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    Should I go for it?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Kevzaz, Nov 28, 2008.

  1. Kevzaz

    Kevzaz Notebook Enthusiast

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    Okay, so I will be going to the Art Institute of Philadelphia soon to major in Graphic Design (photoshop, quark, indesign, etc..) And I have been looking for a good laptop to use on campus (to take notes) and at the dorm (to finish homework that may include using photoshop). I use both macs and pc's.
    Now, my question to you... is this worth it?
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834100036

    Should I go for it?
     
  2. count_schemula

    count_schemula Notebook Deity

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    I think MacMall has the best deals right now.

    Yes, the previous gen MBP is a great laptop. You'll hear about the 8600GT video card failures, but I think they are very rare, and I think Apple extended the warranty on the video card to 2 years? Can anyone confirm that?
     
  3. Kevzaz

    Kevzaz Notebook Enthusiast

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  4. chen

    chen Notebook Deity

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    Wouldn't the new graphic 9400M GS in the new alu macbook be enough for you graphic designs? It's been known the 8600M GT in the previous gen macbook pro has some issue.
     
  5. count_schemula

    count_schemula Notebook Deity

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    A Macbook would be fine for graphics, for the most part.

    CS4 uses the video card for some functions.

    The MacBook only does 1280x800 on the main screen. Not that the 1440x900 of the MBP is such a world beater (Apple, PLEASE, give us the 1680x1050 option on the MBP, ) but the MBP screen does offer more screen real estate.

    The video card would help drive a higher-res external monitor. Essential for graphics production, IMHO.

    The MacBook integrated video is greatly improved, and I do agree that the differentiation between the MB and the MBP is not as great as it should be.

    Since he's looking at the previous MBP v. the current MB, the price difference is pretty nominal. I have had zero issues with my 8600GT, so, while the issue is real, I also get the impression that it's fairly rare.
     
  6. moko

    moko Notebook Consultant

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    Wow, if you see the 9th picture, the warping on the lid is pretty severe..lol, can't believe they actually use this kind of picture to promote it.. mine is also warped, on the left side instead of the right side..
     
  7. rocketsilence

    rocketsilence Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is it worth it? It depends. I mean, is that fitting nicely into your budget? The previous generation MacBook Pro was my last laptop and I loved it save for the fact that it ran warm when you really get going in Lightroom and Photoshop. The new generation has a really nice sturdy construction and runs cooler, but has an excessively glossy screen (although the colour is just superb).

    However, either generation MacBook Pro would be a great fit for what you want to do. If you can spring for the latest generation with education pricing, I'd look at that.