Spec me a MacBook(Pro)

WotDa

WotDa

WotDa

Soldato
Joined
6 Jun 2006
Posts
6,012
Location
Kent
Hi,

I've been sitting on the idea of getting a MacBook(Pro) for a few months now and I was originally planning on waiting it out until Leopard pounced off the shelf. However with Photoshop not working and CS3 round the corner I might aswell get one sooner as I kinda need Photoshop, but alas, I have no disks for the windows version since we moved house last year.

So, I would use the MacBook(Pro) for graphics work, coding, general internet shenanigans and basically everything except for games.

But, when I say no games, I mean no games other than WoW... How would this run on a MacBook? I've not played since I moved to Vista, but the games I have played have been running like a pizza with wheels.

So, in conclusion, MacBook with 2GB of ram, or MacBook Pro? :)

I'm still mindset on a BlackBook, but if you guys can justify the extra screensize, weight and cost I might go for Pro. :)
 
I would say go for the MacBook Pro 15".

I have a 17" MBP myself with 2gb RAM, 2.33Ghz CPU, 160GB HDD and a gloss screen.

It runs WoW amazingly! I was getting steady 60FPS with top settings.

I would say get a Pro because of all the extras you get with the Pro, like Firewire 800, Nicer Case, Better GPU and CPU etc.

Definitely 2gb of RAM on anyting you buy though!

Josh
 
I might be tempted by one then, just looked at the Apple site again, the 15" isn't actually that much heavier, plus it has an illumintaed keyboard... :o

Although, is there anyone like Colorware in the UK? I'd enquire to Colorware about UK shipping, but US layout makes baby Jesus cry.

A black mackbook pro would probably be the desicision maker imo.

Edit: However, more opinons please. :)
 
Last edited:
I'm on the same boat as you really, but will be getting rid of my PC completely as the portability would be better. And I have a monitor I can use the MacBook Pro on, in clamshell mode.
 
The MacBook Pro is a lovely case, wouldnt look right in black imo.

Have you been to your local purple shirt shop and checked out the Mac's?

Josh
 
5bjoshua said:
Have you been to your local purple shirt shop and checked out the Mac's?

Josh
Click to expand...

Yea, went on Sunday, I didn't look at the pro much though, just the normal macbook as thats what the intention was, although as usual they were locked up tighter than a rapist so I couldn't have a play with them, and, of course, they were all grubby.

I'll see if I can visit the other one in the area and ruin their night of chatting in the middle of the store by asking random questions.
 
I had the choice of macbook pro or macbook 2 months ago.

Got the macbook pro and glad I did.
Sold my PC and just use this and my fileserver for everything now, if i had bought the macbook I wouldnt be able to play as many games as I do.

Thought I only played 1 game but turns out I like a few more, including BF2142 which wouldnt have run on a normal macbook without problems I think.

MBP 2.33ghz, 2GB RAM runs like a dream, the only problems I ever have are to do with windows!
 
Glossy or matte? :o

Just got back from the purple shirt place, compared the macbook, the blackbook and the 15 inch pro, i still prefer the look of the macbooks, but I 'need' the bigger screen for photoshop and stuff.
 
i use my macbook for web design, graphics, 3d and 2d animation etc and I have the glossy, just prefer it over the matte.
Some people say the glossy doesn't show the true colours but i've found its fine once you the screen correctly as everything looks very similar on my dell monitor to this
 
I have a MacBook that i use for photo work and web dev :) It's great, and personally i'd go for portability over screen size as you can always add an external monitor if you need it. A blackbook would be cool, and easily powerful enough for photo work... i don't know about games though as i never play them!
 
I have a macbook with 2gb of ram and it handles everything I throw at it, don't play any games mind you. I would like to have a higher resolution at times though as it can be restrictive, but then it's ok when i'm in my room as I just connect it to an apple cinema display
 
If you need the screen real-estate go for the pro.

It's the main reason I chose the Pro over the normal Macbook and I haven't looked back, it runs flawlessly (17" MBP Matte) On that subject.. if you need accurate colours you're going to need a matte screen.

Finally... before people start moaning about the Pro's size (not portable etc) ...

Normal Macbook - 2.75 x 32.5 x 22.7 cm
Pro - 2.59 x 35.7 x 24.3 cm
Click to expand...
A solid 2cm difference on all dimensions ! ;)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
EVH said:
A solid 2cm difference on all dimensions ! ;)
Click to expand...


I noticed that earlier, there really isn't that much in it at all.

Got any pictures of the matte screen? Its a free option, but its best to get it right. :)

Edit: Just noticed, is matte the same as most normal monitors have? :o
 
Last edited:
Yes. Most LCD's ship with a matte screen.

To my knowledge only the Sony VAIO and 1 or 2 other random laptops use the gloss. If you are serious about Photo editing I would suggest the matte, but then you could argue you could get the gloss and connect the MBP to a CRT ;)
 
I would get the MBP 15inch when Leopard comes out (June?) well that's my plan anyway! i have had my 15" powerbook for 2 1/2 years and i find it ideal in terms of size and portability, it fits inside my briefcase (important for me :) ) Personally I wouldn't want a smaller screen,
 
Cheers EVH, It only just clicked that I was sat infront of a Matte screen already!

28ten, that was my plan, wait for Leopard, and save myself £90, but tbh, I'm fed up with windows, Photoshop stopped working, and Adobe don't support CS2 on Vista, so in my eyes its not worth me borrowing disks from someone then using my serial etc on an unsupported product.

And with Leopard release dates moving more freely than illegal immigrants and me promising someone I would go back to WoW in May I find myself buying it earlier than planned.

Edit: One thing I didn't like in the purple shirt place, the mouse movement was so unsensitive it was unbelieveable, I assume theres an option to ramp this up? I like a mouse that zooms across the screen like theres no tomorrow!
 
Last edited:
EVH said:
Yes. Most LCD's ship with a matte screen.

To my knowledge only the Sony VAIO and 1 or 2 other random laptops use the gloss. If you are serious about Photo editing I would suggest the matte, but then you could argue you could get the gloss and connect the MBP to a CRT ;)
Click to expand...

I use my MacBook Pro for photo editing and i have the gloss variant.

Seems good to me? Imo it is better, clearer details and better contrast ratio.

Josh
 
WotDa said:
28ten, that was my plan, wait for Leopard, and save myself £90, but tbh, I'm fed up with windows, Photoshop stopped working, and Adobe don't support CS2 on Vista, so in my eyes its not worth me borrowing disks from someone then using my serial etc on an unsupported product.
Click to expand...
If you need it now buy it now. I think my powerbook would struggle with leopards requirements, so it makes sense for me to wait, because there may be other releases when leopard finally arrives
 
you can change the mouse sensitivity in system preferences, I ahve mine stupidly low for my over-sized mouse mat and I like it low for games and drawing things :)

The argument/discussion about matte vs gloss can go on all day, as i've said I changed all settings on my display to personal preference and its gloss.
I prefer the gloss over matte, its just personal preference really so go and look at both screens to see what you prefer. But remember, if you have any light on the screen with gloss, you can't see anything
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom