Macintosh advice please! (FAO Macbook owners)

DarkShadow

DarkShadow

DarkShadow

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I'm currently in a bit of a dilemma so I'd appreciate any advice given.

Here's the scenario: About 3-4 Months ago I bought Mini Mac from our very own MM (Cheers Neil). It was my first Mac. The Mini was used as a HTPC, It was hooked up to our Toshiba 37WLT66. It was fantastic, as I could browse the web and play all sorts of media files in our lounge. It was then that I had fallen in love with the mac, the UI is hawt :D

Anyhow, I sold the mini roughly 6 weeks ago hoping to buy an Intel Version (It was a top spec G4). Now the time has come to buy a new one. A few days ago whilst browsing the Mac website I saw the gorgeous Macbook. I checked out the price with HE discount and it was . . affordable (although really pushing my funds) also with me having to sell my mp3 player (Explained later). I thought to myself it would only cost an extra £360 to have a mini mac + the portability of one! It practically has similar specs of a mini and the onboard graphics seem like they would support our TV (With a few cables).

Now my parents are paying essentially £500 for it (As they initially bought the mini and have agreed to give some extra to fund towards a (notebook).

Now after doing a fair amount of research it seems I can run 3 OS's which is really the main buying aspect for me as I'll be studying Software Engineering at University.

I have however seen a fair amount of negatives, firstly the most concerning issue is that it seems the macbook has discolouration issues? I really would go for the black version but I honestly can't afford it. Could anyone elaborate more on this?

The second issue is RAM. For 3 OS's to be running smoothly 2GB seems most Ideal. Apple's prices are pretty ludicrous. I was thinking of holding off with 512mb until I find a decent set of 2GB of ram for a reasonable price. This then brings me onto my next question. Is it simple to install ram on the macbook? I had very little time to experiment with the mini, so would it be as simple as slotting in the sticks? Also I'd like to see any information regarding the technical side of RAM useage. Does it run in dual channel? Is it possible to mix and match without peformance loss etc . .

My last question probably the main deciding factor. I've heard rumours that a new macbook is due. Now having sold my mp3 player purely for the reason of knowing that I will get £100 off an Ipod. I'm stuck for choice on whether I should get it before the promotion ends or after, if it's really worth the wait? Has anyone got Idea on what will be done, will be a revamp on the model or just cpu or similar?

I'd really appreciate if anyone could offer any advice/opinions on whether it's a good/bad move. I'd also like to hear user experiences.

Thank you for your time :)
 
1 tip! don't buy ram from apple, they wanted £360 for 2Gb ram upgrade for the MBP, i just bought some for £180, and I still have the old stuff to sell. expensive but worth it hopefully.

Lots of people say that apple are bringing out a new MBP/MB on the 25th but to be fair they have been saying that for ages, it could be 6 months. I'm also guessing if they do the Student+iPod deal wont apply to it, just like it didnt to the new iPods.
 
I trust my advice is welcome?

Discoloration has been dealt with, all machines before week 25 are subject to an apple care notice, ie if you call them, they will replace the top plastics (inc keyb and screen bezel).

RAM is VERY easy to fit. I ordered a standard macbook, and 2gb of ram seperately. I fitted the 2gb sticks before I even powered on my macbook. Anyone with a small phillips screwdriver can fit the ram.

As for timing to buy.....
I'd buy now, to ensure the £100 off ipod as you say. I wouldn't be surprised if they dropped the special deal IF an updated model came out.

I'm very happy with my macbook, although I am currently typing this in Vista RC1 running with Bootcamp! :)

A very versatile machine and one I would recommend WITHOUT question.
 
'I have however seen a fair amount of negatives, firstly the most concerning issue is that it seems the macbook has discolouration issues? I really would go for the black version but I honestly can't afford it. Could anyone elaborate more on this?'

- The discolouration issue isn't a massive problem in terms of number of people it has effected. You usually find the majority of users on Apple's forums complaining is a relatively low number compared to how many people have a problem free Macbook. I've had no issues with mine, nor has my girlfriend or her Dad. There have been the problems with the logicboard which have been forcing shutdowns, but Apple has acknowledged the problem and new logic board revision have sorted it out.

'The second issue is RAM. For 3 OS's to be running smoothly 2GB seems most Ideal. Apple's prices are pretty ludicrous. I was thinking of holding off with 512mb until I find a decent set of 2GB of ram for a reasonable price. This then brings me onto my next question. Is it simple to install ram on the macbook? I had very little time to experiment with the mini, so would it be as simple as slotting in the sticks? Also I'd like to see any information regarding the technical side of RAM useage. Does it run in dual channel? Is it possible to mix and match without peformance loss etc . .'

