macBook questions: black versus white?

I will likely have to buy a new MacBook before they refresh (and I want to take advantage of the free ipod offer here in the states). I have pretty basic needs and getting the most bang for my buck is important to me. My question is, what is the difference between the $1299 White 2.4 Ghtz and the $1499 Black 2.4 Ghtz macbooks?

All I can find that separates them is the more expensive book has more memory and is black, but since a memory upgrade only costs 100 dollars it seems unlikely that the color alone accounts for the rest of 200 dollar price difference. So Whats the deal? What would I be getting...?

Also would any difference really be worth it since they have the same memory, dvd drive and processor? I mean, i'm not a power user, but i like a good amount of web/media features (the ability to play downloaded HD movies is nice) and really more than anything just need this laptop to run my basic work programs for five years.

 

If you want bang for your buck, a Windows laptop would most likely give you that better. Apple is premium price for older technology, in my opinion. (They keep a good value really well though. >.>)

For the black, my thought is, is that you are paying the extra on top of the already big upmark for the fact that it's black and not white. The white kinda looks cheaper from what I hear (and have seen), while the black looks like it'll look better, but vulnerable to fingerprints. For the most part, I can't remember what else the Black macbook has over the more expensive white macbook.

 

Since this topic is centered around the MacBook, I moved it directly to the Apple forum .

The black MacBook is more expensive, with the difference being the colour and matte coating of the MacBook rather than the white glossy on the white MacBook. You can configure a white MacBook with the same specs as the black MacBook for I believe $50 or 100 less, so if you want the colour, by all means, but it is more expensive than a white MacBook with the same specs!

 

I'm pretty set on the macBook, but I thought I'd just add this for your FYI

General Questions

1) What is your budget? 1100-1700

2) What size notebook would you prefer? Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen

3) tell us what country are you buying this in: The USA

5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook? Basic work tasks, I'm in the health professions, so its not like I do massive video graphic intensive stuff, maybe some basic home video editing.

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk? It goes where I go.

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games? Civ 4 is the only must have.

8) How many hours of battery life do you need? More the better.

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?

10) Operating system: it has to be a mac, unless you got a brand new Lenovo T61 you're selling for 150 dollars.

Screen Specifics

11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?

I got 1024 by 768 right now on a 14 inch, so anything is an improvement, but the higher resolution is appreciated... I know i'll be happy with whatever the macbook has.

12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen? don't know, matte probably?

Build Quality and Design

13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you? not enough to make me want to pay more than 20 bucks extra.

14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last? It MUST last 4-5 years plus.

Notebook Components

15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 500GB? I'll be partitioning it so at least 70 would be nice, have absolutely no need for more than 150GB

16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive? No need for bluray, but it must have a DVD burner.

 

I think your expectation of Mac OS X has automatically defaulted you for a MacBook then .

 

well, the mac os was made for the video editing and and has windows on bootcamp for playing civ4 and the work tasks unless u would much rather use the iWork suite of stuff.

 

Why are you buying a Mac then?

Actually, this seems perfectly likely. We are talking about Apple products here. The masters of overcharging for looks.

Seriously though, both versions have the same amount of RAM as far as I can tell from the Apple website and they differ only in color and HDD size (160gb Vs 250gb) Check comparison here:

http://store.apple.com/us/tab?node=home/shop_mac/family/macbook&tcid=tg_tabcontroller&tab=1

Is it worth it paying 200$ for color and more HDD space? well, I would say no but if people are willing to pay a premium for a macbook status symbol I am sure there are some that are willing to pay even more of a premium for a black macbook status symbol. So, it's up to you to decide If you are just buying for the Mac OS and not the looks then obviously go with the white.

 

Yeah, pretty much it has.

But with Health Professions, if you are indeed going to be running those kinds of programs, you'll have to dual-boot and have windows on your Mac. I hear that a lot of those Health programs are written for Windows. Who knows though until you find out. xP

Only thing I could think of is the Lenovo Thinkpad you mentioned or a Sony SR for that kind of price. (SR can come with a dedicated card too, and it's not too bad looking. )

 

well, i know apple typically doesn't give much in terms of raw value, but getting OSX is worth 100 or 200 for me, plus I'm getting some student discounts and a free ipod so.... I don't really see it as much of a premium for getting a hassle free computer.

yeah, i already am set on having windows via bootcamp since work will probably require it... but i also want to bootcamp to try out linux....

i agree mac is funny... pay 100 dollars per GB of RAM? pay 100 dollars for mobile me? 100 dollars for a color fits right in there.

 

It's how Apple does so well even in time of Economic not doing so well... Lol. Wow, that was bad wording, but you get the point. (AKA the AAPL stock price. XP)

Apple somehow has the magic touch that makes their overpriced products sell all the time. If it's worth it, then by all means go right ahead. I do like Macs, but I already am using one right now, and I can't play some of the games on a Macbook (They require a bit more than Integrated, and are Windows, and this is a PPC mac.)

If you don't care entirely about color, you can probably just get that white macbook. In Macbooks you CAN change the hard drive out for a bigger one or a different one (You can't do it yourself on a Pro though).

 

apple should be coming out with new hardware in about 2 weeks...so buy a refurb black then for the most "bang for the buck"

 

Yea your right "apple is funny"..... I think you would be better off looking for a more capable windows xp computer if your not going to be using the mac for any video,picture, or audio editing especially for 1500 dollars. There really isnt anything special about OSX.

 

All you need is some spraypaint

 

I'm just wondering, have you thoroughly tried out Mac OS X?

 

how many non mac machines can you find with a 2.4 ghz processor for much less?

IIRC, the m1330 would cost about 1200 with a 2.4ghz which is only a little less than the macbook with the student discount. With the Mac you also get superior customer support, a cheaper warranty, and OSX (not trying to incite a OSX vs Windows battle)

 

You're not. The OP insists he wants OSX and a Mac - his choice, and a good one.

@splicitysplat: What's special in this case, is that OSX is what the OP wants, so why attempt to rain on his parade?