calling mac gurus- about to order a macbook pro

[jpars]

im looking for someone who knows what they are talking about- not oh they are nice!!! and please, restrain from mac bashing and pc-pushing......

i've used macs my entire life, back to OS 9. starting college next year, about to spend 1500 of my money and a good portion of graduation money on a computer, now that ive got the rig squared away (new tires shocks runnin good etc)

MacBook doesnt work for me period- Integrated graphics (ha), 13" screen.....just.......no

im liking the macbook pro though
the exact setup i am looking at is this- the best 15" one you can make- i dont need just another 2" for another 500 bucks

Specifications

2.16GHz Intel Core Duo
2GB 667 DDR2 - 2x1GB SO-DIMMs RAM
100GB Serial ATA drive @ 7200 rpm
MacBook Pro 15-inch Widescreen Display
SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
AirPort Extreme Card & Bluetooth
Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
15.4-inch TFT Display

this has the 256mb x1600 video card.




any thoughts on these? the whole rosetta issue worries me a little- is this a good investment or should i wait? im not sure what to think about the new processors just because of how things might change over the next years.....should i do it or not? I do get a fairly hefty discount for being a college student, which basically all of the pc companies fail to offer.

if i dont get a mac- which i cant comprehend using anything else, i will get an Alienware notebook.....but that is only if some experts and people i talk to think the Macs arent a good choice right now. thanks for any input

[87manche]

the 15" macbook is the best deal. The 17" is un gawdly heavy and has a shorter battery life. I wouldn't be terribly concerned about the rosetta issue. Most of the major mac software companies have already commited to making x86 variants, and I think that Apple is firmly commited to the x86 architecture.
If you don't go mac, don't buy an Alienware, it's a big waste of money. It's not like Alienware is making them, they're outsourcing to other companies, likey Asus, which is the compnay that makes the majortiy of Macbooks :)

[jpars]

mk. so you think this is a good time to buy? i mean this computer needs to last me many late nights through college- think the specs live up the next few years?

easily one of my most anticipated features is the x1600. everything ive ready says its pretty much in the top 3 notebook graphic cards, if not maybe the best. and the 256mb version backed up by 2gb of ram sounds pretty rockin

[87manche]

core system component wise I think that will last for a long time. Just think, OS X rocked on a G5 that had half the raw numbers performance of that Intel chip.
Graphics cards are a whole different story, the x16000 is kick ass now, but the video world is moving much faster thanthe CPU world. You can buy a $50 video card and 8 months later it's old hat, 18 months later and it won't run the latest software. Your call. Buy now or buy later and the situation is the same.

[Root Moose]

mk. so you think this is a good time to buy? i mean this computer needs to last me many late nights through college- think the specs live up the next few years?

Wait a month. Intel is about to go "full production" on the new chip variants (Merom) and scuttlebutt is Apple is expected to announce/incorporate immediately.

[rubiconcherokee]

if you give me maybe a couple of days i will check with my little brother who is a mac nut. he has a macbook pro i believe(i have a iBook) and he was having some issues with it needing to restart. i believe they are now resolved but let me check first. besides that it is a badass computer(he got the best one he could get) with the ability to run both windows and mac(awesome). will get the spec for you too when i ask him about it.

[GSequoia]

I still don't know if I quite trust Intel processors in a Mac ;)

Seriously though it's a first generation processor, expect bugs, I can't really say a whole lot about it because I haven't dealt with one (I've never been on to read trade rags of any kind...).

Partially becuase it is possibly the end of the line and partially because I just wanted a new machine I just went out and bought a G5 2.3 (Can't afford the "quad" ;)). Just got most of the setup stuff finished now (just waiting on an additional SATA card so I can have all my vlumes mounted at once).

[jpars]

Wait a month. Intel is about to go "full production" on the new chip variants (Merom) and scuttlebutt is Apple is expected to announce/incorporate immediately.

this was one of my deepest concerns i have discussed freqeuntly with people.
however, another mac nut i know said that apple using them was rumor. apple will be implementing a new processor into them- but its going to just going to be the core duo (smae processor) except at 2.33. 2.16->2.33, i can live with missing that.

but new processors throughout the line when i bought 2 months earlier might fry me

only issue, i leave next wednesday for football.......and i need one before school

thanks for the input keep it comin

[jpars]

oh and for what its worth i am sitting in front of a first gen 1.6ghz g5.
the new macs literally blow it out of the water. im talking 5 times faster, at least. it blew my mind when i used them.

[GSequoia]

I know the 1.6 G5, my father has one. That system for him has been slightly buggy but once you got used to it it works well.

My biggest problem here was that the new ones are PCIe only.. So now now I HAVE to keep the old G3/4 around for SCSI ;)

[jpars]

damn so whats the verdict hit order and just dont look at apple.com because they will upgrade them, or wait and be semi screwed at school?

[GSequoia]

I wish I could give you a verdict man... I'll tell you what.. Go pick up a Mac Addict and see what they have to say.

