Macbook:Pro vs norm; core duo vs core 2 duo

[mylasthope]

I was wondering whether I should buy a regular Macbook or a Macbook pro, and whether or not to just wait for core 2 duo macbooks to be released. In addition, buying a core duo macbook would mean getting a free 2gb ipod nano and printer. Tough decision.

P.S. Starting college this September.

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: mylasthope
I was wondering whether I should buy a regular Macbook or a Macbook pro, and whether or not to just wait for core 2 duo macbooks to be released. In addition, buying a core duo macbook would mean getting a free 2gb ipod nano and printer. Tough decision.

P.S. Starting college this September.

Wait to see what they anounce at WWDC this week. If there's a new notebook being released, then buy it. Otherwise you'd be better off buying a MacBook or MacBookPro now instead of waiting for the new ones to be released.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Core 2 Duo Macbooks probably won't be available until September at earliest

http://www.laptoplogic.com/news/detail.php?id=1226

 

[mylasthope]

hmm, so it's either I wait until september or get a macbook pro w/ free 2gb ipod nano and printer. Is the core 2 duo worth waiting? Oh yeah, I start school Sept. 22nd. My biggest concern is that if I do wait, will they still offer a free printer and nano w/ the macbook for college students?

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: mylasthope
hmm, so it's either I wait until september or get a macbook pro w/ free 2gb ipod nano and printer. Is the core 2 duo worth waiting? Oh yeah, I start school Sept. 22nd. My biggest concern is that if I do wait, will they still offer a free printer and nano w/ the macbook for college students?

I wouldn't count on that promotion sticking around. Like most other mfrs, they may just be offering that to clear out Core Duo.

 

[mylasthope]

Blah, no core 2 duo it is. =/ Thanks for all the advice.

 

[VooDooAddict]

Check out Anandtech's article on the difference between the Core 2 Duo and the Core Duo. What I gleaned from it ... Core 2 does offer slight performance increase in all areas, but the only reason to wait for Core 2 Duo in the laptop realm would be if gaming was a primary factor. Gaming performance increases were substantial.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

Originally posted by: VooDooAddict
Check out Anandtech's article on the difference between the Core 2 Duo and the Core Duo. What I gleaned from it ... Core 2 does offer slight performance increase in all areas, but the only reason to wait for Core 2 Duo in the laptop realm would be if gaming was a primary factor. Gaming performance increases were substantial.

If you were getting a macbook anyways, then the gains would have been minimal, arguably - core duo or core 2 duo wouldn't make that much of a difference since you're not gonna game. However, if you were to get the macbook pro, and were thinking of gaming, it's probably best to wait for the core 2 duo - though who knows when they'll be out. You might have to wait it out a month or two.

 

[mylasthope]

If you were getting a macbook anyways, then the gains would have been minimal, arguably - core duo or core 2 duo wouldn't make that much of a difference since you're not gonna game. However, if you were to get the macbook pro, and were thinking of gaming, it's probably best to wait for the core 2 duo - though who knows when they'll be out. You might have to wait it out a month or two.

I did plan on gaming. Otherwise I was just going to get a regular macbook. So should I wait and hope they still offer the free printer/nano w/ the core 2 duos? Or is core 2 duo worth losing the promo and worth the wait?

 

[ubercaffeinated]

Originally posted by: mylasthope

If you were getting a macbook anyways, then the gains would have been minimal, arguably - core duo or core 2 duo wouldn't make that much of a difference since you're not gonna game. However, if you were to get the macbook pro, and were thinking of gaming, it's probably best to wait for the core 2 duo - though who knows when they'll be out. You might have to wait it out a month or two.

I did plan on gaming. Otherwise I was just going to get a regular macbook. So should I wait and hope they still offer the free printer/nano w/ the core 2 duos? Or is core 2 duo worth losing the promo and worth the wait?

if you absolutely need the latest tech, then wait. you will lose on the promos for sure but you will get a c2d. i don't know though... if you are planning on gaming... why get an apple in the first place?

 

[mylasthope]

Hmm, what other laptop options are there? I was just going for a macbook cause of the promos. I mainly need a laptop for college, or so I'm told I do. So maybe I should just get a regular macbook. Any suggestions? I mean I do want some sort of gaming capabilities on my laptop, in case class is boring. Should I just bring my pc to college?

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: mylasthope
Hmm, what other laptop options are there? I was just going for a macbook cause of the promos. I mainly need a laptop for college, or so I'm told I do. So maybe I should just get a regular macbook. Any suggestions? I mean I do want some sort of gaming capabilities on my laptop, in case class is boring. Should I just bring my pc to college?

If you want a laptop the size of a Macbook Pro with gaming capabilities, go with an Asus W3J. It is just as nice and has better specs than the Macbook Pro (higher clocked MR X1600).

