Macbook or macbook pro?

[SeansMom]

Which way would you go? I don't mind a smaller screen...I really only want to use this while away from home. The macbook is certainly cheaper. Any big advantages to upgrading to the pro???

 

[pintamino]

If you're using it while traveling, MBP has an internal card reader... one thing that I really miss on my Macbook compared to my PC or if you're using it for video editing at all, you'll want the pro. For general consumer use, IMO a Macbook is fine (I use mine as my main computer while away at college now and have a 19" screen I hook it up to if I want more display real estate.)

Also worth noting, if you just want it for away from home and don't mind a smaller screen, I love my Samsung NC-10 netbook

 

[DebMcDonald]

I had the Macbook, but it ended having too many problems and Apple upgraded me to the Macbook pro and I love it. The great thing for me was the fire wire (I think that is what it's called) option for backing up. The Macbook no longer has what I use to back up to my external hard drive.

 

[idtwinsmom]

If you'll be travelling a lot with it, I'd get the Pro for the aluminum casing alone. I imagine it's pretty easy to crack that plastic housing. I LOVE my Macbook Pro!

 

[Green Tea]

If you just use it for internet access while traveling the Macbook is more than enough for you.

 

[JennG]

If you're using it while traveling, MBP has an internal card reader... one thing that I really miss on my Macbook compared to my PC or if you're using it for video editing at all, you'll want the pro. For general consumer use, IMO a Macbook is fine (I use mine as my main computer while away at college now and have a 19" screen I hook it up to if I want more display real estate.)

Also worth noting, if you just want it for away from home and don't mind a smaller screen, I love my Samsung NC-10 netbook

You do not get the internal card reader on the 17" MBP. I love my MBP and I just had to replace one after 5 years just because of storage size. They are truly very stable and only had 1 issue the entire life of it.

 

[kalliyan1]

We just bought a pro and some of the reasons we chose that was because on the pro you get 4gb max of 8 vs 2gb max of 4gb on the mac. Backlit keyboard, its a little faster and to us, the mac just looked cheap w/the plastic casing(not that this is enough of a reason alone to choose to upgrade)

 

[abmitch01]

I have a macbook and just ordered another one so I can give my DD this one. Had it for 2 yrs with no problems, traveled with it a lot, used it as my main computer. Got the new one with a $150 rebate from Mac Connection, this deal is still going on.

I use time machine for backing up to an external drive via USB, doesn't take long at all.

 

[abmitch01]

got my new macbook, a thing of beauty!

hope you enjoy yours

 

[Swimalie]

I have a Macbook. This is our 5th Mac in the house but first lap top. I use it only for surfing and minor other things and it works great. We went with the Macbook vs pro because to us the extra cost wasn't worth it. For the outside case, you can get a protective cover. For the back-up, if you have airport and a back-up for another computer, you can back it up there (we do that nightly for all our computers). We got ours from MacConnection as well for $888 last Dec. Enjoy!

 

[rantnnravin]

I have a macbook w/aluminum casing - LOVE IT!!! Didn't feel the need to get the pro -and this machine works just fine as my main computer. We have 2 apple desktops and DD10 has the white macbook. We also have a time capsule that does automatic wireless backup a few times per day for both - no need to have a pro for that - it has to do with the OS, not the machine itself.
i haven't looked on the apple site in a while - toooooo tempting (LOL) - do they really only offer the macbook in white now? Glad I got my unibody when i did

-- I also got both machines as refurbs (same warranty as buying "new") - so check out the offerings on that part of the site, the offerings change often -sometimes a few times a day- so a little patience can get you something great!
-- There's also the student/teacher discount - and I saw someone also mentioned MacConnection - love them and MacMall
Happy hunting - you'll have no regrets.

 

[notaprincess]

love my macbook, it's the 3rd year with my current one and it's my main computer. i move for work a lot...

 

[dex08]

Every now and then you can find a unibody aluminum Macbook available in their Refurbished section of the Apple website (there is one there now).

I have a new unibody white Macbook that I bought refurbished. Their refurbished products are great and carry the same warranties as new products, but you can't get the teacher/student discount on refurbs.

Unless you need the SD card reader, I'd just go with the Macbook and not the Macbook Pro if you are trying to save money. For everyday surfing and checking email you will be fine with 2GB RAM.

 

[abmitch01]

and you can point Iphoto and Itunes to your external drive so you don't waste space storing them on your laptop