Buying A MacBook Pro? Which Is The Best Value?
Apple February 15th, 2007If you’re looking to purchase a MacBook Pro to add to your computing realm in the near future, but aren’t too sure which one should take the center-place inside your Shopping Cart, there are a few thing you need to go over when choosing which model to buy.
I assume since you’ve chosen to buy a MacBook Pro you will be utilizing it’s enhanced features over the MacBook, whether it’s the extra screen resolution, HD speed/space, RAM limit, or better video card. Now you have to make a decision on 3 different MacBook Pro models, which one should you get, and which is best value?
First step is to choose how larger display you want, if you want the 17″, then your decision making process stops here, go and order it. If you want to stick with the more portable and realistic 15″ model, you have two different further options.
The low range 15″ MacBook Pro features a 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 1GB of RAM, 120GB HDD, and the ATI Radeon X1600 128MB video card.
The top range 15″ MacBook Pro features a 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, 120GB HDD, and the ATI Radeon X1600 256MB video card.
The difference in the two machines being the slightly faster processor, an extra GB of RAM, and a video card twice as powerful. Is this worth the $500 price increase over the low range model?
In my person opinion, for the tasks I use my Mac for, yes. If you are going to be using the machine for usage with any of Apple’s Pro production applications including Final Cut, Aperture, and Motion, get the top range 15″ model. But if you are not using any of these pro apps, and will be sticking to the iLife suite to complete these tasks, the low range model will suit you fine, and save you some cash while you’re at it.
The verdict:
Using Apple’s Pro Apps: Top Range 15″ MBP
Using iLife Suite: Low Range 15″ MBP
What laptop are you using, and what were the deciding factors when you bought it?
February 15th, 2007 at 6:12 am
You should also consider installing RAM youself. There are plenty of guides out there on how to do it and many places to buy RAM for your MacBook. While you’ll miss out on the higher-end processor, I think the lower model’s processor would work just find.
Plus there are always discounts from resellers. I like Mac Connection since I get $100 rebate, free shipping, and no tax.
February 15th, 2007 at 6:53 am
I basically use an iMac G5 2GHz to do all of my bidding. However when the situation calls for it, I use my 12″ Powerbook G4 mainly for traveling. I chose this model because I like how it’s extremely travel sized and has more power than the iBooks at the time. All in all my Powerbook is very useful and for those necessary trips on the road, it’s very useful with final cut and Soundtrack.
February 15th, 2007 at 7:14 am
Installing RAM is easy! Apple rip you off on RAM so much! I’d definitely recommend buying your own RAM (crucial.com) and installing it your self (you.com)
February 15th, 2007 at 8:20 am
I think the MacBook has made the choice between the Pros to narrow. If all your are doing is the low end stuff on iLife, the MacBook is incredibly capable. I have also been using Final Cut Express on it and it has been nice. You only need the graphics card for 3D rendering, Aperture and a few features I don’t use much in FCE.
Do buy the ram someplace else. It is ridiculuous pricing from Apple.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:12 am
is it worth est. 350 dollars (swedenstore) for the extra 128 MB in graphics? I would like a serious answer please. Why do I need it?
February 15th, 2007 at 9:21 am
MacBook. I’m not running Pro apps.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:28 am
I picked up the MacBook because of the portability and i am not running pro apps, yet at least. If i get a pro machine it will be the mac pro desktop.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:55 am
I’ve got the high-end white MacBook (2ghz, 1 gb ram). I was stepping up to it from a PowerMac G4, and the Macbook suits my needs. I do a lot of audio post-processing and Soundtrack Pro and the other apps I use are fine. Every once in a while, I’ll use Final Cut Express and it seems to run fine. I can even use Aperture, and it doesnt seem to run slow to me, so I really like the MB. I also like the portablility of the MB over the bigger 15 and 17 inch screens. I just plug it in to a 17 inch LCD when I’m not on the go.
February 15th, 2007 at 10:49 am
iMac aside, I’m very happy with my 15″ PowerBook G4. This summer, however, I will be upgrading it to whatever is released at WWDC.
New MacBooks announced? I’ll get one! New MacBook Pro? I’ll buy that instead.
My problem is that compared to my iMac, everything seems so damn slow. I need a notebook that can match it (or nearabouts).
Oh! And I’d never be happy unless it was top spec. So no matter what I bought, MacBook / Pro, it would have to be top specs. I’d be disappointed afterwards, otherwise. I know myself too well.
February 15th, 2007 at 10:57 am
I have to say, I got a 17″ MPB last summer, and it’s not quite as bad as it sounds. It’s shape lets it fit into a 15″ bag, and let me tell you, when editing some of my images, that extra 2″ makes such a big difference.
February 15th, 2007 at 11:36 am
Apple has made it really hard to choose between the macbook and the macbook pro. For me, the decision would be with the pro becuase I absolutly hate glossy screens.
February 15th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Glenn, you wrote this just to hint me to get one didn’t you ;). I know how you loathe my fan.
February 15th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
William, you know how I feel about your PowerBook ;-)
Order that MacBook Pro.
February 15th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
I’ve got a 1.83GHz MacBook Pro, and though it’s a nice machine, mine has had nothing but problems. Like serious problems that are still in the process of being fixed through AppleCare. Things that have been going on since last July. >_> I realize that mine is probably just a first generation lemon, but I still don’t think I could ever buy another MacBook Pro.
February 15th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
@Andre: I’ve had a lot of problems with the first generation MacBook Pro as well. I had the lower end model and because of the problems, the entire machine was replaced.
I must agree with the rest of the readers that RAM from Apple is quite expensive and personally, I just can’t afford to get it upgraded through them. Lifehacker has a short video on how to replace your MacBook Pro ram. Looks pretty straight forward (and a lot cheaper) to me.
February 16th, 2007 at 2:47 am
@Steffan: I would recommend you get a smaller, faster hard drive (7200rpm), as this makes a huge difference when comparing it with your desktop.
A new offering will most likely match your iMac, if not beat it, and the hard disk will be the only let down unless you put in the faster one.
February 16th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
On a completely unrelated note, I see you’ve added a donate page, Glenn. I’d donate.
…If I didn’t have to pay for my own stuff.
… If I had any money.
Guess that means I can’t. Sorry Glenn. If it’s any consolation, you already have a lot more than I do. ;-Q
February 17th, 2007 at 12:13 am
@Ryan: Funny you should say that. Over the summer the hard-drive in my PowerBook failed. Instead of going for a smaller, faster version I actually went for a larger and, unfortunately, slower version.
I believe this one is 5400rpm, 120Gb.
February 17th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Are you just ripping all you content from Macintalk now? This is almost a direct rip of this article: http://macintalk.com/2006/12/29/which-macbook-pro-is-the-best-value/
and the most recent Friday photo uses the same preview as Macintalks here: http://macintalk.com/2007/02/12/weekly-desktop-blade/
Just found it curious…
February 17th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Hi Dustin. I actually hadn’t seen that article on Macintalk as I haven’t been a reader for long, thanks for the link.
About the preview for my desktop wallpaper, yes, I got the idea from Andreas - but I already had the application you use to make previews like that installed (Snapshooter, freeware).
June 6th, 2007 at 1:32 am
I had to make the decision between a MacBook Pro and a MacBook. It came down to th screen size for me, and the 13.3 on the MacBook was the choice I made. I went for the basic model 1.83 512mb of ram and 60gb harddrive. I upgraded the harddirve to 120 (This was incredibly easy) and am in the process of ordering 2gigs of ram for just £54 pound. Compared to apples 200 pounds.
You can save alot by doing things yourself.