Really undecided about which macbook

square_imp · 17 Feb 2008 at 21:39

Hey,

I am looking to order a new macbook tomorrow with HE discount as a replacement for my PC which I have just sold. The question is which model to go for, I keep changing my mind between the bottom model and the middle model. I will be getting 2GB of ram to go in it as well.

I will be using it for only really basic things like internet browsing, itunes some iwork stuff and some photo work. The differences are:

Lower model - £600 with HE discount:
80GB HDD
2.0Ghz Core 2
combo drive

Middle model - £713 with HE discount:
120GB HDD
2.2Ghz Core 2
superdrive

Basically the internal storage doesn't bother me as I am going to be using a 500GB HDD in a caddie for storage anyway.

My question is it worth the extra cash for a superdrive and slightly faster processor? I am tending towards the cheaper one as I am not going to be doing much to tax the cpu and these days USB sticks are more common for file transfer.

Just wondered what everyone's opinion is?

pc-modd · 17 Feb 2008 at 21:57

I would get the lower model, sounds like you cant justify the extra features for £113 more and that will pay for your RAM upgrade and more

J1234 · 17 Feb 2008 at 22:27

Get the lower model.

If you're sure you don't need the SuperDrive. 200Mhz increase in processor speed isn't going to be much noticeable. And, as you said, you wont need the extra HDD space.

FreeStream · 17 Feb 2008 at 22:37

What kind of photo work?

I have a MBP and in light room I sometimes wish I could have that extra 200Mhz.

Although that could change with 4Gb...

hyper_piper45 · 18 Feb 2008 at 10:57

I was in this position and i went for the middle model. £113 is not that much really and if you spend the extra you get the extra specs plus you won't be thinking, 'should i have got the better one' all the time.

iSam · 18 Feb 2008 at 12:09

Go with the lower model. There's no point spending £113 on a few more MHz and a bit more storage space.

gumbald · 18 Feb 2008 at 12:56

I went for the middle model, I wasn't sure how much difference it would make and didn't want to regret not having a DVD burner. That said, I'm only using 20gb of the 120gb HDD and the CPU only gets taxed when I'm running something in Matlab...

and I've not yet burnt a DVD on it

EDIT: Yes I have! 1

square_imp · 18 Feb 2008 at 14:52

Right, have ordered now, went for the cheaper model, decided the extra £110 ish wasn't worth it for me, now I just have to wait for a couple of days for it to arrive, cant wait

p.s then I can change my signature as well.

J1234 · 18 Feb 2008 at 14:56

Cooooool

You'll like it!

pc-modd · 18 Feb 2008 at 16:19

Will i get HE discount for being at college?

J1234 · 18 Feb 2008 at 16:23

Are you taking a higher education course? E.g. degree? If not then no, you're not 'supposed' to get it.

But just do what me and most people on here do, try ringing up and blagging it, pretend you're in uni and they usually don't ask for confirmation.

If that fails, then you can use the FE discount as you're in college.

meghatronic · 18 Feb 2008 at 16:59

^ The law breaking that goes on on these forums is phenomenal.

square_imp · 20 Feb 2008 at 12:24

Arrived early this morning, really happy thus far, will get the obligatory pictures up in a bit.

iSam · 20 Feb 2008 at 12:34

jdickerson said:
^ The law breaking that goes on on these forums is phenomenal.

Yea phenomenal... :rolleyes:

J1234 · 20 Feb 2008 at 13:07

jdickerson said:
^ The law breaking that goes on on these forums is phenomenal.

Hardly law breaking, it's Apples fault for making it so easy for us to blag, they should be more strict if people are getting upset about it 'breaking law'.

square_imp · 20 Feb 2008 at 14:25

The magic box:

Changing ram to 2GB:

First startup:

Got a few questions as well. Seeing as I am a few hours into my first mac experience I am feeling like a bit of a noob

1. How do you change tabs in safari if you a few open?
2. What are the short-cuts for copy and paste?
3. Can time machine be setup to use like half of my 500GB external? If so how?

iSam · 20 Feb 2008 at 14:35

square_imp said:
The magic box:

Changing ram to 2GB:

First startup:

Got a few questions as well. Seeing as I am a few hours into my first mac experience I am feeling like a bit of a noob

1. How do you change tabs in safari if you a few open?
2. What are the short-cuts for copy and paste?
3. Can time machine be setup to use like half of my 500GB external? If so how?

1. Dont understand what you mean, change tabs? Just click on the tab you want... or am I missing something?

2. Command (one with the apple logo on) + C (copy) or X (cut) or V (paste).

3. I think you have to partition the drive yourself. Not a 100% on this one.

square_imp · 20 Feb 2008 at 14:40

for 1. Is there a keyboard shortcut tat does the same thing?

3. Where are the settings that allow me to partition drives?

Thanks

Scythe · 20 Feb 2008 at 14:53

square_imp said:
for 1. Is there a keyboard shortcut tat does the same thing?

3. Where are the settings that allow me to partition drives?

Thanks

Disk utility

Felix E · 20 Feb 2008 at 16:07

square_imp said:
1. How do you change tabs in safari if you a few open?

I'd like to know this one too.. what he means (I think) is is there a way to switch through them as you would using alt+tab for programs.

Hope you enjoy the Macbook square, I love mine, although it squeaks with the power connector plugged in. it's very hot these days too, 58 C with cpu 80% idle :S

Felix