid aug. and still don’t have a comp. I am lusting after the current mbp, but i know that they will upgrade them in september…but i need a computer for school. should i just buy a upgraded macbook then upgrade to the pro after a year or so?

By: Pearl M.

Pearl M. — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:04:41 +0000

Mary Ryan, I’m also going through the same problem.

My major is Media Arts and Animation, so I’ll probably be using a lot of Photoshop, Illustrator and Macromedia Flash, and I’ve been reading all of these entries, but I still can’t decide which one to buy.

Price is definitely an issue, but if I have to I’ll just wait to save enough money. But I was wondering if for someone who is majoring in Animation, if the Macbook can do the same job as the macbook pro?

I know the graphic card for the MBP is much better, but can the macbook also do the job?

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:59:26 +0000

http://www.macrumors.com

“AppleInsider claims that Apple resellers have received notice that MacBook, MacBook Pro and iPod supplies will become constrained in the coming weeks. Apple expects to decrease production of these models and, as a result, Apple is recommending that resellers stock up on supplies now to last them through August.
Based on past experiences and knowledge of their own inventory sell-through, those resellers who received the bulletin believe the notice is a strong indicator that Apple will begin introducing its holiday consumer electronics and Mac offerings sometime in early to mid-September.

Apple has refreshed their iPod lineup in September for the past 2 years and is widely expected to do the same again this year. Apple’s free iPod Touch Back to School promotion coincidentally ends on September 15th.

Rumored possibilities include a new iPod touch, “tall” iPod nano, MacBook with glass trackpad, newly designed MacBook Pros, and, of course, a Mac tablet. “