[alligator]

I picked up a black MacBook two days ago at the local Apple store. Now that I get back home and check out the specs on the MacBook Pro 15" model, it is only slightly bigger size-wise. I hear the screens are better, and I get an extra ExpressCard slot, backlit keyboard, the metal case and keyboard, and a better graphics card.

Did I buy the wrong machine? The difference would be about $500. I'm upgrading from a G4 Aluminum PowerBook - and I really, really, really liked that keyboard.

I will mainly use this computer for web browsing, Vista in Parallels, iTunes, iPhoto, MS Office, and video conferencing. My main machine is a Mac Pro, so this is only a secondary machine. I will take it on limited vacations up north, so weight doesn't matter that much.

I have a limited time to return this black MacBook to the store - do I do it? Can users who have the 15" machine let me know if they've compared it to a MacBook 13.1" machine?

[papadopolis]

i think that that is a very good system for what you are doing with it....

[Zeeb]

Originally Posted by alligator 

I picked up a black MacBook two days ago at the local Apple store. Now that I get back home and check out the specs on the MacBook Pro 15" model, it is only slightly bigger size-wise. I hear the screens are better, and I get an extra ExpressCard slot, backlit keyboard, the metal case and keyboard, and a better graphics card.

Did I buy the wrong machine? The difference would be about $500. I'm upgrading from a G4 Aluminum PowerBook - and I really, really, really liked that keyboard.

I will mainly use this computer for web browsing, Vista in Parallels, iTunes, iPhoto, MS Office, and video conferencing. My main machine is a Mac Pro, so this is only a secondary machine. I will take it on limited vacations up north, so weight doesn't matter that much.

I have a limited time to return this black MacBook to the store - do I do it? Can users who have the 15" machine let me know if they've compared it to a MacBook 13.1" machine?

I bought a MBP because I use it as my primary machine and I wanted a bigger screen and better graphics. If I already had a Mac Pro I would probably go with the macbook like you did.

[mduell]

You're not doing anything strenuous on the laptop and you have the Mac Pro at the desk for all the heavy lifting... the MacBook Pro would be better if it was your only computer, but it's not.

[mfbernstein]

As a secondary machine, an MB is a perfectly acceptable choice.

Think of it this way: you pay $500 for 2" of screen real estate, the possibility of a matte display, an express card slot (whose value is nothing if you don't use it), an FW800 port (ditto), 166MHZ, a slightly larger disk, a bit more RAM, and a more traditional keyboard.

The MB has advantages of its own: it's slightly more portable and much more durable.

[mac128k-1984]

The screen on the MPB is superior, try out the MB first and see if the glare does bother you. Also note that the macbook's case is more durable then the MBP, but then coming from a powerbook you know how the alu. can easily deform.

The major difference as I see it between these two machines is the GPU. The Macbook uses the integrated graphics and that does have an impact on various things, such as running vista (in bootcamp), games,aperture.

I went from a powerbook to a macbook for a couple of reasons, one was the size, I wanted a smaller form factor when I travel, I also wanted a more durable case because the laptop is a backpack bag. The things I don't like about the MB are as follows:the glossy screen, and the gpu but that doesn't mean I regret the purchase, for my needs, the MB is a good fit since I don't use the laptop that much.

Since its not your main machine, I say keep it and pocket the 500 dollars.
By the way you have 14 days to return it if you purchased it at an apple store, you may have to pay for a restocking fee, but if you "upgrading" to a MBP they may waive that. I've had that fee waived a few times in the name of customer service but then I do purchase a lot of things there.

[alligator]

The MacBook glare doesn't bother me. I guess you are right - a better graphics card doesn't really matter much to me. I do the heavy lifting (like Aperture) on my Mac Pro.

Thanks for posting your opinions. They helped.

[Frugle]

Originally Posted by Zeeb 

I bought a MBP because I use it as my primary machine and I wanted a bigger screen and better graphics. If I already had a Mac Pro I would probably go with the macbook like you did.

+1.

[SierraDragon]

MBP versus MB
Thinner MBP vs. thicker MB
FW800 v. no FW800
Many more (1440x900) pixels v. less (1280x900) pixels
MBP has much more screen real estate
Backlit keyboard v. no backlit keyboard
Good graphics card v. no graphics card
Express Card Slot v. no Express Card Slot
The MBP only weighs 6 ounces more

Given that list, IMO the MBP upgrade is worth quite a lot. Certainly for anything to do with graphics or if during the life of the box you may ever want to handle images much the MBP is far, far superior. Working with images like I do, 1440x900 pixels is hugely better than 1280x900. So much so that I bought the 1680x1050 17" C2D MBP even though I prefer the 15" form factor.

FW 800 and/or eSATA through an express card are essential if you ever do anything that needs a fast external drive connection (Photoshop scratch, batch image files transfer, etc.). Also if you decide to drive a second monitor at any point the extra graphics power would be beneficial.

You say you run Aperture, as do I. If so the MBP is a much better box for it. Even if you only preview images in the field the larger screen, added pixels, added graphics processing power and faster CPU all make a difference.

-Allen Wicks

Note that you can exchange any Apple box for 14 days with no questions asked.

[mfbernstein]

FYI, both the MB and MBP can do 3GB of RAM.

Finally, no matter how good an MBP you get, it will not compare with the Mac Pro.

For the tasks you named, the MB is both adequate and offers better piece of mind (durability is key for travelling).

[alligator]

Okay, now I see someone was for the MBP instead of the MB.

