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    Do I need a Macbook Pro or will the regular Macbook do?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by sundogg, Jul 18, 2006.

  1. sundogg

    sundogg Newbie

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    For me it doesn't seem like I'm sacrificing too much by just getting the Macbook. The one red flag everyone keeps telling me about is the Macbook GPU. How important is that? I'm not a gamer, and mostly use the computer for productivity, internet/email but lots of photos, music, and video editiing, too (iLife). Any thoughts?
     
    sundogg, Jul 18, 2006
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  2. xbandaidx

    xbandaidx Notebook Deity

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    You don't need to worry about it than, the integrated video on the Macbook is more than enough for what you need to do especially since you're not a gamer.

    Just buy extra ram via third party with the extra cash you'll save. I have the Macbook and it works wonders. Also the MBP since it has it's own GPU that's seperate from the system, the MBP's run hotter.
     
    xbandaidx, Jul 18, 2006
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  3. sundogg

    sundogg Newbie

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    Photos/video/music editing and encoding are just CPU intensive tasks, right? I guess GPU wouldn't help there anyway.
     
    sundogg, Jul 18, 2006
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  4. xbandaidx

    xbandaidx Notebook Deity

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    Yeah, Photos are easy tasks for video these days, and video and music editing/encoding are CPU intensive tasks especially the encoding part.

    A review I've seen was showing a guy playing High Definition video files perfectly fine, the 720p and 1080 although the screen res isn't high enough to fully show the 1080 he was still able to run it smoothly.

    The Macbook is a wonderful product and I'm very happy with the purchase.
     
    xbandaidx, Jul 18, 2006
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  5. syxbit

    syxbit Notebook Evangelist

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    you are correct.
     
    syxbit, Jul 18, 2006
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  6. Pressure

    Pressure Notebook Evangelist

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    Not entirely, many programs have started taking advantage of the graphic card. Especially concerning video-editing, where you can apply effects in real-time due to the graphic card.

    Since you will be playing around with photos and video-editing, I can only recommend to get as much screen real-estate as possible. You may find the 1280x800 resolution of the MacBook too limiting for your needs.

    The best advice would probably be to go to your nearest Apple Store and check them both out.
     
    Pressure, Jul 19, 2006
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  7. ogando_jose

    ogando_jose Notebook Consultant

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    Well, I know that the Macbook Pro should rock. If you have enough money and you want to pay that plus, go for it. But if you wanna save a few bucks and spend them in another thing (apple care, for example) The macbook is really good to edit videos and so on. I've used iMovie for my home made videos and I can say its really easy and fast. I haven't tried that on a MBP, but I think thats CPU intensive.

    I don't really think that there is that much difference between Intel's GMA 950 2D accel and x1600 acceleration. The real difference should be in 3D.

    Generally speaking, iLife things work like a charm on the regular Macbook, go for it.
     
    ogando_jose, Jul 19, 2006
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  8. xbandaidx

    xbandaidx Notebook Deity

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    As long as you have lots of memory that is, that iLife will work like a charm, I can tell 512MB just isn't gonna go well for video and photos (when I had 512, my iPhoto library lagged a bit)
     
    xbandaidx, Jul 19, 2006
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  9. sundogg

    sundogg Newbie

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    One thing I hadn't considered is the impact that a GPU would have on the dual-monitor mode (or even just the output to a monitor). I have a 24" Dell running at 1920x1200. While Apple specs suggest that both the Macbook and MBP are capable of filling up that screen (which would be great for iLife programs when I'm home), does any of that depend on GPU?
     
    sundogg, Jul 19, 2006
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  10. zadillo

    zadillo Notebook Virtuoso

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    You should still be fine for 2D stuff. The higher resolutions have a more noticeable impact when you are doing 3D games, etc.
     
    zadillo, Jul 19, 2006
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  11. ProfessorChaos

    ProfessorChaos Notebook Consultant

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    Well, I'm getting an MBP because if the GPU usage in Pro applications. Programs like Soundtrack Pro, Motion, Shake all take advantage of GPU rendering. Plus, I'll be working on it almost all the time when I'm at school. I won't be able to take my Dell 2405FPW with me(too big for the small desks at residence). So the 15.4" of the MBP will have to make due. I plan to shoot and edit a few short films this year in my spare time and learn to use Shake which I just purchased last week using educational discount.

    What I'm planning to do is...buy the MBP if a revision is not announced by Sept. And if there is a revision, I plan to get that(being that Merom will likely be in it). Since its $1999CAD with edu discount for the 2.0GHz MBP, it only has 512MB SODIMM. I plan to sell that SODIMM and purchase 2GB's of PC5300. And get an external HDD.....its a **** shame that the current MBP 15" doesn't have a FireWire 800 port(It would make external HDD's so much faster). If I don't purchase the external HDD right away(I probably won't), I will purchase AppleCare Protection.

    There's my life story :p
     
    ProfessorChaos, Jul 19, 2006
    #11