As I’ve mentioned in my previous article, after unpleasant experience with my current HP notebook, I’m moving to mac. Right now, I’m at the crossroad: MacBook or MacBook Pro?
I never really liked big notebooks. For me, 14″ is a natural. However, you probably know that MacBooks don’t come in 14″ – it’s either 13″ MacBook or 15″ (and 17″) MacBook Pro. Inches (and the price) – is not the only difference between them, so I’ll put some pros and cons for your consideration.
There’s a general comparision chart for MacBooks, which points out main hardware differences. I will concentrate more on details (small details, big impact, isn’t it? 
)
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MacBook:
Cons:
- Tight desktop – 1280×800 (can I expect more from 13.3″ ?)
- 5400 rpms hard drive (pro has one with 7200 rpms)
- Not illuminated keyboard (pro has one..)
Pros:
+ Firm touch keyboard (a really cool touch)
+ Comes in black (or white, if you prefer)
+ Is really small and cute (the finishing stroke?)
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MacBook Pro 15″:
Pros:
+ Wide desktop – 1440×900 (14″ could reach that)
+ Illuminated keyboard (wish MacBook had this)
+ choice for 7200 rpms hard drive (better than 5400, really)
Cons:
- Ordinary touch keyboard (MacBook has a really better one)
- Comes in grey (I love pure black)
- Not as cute
If you had some experience working with both or have some solid arguments on one or another, please share. What are my needs? I’m unix sysadmin and MacBook should become my workplace. For the meantime, the winner is MacBook 13″.
5 comments ↓
I have a Mac Book Pro 17″ with 7200rpm 100gb hd and 2.33Ghz Core Duo 2. I love it – its the best investment i’ve made yet. It replaces my desktop at LAN parties (Desktop = Athlon X2 4400, 2Gb DDR, 2x120Gb SATA, 7900GTX) as its just as powerfull and a fraction of the weight and inconvenience!
My only issue so far has been a failed hard drive…
http://www.thingy-ma-jig.co.uk/blog/30-12-2006/mac-book-pro-hard-disk-failure
But that could have happened to any machine…
I work at an Apple Certified Reseller store and what we normally ask customers that are waivering between the two types are: What will you be using it for primarily? For the most part, the general user (schoolwork, word processing, email, internet) will be more than happy with the MacBook. The price point is great for all the features you get.
But with the better video card (MBook has shared video RAM), potential for more RAM (up to 3G vs. the MBook’s 2G max), Firewire 800 port, Express Card expansion slot, and the non-glossy screen, the design and media pros ALWAYS go with the MBPro series. For all that, they don’t flinch at the higher price tag.
I hope that helps you out a little bit. Whichever you choose, it’ll be a great improvement over a PC notebook.
I’ve dealt with a lot of “switchers” in our store and I think you’ll really enjoy it as much as they do.
Hey mate… so thinking about switching? Well, donno, but myself i would go for pro… now it depends on monitor size… for traveling book – 15 more than enought.
Keep in touch
Well, I think I already made my choice and ordered the small one. Should come to Paris in 10 days or so. I’ll let you know if I’m lucky or disappointed with it. Some say OS X is considered to be a best maintained UNIX OS these days. I hope they managed to put this maintenance to the smaller MacBook too
[...] around a little with in my own library. Those who are following my blog most probably know that I’ve switched to Mac recently (personal friends also know I’ve changed my MacBook to MBP just few months ago) so had some [...]
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