The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Debating whether to switch.

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by gearhead364, Jul 5, 2007.

  1. gearhead364

    gearhead364 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    20
    Messages:
    76
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I am on the verge of purchasing a new laptop, my choices include MB, MBP (lower end model) and HP 8510P. My little brother has recently purchased a MB and I have enjoyed using the computer, just do not know if it is for me.

    I will be starting grad school in August and depending on whether I am provided with a computer, I may need a powerful laptop. If I am provided with computer then I will not need that powerful of a laptop, which means I would get a MB. But if I do need a powerful computer, my choices are either a MBP or the HP. I would be running 3D design apps like SolidWorks and ProE. Now the question is whether the MBP basic edition is powerful enough and if it is correct for me.

    Also, is the glossy screen offered with the MBP the same as the one on the MB?
     
    gearhead364, Jul 5, 2007
    #1
  2. hehe299792458

    hehe299792458 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    175
    Messages:
    1,571
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    you should fill out the FAQ first
     
    hehe299792458, Jul 5, 2007
    #2
  3. vespoli

    vespoli 402 NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,134
    Messages:
    3,401
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    The screens are different between the MB and MBP-one is a 13.3 lower res while the other is a 15.4 high res.

    The MBP is a pretty powerful laptop, but you should be sure that it will run what you require.
     
    vespoli, Jul 5, 2007
    #3
  4. cashmonee

    cashmonee Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    787
    Messages:
    2,859
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I assume you will need to run those apps in Windows, so you need to decide if you will be willing to reboot your computer everytime you want to switch OS's. Parallels now supports 3D acceleration, but it will still be slower than Boot Camp. If you want to use OS X most of the time, and Windows only when needed I say go with the MBP, if not go with the HP. If you get a notebook supplied to you and are looking at a MB, I would say get it.
     
    cashmonee, Jul 5, 2007
    #4
  5. fan of laptop

    fan of laptop Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    41
    Messages:
    336
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    definitely macbook pro. You get what you paid for.
     
    fan of laptop, Jul 5, 2007
    #5
  6. gearhead364

    gearhead364 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    20
    Messages:
    76
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Also, is the extra VRAM, 200 MHz and 20 GB really worth $500?
     
    gearhead364, Jul 6, 2007
    #6
  7. cashmonee

    cashmonee Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    787
    Messages:
    2,859
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    If you are doing real serious 3D work or heavy gaming it may be worth the $500 to you. But for most it's not.
     
    cashmonee, Jul 7, 2007
    #7
  8. StormEffect

    StormEffect Lazer. *pew pew*

    Reputations:
    613
    Messages:
    2,278
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Graphical work (that includes Modeling / Drafting) and Gaming are the places where the 2.4 version will show a benefit. If you don't game, and don't need the absolute fastest run time for intensive programs such as graphics rendering or video transcoding then it really isn't that big a deal to go down to the lower level.
     
    StormEffect, Jul 7, 2007
    #8