Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Hi All,

I've been on this site for a while now, always knowing that I would eventually go Apple.

I can't wait to do so, but I have a few questions.

Can I buy Apple Care Protection Plan after a year? And if so, will my MacBook Pro be protected during the first year? And what will be the costs of the protection plan after a year?

I went to my local store and was unsure about whether it was worth the purchase over a MacBook Black and I have to say from what I seen the design and everything is top notch on the Pro and I think the screen of the MacBook black is a bit too small for me. I'll be purchasing the Pro with an education discount so I think its definitely worth the next step.

I'll be using it for the web (many tabs), applications such as iLife, iTunes and possibly iWork if people can recommend that over Office? I'd like a change.

How much of a difference is there between the Nvidia graphics card with the 256mb of video ram compared with the MacBook?

Is 2GB's RAM sufficient for my usage?

I really want a laptop that will last 4-5 years so i'm hoping this will be a good investment. If anyone could continue to talk me into this idea that would be great as its a lot of money for me to spend but I want a laptop for my new postgrad course and I want to continue using this laptop once I am qualified.

I also think Apple laptops are expensive when compared to their Vista counterparts, a friend of mine just bought a 17inch laptop with Vista and its really impressive for half the price i'm going to pay for a 15inch MacBook Pro. But I then think how much better Apple is and totally disregard staying with MS. So if someone could really sell me how great the MacBook Pro is and what people don't know about it then I would greatly appreciate it

Can't wait to get it!!!

You can't get applecare after the 1 year warranty is up. Applecare adds another 2 years to your coverage, making it a total of 3 years.

So you have to buy with purchase in order to have apple care?

No. Just have to get it before your 1 year runs out.

Ahh okay, yeah thats not a problem thanks for the reply, do you have a MacBook Pro? What are its biggest selling points for you? Thanks for your replies...

Yes, I have the one in my sig. Biggest selling point (over the MacBook) was, first, screen size (15.4" instead of 13"), and second, form (thin aluminum case, not plastic). It had a very nice set of features/performance too.

And after the period that you have had it are you still as impressed now as you was back then? How long do you think it will be before you feel the need to purchase a new model?

I'm still happy with it. I usually replace my notebooks every 3-4 years.

Thanks for your opinion

For the features and quality of materials (not to mention the operating system), the low end MacBook Pro with the edu discount is a very competitive price. I almost wish I picked one up instead of this MacBook.

I have had Mac laptops since the Duos, and the current MBP is the best, truly a spectacular box. My current MBP is a 17" and I really like the additional pixels and screen real estate; however I am a photog involved with heavy graphics apps. IMO the additional pixels and screen real estate of the 15" MBP over the MB are a huge benefit to anyone; the additional pixels and screen real estate of the 17" MBP over the 15" MBP are a significant benefit to graphics folks. Also the 17" is 5-10% faster.

The only benefit of the MB is 6 ounces lighter <yawn> and lower price. The MBP has far superior graphics, PMCIA card slot and Firewire 800. USB 2 is unacceptably slow on Macs, meaning the best external hard drive connection available to MBs is FW400, a significant limitation if you do any work that involves more than the internal drive.

I do recommend iWork; all 3 apps are excellent.

For the apps you list a MB will do fine; the real benefits of a MBP show when you move to more substantial apps, particular anything to do with images. That's when the far superior pixel count and screen real estate of the MBP really outperform.

Good luck!

-Allen Wicks

SierraDragon, how can the 17" be faster - hasn't the 15" got the same CPU and graphics card?

As soon as I sell my iMac, I'm getting a 15" with the 512M graphics card. I've already got a 22" monitor for home use, now I just need Apple to bring out a full sized wireless keyboard instead of the door stop they have at the moment.

The previous MBP 15" 2.2GHZ model is still available from MacMall at around $1525.

The least expensive place to purchase AppleCare is at the L.A. Computer Company. I believe that they charge the same price as the educational discount; it is a significant savings compared to the full retail price.

Thanks for the replies

I am tempted to purchase Aperture 2, I really would like to get into photography....

I know a MacBook would do me fine, but I really like powerful P.C's and don't want any limitations, as I see it i'm spending a lot on a MacBook so might as well spend that little bit more for the MacBook Pro.

Mark probably knows the exact reason, I do not. However in general the reason is that the 17" can be set to higher performance (more heat output) because all the componentry is not crammed into such a small space. BareFeats.com probably has tests.

-Allen Wicks

Everything you are saying says go for the MBP. Note that a significant MBP upgrade is very likely in the June/July, maybe August time frame. That means improving deals on existing MBPs, or going for the stronger newer model.

-Allen Wicks

I just purchased a 2.4 MBP with Aperture 2, which will be here tomorrow. I've been using a 12" Powerbook G4 for the last 3 years, and have found the small screen VERY limiting for what I do (naturally). I wasn't into photography when I got the 12", but am heavy into it now. I know for a fact I'll love the extra real estate on the screen, and can't wait to try Aperture as well. I wouldn't get a regular Macbook if you *really* intend to get into photography.

The high end 15" and the 17" have the same CPU and GPU, but the GPU core and VRAM are clocked higher on the 17". At least that was certainly the case with the last generations. This is due to the additional space on the 17" that allows more heat to be dissipated.



Of course if you're doing something like CS3 that doesn't benefit from 3D acceleration you won't notice this difference. On the other hand people that do 3D games, OpenGL, Aperture, Motion, etc. will.

Right, this thread looks like its going to cost me !!!!

A 17" it is then.

I fail to see why 7 fps is worth an extra $300 for the 17" over the 15".

7 fps could mean the difference between LIFE AND DEATH !!!!!