Need help making the right decision

I'm about to buy a Mac Notebook, i've been looking/trying a bunch of laptop in the past few months and none of them were comparable in build-quality then what i saw from Mac plus i'm now used to OSX (that i now adore) because i've been working a whole lot on my father's iMac (great computer!). So i'm now hesitating between two options. I've been trying some 13'' computers and I feel it's pretty small... maybe too small, i'm used to the 20'' iMac gorgeous screen. I would prefer a 15' inch for video/movies/etc even if I'm gonna use the computer mainly for school stuff. I'm moving out for university next semester. The thing is : for what I'd do with it, I won't need the extra performance of the MBP that it has over the MB. In fact, the only feature that I would like to get from the MBP compared to the MB is the bigger screen. Is it worth the *important cost difference? Approx. 1450 vs 2250... That's a whole lot imho. and most of you guys, at least students, will understand that a student don't have a *lot of spare money... So, if I want to get a mac, where are my options : The MBP and the MB prolly with a 19/20/22'' monitor for my display needs. Another thing is that I will absolutely need it for august but before that it's not totally neccessary, it would be useful though. Would all of you wait for summer before buying.. some talk about snow leopard.. i dunno if it's that great, i got Tiger on my iMac and adore it like it is... So.. With that being said I would like to have advices about MBP/MB+Monitor/CheapPC/Wait/etc...
Thank you very much guys,
PEACE

 

In fairness, the outcome of the PC option should be outright ignored. It'll have every single windows fanboy who trolls this section of the forums jumping with excitement

 

I just put it in there for s and giggles. I will prolly not consider it... but what do you think about my situation?

 

My opinion would be to go for the Macbook if you are going down the Mac Road and it doesn't seem like you're doing anything intensive to consider the Macbook Pro and you are on a budget.

However, if you were going PC, my recommendation to you to get the best of both worlds sweet spot would be to try the Sager 2096 from XoticPC. Great price (around $1000), powerful, 15 inch screen and long battery life (4 hours).

Other recommendations would be the Lenevo 14 inch laptops, but I am unsure of the prices at this time.

 

I have the 2 Ghz unibody macbook and find it quite powerful and capable, going with it and a monitor would allow you to be able to use your mac as both a "desktop" and a highly portable computer also.

 

Getting a macbook only is another option and if it's too small for desktop/home working, i will go shopping for a monitor. About the computer performance.. I won't be doing anything graphically demanding. My main activity is multitasking, right now for example : I got opened : 3 websites, itunes, microsoft messenger and 2 word documents. That's pretty much a usual situation for me. So I really don't want to see my computer lagging in that type of situation. In fact, on the pc side, my options were a Thinkpad T400 and a Latitude E6400 from Dell. I haven't touched the Latitude but both seem nice. But i've never seen something as solid as a macbook in pc yet even if i've been lately impressed by a pretty sturdy hp compaq. Please don't criticize me, but I really hate vista, i dunno why but i'm not easily working on it, i can't find my stuff easily, i dont like the look,etc... So if I go on the PC side it will definitely be one with xp, but i still prefer osx since i'm used to it...

 

^lol,I have 6 year old IBM x40 which does that kind of multitasking w/o any problem

 

Yeah i don't ask much from my computer since i stopped playing games, so the main points for me are the build quality and the size of the screen that i'm not able to decide on...

 

don't worry about build quality,and screen..do you have an apple store around?cos you can go there and try one.

 

Hmm i'm in Québec, Canada. And the only Apple stores in the Province, from what I can see on Apple's website, there are only two of em, both in the region of Montreal, approximatively at 4:30-5 hours by car from where I live... I've seen the MBP but never seen the MB.

 

In fact, there are also 2 authorized resellers in my town, both can order it for me and offer support afterwards but none of em have one in stock...

 

thats sad! then you can find any 13" notebook with same res. and try surfing the net on them for a while...

 

They Be Trollllinnnnnnn

Yes i would suggest a macbook pro!!

