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Macbook or Macbook Pro?
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Kane
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
23
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1772
Posted : Sep 2, 2008 09:43:38
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It's finally time to get a new laptop, after using this terrible Compaq for 2 years, and I'm completely sure that I want to go with a Mac, but I'm having trouble deciding between the Macbook and Macbook Pro. So, for those of you that actually own one or have had a lot of experience with Apple computers, is the Macbook Pro really worth an extra $700, instead of a 2.4 gHz Macbook?
Normally I would never consider buying the Pro, because $2000+ is just too much for me to spend on anything, but I recently found out that my friend who works at an Apple store can get me a 25% discount, which would make the Macbook Pro roughly the same price as a 2.4 gHz Macbook.
Background info:
I use Ableton Live, Reaktor (as a standalone and vst), and MaxMSP for production, and recently I've started working with video just as much as music.
  You believe in the users?
Yeah, sure. If I don't have a user, then who wrote me? |
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Servellen
Started Topics :
5
Posts :
42
Posted : Sep 2, 2008 09:58
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The main difference is that the Pro has a proper video card in it, 2GB RAM + CD/DVD write as a standard and a 15" screen.
The Macbook has no video card and uses CPU to process graphics, 1GB RAM standard, and only the cheapest standard model has only CD ROM.
I am really happy with my Macbookpro, think it is the best computer I ever bought. Sometimes people like the macbook more because of the smaller size, so its easier to take with you, and I think the battery lasts a bit longer.
hope that helps.
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Wicked Legal Affordable Music Downloads in CD Quality |
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noizbox
Started Topics :
7
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77
Posted : Sep 2, 2008 11:16
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in your position i would wait for the new updated,redesigned models with the new processors that rumors say they'll be out next month more or less at the same price range.MBs and MBPs..also because the current model's nvidia graphics card seems to fail after a year or so.. |
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hugaw
Started Topics :
7
Posts :
319
Posted : Sep 2, 2008 12:38
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I use a Macbook 2Ghz loaded with 2Gb of Ram and i must say that it works quite well...With Cubase 4 and a Firebox it is really fast. BUT i wish i could upgrade to Pro one day : largest screen, video card (oh yeah), perfs and also express card/PCMCIA slot (to connect UAD stuff for example).
Just wait for the new arrival and see |
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brasirc
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
10
Posts :
299
Posted : Sep 2, 2008 12:52
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forget macs...
go for a Lenovo T61P
better graph card then macbook pro (actually the same, but if im not mistaken, MBP's uses DDR2 while t61p uses DDR3...and there is a huge diff between both of them)
same processor (if not better), just as much memory (if not more) one of the strongest laptops out there (unless you buy a rugged one)
and guess what? you pay less then half the price =) i bought mine with a 2.5ghz penryr, 3 gb ram, the best graph card and everything...for just 1200 USD
(oh yeah, no stupid mac OS...so you wont have to bootcamp, woohoo!!)
un-fucking-believable |
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subconsciousmind
SCM
Started Topics :
37
Posts :
1033
Posted : Sep 2, 2008 14:17
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wait for the redesigned models, than, most probably go for pro... (assuming that the differences will be similar.)
By the way.. I just switched to mac, not only hardware, also software.
I'm soo happy. After 15!Years of PC windows and Apple hatered I finaly commited treason (due to vista) And I'm happy!
By The Way. Many new notebooks don't deliver XP drivers anymore.
Macs DO! Installing WinXP on my mac was easier than installing it on a normal laptop, since the Mac install tool for the drivers works like a charm with two clicks. I still have win XP on my mac for occassional use of progs or plugs not available for PC. but the longer the more I use only osx. Most of my music for you to download at:
http://www.subconsciousmind.ch |
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Kane
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
23
Posts :
1772
Posted : Sep 2, 2008 14:29
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Quote:
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On 2008-09-02 12:52, brasirc wrote:
forget macs...
go for a Lenovo T61P
better graph card then macbook pro (actually the same, but if im not mistaken, MBP's uses DDR2 while t61p uses DDR3...and there is a huge diff between both of them)
same processor (if not better), just as much memory (if not more) one of the strongest laptops out there (unless you buy a rugged one)
and guess what? you pay less then half the price =) i bought mine with a 2.5ghz penryr, 3 gb ram, the best graph card and everything...for just 1200 USD
(oh yeah, no stupid mac OS...so you wont have to bootcamp, woohoo!!)
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Why would I need to do anything with bootcamp? My reason for wanting a macbook/pro is to get away from Vista and XP.
You believe in the users?
