scarlettina: (Apple)
scarlettina ([personal profile] scarlettina) wrote2007-04-08 10:35 pm
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I'm here after all

Thanks to [livejournal.com profile] 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. [livejournal.com profile] 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.
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[identity profile] oldmangrumpus.livejournal.com 2007-04-09 06:05 am (UTC)(link)
Well, the other argument is that the 13" is lighter and more portable, though I understand the desire for the bigger screen.

Another drawback to consider with the Pros is that they run pretty hot - still - and being thinner than the standard MacBook, you'll know it. Also, the disk slot is in front, not on the side, which sometimes makes putting in and taking out disks a little harder than one the side.

[identity profile] botgrrrl.livejournal.com 2007-04-09 06:06 am (UTC)(link)
Sorry. No really informed opinion. Just drooling lust for my own 17" Mac Book Pro. [livejournal.com profile] chantry has the 15" model and likes it quite well.

[identity profile] willowgreen.livejournal.com 2007-04-09 02:09 pm (UTC)(link)
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.

[identity profile] peartreealley.livejournal.com 2007-04-09 02:14 pm (UTC)(link)
I use both a 13 inch (Sony Vaio; home use; writing) and a 15 inch (IBM ThinkPad; day job). If you are going to use it as your workhorse, I'd go with the 15 inch AS LONG as you find it comfortable to carry around when you want to travel. You may want to bring your laptop carrier (I just use my backpack) and see if they'll let you try it out.

I'm relatively little, and I found carrying around my old Dell 8 pound workhorse *incredibly* cumbersome, driving me to buy additional portable writing electronics and keeping the workhorse at home on my desk. M being a full sized average male even found it a bit bulky. My ThinkPad is about 6 pounds, and I have to carry it to and from work, and it's not too bad. Still, it seems like a monster sometimes compared to the 4 pound Vaio and the 2 pound AlphaSmart :D

You may also want to see if there are differences in battery life. My Vaio can last 5 hours (in practice, not marketing) and my ThinkPad about an hour and a half.

So, ultimately, think about how you will be most using it and what is comfortable. If the 15 inch is comfortable for travel and battery life considerations aren't an issue then go for the bigger screen! I LOVE my Vaio, but I often consider an external monitor, which tells you the small screen sometimes bothers me. But not too often. Mostly when editing on-screen or gaming :D

Whichever way you go, enjoy the new computer! Five years boggles me. I start getting the itch for a new machine after a year (but usually wait 2-3 before actually upgrading).

(Note I'm mentioning brands so you know my feedback is not speaking specifically of Apples, not because I'm pushing PC :D)

PS

[identity profile] oldmangrumpus.livejournal.com 2007-04-09 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
What funtionality issues do you have?

[identity profile] blakesrealm.livejournal.com 2007-04-09 04:07 pm (UTC)(link)
To me, being only as informed as I can be by your posts, I'd say that the 15" standard (non-Pro) will suit you just fine. Given the heat issues of the higher model, and the higher cost, you'd be better served - in my mind - going with the lower end machine.

That said, however, do invest in a larger hard drive and the most RAM you can afford. It does sound like you have some local friends who are apple geeks themselves, and if one of them is comfortable with the innards of a machine perhaps purchase the RAM after you get the laptop from the secondary market. You can get RAM MUCH, MUCH cheaper than what Apple charges, and it's just as good.

Best of luck with the new machine.
herself_nyc: (Default)

[personal profile] herself_nyc 2007-04-09 08:04 pm (UTC)(link)
I've used a 12" iBook and a 15" Powerbook and MacBook Pro, and I'd go for the 15" unless you're routinely going to be hooking the thing up to a bigger monitor. (Which I doubt.) The teeny screen is … teeny.

[identity profile] baron-elric.livejournal.com 2007-04-09 11:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Sorry to read of your woes.

FWIW, I got a MacBook Pro at the start of February. I got the higher end 15-inch model (dual-core 2.33 GHz processors and 2 Gigs of RAM) and thus far I love it. The screen is great, processing has been fast, and I find the weight perfectly reasonable for carrying. It has made it through a round-trip by air between NH and DC without trouble, and I will probably be doing so again in ten days.

It does get warm under protracted use (as when Editrx used it to watch a DVD in bed), but I have it on a nice, minimalist stand that lets air surround it and have had no trouble at all.

It has two USB ports (one on each side), and the external keyboard I got at the Apple store turns one USB port into two all by itself. :-) I believe there is also a Firewire port, as well as a port for a 1010 cable if you should need that.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy many years of happy use from whatever you get!

[identity profile] thegreymouser.livejournal.com 2007-04-10 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
There's always Apple Refurbs (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/6644005/wo/Av6bZfFJs5tc2LIQ3sY1n4dxHp6/3.0.0.21.1.0.8.7.1.0.1.1).
ckd: (cpu)

[personal profile] ckd 2007-04-10 02:10 pm (UTC)(link)
My work machine is a 15" MacBook Pro, with the original Core Duo processor (as opposed to the current Core 2 Duo).

If you want screen space, and I sure do, it will drive the Apple 30" display[1]; the MacBook won't. (Even if you don't buy the 30" now, the price just came down and may well come down again in a year or so....)

[1] The MBP and 30" display were my bribe for moving from an office with an exterior window to one without.
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