Macbook or Macbook Pro?

I need a laptop, and I want a mac because I prefer the OS. Now, if I were just going to be doing basic work and internet surfing, no gaming because that's what my 360 is for, would the macbook do?

I would upgrade to 2 gigs of ram also.My biggest concern is thes creen size, as I'm not sure if the screen will be large enough.

Yea, a HUGE jump. I mean, when you look at the sum of the parts though. Faster processor, more standard ram, dedicated graphics card, larger screen, and a couple of other things, but as I'm not a PC gamer, and I don't do Multi Media work as a living, I don't really need all of that.

I think I'll just go check out the models they have at Best Buy. Or maybe just go ahead and get the Pro, to be future proof.

One of my biggest problems with Apple's product lineup and one of the deciding factors in going with the MacBook Pro for me was the screen size. There really is no cascade between the different tiers in Apple's hardware lineup like the desktop computesr and notebooks. You can't get the MacBook Pro's screen on a MacBook. You have to get the better hardware, even if the MacBook's hardware is fine for you. There's no way to customize the MacBook Pro'shardware down to the level of the basic MacBook so as to really just get the screen. Besides, for basic chores, the MacBook hardware is perfectly fine. On the desktop line, the same thing is true. The iMac is supposed to be their midrange line, but you of course can't just get the hardware without the built in monitor, which drives the price up significantly. Your alternatives are the Mac mini or the Mac Pro, which are day and night.

I think the miniscule 13" screen is probably something that takes a getting used to, but I think I could deal with it. If you have an Apple store near you, go in and try one out and see if you absolutely hate the screen. In the couple I've used, the screen size was annoying at first but I got a little used to it after a while of use. Of course, even if you hate the screen size, the price jump might be prohibitive and be worth just getting used to the MacBook.

Neither, as a professional in the field, Apple products are worthless.Bobby_Oz

There are a lot of people who use Macs professionally, me included. If by professionally you mean sending email to people in the room next to you and using Microsoft Word, then yeah, it's useless and a chore to use Apple since you have to deal with differences like networking and file formats, but for web designers, graphic artists, and animators, there really is no other choice.

I need a laptop, and I want a mac because I prefer the OS. Now, if I were just going to be doing basic work and internet surfing, no gaming because that's what my 360 is for, would the macbook do?

I would upgrade to 2 gigs of ram also.My biggest concern is thes creen size, as I'm not sure if the screen will be large enough.

BlueTimber

[QUOTE="BlueTimber"]

I need a laptop, and I want a mac because I prefer the OS. Now, if I were just going to be doing basic work and internet surfing, no gaming because that's what my 360 is for, would the macbook do?

I would upgrade to 2 gigs of ram also.My biggest concern is thes creen size, as I'm not sure if the screen will be large enough.

tazzydnc

The name of the "F9/F10/F11" thing is Exposé, one of the first ideas that Microsoft should have stolen when making Vista rather than trying to be creative with their stupid "Flip 3D" thing.

However, I really just want to note that to use that DVI port requires and accessory mini-DVI to DVI adapter, and a mini-DVI to VGA adapter is available too, as well as several other outputs.

[QUOTE="tazzydnc"][QUOTE="BlueTimber"]

I need a laptop, and I want a mac because I prefer the OS. Now, if I were just going to be doing basic work and internet surfing, no gaming because that's what my 360 is for, would the macbook do?

I would upgrade to 2 gigs of ram also.My biggest concern is thes creen size, as I'm not sure if the screen will be large enough.

cricketboy2238

The name of the "F9/F10/F11" thing is Exposé, one of the first ideas that Microsoft should have stolen when making Vista rather than trying to be creative with their stupid "Flip 3D" thing.

However, I really just want to note that to use that DVI port requires and accessory mini-DVI to DVI adapter, and a mini-DVI to VGA adapter is available too, as well as several other outputs.

yeah on the MB pro isn't is a regular DVI port rather than the mini-dvi?

[QUOTE="cricketboy2238"][QUOTE="tazzydnc"][QUOTE="BlueTimber"]

I need a laptop, and I want a mac because I prefer the OS. Now, if I were just going to be doing basic work and internet surfing, no gaming because that's what my 360 is for, would the macbook do?

I would upgrade to 2 gigs of ram also.My biggest concern is thes creen size, as I'm not sure if the screen will be large enough.

mgmeek

The name of the "F9/F10/F11" thing is Exposé, one of the first ideas that Microsoft should have stolen when making Vista rather than trying to be creative with their stupid "Flip 3D" thing.

However, I really just want to note that to use that DVI port requires and accessory mini-DVI to DVI adapter, and a mini-DVI to VGA adapter is available too, as well as several other outputs.

yeah on the MB pro isn't is a regular DVI port rather than the mini-dvi?

The MacBook Pro does, yes, but the regular MacBook has the mini-DVI. My MacBook Pro also came with a DVI to VGA convertor. With the mini-DVI, you'd need both a mini-DVI to DVI convertor and a mini-DVI to VGA convertor to match that kind of compatibility. I use it all the time because I use my DVI in for my home PC and the VGA for the MacBook Pro, which I'm assuming is a position a lot of people would be in. I don't think many people exclusively own a laptop, at least on on these forums.