Personallly if I were in the market for a laptop I'd be inclined to look around for a last generation G4 Powerbook for sale, but as I said before I just have this gut level distrust with the Intel chips... And it may very well be nothing.

[jpars]

I can relate to the distrust- but coming from a g5 tower, i.e. the king of macs, and hopping on a 2.0ghz macbookpro at the apple store, and having it scroll through 1000+ photos on iphoto, literally, without 1 hiccup or 1 lag kind of...........sold me :)

my concerns arent the chip quality my concerns are that it will be outdated extremely fast

[jpars]

well, bit the bullet, its been ordered.

15.4"
2.16ghz Core duo
2 GB Ram
256mb Radeon x1600 (pwnage)
100gb HD (opted for the 5400 rpm)
and a decent carry case

ordered iWork 06 , everything ive read says its better then MS Office, 100 dollars cheaper, and optimized for Mac. (also, you can export all your files in office formats, couldnt get easier)

also couldnt pass up Battlefield 1942 for 10 bucks


ill let people know how it is, if anyone is interested. Based on what the 2.0, 1gb ram, 128mb x1600 felt like at the shop.........i think this thing is going to be a friggin monster.

[Root Moose]

I can relate to the distrust- but coming from a g5 tower, i.e. the king of macs, and hopping on a 2.0ghz macbookpro at the apple store, and having it scroll through 1000+ photos on iphoto, literally, without 1 hiccup or 1 lag kind of...........sold me :)


RAM, RAM, RAM!

:D

[mdl]

Alienware = Crapola.
Alienware = Dell owned
Dell = Crapola.
Mac = *fap*
MacBook Pro = *fap* *fap*
Matt = MacBook Pro?
Matt = Broke :(

[jpars]

Haha the plot thickens, heres an update

so apples 1-3 day shipping is a gimmick. it wont be here until the 11th. so i called and cancelled that

my bag and software will be here on the 8th and i leave 9th so that works ok.


long story short- im going to the apple store downtown today to get one they have for me on reserve.

i also came to a realisation. Apple charges 270 dollars for an extra 1gb of ram. Now you dont notice when your filling it out the form, but essentialy...... your paying 270 bucks for 1 DIMM of ram at 1gb.


so............screw apple
http://www.clubmac.com/clubmac/shop/detail.asp?dpno=7007668
cuz im getting it for 130 shipped overnight :) :scottm:

[Gil BullyKatz]

Damn...

I was thinking this thread was about another kind of MAC...


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/bullycatz/hmmmm.jpg

[jpars]

http://photos.lacoccinelle.net/48/36/194836.jpg

what about this type of mac?

[Root Moose]

i also came to a realisation. Apple charges 270 dollars for an extra 1gb of ram. Now you dont notice when your filling it out the form, but essentialy...... your paying 270 bucks for 1 DIMM of ram at 1gb.


so............screw apple

Yes, forgot to mention that. Get the add ons that are non-Apple specific elsewhere.

[jpars]

Yes, forgot to mention that. Get the add ons that are non-Apple specific elsewhere.


done.
well im sitting looking at it here........pretty amazing.
also picked up for 40 bucks a Kensigton *2 button* mouse and an apple keyboard.
and guess what i just realised?


my friends have some pcs coming in the mail. they come with windows install disks.
im gonna partition about 5 GB, install my friends XP, install my friends CS Source, etc etc etc and get every game i want and be able to play them all.

In reality, if you look at the specs, i essentially just bought what many pc companies are calling one of their top of the line .


however, i might not do that (mac is bulletproof- i feel like im welcoming satan into my garden of eden) and running windows on ANYTHING i own would create a bit of an identity crisis :)

time to go data transferring.......this things awesome

[GSequoia]

Definatly get RAM elsewhere.

I got mine from a source at pricewatch.com - paid $250 for four 1GB DDR2 4200 sticks.

[mdl]

done.
well im sitting looking at it here........pretty amazing.
also picked up for 40 bucks a Kensigton *2 button* mouse and an apple keyboard.
and guess what i just realised?


my friends have some pcs coming in the mail. they come with windows install disks.
im gonna partition about 5 GB, install my friends XP, install my friends CS Source, etc etc etc and get every game i want and be able to play them all.

In reality, if you look at the specs, i essentially just bought what many pc companies are calling one of their top of the line .


however, i might not do that (mac is bulletproof- i feel like im welcoming satan into my garden of eden) and running windows on ANYTHING i own would create a bit of an identity crisis :)

time to go data transferring.......this things awesome


You cannot install their version of XP because their software requires a Tattoo that is on the motherboard of their PCs unless it is a stand alone software that has more than one licence (because you need to activate it and you only get one usually).

Secondly, you cannot install you're friends CS source either because you need to login to Steam to play with THEIR ID. You won't be able to use it when they are.

