[zomigi]

I do not currently own a Mac, but need a laptop starting early next year to do web design and conference presentations on. Even though I don't need the laptop for quite a while, I'm considering buying one this weekend, because:

1. My state, NC, is having our annual sales tax free weekend, so I'll save a couple hundred bucks in sales tax that I would pay all the rest of the year.
2. I can get a free iPod Touch.

Is this enough reason to buy a laptop now, or should I wait for the new releases rumored this fall? Will the new versions probably just have increased specs, not increased prices?

The other thing I still can't decide is whether to a get a MacBook or MacBook Pro. I'm really tempted by the MB, because of the price and portability. I've used one for a couple days that my husband had on loan from school, and I wasn't bothered by the size of the screen. Most of the time, I'd be working from an external monitor at home anyway.

I should clarify that the type of web design I do does not involve heavy graphics work, any video or 3D, etc. I mainly just use Dreamweaver to write HTML and CSS, and Fireworks to lay out web comps. I very, very occasionally use Photoshop--but not for anything complicated--as well as Illustrator and InDesign.

Does MB or MBP sound like a better fit for me?

[Maflynn]

I cannot answer if now or later is a better time for you. You'll be saving on sales tax and that can be fairly large amount. Also the immediacy of the need will impact your decision.

As for the MacBook versus MacBook Pro. Consider these difference. The MBP has a larger screen, better GPU and more ports. If you don't have an external monitor, working on a 13" could be troublesome. You also get a choice of matte vs. glossy display panels with the MBP. The Macbook you only get glossy. People have complained of the over saturated colors and the reflections that the glossy screen produces. This is a personal preference and only you can determine which screen works best for your needs.

On the other hand, the Macbook has similar CPU horsepower, memory and storage in a smaller less expensive enclosure that is more durable then the alu. case of the MBP

I chose the MacBook Pro, because I could not work within the 13" display constraint. While my MBP is hooked up to an external display sometimes there are occasions when I travel or decide to work in my living room.

[zomigi]

There is no immediacy of need. Like I said, early next year is when I need it.

I had no complaints working on the MB for the couple days I was able to try it out. Screen size didn't bother me--probably would if I was using it all day every day, but I won't be--and glossy didn't bother me--I didn't even notice, actually.

Yes, I too will travel or work in the living room sometimes, but that's exactly why the small size of the MB is appealing. When I'm traveling, I won't be doing really intensive stuff anyway--mainly conference presentations--and I can handle the small screen for short durations away from my external monitor. At least, I was able to handle it just fine when I tried it for a few days.

I know about the better GPU of the MBP, but that's why I explained how I use my machine. Will that really matter for me? I mostly see people citing it as a reason to buy a MBP if you do video, gaming, or 3D stuff. I don't do any of these. Most people in my industry have MBP, but I can't figure out if that's really necessary or not.

[Helmling]

Well, this is likely to the most significant updates of the laptop line since the intel switch. A number of features that may be desirable are likely to migrate down to the MB line, like the multi-touch trackpad. Apple generally sticks to similar pricepoints, though there are rumors that the MB's will dip a little lower at the base model level after the update.

I always buy from apple.com and then if they release a new model within 30 days you can get a small rebate. Unfortunately, it sounds like you have to buy brick-and-mortar in order to save the sales tax. Bottom line: it sounds like the current MB itself suits your needs as the only really compelling feature on the MBP's vs. the little ones are the larger screens and 3D capability. (if you need a bigger screen for projects you can just plug one right in) Then you just have to ask yourself if the likley cool factor of the new MB's and MBP's coming later in the fall is going to bother you since they're not going to make some huge quantum leap in functionality that would make any significant difference for the applications you say you need.

[zaghahzag]

wait.. apple is drying out its inventory b/c they are about to update everything in probably 3-6 weeks.

[Chuckit]

Apple usually has a set of price points and finds products to stick in them, rather than coming up with a set of products and figuring out what they should cost. Prices have risen before, but usually a hardware refresh just means new hardware that costs exactly the same as the old hardware.

[zomigi]

Thanks for the responses. I guess I need to do a little more research into what the rumors are about the new line. Any links you can recommend over others?

[Kvasir]

It sure sounds like some revision is coming this fall for the Macbooks and Macbook Pros, and they would appear due too. My 4 year old 1.5GHz 15" powerbook is beginning to have problems (bottom RAM slot now must be left empty or it kernel panics, although it seems to chug along alright with just one 1GB SODIMM in the top slot). I want a 17" Macbook Pro, but will be waiting until this fall/winter (or January of next year) - I would just as soon wait 3-4 months and see just what is coming since I do tend to keep machines for at least 3 years (my current powerbook is the longest I've kept any one machine), and my powerbook ain't dead so I am not in a "must buy" state yet.

Personally, one thing I would like to see is the LED 17" screen in the base 1680x1050 display resolution.

[mduell]

Frequent upgrader (~2 years): Buy now, take the free stuff.
Hardware keeper (~5 years): Wait for the fall updates, which will substantially increase viable lifespan.

[applesbiggestfan]

I also want a new Macbook

[applesbiggestfan]

Hello zomigi, I have some basic advice for you. Although I have not used most of the applications you would be using on your new Mac I still know a lot about computers over all. If you are going to get either a Macbook or a Macbook Pro then you should see which one fits your needs the most. If you are going to do some graphics work, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, etc. then you should have a good amount of graphics memory and a high resolution screen. The Macbook Pro has a higher resolution screen so everything looks sharper and looks even better on an external monitor. And the Macbook Pro has a seperate graphics card with 512Mbs of graphics memory. And the Macbook only comes with 144Mbs IMPORTANT: the 144MBs is shared with your RAM which means that much is used up from your RAM for graphics. The Macbook is a good computer but if your are going to do web designing, some photoshop, and graphics work then I recommend the Macbook Pro (faster and better graphics memory and better screen).

I hope this helps. =)

[kurt.physics]

Originally Posted by applesbiggestfan 

Hello everybody. I have a 4 year old laptop... and it's slow. I'm going into highschool and my father is going to get me a Mac if I do good in school... Should I get a Macbook or a Macbook Pro? I will be doing: surfing the internet, games on the internet, low level photoshop, low level video editing on iMovie, Microsoft Office, downloading music and movies, iTunes. I know that the Macbook Pro is so much more expensive, is less portable for a student, but is faster and has more graphics memory. Is the Macbook enough for what I would do or should I get a Macbook Pro?

Thanks

No, the macbook is just what you need for high school, much cheaper with about the same thing as MBP has, except of course for the size and graphics etc. The macbook is perfect for high School, you would only need a MBP for Uni.

[applesbiggestfan]

Ok thanks.