First tentative steps into Mac ownership
Posted by: Sloop John B on 18 April 2007
I've decided to replace my creaking IBM thinkpad and am more than likely going to go for a macbook.
So first question is, MacBook or MacBook Pro?
In truth it will be mainly used for browsing, email and office app's, so my question is what will not getting the pro preclude me from doing?
Also is there anything else I should know that may not be too obvious to Windows users.
Thanks
SJB
So first question is, MacBook or MacBook Pro?
In truth it will be mainly used for browsing, email and office app's, so my question is what will not getting the pro preclude me from doing?
Also is there anything else I should know that may not be too obvious to Windows users.
Thanks
SJB
Posted on: 18 April 2007 by garyi
Hi. The macbook pro has a 'proper' graphics card so will be up to bigger tasks such as gaming. All in all its a better faster machine but you pay for it.
However a macbook will do more than you say you need it for. So if gaming is not an issue to you get a macbook.
A couple of things though:
1. Get more ram put in it, this is not an option!
2. Macbooks and Pros have different screens, its important you check them out at an apple store or John Lewis, they also have different keyboards.
3. Both will happily run XP or Vista as well.
You should also be aware that office apps. I.E. Microsoft office does not come with a mac, you need to buy it. Also apple do not have an alternative worth talking about. Everything else you could need software wise will be included though. If you can get one with a superdrive on it for burning DVDs and CDs you won't regret it.
However a macbook will do more than you say you need it for. So if gaming is not an issue to you get a macbook.
A couple of things though:
1. Get more ram put in it, this is not an option!
2. Macbooks and Pros have different screens, its important you check them out at an apple store or John Lewis, they also have different keyboards.
3. Both will happily run XP or Vista as well.
You should also be aware that office apps. I.E. Microsoft office does not come with a mac, you need to buy it. Also apple do not have an alternative worth talking about. Everything else you could need software wise will be included though. If you can get one with a superdrive on it for burning DVDs and CDs you won't regret it.
Posted on: 18 April 2007 by Ian G.
I bought a macbook pro almost a year ago now - my first Apple and no regrets here at all.
More RAM is never a waste.
Ian
More RAM is never a waste.
Ian
Posted on: 18 April 2007 by Guido Fawkes
The MacBook Pro has a much nicer feel to it and an excellent keyboard, much better than the MacBook. Otherwise, I just noticed the latest MacBook runs at the same speed as my MacBook Pro and can also take 2GB RAM. The MacBook has a 13 inch screen, whereas I've got a 17 inch screen and my hard drive has quicker access times. The latest MacBook Pro is higher spec than mine. So if you just use it to run Safari, Mail and NeoOffice then the MacBook is fine, but try the keyboard to make sure you're happy with it. I don't think the keyboard on the MacBook is as good as the one on your Thinkpad, whereas the one on the MacBook Pro is excellent.
I also have an old PowerBook and that is much slower than the latest MacBook, but it can still do everything I could reasonably ask of it. My parents 5-year iMac is still great for browsing, mail and AppleWorks and it's a 500 MHz G3 with 256 MB running OS9 - the MacBook runs about 8 times faster than this.
Most people in our office use MacBooks and a couple have criticised the keyboard, but most like them so much better than PCs that they are really rather happy.
So I think a MacBook will do what you want - provided you're happy with the keyboard.
Think of it as a choice like CD5X or CDX2/XPS2. As Ian says make sure you have lots of RAM - the more the better.
ATB Rotf
I also have an old PowerBook and that is much slower than the latest MacBook, but it can still do everything I could reasonably ask of it. My parents 5-year iMac is still great for browsing, mail and AppleWorks and it's a 500 MHz G3 with 256 MB running OS9 - the MacBook runs about 8 times faster than this.
Most people in our office use MacBooks and a couple have criticised the keyboard, but most like them so much better than PCs that they are really rather happy.
So I think a MacBook will do what you want - provided you're happy with the keyboard.
Think of it as a choice like CD5X or CDX2/XPS2. As Ian says make sure you have lots of RAM - the more the better.
ATB Rotf
Posted on: 18 April 2007 by Derek Wright
For a free Office replacement try out Neo Office
http://www.neooffice.org/neojava/en/index.php
if it does not do what you want then look out for an E Bay MS Office
Also watch out when you are planning to buy the additional memory sometimes Apple use all the memory slots ie spread say 500mb over the two slots so that when you buy an addition 1 GB you end up with 1.25 GB
You may also not be too happy with the scroll pad and a single button, so consider getting a two button mouse either wired or Blue tooth.
http://www.neooffice.org/neojava/en/index.php
if it does not do what you want then look out for an E Bay MS Office
Also watch out when you are planning to buy the additional memory sometimes Apple use all the memory slots ie spread say 500mb over the two slots so that when you buy an addition 1 GB you end up with 1.25 GB
You may also not be too happy with the scroll pad and a single button, so consider getting a two button mouse either wired or Blue tooth.
Posted on: 19 April 2007 by jon h
I have both new macbook and 9month old macbook pro
For a laptop portable computer, the new macbook is stunning. Buy the black version (nicer keyboard, better than MBP although not backlit), and put in 2Gb of ram and the 160Gb hard disc option. you will need to special order it, but its worth it. Oh and the 2ghz processors
For a laptop portable computer, the new macbook is stunning. Buy the black version (nicer keyboard, better than MBP although not backlit), and put in 2Gb of ram and the 160Gb hard disc option. you will need to special order it, but its worth it. Oh and the 2ghz processors