Thirdly, 5gb won't be enough for a winblows partition. Windows will take up around 3-4gb and if you do end up installing CS source or any games, each one will take up 1-3gb in itself. If you are going to go partitioning and adding windows split you're drive in half.

[jpars]

You cannot install their version of XP because their software requires a Tattoo that is on the motherboard of their PCs unless it is a stand alone software that has more than one licence (because you need to activate it and you only get one usually).

Secondly, you cannot install you're friends CS source either because you need to login to Steam to play with THEIR ID. You won't be able to use it when they are.

Thirdly, 5gb won't be enough for a winblows partition. Windows will take up around 3-4gb and if you do end up installing CS source or any games, each one will take up 1-3gb in itself. If you are going to go partitioning and adding windows split you're drive in half.


he doesnt play it anymore
and with my friends pc it comes with boxed XP Professional not just instlal disks, almost positive its not coputer-specific. and dedicating half my comp to windows scares me........i think ill lay off that idea.

[Rocketman]

Here's the deal. I'm a long time IT manager and go back to mainframe days and am both PC and VERY Mac savvy being the IT mgr for a big advertising agency.

Your choice depends on WHAT you are going to do with it. Are you a graphics/design pro? IF NOT there are better alternatives especially if you are a gamer. As of the last few days, many of the big game developers have announced their games will run on Apple Intel's without needing a Windows OS. YES YOU HEARD RIGHT. Rosetta is a big deal in legacy apps. That's why there is no tower Intel Mac yet. They are waiting for Adobe CS3 which will be universal to arrive. THEN you'll see the Mac Pro series. The next version of MS Office will also be universal/native

The Macbook Pro is nice machine but costly for just faster firewire and a dedicated graphics card. Macbook is a better value. I have both platforms at home but my main machine for working and playing (except photo and graphics work) is an HP nc8430 notebook. Notice I say notebook. A marketing ploy is to stop using the term laptop since the small outbreak of fires and excessive heat some of these puppies can generate. The Macbook Pro gets HOT on the bottom. Enough where it's uncomfortable to have in your lap. If you have it sitting on something cloth covered it tends to get even hotter. You need good airflow underneath.

On installing Windows... you need a version with SP2 already part of the build or it will NOT run on an Intel Mac. SOME big box install disks will work if you have the product key. The "tatoo" the guy above speaks of is from some manufacturers. The disks aren't generic MS disks and are proprietary and sense the hardware and determine if it will load on the machine or not. Besides, that is software theft...

JMHO... hope it helps.

[jpars]

Here's the deal. I'm a long time IT manager and go back to mainframe days and am both PC and VERY Mac savvy being the IT mgr for a big advertising agency.

Your choice depends on WHAT you are going to do with it. Are you a graphics/design pro? IF NOT there are better alternatives especially if you are a gamer. As of the last few days, many of the big game developers have announced their games will run on Apple Intel's without needing a Windows OS. YES YOU HEARD RIGHT. Rosetta is a big deal in legacy apps. That's why there is no tower Intel Mac yet. They are waiting for Adobe CS3 which will be universal to arrive. THEN you'll see the Mac Pro series. The next version of MS Office will also be universal/native

The Macbook Pro is nice machine but costly for just faster firewire and a dedicated graphics card. Macbook is a better value. I have both platforms at home but my main machine for working and playing (except photo and graphics work) is an HP nc8430 notebook. Notice I say notebook. A marketing ploy is to stop using the term laptop since the small outbreak of fires and excessive heat some of these puppies can generate. The Macbook Pro gets HOT on the bottom. Enough where it's uncomfortable to have in your lap. If you have it sitting on something cloth covered it tends to get even hotter. You need good airflow underneath.
\.


nice! im too not into gaming or obviously i wouldnt have bought a mac, but thats good news. as far as macbook being a better deal........could not disagree more.
and 13 inches just doesnt cut it for me, period.
the integrated graphics does not work for me at all. i need some power in that department. also once i get my other gig of ram in this baby it will fly. im already very impressed with it.

as far as heat i was not bugged. i did not think it was signifigantly hotter then my dads g4 powerbook or old black g3 book. i really dont see why everyone is complaining so much about the heat.

i also had a copy of office we were running on our g5 tower. just put it on the macbook, and, whatever people want to say about rosetta, word, excel, and powerpoint all opened in 1 bounce with only a few (no more then 4) seconds on the load screen.......holy crap that was fast

[Rocketman]

You aren't taxing it if you haven't gotten it hot. Try rendering a video. That'll get that sucker smokin!

The new MacBook now has dual monitor capability so you can always add a 19" monitor if you'd like. Before, iBooks only allowed video mirroring. The cable is extra and NOT the same one used by the iMacs and previous iBooks.

From a price/performance perspective and total capability, you are paying a LOT more for a bigger screen and the video card. ALSO, with the Core Duo and chipset do NOT underestimate on board graphics capability. They can hold their own against many stand alone cards except when you get into gaming. You'd be hard pressed to see a difference in video in everyday apps between onboard and standalone video these days.