 

The reality is that if your budget is tight then your better off with a mb + a monitor. Its cheaper and will offer the same maybe better experience at a much lower price point.
If your looking to save even more then take a look at the apple refurbished models. As for monitors I've been very happy with the dell I got a few years back, great colour/image quality @ a good price.
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Okay okay, that's cool. Keep on telling me what you guys think, it helps me making my mind. I got an old 13'' notebook right here with me, but it's pretty old I don't know on which resolution it is... It is a Toshiba Satellite something... the exact model isn't written. I saw an Inspiron 13 the other day... it seemed pretty small but i didn't do anything with it, it was at a store.

About refurbished notebooks, it could be interesting but Apple doesn't seem to have any ''french'' refurbished laptops, all the refurbs are with a english keyboard and i definitely need a french one for multiple reasons.

My main goal is not to save the more money i could (if it was I'd be getting a cheap PC) I just wanna find what is the best solution to fulfill my needs...

 

right click on desktop->properties->settings (to tell the res)

 

I'd also suggest trying out a dell latitude PC + linux

Waiting is ALWAYS the best option if you can wait.
Also note that 2010 Macbooks will have the Nehalem CPUs which will be a big jump, and most likely USB 3.0

So, my suggestion would be to go with a latitude now, try out linux on it; and in 2010 go for a macbook or MBP. If you dont have any strong preference towards the MBP, a macbook + nice 24" external monitor will be my choice in 2010.

I've been using a dell business laptop for 3 years with linux on it, and it has been a great machine !

 

*I will be checking the res. of the 13'' in a couple of minutes. *I checked it out, it's 1024 by 768.

Ahh... I never used Linux, i don't want to complicate my situation. One thing is sure it's that I can wait until summer but not until 2010. With that being said I have nothing against XP, i'd be able to deal with, but I don't even know or even seen a computer running on Linux. I don't consider myself a computer genious, but osx is what i like the most right now. Getting a pc while waiting for the next gen of Macbook is an option but I prolly won't need the extra power/features of it anyway...

 

If it makes you feel easier, Linux is a flavor of Unix operatings systems.
So is OS X

If you have a friend who has a windows laptop (preferably dell latitude ), you can burn a linux "live" CD and run linux off the CD to see if you like it. No installation required

As you have time until summer, come hang out in the linux subforum here at NBR.

And getting extra power is always nice

BTW, dell latitudes (eg E6400) can be had at dell outlet for around $700, WITH a 3 year warranty You can always resell them next year.

 

Yeah I admit that the E6400 seems to be an awesome machine. However, there is no dell outlet available in Canada. So getting a full equipped E6400 here is pretty much like getting a macbook, i didn't compare the exact prices yet but that looks like it. I'm gonna try to talk to a friend of mine that often uses Linux to see how it is. I also admit that the 3-year included business waranty is awesome. I've been jerking around with the old 13'' toshiba i got here and the size is not that bad actually I'm just too used to my gorgeous iMac...

 

If the price difference between the two is minimal for the same hardware/warranty, then you should get the macbook as it has OS X all configured up, plus more sexier.

So perhaps wait till summer for some sales on the macbook ?

 

I heard that the were pretty much no sale on MB and MBP. At least i got the small educational discount. There's a deal during the summer I think you get a discount on a printer and an Ipod with your mac... something like that, nothing impressive i'd say, i'm not an ipod type of guy.

 

Hmmm, does dell canada have coupons ? Another option is to wait till summer, and if there are no coupons, email/chat with a dell EPP rep to get a 20-25% discount.
The best way would be to create an Equote, and negotiate with rep to reduce the price on the equote.

 

Dell EPP in Canada sucks. It used to be ok, but the discount always topped out at 12% (and that's only when you get the 3year+ warranty and spend over $1500) but now it's down to 7% Off with or without warranty purchase and no coupons to use on the Canadian EPP site. The US Dell EPP is an entirely different matter.

 

Yeah... they don't offer much discounts from what I've seen...

