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Home Theater Forum > Other Diversions > Computers and HTPC > Apple and Macintosh
[ Possible Macbook purchase. Have some questions. ]

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Old 01-28-2008, 08:50 AM   #1 of 14
LDfan
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Possible Macbook purchase. Have some questions.


I might be making the plunge for my first Mac and was looking at the Macbook.

How do you keep the white finish from getting all dirty and dingy? The black is nicer but not worth getting nailed for a couple hundred bucks.

Has anyone here ever regretted getting a Macbook instead of a Macbook Pro? Granted I'd rather get a 15" Macbook Pro but at twice the cost.

Thanks,
Jeff
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Old 01-28-2008, 12:16 PM   #2 of 14
DaveF
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Re: Possible Macbook purchase. Have some questions.


Quote:
Originally Posted by LDfan
Has anyone here ever regretted getting a Macbook instead of a Macbook Pro? Granted I'd rather get a 15" Macbook Pro but at twice the cost.
Thanks,
Jeff
DaveF's two rules of computer shopping are:
1) The best time to buy a computer is always tomorrow
2) Never look at prices for six months after buying.

You made me realize I should add a third rule.

3) Never feel regret for staying in budget


I got the 15" MBP for three basic reasons: (bluntly) I hate the MB keyboard, the screen is too small, and I wanted a faster machine. But the MB is a good computer in its own right, and depending on your uses, might suit you better overall. It's more portable, less expensive, and still a zippy system.
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Old 01-29-2008, 12:48 AM   #3 of 14
Michael_K_Sr
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Re: Possible Macbook purchase. Have some questions.


Actually it's the black MacBook that shows the fingerprints. The white model hides them. If it starts looking a little dirty, just use a cloth lightly dampened with water. Don't use any commercial cleaning products, especially anything abrasive.

The MBP has a better video card, so it's better for games and video rendering. Other than that, the MacBook is an excellent performer. Just make sure you get it with at least 2GB of RAM.
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Old 01-29-2008, 04:14 AM   #4 of 14
Ronald Epstein
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Re: Possible Macbook purchase. Have some questions.


Two of my co-workers own a Macbook, thanks in part to the
growing amount of recommendations traveling through our
large workforce.

In any event, as I helped these co-workers install software,
I couldn't help but be impressed with the Macbook. Both units
only had a gig of ram installed. I noticed that software installation
was slower than my MBP. However, on a whole, it's a nice simple
laptop that performs very well.





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Old 01-29-2008, 02:22 PM   #5 of 14
LDfan
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Re: Possible Macbook purchase. Have some questions.


Awesome. Thanks for the input guys.

Jeff
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Old 01-29-2008, 03:58 PM   #6 of 14
Carlo Medina
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Re: Possible Macbook purchase. Have some questions.


If you do go 2GB, buy from another online vendor (I use www . macsales . com) as you'll pay about 1/2 what Apple wants to charge you for RAM. Also, HD is user upgradable on the Macbook (whereas the MBP requires surgery - but I did it anyway, and succesfully! ), so perhaps going with the smaller HD option and then buying a 200GB 7200RPM HD would be the way to go. Then get an external firewire 2.5" SATA HD enclosure and the drive that came with your Macbook would make for a killer portable external HD.

But I digress...
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Old 01-30-2008, 08:19 AM   #7 of 14
LDfan
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Re: Possible Macbook purchase. Have some questions.


Thanks! I know that RAM is cheaper elsewhere like on kingston.com but I never gave much thought to the hard drive.

On another note: I'm amazed at the enthusiasm that you all show for this stuff! I'm hoping to rekindle some excitement of learning new IT stuff by getting a Mac. I think that living and breathing in the windows world day in and day out for all these years has really made things boring.

Jeff
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Old 01-30-2008, 09:20 AM   #8 of 14
Ronald Epstein
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Re: Possible Macbook purchase. Have some questions.


Jeffrey,

Just do us a favor and keep us all up-to-date on your
initial impressions and experiences with your Mac.





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Old 01-30-2008, 12:10 PM   #9 of 14
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Re: Possible Macbook purchase. Have some questions.


I'm a bit of a poweruser and I have ZERO complaints with my stock macbook. PS-CS3, Lightroom, Windows gaming, it eats em up. Little more ram wouldnt hurt but it's a tremendous value, especially if you bootcamp it. I'd love a MBP but its a LOT heavier and ridiculously priced.



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Old 01-30-2008, 01:54 PM   #10 of 14
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Re: Possible Macbook purchase. Have some questions.


Quote:
Originally Posted by LDfan
On another note: I'm amazed at the enthusiasm that you all show for this stuff! I'm hoping to rekindle some excitement of learning new IT stuff by getting a Mac. I think that living and breathing in the windows world day in and day out for all these years has really made things boring.

Jeff
People 'round here are all a bit touched, if you know what I mean. Join at your own risk...

Actually, your last comment is just why I bought my Mac last summer: I'd become bored with computers, and wanted to enjoy my computing endeavors again. Switching to the Mac was the shock my system needed. Being forced to learn a new system, new software, having to reconfigure a computer from scratch for my needs has brought the fun back. And this is a tremendously helpful group to g