[drnkn_stylz]

Hey guys, I am going to upgrade my setup very soon (back to school deals), and I am curious about the MacBook and doing graphic work such as CS3 (Photoshop, After Effects, Flash, Dreamweaver mainly). I know the GMA950 is quite capable of some decent graphic work, but of course if I opted for a Pro with the NVIDIA GeForce, it would be night and day difference. Plus there's a few things I like such as a matte display, LED backlit, illuminated keyboard that I like. However, these are just wants, not necessarily needs. The only one that is possibly a need is the NVIDIA gpu.

So with that, my final question is, how capable is the MacBook (let's say the BlackBook w/ 2gb RAM) with handling graphic work like the programs I listed? Also, would it be worth it to upgrade to the base model MacBook Pro?

[Christopera]

It would be capable.

The MacBook Pro however would have a bigger screen making this type of work a bit easier.

The cost difference makes using a home based monitor with regular MB another option. Sort of the best of both worlds solution.

[drnkn_stylz]

That is true, and the price is always justifyable. I do like the MacBook and the screen isn't a problem to me. I am mainly worried about using it with Flash. With my older iBook, it would lag out when previewing an animation I made with several layers.

[yaroldb]

I have a first generation Macbook 2.0CD, and an Imac 2.16C2D at home. I use Flash, Photoshop and Illustrator a lot on both machines. Let me tell you how impressed I am by the Macbook. It keeps up with the Imac and I notice very little difference. I was blown away by how much faster CS3 was over CS2 on both machines. The only problem on my Macbook is the screen size. It is a great screen for surfing, checking mail and doing almost anything, but when you start working with something like Flash, you’ll need the room to work. Also, I’ve gotten used to the 20 inch Imac so I have to have them set up differently. I am currently working on a 10mb file in flash. It is a web site with over 50 layers. When I preview it, it runs like a champ. Barley any lag. It takes about 3 seconds before I am looking at the finished product. I wanted to go with the Macbook Pro, but at the time it was out of my price range. Looking back, I am happy my little Macbook and its performance. Ultimately, it will come down to what you like more. Also, no matter what machine you get, put the most Ram you can afford in it. I have 2gb on each machine.

Good luck on your purchase.

[mduell]

The apps you mentioned don't use the graphics card for acceleration, so there won't be much of a performance difference. If you can live with the small screen, the MacBook is fine, although 2GB may become stifling in the future if the size of your workpieces grows.

[drnkn_stylz]

Thanks for the input everyone. I think I may just save up a bit more and get a MacBook Pro. Overall it is a more powerful machine with a nicer screen, so I might as well get that and have it last me more than a year, like all my other machines hahaha.