 

Dell reps can and do authorise discounts to promote a sale.
They dont advertise this fact for obvious reasons

 

I'll give you my honest opinion...get the Macbook Pro.

When I started as a student I went with the 13" laptop and large screen option. While at first it was alright, it became extremely annoying unplugging and replugging/connecting the keyboard, mouse and monitor. Not to mention speakers sometimes.

I found myself constantly in the library typing up stuff because my res was too noisy (this may not be the case in your situation though). This and the fact that connecting the peripherals was enough for me to switch a 15".

The screen size is enough for me, and I can do my work whenever and wherever I have my MBP comfortably and productively. I can't stand 13" laptops anymore. I recently bought a 13" Sony but returned it because it was too small.

Since you are in Canada, I suggest you look at the refurbished MBP on apple.ca. The 2.4 was $1899 and comes with the same warantee.

Go BIG or go home! lol. Good luck buddy.

ALSO...the MB will cost $1450 like you say, but add a monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, that would cost about $300 at least. So ~$1750 vs 2250, (or~2100 for refurbished), not too much difference for a way better machine.

 

Next question...... 2.4 or 2.53....

 

Well I assume 2.4 because he said he's not a power user and he quoted $2250 or the MBP so therefore I assume 2.4

 

Good choice, based on his usage...

 

Lol... As I said earlier there is no Refurbished Mac with a French Keyboard available. So I won't have the choice to get a new one. If I get the MBP it will surely be the 2,4 Ghz.

 

What is your gut telling you to do? What are you leaning towards..?

 

Hmm I dunno yet. Both options seem pretty decent. In both cases i would be getting a mouse and prolly speakers too so i'm not considering this as an important difference. It's cool to have only one computer, without the extra monitor, it just looks more simple to me. The important price difference is still bugging me...

 

the 13" Macbooks are awesome little machines... the only reason i got a MBP over one was for the Geforce 9600.... and I find myself using the lower end 9400 (same as the normal macbook has) most of the time... only enabling the 9600 at times for certain (not all) games... The screen size is nice on the 15, but its not that much better than the 13... resolution is 1280x800 vs 1440x900. the 13"er is a great small size and easy to carry around. and when your at home you'd have a bigger screen than the more expensive laptop would have by itself.

You can get a monitor for when your at your desk for dirt cheap. I'm not sure why the other poster had problems with it, i do it with my macbook pro... plug in a mouse and keyboard and Dock cable and external hard drive and USB headset and speakers and power and monitor... total of 4 plugs all right by each other (all USB stuff on a hub in one plug). If your really lazy and rich you can always get a docking station to save time.

oh... and for a mouse... don't give up on the trackpad, I find myself liking to use it more than a mouse, the ones on the macbooks now are the most awesome pointing device I've ever used in the last 20 years

 

I guess you're right. Any normal non lazy person wouldn't mind I guess. but I just like the simplicity of having everything in one machine.

Also, I think that the screen on the MBP is much better than the MB.

Although this won't matter if you an external...

Break it down like this thomass...

1) Is money REALLY an issue?
2) Can you deal with always unplugging/plugging peripherals?
3) Do you find the 13" screen acceptable for when you are not at home?

 

I prolly wouldn't buy a monitor if i get the mbp for me 15'' is enough, i'm just hesitating about 13''. For the usb hub i already planned to get one. I planned to try the trackpad before getting a mouse anyway. The price is a bit frustrating for me... I can't even find a potential situation in which i'd need the superior video card... I'd need a 15'' macbook in fact...

 

I'd also add another point:
4) Wont having an external monitor be nice, with a much nicer LCD, resolution and viewing angles than either the macbook, or the MBP ?

