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As I really cannot afford a Macbook Pro - I am looking at a Macbook (2GB Ram white version) for my architecture course. Would this be suitable?

I know the laptop doesn't have a video card with its own ram, but I should be ok with CAD programs and Photo manipulation?

Other laptops I am looking at are the likes of Dells and HP's.

whatever you get, order 4gb of ram from newegg for ~$70. especially if you get the MB. its too cheap not to be worth it.

What CAD programs are you looking at using? I'm not too knowledgeable on CAD programs, but I would have thought they'd benefit from the dedicated graphics that the MBP has.

I'm guessing you'll be fine, unless you get into complicated 3D renderings.

I have a first generation MacBook and can run SketchUp, AutoCad, and CS3 just fine. More complicated modeling programs might be a problem and as others have posted, get the max amount of RAM.

The screen can get a bit small at times, too. If you don't have access to an external monitor, I would consider a refurbished MacBook Pro.

I will be using the programs as listed by 'k squared' most likely. Unless they decide to throw some extra programs at me.

I would love a MBP but alas my finances do not stretch that far. Some programs like a dedicated video card to render complicated images but I can use the workstations at the uni to do that.

The computer is just a tool, I doubt that whatever laptop you get will make the slightest bit of difference. I intend to start an architecture degree myself later this year, and expect to do just fine between my set of G3s at home and the Mac Pros at uni. Hell, I anticipate building paper models, as well.

Yes, I know for the most part your doing CAD drawings on the workstations at uni and you make models out of foam etc. But I need a computer thats reliable enough to take out and do complex tasks with.

What type of complex tasks do you expect you’ll be doing on the laptop in the foreseeable future?

All the OS X Macs I’ve been using over the years have been reliable.

Are you really on a $1000 budget for a computer? You can get an MBP at the student price of $1800 to start, and both grants and loans cover computers that you use for school... While the integrated graphics system in the MacBook is OK for much of what you might do with it, those "complex tasks" you talk about would most likely benefit from the greater horsepower of even the entry level MBP's graphics system. At the very least it will be a bit faster at rendering complex objects, and if you have a lot of complex objects that "bit" adds up fast.

Obviously a MBP is superior. Every step up the chain of better Macs will perform better for heavy graphics apps, and 4 GB RAM in any laptop is necessary. One good source is OWC: Find the latest Performance Upgrades, Firewire and USB Hard Drives, SATA, Memory, Laptop Battery, and more at OWC.

The biggest limitation of the MB is the small screen size and low pixel count, a very substantial disadvantage for any kind of pro-level graphics work. IMO you would be best served by a 17" MBP and adding a second display. But if finances limit you to a MB you just make do.

-Allen Wicks

If your architecture app makes significant use of the graphics card, the $1450 MBP refurb would be a good buy.

AutoCad doesn't use the video card that much (for the stuff I do at least), but SketchUp and Revit do. The more intensive model programs will have to be rendered on work stations.

My only reservation on using a MacBook is screen size. I can't do for more than an hour: it's too maddening. A 15" MBP would be that best way to go. An external monitor can work as well, but then your losing mobility.

A refurbed 15"/17" is a better buy than new MacBook on this one.

AFAIK the major CAD app that is available for OS X is Vector Works. You will definitely need a good graphics card if you are into architecture.

Although it's not architecture, my brother (who is studying engineering) has sped up construction considerably when he upgraded his graphics card.

I don't know how much it uses the graphics system, but old, reliable TurboCAD is available for OS X (Smith Micro likes to send me spam...) It's a relative lightweight compared to AutoCAD, but it works and is pretty full-featured.

That depends on to what degree the course focuses on 3D/BIM work rather than traditional drafting. If it’s all about BIM, then yes, VectorWorks would be the way to go. If, on the other hand, there’s any significant emphasis on 2D drafting, something like PowerCADD is considerably more straightforward, and that one requires practically next to no processing power or graphics card capability whatsoever. SketchUp can fill the need for 3D in that event.

To the OP....
I used to be the help desk for Flatiron Structures in Longmont Co, so I know what I'm talking about. You'll NEED the MBP. You can get a Macbook. Technically you CAN install the CAD program, but it won't be very pretty. I'd suggest looking at refurbs from Apple's store or finding a used one on Craigslist.

You won't like how the program runs on a Macbook. All CAD programs are VERY graphics card intensive. Sure you can max out the RAM on a Macbook, but it just won't work as well as an MBP.

I'd also like to add the following:
Get the MBP. Getting a refurb with only 256 is ok.
As to installing windows you'll want to use bootcamp to install xp, then install paralells and use the boot camp setup for small stuff in windows. When it comes time to use the CAD though...reboot directly into Windows. That's the best setup for CAD users. Some here may disagree but as I make a living off of doing this... trust me. I know its a heavy hit to the finances, but it's going to be well worth it. A month after you buy it you're going to be thanking your lucky stars you did.

PowerCADD most certainly isn’t, and neither are any of the other 2D CAD apps I’ve used (HighDesign, CADintosh, DoodleCAD, RealCADD). Unless you’re getting into 3D work, there’s no reason whatsoever for a CAD app to be graphics card intensive, it just doesn’t make any sense.

Making a living doing what? Help desk for a company that doesn’t seem to exist any more doesn’t say much, bishop.

As for recommending that the OP use Windows, I think that's a stupid suggestion. There are plenty of successful, award-winning architects doing everything on Macs, as well as universities with Macs as CAD workstations.

Hell, if the OP wanted to use Windows and put up with all the crap that comes with that, he WOULD be better off just buying a bloody Dell, because buying an MBP just to run Windows on it would be a colossal waste of money.

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Clockworkwar, I suggest you take a look at the Architosh forums: Architosh Forums - Mac CAD and 3D Discussion - Powered by vBulletin

Looks like I will have to save up much more money than I originally thought. Or buy a HP/Dell instead.

My sister's HP laptop (which cost about the same as a MacBook with equivalent specs) also only has an integrated graphics card. Even if you go for a pc laptop, keep in mind to get one with a good graphics card.

I'm not even going to dignify Red's response. Sounds like he's desperate to try and be right here, so I'll let him believe whatever he wants.

The bottom line is that if the OP is using a CAD program, I think we can all agree that he would be better off with an MBP over a MB. Is there anyone arguing that point?

So... if he's doing CAD work on a MB will it work? Sure. Will it be a quick, fast, satisfacory experience? Some here will say maybe... depends on what you're using for the CAD and what drawings you're doing... 2d or 3d. Most of the time it's 3d. At either choice... an MBP would be the better choice all around.

Look... think about it like this. If the possibility exsists, say a few months down the road... for you to say .. "damn it I wish I had gotten an MBP", then just buy the MBP and have it be done with.

I honestly don't even know why this is an argument running this long. It should be fairly simple. You buy more power than what you're going to need. That way when you max out on the power and RAM needs.. you've still got some left over and your machine isnt a sluggish beast, dragging it's heels like a petulant child.

By all means if you want an MBP, go for it. What I can say from experience RIGHT HERE AND NOW in front of me is a 2ghz c2d mb w/ 4gb of ram... and sometimes when I've got the system running at full tilt... once or twice I've wished for my old mbp w/ the 256 on the video card.

But in the end you'll do what your mind, heart and wallet agree on.

Red, you can believe what you want. But if booting to Windows was useless I doubt Apple would have given us Boot Camp.

Red... arguing over this over the internet forum is like running a race in the special olympics..you might win.... but you're still retarded.