Help with Mac purchase/switching decision

My existing computer (22 month old Asus W3J) is on the fritz. CD burner no longer works, nor does wireless (I get an error message saying no supported wireless adaptors available in the system). So rather than paying to get it fixed, thinking I will just go ahead and get a new laptop. Been Mac-curious for a while - sis, bro, etc. rave about them. So strongly considering one now.

I will use it primarily for work (word processing), itunes/music and video, internet surfing, etc. - and (see below) possibly games.

Here's where I need advice:

On the one hand, I really love the mobility of a small laptop (e.g., my current 13" Asus). Screen is a little small for work - but I can address that easily by getting an external monitor - and that would probably be true of the 15" MBP too. So that leads me to the 2.4Ghz MB (I really want an illuminated keyboard). Only downside of that (I think) as between it and the MBP is games - sounds like the MP won't cut it for newer/uncoming games such as Dragon Age, Fallout 3, Mass Effect, etc. (Disclosure - my Asus is useless for newer games and so I haven't gamed much in two years.)

Question is - how well will the MBP handle games? Well enough that despite its larger size I should go ahead and get it so I have a single solution (another $500 isn't a huge deal to me, since I live in NYC and pay too much for everything already anyway)? Aside from games, does the better graphics card really make THAT much of a difference for video - not that I will really frequently watch video on it.

I do have a PS3, and although I prefer playing games on a computer rather than a console (as I like the use of a keyboard, and still feel like the best/most sophisticated games are computer rather than console games), I guess I could rely on it for games (and maybe get an xbox also) or even, since I will be getting a monitor anyway, also get a (probably PC) desktop, primarily just for gaming - which I assume I can get for under $1000, and which I further assume will be fairly upgradeable.

In sum, I think my notebook preference is the MB, and its only flaw is on the gaming front. If the MBP really solves that, then I guess I just get that. If it doesn't, then I think I do the MB, and consider a separate gaming solution.

Thoughts?

 

Video playing will be fine on the MacBook, not to worry! So take that factor out of the equation . The remaining one is gaming, and since you do have a PS3 and the MacBook isn't completely awful now with the NVIDIA 9400 GS, I think its safe to go for the MacBook!

 

I believe the MBP will be able to run most of the games, just maybe not all games on high resolution, all settings turned on. I think that for your needs (and if money is no problem), the MBP meets all your needs and I believe you won't regret it. But if you game on regular basis, maybe its gonna be a pain for you to switch OS.

 

i was in the same dilemma as you, i was and still am between the Vaio Z and the MBP..

The Z is an excellent machine, top of its class, but my only grudge is its poor performance in games such as TF2, which i dont believe its that demanding. Even on low setting i get average 30 fps during a shootout...
battery life: which both address pretty well..
Mobility: of course the Z wins
Graphics Performance: MBP

So it all boils down to this: how often do you take your laptop with you?
think about it on the longrun, the main reason i got the mbp is because im graduating next year, so i wont have to haul this thing around all the time..

but the mbp is not THAT heavy, you will definitely notice the weight difference..

so yeah.. i want to keep the Z but i know i wont cause its performance does not cut it.. =[ i even prefer the Z's design..

 

Leaning towards MB over MBP. Any other thoughts out there? For some reason can't seem to find a MB vs. MBP thread - and don't seem to be many reviews out yet on them either.

 

There are actually quite a few reviews out there considering that they have only been out for ~5days.
Here are just a few:
http://gizmodo.com/5063492/macbook-and-macbook-pro-dual-review
http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/14/new-macbook-macbook-pro-unboxing-and-first-impressions/
http://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/17/early-macbook-and-macbook-pro-benchmarks/

and my advice is to get the mb.
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Another thing to consider, will the games run natively on Leopard, or will you need to install xp/vista with bootcamp...

 

The differences have been narrowed now. Beyond all, at this point its now between larger screen and more graphics power, because the MacBook has now inherited all the fancy extras of the MBP and MBA before it.

Unless you need the graphics power and prefer the larger screen and resolution, by all means the MacBook satisfies!