Macbook or Macbook Pro? Help!

Ok so recently I ran into some trouble with my old laptop which was a Sony Vaio 1.73 pentium M, 1 gig ram, 128mb geforce 6200, 80 gig 5400rpm hd and I now need to get a new laptop. Right now I am currently leaning towards a mac or macbook pro but I cant decide which is best.
The usual things I do with my old laptop are just downloading music/movies talking on MSN and listening to music. I also play WoW a lot and most of the time I have MSN/itunes/WoW running all at the same time and my old laptop ran that fine (WoW at max settings too). For the most part my question is, from experienced owners of macbooks, how well would this laptop hold up to the things that I usually do?

Hi ericm777,
The MacBook and MacBook Pro are very similar machines. Both have pretty much identical processors (the Pro has slightly faster variants, but that barely ever makes any noticeable difference); both have the same type and speed of ram (although the Pro can be ordered with 3GB instead of just 2GB like the non-Pro; and both have very similar hard drive options (only difference is that the 17" Pro can be ordered with a high-speed 7200rpm 100GB HD instead of the standard 5400- or 4200rpm variants). Those are the main components that will affect performance in a computer (other than the graphics card, which is coming up), so a MacBook and MacBook Pro are very similar in performance when doing tasks such as music, web-browsing, e-mail, and casual gaming.
The difference in the two comes in two factors: graphics and design. In terms of graphics, the Pro is much better than the basic one. It has a dedicated graphics card with either 2 (basic model) or 4 (other two models) times the video ram that the MacBook has. And, dedicated video cards are a LOT better than integrated ones. Also an advantage that the Pro has in terms of graphics is what it can display. The built-in displays are bigger (1440x900 and 1680x1050 instead of 1280x800 on the basic MacBook), and they can output to bigger screens (MacBook can output to 1920x1200, whereas the Pro can output to 2560x1600).
In terms of design, the Pro is slightly better. Its aluminum case is better-looking than the MacBook's white/black plastic case (IMO), and it has better I/O. It has an ExpressCard/34 expansion slot and a Firewire 800 port (and, one more USB on the 17").
So, yes, the MacBook Pro is better than the MacBook, but it's usually not worth it. It is significantly more expensive (if you configure a white MacBook to have the same ram and HD as a 2.13GHz Pro then it is still $550 less than the Pro (in Canada)). So, that's the price of improved graphics and design.
So, what do you need? Both laptops will download/listen to music/movies and talk on MSN just as well as the other. And, other common tasks like internet, e-mail, word-processing, iPhoto, and iMovie (to an extent -- the Pro is better if you're doing big projects, though) will be pretty much identical. But, WoW MAY stutter on the base MacBook. I have never played the game, but from what its system requirements say in the Apple store you should be alright with the standard MacBook -- it doesn't seem to be an extremely demanding game. Also, if it ran fine on the Pentium M, then it should be alright on the base MacBook (the MacBook's graphics aren't as good as the Vaio's, but its processor is better, which will make up for that). Also, if WoW runs fine, then it will also run fine while other non-demanding apps like MSN and iTunes are open.
One final comparison is portability and battery performance. The MacBook has slightly longer battery life, is lighter, and is smaller. So, if you need portability then the base MacBook is better.
So, if you can afford to spend an extra $500+, then get a Pro. But generally, it is not worth it unless you are doing intense video editing or high-end gaming.
Hope that helps!
-Eric

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Macbook and Logic pro, HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!!

Hey
Just about to buyy a Macbook 1.83, will this run my logic ok? I realise I might need more Ram but will it be ok?
I would buy the next model up but money is money.
Thanks
Dave

I don't see why not. My MacBook Pro runs it like a dream, and the hardware in the MacBook is pretty much identical with the exception of the GPU. And Logic certainly doesn't do much 3D rendering.
Besides, I've seen numerous reports on various Logic forums that it does in fact run great on the MacBook.
Back to the original question -- the 1.83 should do fine. I've yet to get close to maxing out my 2.0 in Logic. However, in my opinion it would be worth the upgrade to the 2.0ghz model. The one thing that really does matter with Logic is the CPU (and memory, but you already mentioned upgrading that).
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Hi Timia,
If you are using Safari as a web browser :-
Open Safari, go to Safari menu > Preferences > General, and put Google as the homepage. Then, choose Google as your default search engine.
If you are using Google Chrome as the web browser :-
Open Google Chrome.
In the top right corner of the page, click the Chrome menu Chrome menu > Settings.
In the "Search" section, select Google from the drop-down menu.
Let me know if you still experience any issue.
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I had a system that served me well for 2 years until I mistaking bought a new machine which runs mega-turd (Lion). Foolish me, now nothing works properly, its a daily struggle to get anything working smoothly using my NEW mac mini. All my other machines work fine, even the windows machines and my Android tablet see all the network components and can talk to each other.
My Internet service is over 3g which I share to the house using internet sharing via my brand new €800 mac mini running POS Lion, everytime the service is interrupted, Kaboom, the mini resets the DHCP server, but doesn't seem to refresh any of the components so connections drop everywhere.
Its amateur hour at Apple folks.
There are several posts alone relating to internet sharing, I have submitted a bug report relating to the non user controllable DHCP server (which may be at fault), but the response / solution from Apple was lacklustre and ultimately didn't work.
See this, there are some work around's in there;
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Airport, 10.5.8, and MacBook and MacBook Pros and slow internet

