Macbook or Macbook Pro?

I'm in the market for a new notebook, and I don't know if I should get a macbook or macbook pro. I will be carrying this computer around school almost everyday, and using it mainly for word processing and web browsing. However, occasionally, I will be using Photoshop, Flash, Illustrator, or Dreamweaver CS3 and making movies with either iMovie or Final Cut Express. I am leaning toward the macbook, but I don't know if the lack of FireWire is a deal breaker because I have an older camcorder with only a FireWire port, but I do want a new HD camcorder (and this may be a possible excuse to buy one, but I would try to hold off if I can). So, what do you think, high end macbook, or low end macbook pro? Is it worth the extra money for the macbook pro's bigger screen and FireWire port, or doees the macbook's portability and lower price make it not worth the extra money for the macbook pro? Is the lack of FireWire of no importance? Thanks!

I think your only reason to have the MacBook Pro is for the Firewire port for your video camera. I don't think the graphics card makes that much difference in the list of apps you mentioned, especially if you aren't hooking up an external monitor. If you mentioned Aperture and Photoshop CS4, those do use the GPU a lot more.
The problem with the new MacBook is that there is absolutely no way to add a FireWire port. If it had a card slot like the Pro, you could add ports, but there just isn't a way on the new ones.
You could try to hold out for refurbished discount MacBook Pros from the new model (or right now from the old Aluminum model). Your cheapest option is a refurbished white or black MacBook of the previous generation with a FireWire port.
Of course, you could also get a new MacBook and just stop dealing with video until you get a new camera that support USB or uses cards instead of tape. But then you would still have to contend with your tapes from your current FireWire camera. If I was you I would be looking at an option that support FireWire.

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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
To amend what Apple has stated, the System Profiler will indicate you have one of these three MacBook/Pro CPUs:
o MacBook3,1
o MacBook4,1
o MacBookPro4,1
If you have certain third party routers the update above will not help. In which case, it is recommended that you contact the third party router manufacturer for a firmware update, and find out also if others have your exact same router, and have found a resolution with your issue.
Wireless issues can be caused by the following:
1. Interference on the same wireless channel.
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.
9. Run the hardware test that came with your computer, it may indicate an issue on the logicboard which could also impact your wireless card.
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:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=435350&tstart=0
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.
Do you want to provide feedback on this User Contributed Tip or contribute your own? If you have achieved Level 2 status, visit the User Tips Library Contributions forum for more information.

"this tip ready for consideration"
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
and any other forum or category you feel is appropriate.

Which is better for music production: macbook air or pro?

Which is better for music production: macbook air or pro?

The MacBook Pro has higher specifications, depending
on the model, and then CTO additional upgrades.
The Air does not have a Retina display, but has lesser
specs, so that may make a difference. They still offer a
low-end MB/Pro w/ optical drive, w/o Retina; specs vary;
it may work in your instance. You'd have 14 days to take
a new Apple computer back, so keep that in mind.
Good luck!

MacBook and MacBook Pro competing for airwaves

Howdy,
I have an Airport Extreme set up as wireless router, i.e., the cable modem is plugged into the Extreme. Elsewhere in the house, an Airport Express is set up to extend the network. We have both a MacBook and a MacBook Pro, both running Leopard. When both laptops are accessing the web, it seems as though they were competing for the connection because the MacBook systematically gets slower connections, lags, and sometimes gets disconnected entirely.
Following some advice I found elsewhere in these forums, I downgraded the firmware of the Airport Extreme to 7.3.1. Here are its main settings:
- participate in a WDS network
- radio mode: 802.11n (b/g compatible)
- channel 11
- security: WPA/WPA2 Personal
- DHCP server distributes addresses between 10.0.1.2 and 10.0.1.200
Both the Extreme and the Express use the same channel. I tried changing it with no success.
Upgrading the firmware does not resolve the issue. The MacBook Pro is never disconnected; it always comes ahead of the MacBook. The two laptops are not dealt the same IP address, but somehow, there is a competition. When the MacBook Pro is turned off, say, and not accessing the web or anything else, the MacBook does not get disconnected.
Has anyone seen such a situation before? I might have misconfigured something.
Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
Dom

In a WDS setup, everyone uses the same channel (in your case 11).
If you can run an ethernet cable from the Airport Extreme to the Airport Express you can eliminate the WDS mode and instead configure your 2 base stations for WiFi Roaming, and you can put the Airport Express on a different channel (eg. Ch1).
The Airport Express gets its connection to the router via ethernet. The Express is configured into "Bridge Mode". The Express is given the exact same SSID as the Extreme. The Express is given the exact same password as the Extreme. The Express is set to a different channel (Channel 1 would be a good choice, unless your neighbors are using that, in which case you want to be at least 5 channels away from your Extreme and any neighboring base stations with strong signals).
This will give you a Roaming setup where as your move around the house, your MacBook and MacBook Pro will automatically switch between the strongest base station, but because everyone is using the same SSID and Password, you do not loose your connections.
And each base station is using its own channel.
If you do have neighbors with strong signals, you can use something like "AP Grapher", iStumbler, KisMac, MacStumbler, etc... to see your neighbors, the chanels they are using, and the relative WiFi signal strength so you can choose the channels with the least interference.
If you can not run an ethernet cable between the Extreme and the Express, but you really like the idea of a Roaming network, then you could look into PowerLine ethernet adaptors for getting an ethernet equivalent between the 2 base stations.

