MacBook or MBP

Hi everyone, I think I decided on getting a mac; however, I am not sure whether to get the pro or normal. I am positive that I won't notice a difference in speed/performance for what I'll be using it for (browsing, word, pdf, email, research) so specs don't matter to me too much. I was mostly concerned about the frame. While the MacBook is made of polycarbonate, the MBP is aluminum. Are there significant differences in durability or structure that might make me want to buy the MBP? Thanks.

 

The aluminum will look newer and stay that way if you take care of it. Theres always a chance you will put a dent in it though.

The polycarbonate will probably scratch more easily. I don't know if you bump it, will it cause the plastic to crack? Who knows.

 

the Pro will show less wear and tear over time... and the screen has a lot better quality. The performance of the 2010 model right now is quite a bit better too and has more battery life, just in case that matters sometime in the future if your uses change.

 

+1
.............

 

oh dear please do not consider getting the polycarbonate macbook if the macbook pro is within your budget. not at this point anyway. the difference in features and specs is too great to justify not getting the pro.

 

I'd love to know what people are doing to their computers that even make this a concern. My MBP has a few scratches on the bottom caused by me not being careful in where I used it (outside table had sand I didn't notice). Otherwise its held up great for over a year. +1 on the screen being better on the MBP.

 

I'm kind of confused. On the Apple website it says that the screens are the same. Only the graphic cards are different.

 

the screen is not the same, even the new macbook refresh can not beat Mbr

 

Actually it's on the Apple website too:

Apple - MacBook Pro - Features - Now there?s even more innovation.

Contrast, blacklevels and gamut are all better on the MBP.

 

Ok, cool. I didn't see that. Well, I'm definitely going to go for the pro then. Thanks, everyone!

 

If you want to wait a little, apparantly a MacBook refresh is coming with the same CPU and GPU as the 13 inch pro for a cheaper price.
Apple MacBook refresh leaked in Vietnam (video) -- Engadget

 

that decision just got a little harder IMO

http://forum.notebookreview.com/apple-mac-os-x/484007-leaked-hand-new-macbook-vietnam-again.html

[asdad123 beat me to it]

 

I hope that doesn't mean a 7.x MacBook Pro revision isn't coming in the Fall.

I'd be highly pissed if I bought the MBP only to see a serious body or hardware revision 6 months after dropping $2,500+.

 

That's the nature of the business, things change. If you live on "what if" you will never be happy.

 

Something better always comes out, but Macs hold their value so even if the urge to upgrade is irresistible you won't get soaked tooo badly.

I would have jumped at the new MBP if it came with a 5650 or 5730. As it stands, the 330m is a modest upgrade over the 9600m (whose benchmark scores are inflated by the much faster CPU IMO) I have little need for more CPU power my C2D is fine.

 

oh, it wouldn't make or break my next purchase because I *need* a laptop right now. and I won't have a problem selling my MBP for the "new hotness" when said hotness appears on the street. won't mean I'm any less irritated.

I'd be similarly irritated if the next car I bought got a great facelift next model year, you know? makes your stuff look older than it should. sure stuff changes over time. but nobody is happy when buying into a style that has been the same for 3 years...who's next style will remain for 3 years into the future.

 

Yea, I'm spending too much time deciding. I'm just going to buy the mbp.

 

Just for the illuminated keyboard, the MBP is enough to sway me, IMO.