- The installation is really simple, it's like you say, a case of slotting it in securely, takes a few minutes (there are videos on youtube). The Macbook comes with 512MB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300) on two SO-DIMMs. You can't mix and match as far as I know. If you want 2gb it must be 2x1gb sticks of the same brand, speed etc.
I would recommend 2gb of RAM if your going to be using multiple OS's. OS X runs much much smoother on 1gb with the effects on.

'My last question probably the main deciding factor. I've heard rumours that a new macbook is due. Now having sold my mp3 player purely for the reason of knowing that I will get £100 off an Ipod. I'm stuck for choice on whether I should get it before the promotion ends or after, if it's really worth the wait? Has anyone got Idea on what will be done, will be a revamp on the model or just cpu or similar? '

- The stumbling block, do you hold out for the better processor, or cash in on the ipod offer. Personally, if you can hold off until the Apple event on the 25th I would (not sure when the promotion ends). Chances are if the Macbook/pro range are going to be updated to coreduo 2 soon, then it's likely to be announced then, or just before. In terms of computing power, it's only 10% or so on current 32-bit apps which wouldn't make that much of a difference. It would allow more future proofing in terms of 64-bit and Leopard, but if your content with your 32-bit environment then it probably isn't worth it.
The iPod offer is pretty decent and at the end of the day your getting a nice laptop and £100 off an iPod. Only you can make the choice. Best move I made going over to a Mac and OSX
 
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I've got a MacBook just coming a week now and so far - I love it. With only 1GB, it feels smooth and responsive (apart from when HDD intensive task like loading games, copying large files). Relatively good for gaming games which isn't graphic intensive e.g. Warcraft 3, Jedi Academy.

Still no decolouration, which is good.

From my other post said:
Personally, I'm sure Apple will update the macBook Pro range first to C2D solely due to the amount of C2D chips available and the "premium" of a macBook Pro, I doubt there'll be enough for a simultaneous launch of C2D MacBook/pro. That's my 2 cents anyway.

Just got a MacBook and I've seen benchmarks on them C2D - as impressive as they look, IMO, seeing as the macBook isn't suppose to be a powerhouse for gaming and major 3D rendering, I think the current core duo range is sufficient, it'll be more useful in the macBook pro range.
Click to expand...
Just buy the macbook if you like it, especially when coupled with £100 off an iPod.
 
I would wait until the 25th as the £100 ipod rebate will be available until the 7th october. If nothing happens on 25th then who knows when the update will be out, tbh there will always be an 'update' on the way, you'll just be waiting forever if you keep waiting for it.

CocoPops said:
I trust my advice is welcome?

Discoloration has been dealt with, all machines before week 25 are subject to an apple care notice, ie if you call them, they will replace the top plastics (inc keyb and screen bezel).

RAM is VERY easy to fit. I ordered a standard macbook, and 2gb of ram seperately. I fitted the 2gb sticks before I even powered on my macbook. Anyone with a small phillips screwdriver can fit the ram.

As for timing to buy.....
I'd buy now, to ensure the £100 off ipod as you say. I wouldn't be surprised if they dropped the special deal IF an updated model came out.

I'm very happy with my macbook, although I am currently typing this in Vista RC1 running with Bootcamp! :)

A very versatile machine and one I would recommend WITHOUT question.
Click to expand...
also just want to ask cocopops something.
cocopops, how much ram u got in your macbook?
would it be worth me trying vista rc with just 512 ram?
 
I've got 2gb, fitted it before I even booted up for the first time, so I only know that it flies :)

With Bootcamp, you can partition, try Vista, then delete the partition if you don't like it as if nothing ever happened :)
 
My only advice would be to wait for the merom chips inside the MB/MBP. This will bring on a second revision of the notebook, probably greatly improved to combat all the complaints the first revision has had.
 
I have a (very slight) discolouration on my MacBook, although you have to stare at the spot where it is for a couple of seconds to be able to actually see it so i'm not especially bothered at the moment. Other than that it's all perfect :D

Does anyone know if it's ok to just wander into an Apple Store with my MacBook and ask them to fix it there and then or would they take it for a day or so?
 
I got 2Gb RAM for ~ £90.00 a couple of weeks ago, but the price has jumped since then.

The RAM was easy to install, although you will need a very small Philips screwdriver.
 
FirebarUK said:
I think you can walk into an iSupport place and do that, but not an Apple Store...
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Well according to the guy in the thread I quoted they will accept a photocopy of one of the barcodes.
 
Thanks everyone :)

Does the motherboard accept any DDR2 ram or does it have to be notebook specific? I.e SODIMM?

And £100 rebate, is it on any ipod or just the Nano's?
 
Well according to the guy in the thread I quoted they will accept a photocopy of one of the barcodes.
Click to expand...

OH, afaik it was only an iSupport place that would repair immediately and organise pickup etc. I thought an Apple Store would simply send it on to an iSupport place.
 
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