Need opinions as to which MBP to get

Question

Hey everyone,
I'm new here, so forgive me if I break any rules here, and if this thread is in the wrong place I am sorry. I'm a senior in high school right now, and I am looking to get a MBP for college. For school, we are issued a Macbook and we will have to return it at the end of the year. The specs:
Version 10.6.4
Processor 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Because we have to return it at the end of the year, I was looking for to buy a MBP. I was looking at the $1799 MBP but I wanted to know if the speeds with be noticeably faster than an IC2D/if this would be the best choice.
Basically what I would want to use the laptop for would be schoolwork first (writing papers, powerpoints etc),
then some gaming (Starcraft 2 etc). I also like to record music in Garageband, and edit videos and upload them to YouTube, and when I upload them, it is in bulk; many 10 minute videos in HD.
Basically, should I get that MBP now based on what I am wanted to use it for, or should I wait and see what they have in store with the faster models/if I even need them.
If I could get some opinions and ideas, that would be greatly appreciated! Again, sorry if I have broken any rules.

Answer 1

Not knowing all the details, the entire scenario raises some potential concerns and consideration.
First the concerns:
"For school, we are issued a Macbook and we will have to return it at the end of the year." What does that entail? Do you wipe the hard drive and then give it back to the school? Over the course of a semester or year, I would expect that you will be placing some rather confidential info on the system. I would not want to just hand this back to anyone without wiping the drive - the right way.
Also, then you get to your second year. What happens then - they give you a new one that also has to be turned back in? So what happens to all the files that you may want to keep throughout your education? Guessing maybe a backup would be a good idea - perhaps Time Machine.
Considerations:
What are you going to school for? If you are going into engineering, computer science, or actually many degrees that may eventually require more than your initial considerations for use, then a MBP would start to look that much more appealing. Of course there is the issue of what one can afford or what you want to spend. But if you did purchase a higher end MBP then it would likely take you through a 4 year program without a hitch and although it might represent a one-time higher entry cost, you would probably not have to be concerned about getting another one until you graduated, or even after.
I mentioned the below comment in another post, but it may also apply to your situation:
If you opted for the 8GB then you might want to consider the 4GB (save $400) and install an 8GB upgrade yourself (seems like the "do it yourself option" is about half, or close to it, so maybe could save $200 in total if that is part of your configuration - enough for the i7 without remorse). Then if you are really savvy you could sell the 4GB off, some places may even offer a rebate if you buy an 8GB RAM upgrade and send in the 4GB. I have just read about hem - goggle at your pleasure. On the flip side of this, I am not sure if upgrading the RAM yourself has any ramifications as far as AppleCare is concerned, or if you even were going to purchase that (which also seems, in general, highly recommend).
If this is available route, make sure you read the AppleCare terms and conditions and likely a good chat with an AppleCare rep would settle the issue without ado.
But, I would also qualify this to your situation. You could just get 4GB now and see if you even need the 8GB and then install that as needed.
And just to throw in another 2nd hand comment. My nephew is going through a 4 year degree. Since I am also researching and interested in getting a MBP (please see my post for own particular questions http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2612396&tstart=0), I asked him what the kids at his college were using - which was more popular the Macbook or MBP. Unequivocally, he said that the MBP was the definitive choice. He is not at a "rich kids school" and many of his friends who have MBP are in business majors, which I would make a general statement and assume require less computing power than someone in an engineering or cs discipline, where much of the focus is actually on computers and use, not just using a computer for the standard applications and recreational use.
Hope this helps or at least gives you more to think about. Good luck in school.