MacBook and MacBook Pro Battery Update

http://www.apple.com/support/macbook_macbookpro/batteryupdate/
Apple has recently discovered that some batteries used in its MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks may have battery performance issues. Apple is offering a software update that is designed to improve battery performance.
The battery update is available immediately via Software Update or downloadable here.
Note: The factors causing the performance issues do not present a safety risk. You may continue to use your current battery.
This battery update should be run on all MacBook and MacBook Pro computers and extra batteries that were purchased between February 2006 and April 2007.
If, after you have installed the battery update, your battery has any of the symptoms listed below, please make a reservation to bring your computer with its battery to your local Apple Retail Store, or contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP), or call your local Apple Support Contact Center. If Apple or an AASP determines that your battery is eligible for replacement, you will receive a new battery, free of charge, even if your MacBook or MacBook Pro is out of warranty.
For MacBook and MacBook Pro systems with Intel Core Duo processors, this program extends repair coverage on the battery for up to two years from the date of purchase of the computer.
Identifying an affected battery
Affected batteries will have one or more of the following symptoms:
Battery is not recognized causing an “X” to appear in the battery icon in the Finder menu bar.
Battery will not charge when computer is plugged into AC power.
Battery exhibits low charge capacity/runtime when using a fully charged battery with a battery cycle count (as shown in System Profiler) of less than 300.
Battery pack is visibly deformed.
Note: If your MacBook or MacBook Pro battery does not have any of the symptoms noted above, your battery does not need to be replaced.
Next Steps
To participate in this worldwide program, your MacBook or MacBook Pro battery must show the symptoms noted above. If it does, please make a reservation to bring your computer and battery to your local Apple Retail Store, or contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP), or call your local Apple Support Contact Center. The U.S. support number is 1-800-275-2273. If you are located outside the U.S., please see Apple's international contact list for your local Apple Technical Support phone number. An Apple technical support representative or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) will determine if the battery is eligible for replacement, free of charge. Customers are responsible for transportation costs to eligible AASPs and retail stores.
If a replacement battery is sent to you via airmail, it is important that you return the older battery to Apple so that it can be properly recycled.
This program extends repair coverage on the battery for up to two years from the date of purchase of the computer for Intel Core Duo-based MacBook and MacBook Pro computers. Apple will continue to evaluate the battery update program and will provide further extensions as needed. Apple also reserves the right to modify the program if other solutions that address the battery performance issues become available.

For MacBook and MacBook Pro systems with Intel Core Duo processors, this program extends repair coverage on the battery for up to two years from the date of purchase of the computer.
Pretty nice change for those C2D's

Where can I buy a MacBook? Not Pro or Air. It has important meaning for me!

Where can I buy a MacBook? Not Pro or Air. It has important meaning for me!

Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
We're not "Apple" here, just users like yourself.
Are you seeking a new unit or refurbished?
Apple discontinued production and sales of new MacBooks to all but education sources during 2011.
And education sales were discontinued about 2 months ago:
http://www.tuaw.com/2012/02/08/white-macbook-reaches-end-of-life-education-sales -to-cease/
If you want a new MacBook, you might be able to find unsold units or demo units in stock at college stores or electronics retailers.
Refurbished MacBooks are still available occasionally through the Apple Store Refurbs. They are listed in the store when refurbished units are available, and are removed from the store when they sell out, often within a matter of a few hours: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac
At the moment I'm posting, there are none listed.
And there are a number of sources for used MacBooks that you can locate with any popular search engine. I purchased my refurbished MacBook directly from the Apple Store online several years ago.

Can't Connect MacBook and MacBook Pro at same time to AEBS

I can't connect a MacBook and MacBook Pro to an Airport Extreme Base Station at the same time. Whichever one connects first works and the other one doesn't. It was working fine for months and then stopped working. Can only use one computer at at time. There's nothing else on the network. It may have been a software update that caused the problem, but I'm not sure which one. Have done all software updates and am not using any security on the network, so that's not the problem. Many sleepless nights trying to get this fixed, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

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.
*Can’t Access Certain Web Sites / DNS Server Settings Issues*
I'm wondering if either or both Airport Utility & Network Prefs have proper DNS server settings. Try this
Launch Airport Utility.
Select TC on left.
Click "Manual Setup".
Select "Internet" from the toolbar above.
What's listed for "DNS Server(s):"?
Try putting in these servers from OpenDNS
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
Click "Update".
Your TC will restart with the new settings.
Next, launch System Prefs --> Network Prefs.
Select the service you usually connect with on the left (Airport or Ethernet).
Then click, "Advance..."
Click the "DNS" tab.
What's listed for "DNS Server(s):"?
Usually "10.0.1.1" will be listed first in gray. This refers back to the settings in the Airport Utility.
Nevertheless, it doesn't hurt to add the DNS servers noted above here as well.
Click "OK" then click "Apply".
Finally, reboot your Mac.
Now see if you have internet access all around.
Let us know if this resolves your issue.
Cheers!

