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We're comtemplating adding a new family member and are thinking of one of these. However, looking at the black MacBook and the low-end MacBook Pro, short of a slight processor jump (0.16 GHz) and a different video device, they're just about the same (and the Pro costs $500 more). The Pro has an aluminum exterior versus plastic. Am I missing something?
It would be used for school work and an occasional video project, so mostly light stuff...
And according to the Buyer's Guide at MacRumors, the Pro is just about due for an update.
Can anybody share (that's really asking for it on this forum), if they made the choice one way or another? Or any other insight?
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video work = MBP. If you hold onto Macs for a while, go for the MBP. The video in the MacBook is WEAK.
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The video in the MacBook is horrible.
It's so bad, I'm going to spend more $$ to get a MBP.
With that said, if you are just doing some plain old, music-photos-web, I'd say go for the plain MacBook.
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One other difference is that the MBP allows you to select a matte or glossy screen. The MB only comes with glossy...
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I do video on my BlackBook all the time and REALLY have no idea what the above posters are talking about. Video looks FINE here, but I'm not doing anything professional mind you.
It probably helps that I maxed out the RAM to 2GB -- the shared video uses 64MB of RAM (which as far as I can tell performs EXACTLY as well as slower 64MB video cards in the iMacs of yore). The more ram you have, a smaller percentage of it is tied up doing graphics.
I must also correct you on the difference between a MB and MBP -- the BlackBook does NOT have a plastic shell, it's metal. Like the MBP but rubberised -- and of course black.
For the extra $500, the PRIMARY difference betwee the two models is the larger LCD (and thus higher resolution) and independent video card (which can drive a 30", while MacBooks top out at 23").
Other more minor differences include faster bus, backlight keys, PCExpress slot, USB port on the other side, ambient light sensor/auto-dimming display, and of course the fact that you can choose the MBP with the traditional matte finish (not an option on the MB's display -- it's no issue at all to me, but it is with some people).
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That PCexpress slot is a great way to add extra FW/USB or even S-ATA ports.
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How well does a MacBook fold F@H...? 2.0 GHZ core 2 Duo 1 GB ram battery life ? etc
Not to steal this thread ...?
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The other thing, and it may not be important to you, is that current models of the MBP have a FireWire 800 jack--which allows you to tap the full speed of a high-speed external drive or RAID, if that interests you.
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Just once, I'd like to see chas make a post without making it about him.
