MacBook Pro

loadsa RAM - google 'crucial memory ' for a good reliable supplier of third party memory - Apple's prices are pretty heavy. Fitting it into a macbook pro is really easy.

Ian

What are the programmes and are they mac compatible.

I am the largest mac fanbois, but even I would suggest purchasing a mac just to run windows is silly.

but the mac runs windows better than a windows machine.

2gRAM and At least a 160g hard drive.

No doubt but its a lot more expensive than a windows machine. Seems such a shame to run windows on it as a matter of course.

quote:

i've only ever used PCs/windows etc - oh! and an old BBC Model B

Now that must have been shock - one minute using the wonderful BBC Micro Model B and then the massive downgrade to Microsoft Windoze - Gates really set the world back didn't he.

I don't think you run Edword on a Mac, but you maybe able to run a RISC OS emulator and EasiWriter Professional+. If only the Archimedes were still in the shops.

Oh well .... at least I can still run my Amiga

Don

I do wonder about the software to be used - most cad programmes are pc based and the various on-screen tools mean that you really need a large screen to avoid madness ie 20"++ I take it this has been factored into the budget?

I doubt you could use a macbook without external monitor for cad work with any less than a 17" screen but these are both expensive and physically large/ heavy to carry around.

I second the recommendation for Crucial to supplement the basic ram - Apple traditionally have a laugh with ripping people off for this.

Sorry to be a bit vague but when choosing models you really need to be clear on how they are going to be used esp standalone or 'desktop' with external monitor/ keyboard/ mouse.

A few more questions of your youngest is my recommendation to refine your 'brief'

Peter

Peter,

I agree, just trying to get a few pointers first so that I can have a meaniful discussion with her.

The most frequently used draughting programmes include AutoCad, Archicad, Sketch-up, Photoshop (full version). The other programmes are standard Word, Excel and Powerpoint for essays, reports and presentations etc.

The university (Nottingham) have desktop PCs with suitably large screens. But they don't seem to have as many as Newcastle (where she did her first degree and Masters). Seems like others have MacBooks which they all use off campus, so there is an element of sheep-following.

I will take a look at the old ThinkPad to see how much rubbish is on board and whether I can increase the Ram.

cheers

Don

Sound slike most of the brunt will be done at college and the macbook for use off iste for touch up in photoshop, word work etc.

Its worht pointing out that a macbookpro is a serious bit of kit, two graphics cards and built from a solide sheet of aluminium, it means business and costs as well.

And of course it will run windows as well.

Shes not going to want to hear you say you will add more ram, thats just a ruse to get a new computer, you should know how this works don.

Don,

do not forget that someone needs to factor in the extra cost of running Windows on the MBP, e.g. Parallels + Windows OS + whatever other windows software may be needed. Whilst I love Apple apps, there are compatibility issues with their Keynote software and Powerpoint. So, it's either MS Office for Mac or she needs straightforward MS Office to run under Windows.

Also, I would strongly recommend some back up software and a portable hard-drive or something more robust. It's not good to commit all your hard work to a single hard-drive.

Can only say good things about the MBP, very happy user but the 4GB RAM comes as standard now on the higher end models I thought. Very handy for layers work in PS.

Huw

quote:

you should know how this works don.

yes gary, that's why i'm hoping you lot can help out

I don't mind coughing up the £2k (although at present she claims she will buy it herself). However, I really need to be sure that this is a "good" move and not a "sheep-following" mistake.

Seems like her ThinkPad has developed a few niggling faults this term - Mouse/NavPad intermittently stop and the screen sometimes goes blank (probably the umbilicle cord between keyboard and screen?)

She accepts that AutoCad won't run on a Mac, but claims she works in ArchiCad/Sketchup anyway! and that Macs in general have better graphics than PCs for finishing work.

She did however, mention an external drive for her ThinkPad with 8GB memory where 4 GB are used as RAM and the other 4 help out with the hard disk storage. ISTR that her ThinkPad only has 512 MB RAM and only 60 GB Hard drive -much of which is used for programmes/back-up programmes etc. She does have an external drive with back-up data and she backs-up to the University each day (allegedly!)

Student discount on the Mac looks like 14%

Cheers

Don

quote:

Originally posted by Ian G.:
loadsa RAM - google 'crucial memory ' for a good reliable supplier of third party memory - Apple's prices are pretty heavy. Fitting it into a macbook pro is really easy.

Ian

I'd avoid 3rd party ram for the time being -- some reports are suggesting problems with various suppliers on the new mbp

Don

Another thought - unless 17" is essential, (I would suggest a laptop this size is verging on making itself a desktop because of bulk and weight), there is alot to be said for the basic macbook for circa £1k. They don't have two graphics cards, but in reality what would dictate the necessity for that on the programmes you have referred to? (I would suggest video editing software would be the main beneficiary); macbook and pro models have the same limits on RAM (4gb); processor speed isn't the major factor it was several years ago.

I would need to have a huge essential driver/ business case to spend much over £1k on a laptop which one drop to the ground later is history (and a few months later will be obsolete).

They do last a long time if looked after and they do look the part, but £2k.....

Peter

We have both a macbook and a macbook pro in the house.

The keyboard on the pro is MUCH better to use for extended periods. Also the backlit keyboard is something I miss on the cheaper macbook. Neither might be deciding factors but factors nonetheless.

Ian

quote:

Originally posted by northpole:
but £2k.....

15" MacBook Pro with 4GB Ram and 14% discount = £1,286. Now that's worth it.

quote:

I'd avoid 3rd party ram for the time being -- some reports are suggesting problems with various suppliers on the new mbp

Jon

The RAM I was refering to was for the ThinkPad - to boost it from 512Mb to (say) 4Gb. I used Crucible about 8 years back to boost my Dell desktop RAM from 64Mb to 192Mb. Perfect.

Are you saying there is a problem with Crucible? or is there a problem with 3rd party RAM being installed in a Mac?

If she bought a Mac, we'd buy it with 4Gb RAM pre-installed.

cheers

Don

Peter,

This morning she was leaning towards a 13" MacBook Pro with 4Gb Ram and 320 Gb hard disc which she could carry back and forth as she currently does with the ThinkPad, plus a 20" or 24" separate Mac Secreen at her home for draughting at home.

I have also been trying to figure out the advantages of a MacBook Pro over the standard MacBook

Thanks for your guidance to date

Cheers

Don

ontano

List price of MacBook Pro 15" with 4 Mb RaM and 320 hard sisc is £1712. so at 14% discount i get £1472.

Am I missing out somewhere?

Cheers

Don

Don,

There are two 15 inch models - 2.4 GHZ and 2.53.

Slightly improved spec on the 2.53 but would you really notice the difference. I would go with the cheaper spec myself and upgrade to 4GB Ram and you'll still have a fab machine.


http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook_pro?mco=MTE4NDY

Cheers

Don - I would go to an Apple store and talk to them. I have found them to be very good and fair with their advice. When I was in there once trying to buying a MacBook Pro for the wife they tried very hard to talk me out of it as I was buying too much kit for what it would be used for. We ended up with a MacBook Air.

They will tell you whether the model would do the job for which you intend to use it.

Don the pro has firewire, larger screen and two graphics cards.

Its a faster machine.
That being said the aluminium macbooks are built in the same one bilt process, and should last well. The 24inch mac LED screen is designed specifically for a new macbook or macbookpro it even has the charger on the screen for them, and would imo represent the best of both worlds for her.