Macbook Air or Pro for gaming.

Hi i was wondering if any of you could answer a couple of questions for me, i am looking to buy a new macbook air or pro (not sure which) but i was wondering if i could play a PC game via bootcamp? would it work okay? Also would a wireless PS4/3 or Xbox 1/360 controller work wirelessly?
Which laptop would be more suited to this?
Thanks, Jake.

Take some time to read through:Boot Camp: Frequently asked questions about installing Windows 8 and also visit the BootCamp support site at http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/

Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter for MacBook and MacBook Pro

Does the Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter for MacBook and MacBook Pro work in cars to in the cigerete lighter and how does it work on a airoplane cause in airoplanes there is only a mike connection thats about it ?

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
The link is for the newer 120 watt version but it looks identical otherwise. If you don't have access to Costco then check the link provided for either direct purchase or the availability of other resellers. There's a "where to buy" tab at the top of the screen. Cheers!
P.S. I just noticed that you are from the U.K. I'm sure this will still work as your MacBook charger should autoswitch down to 110v input, you'll just need to make sure you have the North American plug installed. If not, I'm sure there are similiar DC to AC adaptors available in the U.K. Hope that helps!
Message was edited by: joudbren

This is my 3rd macbook air and pro that kicks me out my yahoo email all the time and tells me my password is wrong when its not this been going on 2 years 3 different macs sometimes it dont do it for months after a software update

this is my 3rd macbook air and pro that kicks me out my yahoo email all the time and tells me my password is wrong when its not this been going on 2 years 3 different macs sometimes it dont do it for months after a software update

Don't switch email providers. Switch to another email client on your Mac. It is not Yahoo. I have 3 Yahoo accounts and never have any problems getting or sending mail from/to those accounts. But I don't use the built in Mac Mail program. I use Thunderbird. I use thunderbird on both Mac OS X and Windows. Been using it for some time now with no problems getting my Yahoo mail, Google gmail mail or form my work email account.

Transfer data from macbook to macbook pro

what firewire cable should i use for transfering file from macbook to macbook pro?

One that has a compatible plug on each end. That will be determined by whether the computer has FW400 or FW800 ports (6-pin or 9-pin connector, respectively.)

Transferring Macbook to Macbook Pro

Hello all.
I just have a question on how I would go about transferring ALL of my files from my macbook to my macbook pro. I would use firewire but the missing port kind of makes it difficult. So does anyone else know a fast and efficient way I could just move everything from my macbook to my pro?
Thanks in advance.
-Neema M.

You might have to "authorise" the new computer for your iTunes account if you haven't already done so to be able to play them, Neema.
You might find the knowledge base articles at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1329 and http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1373 useful.
Cheers
Rod

HT3986 I got a plain macbook (not a pro) that I got on 2010 and I've lost the CD's that came with it, can I still download Windows7? If yes, can someone please send me a link where I can get the windows? Thanks

I got a plain macbook (not a pro) that I got on 2010 and I've lost the CD's that came with it, can I still download Windows7? If yes, can someone please send me a link where I can get the windows? Thanks

Thanks stevejobsfan0123 for the reply, I know I have to buy a disk but when I searched for it on amazon I read many reviews about saying that either it is inadequate or that it's a scam. Do you know any website where I can get a legitimate disk of windows7?

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
Windows 2000

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.
As for soundcards, I can warmly recommend the new tc Konnekt series. The mic pres are really good for the price (and I use Neve, SSL, Fairchild, Neumann and the like when it comes to pres on a daily basis, just so you know where I come from), and generally they seem quite solidly build and the drivers too (even though the GUI is a bit, ehm, quirky).
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.
It would be good to know what you're actually planning to use Logic for, Stefy. Then it's much easier to advice you.
MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8)
MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8)
MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8)
MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Whats the difference between an i pad2 / macbook air or pro

whats the difference between an i pad2 / macbook air or pro .im considering buying an ipad2 for school !!

abraham from san antonio wrote:
whats the difference between an i pad2 / macbook air or pro .im considering buying an ipad2 for school !!
A iPad is a touchbased tablet, it has a poor Atom level dual core processor that can do some things, but not a whole lot. The storage isn't so great on them and it needs a computer to operate. Can only run software from the App Store.
The MacBook Air is a lightweight laptop with a real keyboard, but limited other features like no cd/dvd drive, it's the best for ultimate portability and lightweight uses with good features. Can run a lot of third party software no problem.
The MacBook Pro 13" is a mid range laptop with cd/dvd drive, but poor integrated graphics. (little 3D gaming)
The MacBook Pro 2.0Ghz is slightly above that, it has both a integrated graphics and a dedicated graphics card with about the same performance. (not good for 3D gaming)
The 2.2, 2.3 Ghz 15" and 17" MacBook Pro's are professional level laptops and 3D gamers machines with very powerful graphics cards, these are the crown jewel machines in Apple's lineup.

Macbook or Macbook Pro?

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