Macbook or Macbook Pro?

[DE31]

Is the Macbook Pro worth the premium over the Macbook? Only big differences i see are the size of the screen, and the ge-force graphics card.

Asking because I'm looking into converting to Mac for the next academic year, and i don't know anything about Macs.

Also should i wait until i have all the money in hand or go the financing route?

 

[SkeffMSP21]

Is the Macbook Pro worth the premium over the Macbook? Only big differences i see are the size of the screen, and the ge-force graphics card.

Asking because I'm looking into converting to Mac for the next academic year, and i don't know anything about Macs.

Also should i wait until i have all the money in hand or go the financing route?

Depends on what you plan on using your computer for. If you're in school for graphic design, video, 3D animation, or any other graphic-intensive field, you'll need the power of the Macbook Pro graphics card. The Macbooks are great machines, fast as can be, they just lack in the graphic processing department.

As for the financing or money in hand route, that decision is up to you. I personally would consider getting the Applecare with whichever computer you get - it has saved me much pain on many occasions.

If you have an Apple store local to you, I would recommend stopping in there first. It has been my experience that the staff there are pretty knowledgeable and very helpful in situations such as yours, plus they don't work on commission, which just means that you won't be pressured into any sale.

Oh, bring your student id too. Saved me a TON of money.

 

[DE31]

hmmm in that case the basic macbook pro is more than enough for a student correct?

applecare is basically the warranty?

 

[freekwonder]

If it is just emailing, web surfing, and word documents then a macbook would be fine. If you plan to do an heaving graphics I would go with the MBP. I got a MBP last october and don't regret the purchase at all. Love leopard with bootcamp and XP installed.

 

[SkeffMSP21]

hmmm in that case the basic macbook pro is more than enough for a student correct?

applecare is basically the warranty?

I have a Macbook Pro, my girlfriend has a Macbook. I'll be honest - I kind of like her Macbook better. The battery life on it is incredible and it fits in my lap a lot more comfortably than my Macbook Pro does. But at the end of the day, I would say get whatever will make you happy.

As for Applecare, it's the warranty and phone support. I wasn't going to get it, but then read an article somewhere which highly recommended it (I think it was consumer reports (wow) ). Glad I did!