Which Macbook is right for me?

[Michael]

I'm in the market for a new notebook. I'm currently using my 1 year old Toshiba Satellite L305D-S5934, still immaculate and running great, just need an upgrade.

I like the Macbook Pro, and am considering buying one but I can't decide which one is right for me!

I use the following programs regularly, and will use them or their equivalent on the Macbook Pro when I get it as well:

Photoshop CS3 Extended
Flash CS3 (still learning!)
MSN Messenger
Thunderbird Mail (will use the Mac mail client if it suits my needs)
FireFox 3.5
Notebook++ (will need an equivalent, I think..)
Microsoft Office 2007
iTunes
Mobile Device Center (SyncMate looks like a good alternative)

One of my hobbies is web design and I like to create my own images in Photoshop. I might pick up Dreamweaver to make things a little easier and less time consuming. If there's a Mac version, and I think there is, I'll also get that.

I like to play flash games on Facebook as well. Those are somewhat CPU intensive. I also download movies and music and use my notebook for watching media both on the notebook and the TV.

I'm not going to go for the 13" Macbook Pro, so that leaves the 15" and 17". The 17" is beautiful, but I'm not sure if I need all of that real estate on the screen or the added bulk of the laptop.. maybe, though.

Basically, I'm wondering which CPU/HDD/RAM/Graphics combo to go with.

The setup I'm looking at is:

# 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
# 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
# NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 256MB dedicated GDDR3 RAM

The next option up is:

# 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
# 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
# NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 512MB dedicated GDDR3 RAM

The 'upgrade' costs $300 more and only doubles the RAM for the graphics and adds a larger HDD.

If someone wants to recommend a comparable PC laptop, I'm open to hearing suggestions. Please, make sure it's not some gawdy red/black/blue gaming machine that looks like a toy, I need to be taken seriously when I use my notebook for job quotes and presentations.

 

[speedyink]

Unless you reeally need the extra hard drive space go with the lower one. $300 is way too much for what it adds. The first one will also do what you need just fine.

 

[Michael]

Unless you reeally need the extra hard drive space go with the lower one. $300 is way too much for what it adds. The first one will also do what you need just fine.

I forgot to post that the first one has the 2.66Ghz C2D (P8800? 3MB L2, 1066Mhz FSB) and the more expensive one has the 2.80Ghz C2D (T9600? 6MB L2, 1066Mhz FSB).

I'll be upgrading the HDD myself. I'll probably buy a 250GB 7200RPM HDD. It should run me around $60, and I'd have the 320GB that came with the Macbook to put in a case for external use.

How about the graphics? Is 256MB is enough? With 1GB GDDR5 dedicated graphics on PC notebooks, I feel like even the 512MB GDDR3 graphics in the Macbooks are wimpy.

Lastly, is it true that the CPUs memory controller has a direct connection to the RAM (no northbridge median)?

 

[Jet]

I forgot to post that the first one has the 2.66Ghz C2D (P8800? 3MB L2, 1066Mhz FSB) and the more expensive one has the 2.80Ghz C2D (T9600? 6MB L2, 1066Mhz FSB).

I'll be upgrading the HDD myself. I'll probably buy a 250GB 7200RPM HDD. It should run me around $60, and I'd have the 320GB that came with the Macbook to put in a case for external use.

How about the graphics? Is 256MB is enough? With 1GB GDDR5 dedicated graphics on PC notebooks, I feel like even the 512MB GDDR3 graphics in the Macbooks are wimpy.

Lastly, is it true that the CPUs memory controller has a direct connection to the RAM (no northbridge median)?

How long can you wait? The Macbook Pro processor line hasn't been truly updated for a while--it's been using the Penryn processors for a year. On January 7th, Intel is releasing their new laptop processor line--and the Macbook Pro is due for a refresh sometime in Q1 2009. I know that it's hard, and you might need it soon, and there aren't sure facts, but to be truthful, the MBP line really needs a refresh.

 

[Michael]

How long can you wait? The Macbook Pro processor line hasn't been truly updated for a while--it's been using the Penryn processors for a year. On January 7th, Intel is releasing their new laptop processor line--and the Macbook Pro is due for a refresh sometime in Q1 2009. I know that it's hard, and you might need it soon, and there aren't sure facts, but to be truthful, the MBP line really needs a refresh.

Actually, since I don't have a Barklay card, I have to wait until probably mid-Q1 to purchase anyway.

The Apple Store people tried to tell me that the 15" and 17" are only in 'half life' right now and that the hardware won't be upgraded anytime soon, but that the 13" unibody and plasticbook (for lack of a better name) are due for an upgrade. I found that hard to believe, what you're saying makes more sense to me.

Is there any speculation as to what they may be using in these new MBPs?

 

[FXB]

Shit I should have read this earlier. Macbook Pro were updated in april go check them out 13 in. MBP is still running core 2 duo but the 15 and 17 in. are running core i5 and i7 respectively.

initial Clock speeds RAM and hard drive configurations have been updated. I also believe you get a better graphics card and like 8 to 10 hrs of battery life.

hope this helps
cheers