Macbook questions, applecare etc.

Hi,

I have been interested in switching to a Macbook since my Thinkpad T43 is starting to need replacing. Now with the ipod rebate the price may be right. Just wondering people's opinion's as to:

1) Wait for a new macbook update?

I have to move to an isolated rural city for work in july/august, so may need to purchase it before then.

currently using my thinkpad which i need to send in for replacement of it's motherboard (so far have it working with the post-it notes under the keyboard solution) but may not get it back in time.

for the new macbook's an LED screen is what would primarily make me wait.

2) Deciding b/w the 2.4 ghz white macbook ($1249 cdn educational price) and the black macbook ($1449 cdn educational price).

From what i understand, the only difference is the colour and bigger HD.

3) Whether or not to get Applecare protection? I have had to use warranty services in the past to replace parts on my 2 previous laptops.

 

Well, first off, it sounds like you would be more suited to a MacBook Pro. Especially coming from a Lenovo.

The MacBook Pro's all come with LED backlit screens (Except for the 17 inch model, its an option on that) and there is an option for a 7200RPM 200gb drive, instead of a lowsy 4200RPM on the normal MacBook.

The Macbooks & MacBook Pro's just got a major facelift 2 1/2 months ago. The next facelift is just gonna be a different motherboard and video card options (Silent upgrade as well) and a major change isn't due until mid-late next year, with most likely more small facelifts between now & then.



Check out the page.

http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/

You save 200 bucks as well through the "Buy a mac for school" link as well.

 

No Macbook updates are officially expected until Macworld in 2009, although Apple might decide to update them without any prior notice. Therefore, it might be best to purchase one now, unless you are able to waiting a few more months.

The difference between the high end white Macbook and the black Macbook is just the colour and HD. Since you are able to purchase a brand new 250GB HD for about $100 CDN, it would depend on whether you believe the difference in colour justifies the extra cost.

If you purchase a Macbook as a student, you will automatically have AppleCare lasting up to 3 years from your day of purchase. Therefore, unless you are certain you will not be replacing your Macbook for 3+ years, purchasing extra AppleCare at this moment in time is a waste of money.
You might want to consider ProCare, which is Apple's priority repair plan, since with AppleCare, it can take up to a week to repair your Mac.

 

What kind of crazy talk is this? I've purchased multiple Macs using a student discount and it only came with 1 year. You have to buy Applecare to get 3 years. You don't have to buy it right away though. As long as you purchase it within the 1 year it will extend the extra 2 years. Procare is also a waste of money. It is for mostly grandmas or people REALLY bad at computers (If you don't know how to bookmark a website) then you can schedule 1 hour tutor sessions with somebody at an Apple store once a week.

 

Oh right, the 3-year warranty seems to only apply to Higher Education purchases made in the UK. My apologies.

 

Seriously? They must do that because Apple stuff is so expensive in the UK. What is the purpose of Applecare then? I guess for non-education customers?

 

Macbooks all have atleast 5400 rpm drives.
Define "major facelift".

 

Pretty much. When I bought my Macbook almost two years ago (the higher end white one for ~£750), I got 3 years warranty and £60 off a printer.

 

yea, i'd imagine nothing big until macworld, but if they want to stay competitive, they better upgrade to montevina and upgrade the GPU like every1 around here has been talking.

true that. all they did was give it multi-touch and the penryn processor line.

let's hope they do the update in july like the other companies are doing.
and then the actual facelift won't be until macworld? i'd be content with that.

 

I was leaning towards the macbook (rather than the MBP) because I have a few colleagues that have the macbook, and it seems more portable given the smaller size/weight, and I heard that the MBP b/c of it's aluminum frame gets hotter, more easily dents, and wifi range is worse.

In the seminars rooms where we work, we'd have to use the laptop on are laps..

I don't really use any intensive computer programs, tho the larger LED screen might be nice, portability is a factor for me (as i was looking at the dell xps 1330m before).

 

Look at the iLap.

 

New 45nm C2D's, 8 series GPU, new mobo, LED screens, up to 4gb of Ram.