My wife dislikes the ridge around the edge of the MB. Does the MBP have this?

I have 2 GB of RAM on order for my MB. Can it be used in a MBP?

[brokenjago]

The ridge?

Yes.

Respectively.

[SierraDragon]

Originally Posted by mfbernstein 

FYI, both the MB and MBP can do 3GB of RAM.For the tasks you named, the MB is both adequate and offers better piece of mind (durability is key for travelling).

Nonsense. There is nothing wrong with the durability of the MBPs. Making a "peace of mind" argument is ridiculous, as if they were somehow fragile failure-prone devices, which is decidely untrue. True MBPs are not aimed at the K-thru-12 kids like MBs exteriors are, but they are solid professional-grade hardware.

Yes, one can buy and put 3 GB RAM in a MB from third parties. Apple, however, does not sell it that way. Whether there are heat issues involved (adding the third GB would be for power usage and would make for hotter operation under maximum usage) or Apple is simply using RAM to help define the low end I do not know. MBs plastic case design is reportedly more problematic from a max-usage heat removal standpoint than the aluminum MBPs are. There are reasons that Apple qualifies the MBPs as pro boxes and the MBs as consumer boxes.

What "adequate" means is in the eye of each individual user. The comparison list in my post above speaks to how many ways the MBP is better than a MB. What is adequate is for each user to decide, and includes the obvious issue of personal finances. Personally I would have stuck with my G4 PB if the MB rather than the MBP was the only MacIntel laptop option.

-Allen Wicks

[SierraDragon]

Originally Posted by alligator 

I have 2 GB of RAM on order for my MB. Can it be used in a MBP?

AFAIK the DIMMs are the same but you can call OWC and ask, nice folks: 800-275-4576. Quality vendors will easily let you exchange unopened RAM. I have done it twice with OWC when my needs changed.

-Allen Wicks

[polendo]

In my case I would return it and get a MBP. Not because the MB is a bad computer, far from it, but I would constantly be thinking of the MBP in a sense of wanting instead of needing. I know, it doesn't make sense, but then again once that anxiety feeling kicks in it will bother me alot. Like I said, thats in my case. In those situations the phrase mind over matter doesn't work for me.

regards

[mduell]

Originally Posted by SierraDragon 

Yes, one can buy and put 3 GB RAM in a MB from third parties. Apple, however, does not sell it that way. Whether there are heat issues involved (adding the third GB would be for power usage and would make for hotter operation under maximum usage) or Apple is simply using RAM to help define the low end I do not know.

3GB means going single-channel instead of dual-channel, which really hurts the graphics performance on the MB.

Apple could flip a switch and make both the MB and MBP support 4GB (~3.4GB logical but with dual channel performance), but they refuse to.

Originally Posted by SierraDragon 

MBP versus MB
Good graphics card v. no graphics card

I think your statement is disingenuous; the MacBook has a graphics card. You're welcome to say good gaming performance vs poor gaming performance, but let's not lead people to believe that the MB has no graphics card.

[papadopolis]

i have an iBook G4 (yes no intel and im still living!) and it dose almost anything i ask it! some times i have 8 or 9 windows in safari alone! and iTunes is always open.... along with iCal and NeoOffice too..... and i only get the beach ball every now and then with one GB of RAM.... just get 2 GBs in it and you will do great! the MB is a very strong system. it will do what you ask it just fine!

[asodamiac]

Seeing as you have the Mac Pro for the heavy duty work, the MB sounds like a great mobile option.

I'm planning on purchasing a Mac Pro (in the not-so-near-future), but once I do, the MB would seem like a very nice mobile option for me. However, I find the 13" screen to be quite a bit smaller then the 15" of my current PB. After overcoming that (and the glossy screen), I'm sure I'd be a happy camper

[SierraDragon]

Originally Posted by mduell 

I think your statement is disingenuous; the MacBook has a graphics card. You're welcome to say good gaming performance vs poor gaming performance, but let's not lead people to believe that the MB has no graphics card.

Mark-

My understanding is that MBs have integrated graphics rather than a separate graphics card like the fairly strong ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 in MBPs. To quote Intel [emphasis mine]:

"The new Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (Intel® GMA 950) graphics core is an intelligent and responsive graphics engine built into the chipset that is on the motherboard. This integration provides incredible visual quality, faster graphics performance and flexible display options without the need for a separate graphics card."

Technical semantics aside, the main point is that MB graphics are far weaker than MBP graphics. I think we can agree on that.

-Allen

[mduell]

Originally Posted by SierraDragon 

My understanding is that MBs have integrated graphics rather than a separate graphics card like the fairly strong ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 in MBPs. To quote Intel [emphasis mine]:

"The new Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (Intel® GMA 950) graphics core is an intelligent and responsive graphics engine built into the chipset that is on the motherboard. This integration provides incredible visual quality, faster graphics performance and flexible display options without the need for a separate graphics card."

Technical semantics aside, the main point is that MB graphics are far weaker than MBP graphics. I think we can agree on that.

The graphics "card" in the MacBook is not a seperate or discrete card like the underclocked X1600 in the MBP (which if you want to be picky isn't really seperate anyway, since it's soldered to the logic board), but there is both a graphics processing unit and video memory in the MacBook (and other GMA950 models).

But I don't think you should say the MacBook has no graphics card. It's almost as concise and more accurate to say "Good 3D gaming performance vs poor 3D gaming performance" but even that statement is lacking since it doesn't mention Aperture/Motion performance. *sigh*