[pundit]

I'm a long time PC user having worked with PCs since windows 3. Although I've used and grown very comfortable with their use and maintanance, I'm aware of their shortcomings, and my priorities have changed from valuing just performance, to valuing reliability and decreased (emotional and phsyical) TCO.

I'm in the market for a notebook because my family is relocating to Denver from NYC and we'd like availability of a computer on the go for GPS navigation, general web searches for places to eat and stay, and help searching for rentals when we get there, on the 1800 or so mile road trip we'll be taking.

I've been considering Mac's since they switched to Intel chips (considering that I could use XP for whatever the Mac couldn't do, or couldn't do well,) although I hate the Apple marketing strategy of having no prosumer desktop.

My needs for the notebook are:

Basic web access
GPS ... probably Microsoft Streets and Trips with GPS on Parallels... since it seems the best of a pretty bad bunch
Video editing for a road trip blog
Storing/editing all the digital pictures we'll be taking on-route.
Email
World of Warcraft, possibly, although I don't really plan the notebook as my primary WoW machine

My preference is for a lighter, sturdy and reliable notebook. I'd like the notebook to be capable of all of these things, although if I like the Mac experience enough, I plan to replace my primary workstation with a Mac Pro in all likelihood, and probably can't spring for both a MacBook Pro and a Mac Pro this year, although a low end Macbook and a Mac Pro are a possibility.

I understand that Mac's like plenty RAM, and that 2GB is a comfortable amount.

My question is... will a 13" Macbook handle what I need to do.. with upgraded memory? If anyone uses both a (recent) MBP and MB for these kind of activities, your input is most welcome.

Does anyone have recommendations or experiences regarding GPS turn-by-turn software running on a Macbook?

My time to buy is relatively limited.. I need to pick up a notebook in a week and a half. I understand that there may be at least a software if not hardware update for Macs in April. I assume this means I'll be stuck with "previous gen" hardware, and have to pay for the OS X update. Does anyone have an indication of how much these updates tend to run?

How good are the refurb models from the Mac store? I don't want a bad experience, but I know certain pre certified products particularly those backed by a long manufacturer warranty can be basically same-as-new with a significant price saving.

I'll probably be going to a Mac store to at least look later this week. Help me decide to buy a Mac, and not just look.

Pundit

[earthlings]

Mac Pro is the desktop.

Mac computers are good for photos, music, and video, so you are looking in the right area for a new computer!

Not sure about the refurb models.

I would go with the macbook pro for the larger screen on 15".

But yes, Leopard is coming out and more features coming out later this year.

[jam8]

a 13 inch macbook will absolutely do all of the things that you are looking to do, and the 2 gigs will make it that much better. putting windows on her will increase functionality. you will be set.

new hardware is going to be coming out within a month or two so you will be left with previous-gen hardware...the good news is that the current line of core 2 macbooks are such phenomenal computers that it doesn't matter one bit!

good luck with the switch!

[ghporter]

Do it. With a new MacBook and the free Boot Camp utility, you can run everything you're used to running, and often faster and better than on your existing PC. PLUS there's the entire world of Mac software-an untapped resource for the PC-bound world. It's great!

I've been a Windows user since version 1 (really!), and a Mac admirer since almost that far back. I finally got my wife an iBook for school in about 2002, and then finally treated myself to a MacBook Pro this past summer. I still use my PCs, but not nearly as much. Having a machine with two optical burners, 8 USB 2.0 ports and all sorts of other gadgets is a good thing now and then. But my MBP is GREAT and I tend to stay with it.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

... 8 USB 2.0 ports and all sorts of other gadgets is a good thing now and then. But my MBP is GREAT and I tend to stay with it.

Or in the case of Gateway as I found out, it's 8 USB 2.0 ports... but it's really an 8 port hub off of 1 USB port on the motherboard, so USB devices that require a powered USB port won't work on any of the ports. Thanks Gateway for making such a craptastic computer and waisting 4 hours of my day trying to find out if it's the DVD burner or the computer that's messing it up!