 

[mylasthope]

Hmm, if imma do that, I might as well just get a macbook pro so i can get the promos too. The pro'll be able to run oblivion just fine, right? Although I must admit the ASUS has better specs than the macbook pro I was planning on getting

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: mylasthope
Hmm, if imma do that, I might as well just get a macbook pro so i can get the promos too. The pro'll be able to run oblivion just fine, right? Although I must admit the ASUS has better specs than the macbook pro I was planning on getting

It will play Oblivion, but the Macbook Pro's X1600 is underclocked compared to the Asus model. Just to give a comparison of the difference, in 3dMark06, the Macbook gets about 1530 (Notebookreview.com Chart, you'll need to scroll down to see it) while my Asus notebook gets 2050 with stock clocks. It's up to you though in the end. Also, depends on how much your configuration of the Macbook costs.

There are some sites that have promotions for the W3J:
GenTech Computers - 5% off W3J
Geared2Play - $70 Rebate
MilestonePC.com: $1709 base price for W3J

 

[halfadder]

I overclock my 15" MacBookPro with ATITool when I play Oblivion. Works great as long as it's not on my lap... MacBookPro is made of aluminum, so the whole bottom is one huge heatsink.

For Quake4 and Doom3, I leave the X1600 at its default speeds.


Keep in mind that the 17" MacBookPro adjusts the X1600 GPU/RAM speeds based on temp and perforamance demands. If you need the power, and it's not running too hot, then it speeds up to meet the demand. This is probably because the 17" model is larger and can better dissipate the heat.... MacBookPro is THIN

 

[VooDooAddict]

Originally posted by: mylasthope
I mean I do want some sort of gaming capabilities on my laptop, in case class is boring. Should I just bring my pc to college?

LMAO. Maybe you should save yourself the BIG $$ and go to a cheep community college for 2 years first. (? half joking)

Seriously though... if you've got a nice gaming PC already just bring that for gaming. Get yourself a nice light, high quality, low power (long battery life, less heat) laptop for class. There are still a few nice 2D or older 3D games that can kill an hour of your life and will run just fine on an integrated graphics core. Hell, just thinking about how much time one could waste with emulators makes me want to go back to school.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511

Originally posted by: mylasthope
Hmm, what other laptop options are there? I was just going for a macbook cause of the promos. I mainly need a laptop for college, or so I'm told I do. So maybe I should just get a regular macbook. Any suggestions? I mean I do want some sort of gaming capabilities on my laptop, in case class is boring. Should I just bring my pc to college?

If you want a laptop the size of a Macbook Pro with gaming capabilities, go with an Asus W3J. It is just as nice and has better specs than the Macbook Pro (higher clocked MR X1600).

i'm gonna put another vote in for the w3j+. it freaking owns. if i knew i had time to game, i would have gotten the w3j over anything.

 

[mylasthope]

w3j vs cheapest macbook regular/pro + free printer / nano. I may just end up bringing my computer to college.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: mylasthope
w3j vs cheapest macbook pro + free printer / nano

Isn't the cheapest MBP $2000? That's at least $200 more than the W3J. Also, the base configuration for the MBP only has 512MB of RAM when it is recommended that you run with at least 1GB. Take all of this into consideration when making your purchasing decision. Also, the free printer might be nice, but also remember that ink costs may be much higher depending on the type of printer.

 

[mylasthope]

$1,799.00, base, for the macbook pro w/ the college discount. And yeah i noticed the 512mb ram and the 128mb vid card. =(. Printers: Canon mp500 and HP 3140 to choose from.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

with 2gigs of ram the w3j can be shipped to you for around 1850 if you shop around. who cares about the ipod and printer. those are just gimmicks. nice gimmicks. but still not enough to make the difference. w3j > medium spec macbook pro

 

[halfadder]

If you're as clumsy as me, the "magsafe" magnetic power connector on the MacBookPro might make up for some of the price difference. So far I have managed to trip over the cord about 3 times, at least 2 of those times there was a good chance the MacBookPro would have gone flying off my desk had it not been for the magnetic power connector. I have a few old mangled power adapter connectors from past notebooks as battle scars.

Another nice perk of the MacBookPro is the backlit keyboard with laser engraved key caps, but that's more of a style/aestheic thing, kind of like the aluminum skin and overall thinness. Some love it, others hate it. Hell, I even think the machined power button is classy, but then I'm a sucker for fit'n'finish.

 

[mylasthope]

Guess I'll just have to go w/ the ASUS and pick up a printer separately. Now any suggestions for printers? XD

 

[ubercaffeinated]

samsung ml-2010, cheap laser printer. awesome.

 

[mylasthope]

Thanks a lot for the advice. Still contemplating waiting for core 2 duo though. >_<