Yeah, sure. If I don't have a user, then who wrote me? |
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Kane
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
23
Posts :
1772
Posted : Sep 2, 2008 14:33
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Thanks for the responses, and to all who suggested it, I was going to wait until at least October to do this, just to be safe as far as the redesigned models go..I think I can deal with what I have for a little while. 
Does anyone have any experience buying RAM for a Mac from a usual parts retailer? It seems so much cheaper to just buy one with the lowest amount of memory and upgrade from Tiger Direct or something.
You believe in the users?
Yeah, sure. If I don't have a user, then who wrote me? |
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brasirc
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
10
Posts :
299
Posted : Sep 2, 2008 14:55
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Quote:
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On 2008-09-02 14:17, subconsciousmind wrote:
By The Way. Many new notebooks don't deliver XP drivers anymore.
Macs DO! Installing WinXP on my mac was easier than installing it on a normal laptop, since the Mac install tool for the drivers works like a charm with two clicks. I still have win XP on my mac for occassional use of progs or plugs not available for PC. but the longer the more I use only osx.
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well, some stupid brands (like acer or toshiba) do that (even tho you can still install XP and get all drives working, its just harder and takes longer) but i never had a problem with lenovo for instance, and they even give you an option to send you the laptop with XP installed in it instead of vista....its just a matter of picking a serious brand and a solid laptop instead of a crappy "plastic toy" one...i think thats what gives windows laptops such a bad image, there are so many crappy models out there, and so few good and trustable ones...
and if you're not planning on doing bootcamp, cheers for you m8...is just that i hear so many ppl wanting to buy macs, but first thing they do when they open it is to install windows and never open mac OS, and IMO thats like buying a 6 wheel truck only to take your kid to school, simply stupid =)
un-fucking-believable |
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subconsciousmind
SCM
Started Topics :
37
Posts :
1033
Posted : Sep 2, 2008 15:14
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Quote:
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On 2008-09-02 14:55, brasirc wrote:
well, some stupid brands (like acer or toshiba) do that (even tho you can still install XP and get all drives working, its just harder and takes longer)
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"just" (thats the word I always used for Windows fix, clean and install issues.. thats finally gone for me... so much more time for other things now 
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but i never had a problem with lenovo for instance, and they even give you an option to send you the laptop with XP installed in it instead of vista....
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Wow, thats really great!
I didn't know about that. Definitly a good thing!
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is just that i hear so many ppl wanting to buy macs, but first thing they do when they open it is to install windows and never open mac OS, and IMO thats like buying a 6 wheel truck only to take your kid to school, simply stupid =)
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I think that is because many people had so many hardware problems with selfmade or even brand stock PCs, that they simply don't want to play this lottery anymore. They simply want hardware that is reliable FOR SURE.
Possibly lenovo is like that too. But I had and heard from experiences from sony, dell, acer, hp, thoshiba etc. which makes it sure that you will never be sure to buy something good... with apple there is more trust for many.
Its too much lottery in the PC market. Quality is to unstable.
Most of my music for you to download at:
http://www.subconsciousmind.ch |
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Kitnam
Mantik
Started Topics :
110
Posts :
1151
Posted : Sep 2, 2008 18:43
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a pro got this expander interface, a non pro does not have that. besides of a missing d3 chip the grafik is a little bit milky - a pro is going to draw everything more sharp - important if you do grafics designs and stuff like that without an external monitor.
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Kane
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
23
Posts :
1772
Posted : Sep 2, 2008 19:06
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Quote:
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On 2008-09-02 18:43, Kitnam wrote:
a pro got this expander interface, a non pro does not have that. besides of a missing d3 chip the grafik is a little bit milky - a pro is going to draw everything more sharp - important if you do grafics designs and stuff like that without an external monitor.
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What do you mean by expander interface?
You believe in the users?
Yeah, sure. If I don't have a user, then who wrote me? |
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MadScientist
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
97
Posts :
1220
Posted : Sep 2, 2008 19:41
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defenately a mbp, no doubt if you want to do anything with video.
not that its not possible with a normal macbook, but especially the lack of a real grafics card instead of this junk onboard thingy would be worth it.
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"Have you ever had that feeling where you're not sure if you're awake or still dreaming?"
"Hmm, yeah... All the time, man - it's called mescaline. The only way to fly!" |
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subconsciousmind
SCM
Started Topics :
37
Posts :
1033
Posted : Sep 3, 2008 09:46
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Suntribal
Started Topics :
2
Posts :
92
Posted : Sep 3, 2008 13:26
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yeah,i'd rather wait to see the new models and if there's smthing wrong with them i can get the current mac book pro cheaper |
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