Macbook Pro

Ok, SO I've drunk the Kool Aid and I'm ready to join the cult. I'm debating between the two Macbook Pro models. I've seen the numbers and such, but can anyone give me any real world advice between which I should pick? Right now on amazon there's a $450 price difference between the two. If I got the cheaper one, I'd upgrade the RAM (for about $150) so that difference comes down to $300.

Will I kick myself on down the road if I go cheap? Am I wasting my money if I go expensive?

 

You'll kick yourself for spending $1800-2400 for a laptop...

 

Question: Are laptops used in lieu of a desktop or as a convenience when on the go?

 

They can be used as either. Right now I've got a "powerhouse" desktop and a laptop I use for mobility. With the macbook pro I will be getting, I'll replace both of those machines.

 

yeah the biggest thing I've seen in all this is that Mac laptops cost at least double what you should be spending.


FWIW, since I'm bitching in this thread, I was wondering if anyone was keeping an eye out for a 15"+ 2.0ghz+ 2-3GB ram laptop in a $450 or so range? That's what I'm hoping to find.

 

yeah, I'm not psyched about spending so much on a machine just because of the OS, but it's what I've gotta have, so I've gotta have it.

Mags, as far as what you're looking for, I havent seen any quite that cheap, but you should be able to find a ton with those specs for under $550. I'm sure you can find one in the range you're talking about, but it'll probably take some serious looking. I'll let you know if I stumble across anything.

 

I've gotten fairly close - 15.4, 3gb ram, 160 gig for 515. 450's my magic number, and would prefer a 15.6

 

If that's your deal, you gotta have it, then get it... swing for the fence... the mac will last you a very long time... I have a 9 yr old mac G4 hooked to the tv for internet amd I use a $30 wireless mouse/keyboard...

I put a 20" iMac in my daughter's room a couple of years ago... I highly recommend the iMacs... I have a few 24" at work

but my laptop is a 5yr old 17" toshiba... for a laptop, it's big

if I was you, I'd probably go with the 24" iMac and get an iPhone... but I don't what you need it for... but you're already spending extra to get the mac, spend a little extra, it's okay

Also, I don't know if you know about it, but there's a student discount for macs right online... you just need to know someone in school... save you a little cash anyway

 

I was looking at the Dell Outlet site about a month ago and saw Inspiron 1525s (that were pretty close to the specs you listed) for under $450 with a 20% off discount code. The code is expired now, but if you keep an eye out for new codes, you might find something similar at some point. This is, of course, assuming you don't mind refurbs (some are "previously ordered new" or "scratch and dent" too).

 

iMac would defeat the purpose, I need the portability.

yeah, I had one of those 17" toshibas back in the day - that thing was a beast. I'll never own another 17 again.