Disclaimer: Apple does not necessarily endorse any suggestions, solutions, or third-party software products that may be mentioned in the topic below. Apple encourages you to first seek a solution at Apple Support. The following links are provided as is, with no guarantee of the effectiveness or reliability of the information. Apple does not guarantee that these links will be maintained or functional at any given time. Use the information below at your own discretion.
If you have Macbook or MacBook Pro, and have upgraded to 10.5.8, you may experience slower than normal airport connection due to a bug found in the original 10.5.8 installer. Apple has released this update for MacBooks and MacBook Pros to address the issue:
http://support.apple.com/downloads/AirPortClient_Update_for_MacBook_and_MacBookPro
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2. Single channel connection from some third party routers not being strong enough to deal with interference. Apple Airport Express, Extreme, and Time capsule wireless routers all support dual channel connections, and also support networking with Windows as well as Mac.
3. Bad router tables in your router.
4. Power surges.
5. Interference from microwaves, or 2.4 Ghz non-cell wireless phones, whose signal is not tempered with channel hopping.
6. Distances less than 2 feet may have many overlapping wireless waves causing interference from the wireless router.
7. Distances greater than 150 feet from the wireless router.
8. Walls with numerous pipes, improper ground wiring, file cabinets with numerous papers between the computer and the router.
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10. Improper security on your wireless connection. Setting up a WPA2 connection is preferred over WEP, which is preferred over no password.
11. 802.11n is a draft standard, meaning not all routers support it the same way.
12. Data corruption in the wireless cache settings, caused by improper system maintenance:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1772235
13. Migrating wireless settings with the Migration Assistant from a PowerPC to Intel Mac, or vice versa. It is better to follow these tips to avoid those problems:
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Not everyone will get this problem.
14. Apple Airport and Time Capsule firmware updates can be found on:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/firmware_hardware/
This is the 1st version of this tip. It was submitted on August 14, 2009 by a brody.
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Please put in:
http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=140
http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1222
http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=218
http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=190
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Can't Connect MacBook and MacBook Pro at same time to AEBS

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bcassid
Do me a favor. So many users are experiencing this (no myself though) and I have suggested so many things with nothing constantly working. There are successes here and there, but nothing consistently solves the problem. However, try the following in Airport Utility and both Macs, and then let us know what happens.
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This is an alternative solution that works great for me. I always carry a small and lightweight DC to AC converter with me in my case when I'm on the road. It's a Wagan Tech Smart AC 100 USB that I picked up at Costco for under 20 bucks. 100 watt capability and allows me to use all my electronics and chargers on the road. I can use it to charge the cellphone, laptop, ipod, etc.
Even includes a USB port on the side for charging USB based products and also includes the aircraft adaptor (and of course a cigarette lighter adaptor) and everything fits into a small cloth bag (included).
http://www.wagan.com/htmls/detail-2382.html
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Message was edited by: joudbren

LOGIC PRO; with Macbook or Macbook Pro???????????????????????

Hey!!!!
Just wondering if you could help me. I 'm hesitating to buy MacBook or MacBook pro to use the LOgic Pro7. My question is; do you think that with the MacBOok will work properlly, or not? Do I need to buy the MacBook Pro? Please, help me becouse I should buy it in one week time....and I am soo confused
Thanks xx
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It's still me, but hey ..
I'm sure Stefy, willing to spend 700 quid on Logic Pro, was not planning on using the build in speakers of any laptop to do music. If so: Wrong. You can however use the build in analog (or digital) output to hook up to a stereo or to active monitors, they aren't bad at all. I've done it myself a few times when on the road.
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Express vs. Pro. Well. You do get some some quite good Logic-only plugs with Pro that aren't there in Express and with the intel based portables you can actually USE these plugs too. There's a few features that I really like in Pro that aren't in Express too. Strip Silence, Curve Tool, those sorts of things. That being said, having to deal with the XSKey sticking out the side of your laptop is a bit hairy, so what I do is I run Express when on the road-on the road, and Pro (XSkey and a couple of iLoks) when stationary-on the road (so to speak). Luckily, the two haven't got any probs whatsoever opening each other's songs. In fact, I've had clients come over with sketches they'd done in GarageBand and both Logics open them NP as well.
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Macbook vc Macbook PRO

Hey all,
Been trying to put the puzzle together, but since i never had a mac before this is getting a little tricky for me!
From the comparison charts between the macbook and the cheapest macbook pro option, there is nt much of a difference is there?
Considering the 2.26Ghz cpu which is the same on both, what are the main difference between them?
Also, yesterday i saw a website (which a cant find again) that said that the latest macbook 2009, would support 8GB for further upgrade. When i find this website again i will make sure i post it here. But what it basically said it was the the latest macbook (not the pro) does support 8GB (2X 4GB modules).
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Thanks Kay,
My main concern is price p/ performance. Since i would be between the macbook and macbook pro model which has the 2.26Ghz cpu.
I think i would be smarter to go for the latest unibody macbook model, so i can use the spare money (which would go for the macbook pro) to spend in this memory kit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226019
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Thanks a lot for your help mate!
ps- hyperlinks not allowed here in the forum btw? link worked!!!
So you from Koln mate? nice city! Spend great days in the international design university from your city for a week! Great times!
Message was edited by: denis6902

Macbook or Macbook Pro? Help!

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