Macbook or 15" Macbook Pro for web design??

UTTER_FILTH · 31 Oct 2007 at 14:57

Hey everyone,

As the title says, which should I get if I primarily plan on using it for web design, some graphic design (for mock ups, buttons, banners etc, using photoshop/illustartor), email, surfing and watching dvd's...

I understand neither screen size is ideal for design work, but I will be using an external 24" montor the majority of the time.. I'd just like to know would a macbook be powerful enough (graphics wise) for my needs or is wiser to pay the premium for the 15" macbook pro...

I plan on calling apple and trying to blag a HE discount, if that fails I have an ex who is still at uni and is happy to help me out, so that will help cut the price down on both considerably, however if the macbook will do then I'd rather get that and asve the extra money.

Thanks

Ricky

WotDa · 31 Oct 2007 at 15:02

AlexBell · 31 Oct 2007 at 16:24

Macbook will be perfect for what you want to do m8. A lot of people say just go Pro, which i would reccomend if it was your only screen. As you will be designing on a 24" you eliminate that problem

Go 2Gb with a large hd and you'll be fine, PS, DW, Illustrator works very fast on my Core Duo 2gb 1.83ghz Macbook.

There's no way I could justify the cost of a MBP unless I was doing video editing, gaming etc. For graphic design and web design, the Macbook is fine - plus you save a whole chuck of cash!

[Robster] · 31 Oct 2007 at 16:29

Seconded, a MacBook will be fine for web design. If you were doing high-resolution stuff then go Pro...

kvfb97 · 31 Oct 2007 at 17:15

I do that on Macbook and a 22in Monitor. I can find it slug a little with my 22in when moving things about, but nothing extreme. MBP isnt worth it if your only doing that. Too much of a price difference.

shimy182 · 31 Oct 2007 at 17:21

Wouldnt the lack of graphics card upset the mac if you plug it in a 24 inch all of a sudden..

kvfb97 · 31 Oct 2007 at 17:29

shimy182 said:
Wouldnt the lack of graphics card upset the mac if you plug it in a 24 inch all of a sudden..

Yes, probably. But I would think it would still run it ok, though I've only experience of a 22in.

[Robster] · 31 Oct 2007 at 17:31

shimy182 said:
Wouldnt the lack of graphics card upset the mac if you plug it in a 24 inch all of a sudden..

http://www.apple.com/uk/macbook/specs.html said:
Extended desktop and video mirroring: simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 1920 by 1200 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colours

Depends on what resolution the monitor supports...

WotDa · 31 Oct 2007 at 17:31

[Robster];10391171 said:
Depends on what resolution the monitor supports...

1920x1200 I should hope.

kvfb97 · 31 Oct 2007 at 17:46

OT: but I want a 24in now.

WotDa · 31 Oct 2007 at 17:47

kvfb97 said:
OT: but I want a 24in now.

As do I. I'm trying to resist though... Got until Friday morning and then all temptations should go...

lsg1r · 31 Oct 2007 at 18:32

personally I would go macbook if its more for personal use, if its for taking to clients then the extra real estate of the 15" may be better option.

It might also be worth waiting till end of november as there are some strong rumblings of an update being imminent

theheyes · 31 Oct 2007 at 21:37

MacBook.

b0rn2sk8 · 31 Oct 2007 at 22:11

Macbook and 15" Macbook Pro screen resolutions are too small. Tho either will do the the job fine, just hook them up to a external screen.

UTTER_FILTH · 1 Nov 2007 at 10:48

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated..

Im going to wait until the macbook gets its update and then go get myself one..

WotDa · 1 Nov 2007 at 13:12

UTTER_FILTH said:
Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated..

Im going to wait until the macbook gets its update and then go get myself one..

http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/01/apple-macbooks-quietly-updated-to-santa-rosa/

Sinizterguy · 1 Nov 2007 at 14:41

Macbook should be fine. I use my macbook mainly for downloads and media player duties (connected to Dell 2407 @ 1920x1200 to play 720p videos, etc) - it works great.

I tried some development type apps when I first got it and they worked fine. Personally I find my WinXP laptop to be faster for those things. But they work fine on the macbook.

waso_dude · 1 Nov 2007 at 15:17

NEW Macbook at last, its gunna be available to order in the next 48hours

the girls on the phone from apple just confirmed for me )

lsg1r · 1 Nov 2007 at 15:46

yeah the rumours were saying by the end of so its a tad earlier than expected, although kind of a weak upgrade in my view, no led lcd for example (and apple saying they want to change to them) and still only a combi in the low end model.