Which Macbook should I get?

[alexsk8ca]

I am looking to buy a Macbook for school next year. I am planning to take computer science, and have made the decision to buy a Macbook. The thing is I am completly new to Apples computers and OSX. I am trying to make the decision between:

The white macbook with 2gb RAM, 2.0Ghz Core 2 Duo, 80gb HDD,

And the 15'' Macbook Pro with 1gb RAM, 2.16Ghz Core 2 Duo, 120gb HDD, and the ATI Mobility Radeon X1600.

If I get the White Macbook I can afford applecare, but I can't with the MBP. I need this computer to last, and to be able to handle some video editing, school work, maybe light gaming, and Parrallels. I prefer the look and design of the White Macbook, as well as the screen size, beause I want it to be very portable. However I like the dedicated video ram in the MBP, as well as the faster processor, and I think it may be able to handle a little more abuse.

What do you guys think.

PS I plan on buying in Jan.

[Klitzy]

Well the macbbook pro is definately going to give you more gaming ability and video editing power. Personally, if I were you...and money seems to be an issue then go with the regular macbook so you can get the protection plan as well.

[Casework]

Really, those are the defining areas of each machine...

Power - MacBook Pro
Price, Portability - MacBook

So it really just depends on what you want or need more. If you're into gaming, editing, and other things that you need a lot of computer power, I would go with the Pro. It gives you some more options to expand and is slightly faster. As an owner of the 17 inch, it really isn't any less portable than than the MacBook, but it is a little bit bigger and heavier.

[alexsk8ca]

Yeah, I am pretty sure I am going to get the Macbook (not pro). Now I want to decide between black and white. I heard something about there being more problems with heat and stuff with the black macbook. Is this true, and have the heat problems that have been coming up in the past with all the macbooks been fixed with the core 2 duo update? I know Kevin has had some problems with his black macbook, but his isn't core 2 duo.

Thanks,

Alex

[Casework]

If money is a factor in your decision for not getting the Pro, I wouldn't spend the extra money on the black MacBook. For the extra $200-400, all you're gaining beside the color is extra harddrive space.

[alexsk8ca]

Yeah but I am still saving a lot of money by not buying the macbook. I am only spending 200 dollars more (and thats for 40gb extra HD space and black). This is the very top of my price range, and I like that it's smaller.

[acidburn]

If you are a student does your school have an online apple store to buy from at the academic discount?

I'm a part-time student, so I didn't think I would qualify, but according to Apple's guidelines defining a student I did so I was able to buy stuff at the academic price.

It's worthwhile looking into if you haven't already. Could save you money.

-S

[alexsk8ca]

Yeah, the school I plan on attending does have a discount with some pretty good discounts. The thing is I can't apply until after Jan. (I am a returning high school graduate, to get my marks up) so I have to wait a long time before I get accepted and stuff. Also can you use the discount before you are actually attending the school, because I would like it over the summer at least.

[acidburn]

Most of the time you'll have to prove current registration to use an academic discount. Something like an ID for the current semester, class schedule, etc. So unless you had something like that you probably wouldn't be able to use the school discount yet.

You may want to see if you can use the discount once you're accepted, but before school begins. You may be able to use it then since you'll be actually enrolled at that point.

[alexsk8ca]

Yeah, I hope because it will save me about $200. Also have all the heat and noise problems been fixed? I know Kevin's black macbook randomly rebooted.

[Casework]

You can order online using the student discount without proof of anything. The only way you need proof is if you purchase it at the store, and all you should need is an acceptance letter if you're an incoming freshman.

I still think that if money is any issue, don't get the black MacBook. With the $200 you save, you could buy a much larger external HD, and other accessories for your computer, such as programs, cleaning materials, and cases... stuff that you'll probably HAVE to buy, and aren't really thinking about right now.

But, if you have the money and want the black MacBook, by all means, go for it. That's the one I'd get, if I ever got a MacBook. I just think that if the amount of money you spend really is a selling point, there's not enough benefit from paying the extra for the black.

[alexsk8ca]

I agree, but it just looks sooooooo good. I have never actually used an apple computer (while I have used really old ones, but nothing more recent the OS9 I think) so I still have to take a trip to a store that sells macs. The closest one is like 2-3 hours away, but I am going to test some out next weekend. I think it will make my decision easier when I see them in real life...lol

[tokenuser]

I am looking to buy a Macbook for school next year. I am planning to take computer science, and have made the decision to buy a Macbook.Word of advice ... before you buy a machine for college, find out what their standard hardware is, and if there is a college "bundle" that they sell. It will often come preloaded with all the software you need for your classes.

Also, a lot of software that is used in an academic environment just isn't available on both PCs and Mac OS.

Finally, even for schools that have an Apple Store affiliation, some don't support Macs on the network - not an issue until yo need remote terminal services, or setup printer sharing, or whatever and they can't/don't support you.

SO - before buying a machine, check with the college you have been accepted to first. Find out what their standard is. Try talking to someone there that has a MAc. Starting college can be stressful enough without the added hassle of trying to get a Mac up and working in a PC environment.