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by jam8 

a 13 inch macbook will absolutely do all of the things that you are looking to do ...

Except WoW, but you mentioned it wouldn't be your main WoW machine. I think people said it'll run decently at lower resolutions and detail settings.

[uicandrew]

congratulations on making the jump.

don't worry about the impending software update. Tiger is already ahead of Vista in many aspects. for productivity, NOTHING beats Expose. Aero is like trying to find the queen of hearts in a deck of cards by flipping thru the cards one by one. Expose lays all the cards out on the table. this isn't figurative. it is literally that different. The cost of the new OS (tends to run about $150) isn't that exorbitant, but definitely go out to an apple store to test it. Having the most updated version of bootcamp might be worth it in the long run.

I have a friend who used MS roads/trips on a 12" widescreen dell and it worked fine. He was traveling all over the country for interviews.

For durability, you can't beat a macbook. macbook pros are aluminum, which is more malleable than the polycarbonate of the macbook. i protect mine with a semi-permanent skin (bestskinsever.com) which is mostly to protect against scratches and scuffs and food crumbs.

As for video editing, another HUGE plus of macbooks is that the hard drive is user-replaceable with a T8 torx screwdriver and a 00 philips screwdriver and you won't void your hard drive. currently, newegg.com has 160gb hitachi hard drives for $125 SHIPPED. that is a lotta space for not a lotta dough. if you replace the hard drive in your macbook pro, you void the warranty. of course, it is always "if they find out."

one word of caution with apple notebooks is that they use a slot loading optical drive. slick? yes. elegant? yes. friendly for travel? not really. If the gps program requires you to use the cd while enroute, consider getting software that allows you to mount an image of the cd, since cds/dvds are more vulnerable in a slot loading drive.

I don't play WOW

in terms of certified macbook, they are just like new, except cheaper. However, being the picky person i am, i like to buy used macbooks so i know that there are no pixels. Depending on how desperate the seller is, you can get it at a significant discount. I've even bought a used certified powerbook with no problems (the person who i bought it from had bought it as a certified product). you can also get the extended applecare warranty from apple even with the certified macbooks for maximum peace of mind.

[uicandrew]

the ilife suite of software is going to invaluable for what you do.

pictures, video editing, plus it has a BUILT-IN powered 6-pin firewire port. most of the time, with windows laptops, you'll get the 4-pin unpowered firewire, which means you'll need an adapter.

also, vista is an inefficient in terms of power management. I installed vista on my macbook, and the fans ran almost constantly and the macbook got hot. and windows laptops have vents on the bottom of the case for heat disappation. if you use your laptop on your lap or on a bed in a hotel room, you'll block their vents and possibly overheat the pc, shortening its life.

the macbook has one vent, and it is built into the hinge of the macbook (the bottom is clean as a whistle) so you can actually use it as a LAPtop

[pundit]

Update: Been to (2!) NYC Apple Store.

Went to SoHo store... guy wasn't an amazingly good demonstrator. Wanted me to know (multiple times) that Mac's don't get viruses. Great. How about you show me why the Mac has a superior interface to Windows instead? Zero free MBPs, so couldn't test keyboard.

Went to Midtown store. Much better help.. demonstrated everything nicely. Although I'm pretty much set on the Macbook, I went in saying that I had an open mind, explained the situation and my needs, and the Macbook was suggested anyway.

My Mac experiences:

The Macbook 13" is a perfect travel size. The 17" MBP is a monster, and I can imagine it being unwieldy like two big Dells Inspirons I've used in the past. The 15" MBP is a little more managable, but still feels a bit bigger than I'd like.

I tried both keyboards and they have short travel, and basically no feedback at all... which is pretty standard for a lightweight keyboard. Basically average and usable, but I've seen better keyboards, even in some sub-notebooks. No immediately significant advantage on the MBP keyboard than the MB keyboard.

