Which version MB has the better, stronger body/casing?

The all white/plastic version or the most recent aluminum unibody?

 

I remember the old white plasti macbooks had cracks in them because of construction issues. I don't know if they changed that.

I'd definitly go with the aluminium. Have fun with your futere max, which will probably not have a graph card in it unless you buy the more expensive 15 inch models. And if you do buy those expensive models with a graph card, remember that apple has downlocked the fan to keep their products silent..which makes them overheat xD.

 

The new MB have unibody right? What is unibody and how is it better than the original all plasitc MB?

Right now Im leaning towards the MBP cause in my case its only $200 more. But I go over the specs and the only thing I see is Im pretty much paying $200 for the aluminum casing and backlit keyboard (whcih i would love). Is the casing on the MBP that much better than the unibody MB to warrant $200 cost?

And the 2 models im looking at are 13'' models and both have graphic cards in them. Are you saying apple is soon discontinuing them in the 13'' models?

 

I think Student@Antwerp2009 is very confused when it comes to graphics cards. Macbooks all have graphics cards, just that the 13" models and low end 15" model has an integrated GPU in the form of the 9400m, as opposed to a dedicated card present on higher end and bigger models.

An integrated card simply shares most of its graphics memory with the main memory of the computer, as opposed to a dedicated card which mainly uses memory built onto the card itself.

Integrated graphics cards offer less performance than dedicated cards, but are also less power hungry. Therefore, if you don't do any graphics intensive stuff on your Mac, an integrated card would be fine.

 

Apple is not discontinuing the graphics cards in them. That guy just does not know what he is talking about.

The differences I noticed between the MB and MBP are:
Alum MBP has:
Firewire port
SD card slot
back lite keyboard

MB has 250 gb hard drive while the MBP has 160 gb with the option to go to 250.

 

Well an integrated gpu's performance is nothing compared to what a real gpu can do. I know macs have that 9400m, which is useless for gamers.

Seshan: how are your temperatures when gaming?

 

i assume you probably aren't going to be doing intensive 3d games.

the 9400m will be fine for movies, web games, video, (and most modern 3d games at low settings, too).

additionally, it will give you better battery life than a dedicated graphics card.

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now, to answer your question instead of pummel you with information:

i would go with aluminum over plastic, although you are right in that a lot of the added on cost is going strictly into the aluminum case and not better internal components.

 

The obvious differences have already been mentioned, but the 13" MBP also has a better LCD screen with wider color gamut and better contrast ratio.

That said, unless you have a very good eye most people wouldn't notice the difference

 

if you go by the standard "gamer" definitions.. you always have to have super high end cards, because games somehow are trash unless you can turn on all the graphics options and run at 1920x1200.... it depends what you like though. the 9400M can run just about anything, but if you don't have fun without having every option turned on, or being able to brag to your friends that you have something better than them.. it might not be for you. I can play stuff even like modern warfare 2 at ok lower settings and have just as much fun... just fine on a 9400M.

 

Wow...You can play cod4 on the 9400m Oo...it scored like 3-4000 on the benchmark.
How are your temperatures doh123?

 

Thats what im thinking too, the backlit keyboard would be a great selling feature for me.

What exactly is the MB unibody? how is it different from the all white plastic models? I heard the unibody is aluminum? same material as the MBP?

 

Windows is always too high, and I *usually* play with my 9600GT enabled.. but I have run it with my 9400M... but I don't run it in Windows, I run it under a 3rd party Wine-based port in OSX... even with that slight performance hit, its still playable... but flashy graphics are not important to me, I don't mind lowest resolution and every extra option turned off... theres still some 20+ year old DOS games I enjoy more than some current games, even this one...

but with the 9600GT or the 9400M, the fans still have to spin at 6000 rpm, and the temps sit around 85ºish

 

For the casing, it depends on what you want...

Aluminum will not scratch very easily. It's quite solid in day to day use, however, if you drop or strike it, there may be a dent, and THAT is very noticeable.

On the other hand, plastic will scratch very easily. However, dropping it will have a less visible effect, since plastic has the elasticity that the aluminum lacks. Numerous or very severe drops, however, may crack it, though it is a relatively tough type of plastic. Polycarbonate, when used correctly, can be used to make bullet resistant glass.

 

I have bumped and hit the cover of my plastic blackbook and it never did anything. No scratches cracks or dings. I can tell you if I ever hit the cover on my aluminum unibody like that the thing would have been dented all to hell.

there are rumors that there will be a macbook pro line refresh in 4 weeks so buying one at this point might be a bad idea.