[alexsk8ca]

Well the school I want to attend is pretty Mac friendly it seems. My gf was there a few weeks back and said a ton of people had them and they sell them right on campus. I have checked out all around their website and Mac seems to be the way to go. Worse comes to worse I'll use boot camp or parallels.

[Casework]

Word of advice ... before you buy a machine for college, find out what their standard hardware is, and if there is a college "bundle" that they sell. It will often come preloaded with all the software you need for your classes.

Also, a lot of software that is used in an academic environment just isn't available on both PCs and Mac OS.

Finally, even for schools that have an Apple Store affiliation, some don't support Macs on the network - not an issue until yo need remote terminal services, or setup printer sharing, or whatever and they can't/don't support you.

SO - before buying a machine, check with the college you have been accepted to first. Find out what their standard is. Try talking to someone there that has a MAc. Starting college can be stressful enough without the added hassle of trying to get a Mac up and working in a PC environment.

Good word of advice, but the market is really changing. Not to mention, most universities are beginning to offer lectures on iTunes. But, just the other day in my Oral Comm class, I did a persuasive speech on switching to Macs... afterwards I was surprised to find out, literally half the class had Macs. Today, an overwhelming population of college students are wanting to make the switch, if they haven't already. And while my girlfriend has had issues with some programs for her chemistry class not working on her Mac, what college today doesn't offer ample computer labs?

Again, that's a good heads up, but I don't think it's hardly the issue you might think it is, today.

[tokenuser]

Again, that's a good heads up, but I don't think it's hardly the issue you might think it is, today.My wife is a professor, teaching information science at a tier one (research) university. Her school doesn't support Mac users ... and she hasn't used a Mac since undergrad when they came with dual floppies. She whips around a *nix command prompt like no ones business, and knows vi and awk like the back of her hand ... but trying to get the Mac users up and accessing the Unix systems so they could do their Unix based assignments was an ordeal ... despite the fact there are Mac equivalences of the apps you need to use most of the time, knowing what they are, and how to configure them, and the differences between the Mac and PC versions can be a support nightmare.

I have no problem with Macs (I have Mac envy ... and if I wasn't supplied a laptop for my job, I'd switch), but not all schools are ready for it - is its a good idea t check first. Besides which, if you buy a Mac today, by the time you need one to start college (8 months time), Apple will have released two new models, and silently upgraded the old models three times. When you enter college, what you have going in is pretty much what you are going to have coming out - money gets tight for upgrades ... so waiting as long as possible is often the best way to ensure bang for buck.

[Casework]

My wife is a professor, teaching information science at a tier one (research) university. Her school doesn't support Mac users ... and she hasn't used a Mac since undergrad when they came with dual floppies. She whips around a *nix command prompt like no ones business, and knows vi and awk like the back of her hand ... but trying to get the Mac users up and accessing the Unix systems so they could do their Unix based assignments was an ordeal ... despite the fact there are Mac equivalences of the apps you need to use most of the time, knowing what they are, and how to configure them, and the differences between the Mac and PC versions can be a support nightmare.

I have no problem with Macs (I have Mac envy ... and if I wasn't supplied a laptop for my job, I'd switch), but not all schools are ready for it - is its a good idea t check first. Besides which, if you buy a Mac today, by the time you need one to start college (8 months time), Apple will have released two new models, and silently upgraded the old models three times. When you enter college, what you have going in is pretty much what you are going to have coming out - money gets tight for upgrades ... so waiting as long as possible is often the best way to ensure bang for buck.
...I didn't say you were wrong, just that it's typically not as big of a deal as you were acting like.

[g33k0ft3ch]

Well I say get the Macbook, with what was suggested before, the protection plan. Or if you can wait, try to save up for the 15 inch Macbook Pro, or if you are like me get the 17 inch.

Also Apple released firmware updates to both Macbook types and both of my Macbooks (Black Macbook and a 17 inch Macbook Pro) have not had a lot of noise unless I am running two or more heavy applications. (Photoshop and World of Warcraft for example)

So if you need one right now get a Macbook, if you can wait get the 15 inch or 17 inch Macbook Pros.

[Voyager]

The school I go to is moderately Mac friendly, but for the classes that require a PC for certain app's I just use Boot Camp. (http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/)

[alexsk8ca]

Yeah I am pretty sure I won't have any problems I can't get around with compatibility. I am pretty set on the Black Macbook now, and I think my girlfriend is getting a white one. I am going to the city to look at a few (not getting one though, waiting until spring) over the weekend.

[g33k0ft3ch]

Yea, I personally like the Black Macbook, or the "Blackbook" according to some of the Apple community.

Have fun having a Mac!

[alexsk8ca]

Yeah I had a chance to look at the white macbook and the macbook pro in real life over the weekend and I do really like how small the macbook is and I love the keyboard. I wish they had the black one there, but they were sold out. I really want to get a chance to sit down and play with OSX before I go buy a Mac though.