 

1) I'm not totally broke lol. I actually have to money to buy whatever computer i'd like to get. But I hate paying more for extras I won't need. And considering that it's a notebook, prolly less durable, easier to break or to get stolen, etc. I think that a price over 2000$ is too much. I adore mac, but I could get... i dunno... a Dell Vostro at 700$ and do the same thing with it, maybe i'll feel less build-quality, look will be less flashy, the OS would be a bit crappy compared to osx... Knowing that it's easy to get a cheap pc for the same tasks, or a great one like a Latitude or a Thinkpad, it becomes a bit awkward to feel good to pay twice the price or almost...
2) I wouldn't really care about plugging and unplugging. There are not that many things that I'd plug anyway. Maybe mouse, maybe monitor if I get the MB, prolly not keyboard, headset/speakers sometimes, maybe an external HD (i never used that before), occasionally a printer to print some school papers. Most of theses items will only be plugged occasionally, so I think I could live with that.
3) I haven't used a 13'' laptop long enough to figure out if I would be enough for everyday use. I tried a 13'' (1024/768 or something like that) tonight and it wasn't that bad. You are just not as free as on the 20'' iMac i'm used to. I feel a bit stuck in the screen i don't have much room to look at different programs at the same time, like a messenger conversation at the left of the screen while i got a word document at the right... you guys know what I mean?...
That's about it for my answers...

 

Well, I certianly don't need the power in my MBP, I just got it because I need a 15" mac...and not an imac.

In the end it really comes down to you and what you like because to be honest, you can't go wrong either way. They are both good computers, but I prefer the 15".

However if you're going to have a USB hub that would make it easier, and you don't mind the 13" size then go for the Macbook. Oh, you wanted a large screen? You have the external. Problem solved. Case closed.

 

4) Yeah the external monitor is a decent option, but for my demands a 15'' screen is enough, that's the 13'' that scares me a bit and that would prolly make me buy a monitor. I stopped playing games and I'm not doing any graphical/photoshop work. I will maybe look/work on some pictures, simple stuff with Iphoto, pictures from trips, etc. Nothing that especially needs a great display or a huge external monitor imho.
*and if i get one, i dont wanna spend too much...

 

I think you'd use the MB to take notes in class or something right? 13" is plenty enough for those BASIC tasks. But when I write a 20 page report, I like having the word open and a google page next to it , which the 15" screen allows me to do right.

But in your case you have the external so problem solved lol

 

Yeah, you dont need an external monitor, but it will be nice to have, certainly nicer than a laptop screen. You can play movies on it etc.

Also, the ammortized cost of a monitor is small.
A laptop - you will probably use for 3-4 years, so for an MBP that works to $500-$700/year.
You can get a super duper 24" dell/HP ultrasharp WUXGA monitor for like $600 which will last you 6-8 years, with an average yearly price of $100 or less.

Whichever laptop you buy(dell/apple/monitor), I'd recommend checking how much yearly it will work out to, on average.

 

True, I like to be able to have more than 1 window opened at the same time but it's not like I had an external monitor though, I'd need to get one... and I'd prefer to have everything I need packed in one laptop... anyway... I'm trying to find an e-mail address for the apple or mac sales guys to see if there is a possibility to get a refurb mbp with the keyboard I need but the only thing I can find is the freakin phone number 1-800-my apple or something... Is there a e-mail address or I can just talk to them on the phone?

 

By the way, 24'' would be too much, 20'' would be more than enough for what I need.

 

Why do you want the french keyboard? I don't like it at all.

 

I'd need it for different type of accents, ''apostrophes'', ''cédilles'', ''guillemets'', etc. I'm used to it... to do all my researches and papers...

 

I see. Wow you are fluent in both French and English. I am jealous.

I spent years trying to master French, but stopped because my marks in those classes weren't very good and I could get much higher marks in geography classes.

BUT...I did see a used unibody MBP for sale in my area with that keyboard. I will try to track down the details of it now.

 

Cool Thank you! I'm trying to e-mail or talk to an apple representative to see if they could have one... cause 1899$ is a bit more reasonable, but still a lot compared to what I wanted to pay first...

 

You know you could get an external keyboard (in French) and blu tooth at that so no wires or usb ports occuoied.

 

Yeah i know that but i'd like to be able to write properly in french even when i'm not at home with an external keyboard, like at school or something...