The trackpad was slow and not as precise as I'd have liked, but I know these things take time getting used to. Not sure if I like the "double-tap-context-click". I loved the Thinkpad X trackpoint "nub". I guess not every pointing device is created equal. I assume you can change sensitivity and acceleration settings? Will spring for a logitech trackball if I don't get to like it.

Screens were universally good. Bright, rich colors with even registration and geometry. No complaints

O.S. wise this is my 2nd time even touching OS X, and the first time I didn't have any guidance. The best thing is the Spotlight, undoubtedly. The dock is okay, but there is some disadvantage to a linear approach versus a heriachical menu if you organized the menu.

Application wise, the Ilife suite looks fun. Definitely more usable than the crap MS packages with their O.S. The Iphoto browser has a feel of similar comfort to the anniversary version of Paintshop Pro browse, which in my view was the superior photo management solution on the P.C. iDVD and iWeb look intuitive, although if you're locked into templates they may not be my ultimate solution.

The sales guy and I talked a bit about differences in models. I mentioned that I was thinking about Sprint Broadband, and he did point out that the MBP had an express card slot that would be used for that. I read a while ago that all the 720 model range, including the USB was now Mac compatible, and confirmed that on google, right there. (although I'm not thrilled about a 2.5 inch hunk of plastic sticking out of the side of the notebook, an express card slot is not worth hundreds of $'s to me.)

I told him my annoyance at the "no upgrade path" issue with buying a mac with OS 10.4.* now, and he was sympathetic and suggested I wait, but thats not an option for me. This basically sucks.. and Apple should re-think this dumb policy that Dell and HP seem to have figured out for years.

I was disappointed that the retail stores charge significantly more for ram than the online Apple store.

I'm deciding between the 2Ghz White Macbook and the Blackbook. I'm leaning towards the White, because the drive as mentioned is effectively user upgradable, and a black paint job is not (quite) worth $200.

I'm going to call Apple central store to figure out how fast they can ship.

Thanks for all your advice

[brettcamp]

Glad you checked 'em out in person. Two quick answers: yes, you can adjust the trackpad sensitivity and acceleration, via System Preferences. And you're not stuck with the Dock; there's plenty of app launchers around, including two of the best (Quicksilver and Butler) that are free. You can also plop your Applications folder (or a folder of frequently used apps and docs) in the Dock, then click and hold on it and choose your item that way.
Many of the reviews recommended the mid-range MacBook as the sweet spot of the 3 options. Refurbs are usually just fine, according to what I've read on these and other forums, but in the case of the MacBook, I'd probably not go with a Core Duo (the first gen MacBook) because some of the early models were plagued with some problems like discoloration and random shutdowns. A tiny number, relative to sales, but the Core2 Duos apparently have been much more solid, not to mention more powerful.
Sorry you can't wait for 10.5, which will likely be out next month, but you won't regret buying now. You might also check out buying via Amazon (which often offers discounts) or seeing if a reseller would give you a discount on a 10.5 upgrade when it comes out. Can't hurt to ask....
Welcome to the Mac world, and to the West! Let us know how your transition goes. Good luck!

[pcryan5]

"I've been a Windows user since version 1 (really!), and a Mac admirer since almost that far back."

Ah version 1 ... Aldus Pagemaker with Windows Runtime.

Anyhow I agree with you posting 100% except I recommend using Parallels instead of bootcamp. Just find it easier to use day to day. Either way however you'll be a happy .... er... camper.

[earthlings]

Good luck on your purchase!

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by pcryan5 

"I've been a Windows user since version 1 (really!), and a Mac admirer since almost that far back."

Ah version 1 ... Aldus Pagemaker with Windows Runtime.

Anyhow I agree with you posting 100% except I recommend using Parallels instead of bootcamp. Just find it easier to use day to day. Either way however you'll be a happy .... er... camper.

Or you can download VMware for free.