I'm here after all

[scarlettina]

Thanks to oldmangrumpus, I'm online and able to work while the computer situation gets resolved. He's loaned me a PowerBook that will do nicely, bless him. And yes, the decision is to get a new machine. Made the decision after I made my last post but before I got all the horrified responses urging me to run screaming for the cash register. :-)

This evening after dinner, I received a call from the Apple Store saying that my old machine is now backed up and ready to be picked up tomorrow morning. I need to do a little financial juggling and a little research, but I hope to have a new machine by Wednesday latest.

And now that I'm over the irritation and anger about this unexpected development, I'm looking forward to making the new investment. I'm inclined to go with the low-end MacBook Pro 15" because a) I want the new functionality that's available, b) I don't want a smaller screen than I already have, and c) I don't want to spend more than I absolutely have to. oldmangrumpus made an argument for the 13" MacBook based on image quality on the smaller screen and financial considerations, and though I see his point, I'm still edging toward the larger screen and the functionality issues. Anyone who has informed opinions on these issues, opinions would be appreciated.

Comments

[willowgreen.livejournal.com]

I was talking last week to a mom friend who is a big honcho in Apple's laptop division, and she told me that while the MacBook is a good, stable machine, the MacBook Pro isn't. So I'd be wary.

I'm currently using the MacBook I bought last September with an external keyboard and a big LCD screen plugged into it--so it's exactly like using a desktop machine, but portable when I want it to be. My only regret is that I only upgraded to the 80G hard drive when I bought it, instead of going all the way and getting 120G.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

I was talking last week to a mom friend who is a big honcho in Apple's laptop division, and she told me that while the MacBook is a good, stable machine, the MacBook Pro isn't. So I'd be wary.

Interesting. I'll do a little research and look at some reviews to learn more about this. I guess it's what happens with the first generation of any new product.

I'm currently using the MacBook I bought last September with an external keyboard and a big LCD screen plugged into it....

That thought has occurred to me since, after my last job, I've developed a new appreciation for a larger workspace. The versatility would be nice, and given that I'm looking at getting more serious with my photography, a larger screen could be an asset. Hmm...

Thanks for the food for thought.

[willowgreen.livejournal.com]

FWIW, my friend told me that the MacBook Pro got rushed to market, whereas the 13" MacBook didn't. She also agreed with my that the 2004 dual-processor G5 tower is a piece of crap (I have one currently serving as a very large paperweight), for the same reason--rushed development.

[willowgreen.livejournal.com]

P.S. Further down I see a reference to a 15-inch MacBook, a model I don't think I knew existed. I'd assume that would be fine too--it was a brief conversation and we didn't get into details about specific models.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

I don't think that reference is accurate, FWIW. When I was in the Apple Store yesterday, I specifically asked if there was a 15" version of a non-pro MacBook and I was told such a thing didn't exist.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

In a related thread, erdnase2000 tells me that a number of the initial MacBook Pro stability issues were addressed with a hardware upgrade shortly after the first machines were released. Obviously, I need to find out more. But thank you for the tip; it's definitely worth looking into.

And I wasn't even considering a tower, but the info is good to have. I need portability, and I've grown impatient with anything that ties me down.