So Confused On My Purchase! (MB vs. MBP)

Hi folks. I know you get a lot of these questions, I've posted them myself but am just so confused before I dive in to spending nearly $2000 on a laptop. Here's my situation;
I use my laptop primarily for video, photography, and audio editing. Of course regular e-mail, web surfing, etc. but the heavy use comes from the video, photography, and audio editing. I had been using a Macbook (2Ghz, upgraded to 2GB RAM) for a while, and just decided it was time for something new. I was all set to get a Macbook Pro (and planned to upgrade to 4GB RAM) when the new Macbooks came out the other day. The fact that the Black Macbook comes with a 160GB and can be upgraded to 4GB RAM puts it on a par with the entry-level Macbook Pro, which comes with only a 120GB.
As far as I can tell, the ONLY difference between the top-of-the-line Macbook and the entry-level Macbook Pro is the video card. The Macbook uses an integrated card that shares its memory with the computer, whereas the Macbook Pro has the NVidia one that has its own 128MB memory. Given that the laptop, whichever I choose, will have 4GB of RAM, what do you recommend? Video editors especially, I'm very curious to know your opinions as I'm ready to buy ASAP. Thank you!

Thanks for the replies! I forgot to add the extra screen size into my consideration, but that does play a factor. I will be adding the memory myself, I did so with my current Macbook and will do the same with whatever model I plan to buy next. I saw 4GB of Crucial on NewEgg for $160 ($79.99/ea with free shipping; http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148087), so that will be a big savings over the $850 Apple asks.
I'm just still very torn as to whether the extra $400 (price difference between Black MB and entry MBP) is really worth it, given that the only thing the MBP seems to offer is a 2" larger screen and separate video memory. I guess my question remains, is there really something better in the MBP that makes it worth that $400, or has Apple just not updated the MBP line that the Black MB is now on a par, if not better. Thanks again for the help, all!

Similar Messages

Upgrading RAM and SSD versus Purchasing a New MBP

Hi Apple Community. What are your thoughts on upgrading my mid-2010 MBP with more RAM and an 380 GB SSD HD versus purchasing a new MBP with the faster processor et al? The upgrade would run me about $500, whereas a new laptop would cost me much more. Here are my current specs: 2.4 GHz, 13-in MBP, 4GB RAM and running Mountain Lion. I use my laptop mainly for web browsing, office and streaming music/videos. I don't do much photo editing other than occasionally using Gimp. Thanks for your help!

For a bit over $600, you could upgrade your particular MBP to 16GB of RAM and a 480 GB SSD and get a remarkable increase in speed. A new MBP would cost about $1,400 more and that's with a maximum of 8 GB of RAM. You'd get a longer warranty with AppleCare with the new one (for another $250). You also have a graphics processor on yours but a new 13" MBP has only the built-in graphics. The only thing I'd miss is the USB 3.0 ports vs the USB 2.0 ports you have.
Upgrading your current Mac sounds like a speedy and economical choice.

About to move from Windows to Mac. Considering purchasing retina display MBP 15" with dual boot system as I need some of my programs. How is the display in windows for photoshop?

Has anyone got any thoughts or have you yourself purchased the MBP with Retina display and added the dual boot system with windows?
I desperately need to update my gear and want a MBP.
I'm a full time photographer at my local paper and freelance photographer - use computers A LOT, and only use windows. I've experienced mac and know I prefer it, the way it runs pleases me a whole lot more and for the amount i'm processing/working I need something that will keep up.
With 12 years of photoshop gear loaded up for all my photo processing etc, I'm wanting to add Windows and have use of both. Windows would run photoshop that I had already purchased some time ago - question is, how will it run? what will the display be like running Windows on Mac with the retina display?
I use CS4 at the moment and can't afford to upgrade to CS6 just yet, plus i'd waste a lot of what I already have by starting again on Mac. I'd use Mac for everything else, need the use of Windows for portions of what I do.
About to head to Canada and want to get set up for the road. Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks heaps!

There are some drawbacks, running Windows 7 (only) on a Mac via Bootcamp yields less than stellar results, especially with the Retina display.
And of your traveling, the Mac's high power needs (especially the Retina display) and lack of removable battery are going to be a serious issue. The Retina display is glossy, not ideal for viewing on the road and in varied environments.
CS4 won't run on the OS X version that comes with a Mac, so your looking at purchasing CS6.
Support for Windows is more widespread than for Mac's, also if you ever need to redownload OS X to fix a issue, requires a fast reliable Internet connection of the broadband kind.
If your running Windows on your Mac, you can expect to be on your own and not get support as easily as if you were running it on a regular PC.
If you can't afford to keep up with CS upgrades, then you shouldn't be considering a Mac because there are more paid upgrades on that than on Windows 7, it's like a annual nightmare.
IMMO your still better off on a decent, 1920 x 1080 res, matte screen, removable battery (with extras), Win 7 Pro i7 machine (Pro+ runs XP programs) which will stay like it is and get security updates until 2020.
OS X changes every year and if you don't upgrade, + all your third party software, then about 3 years later your left behind for updates.
Also you will have to buy Win 7 to run on your Mac, the OEM disks won't work.
If your trying to budget, then a Mac is certainly not for you.

Replacement for (bad purchase) 2010 13" MBP?

i moved back to mac two years ago and i've been anticipating a purchase of one of the new macbookpro machines and have been trying to study up. i feel like i made a poor decision when i bought this machine or i bought a lemon or i am simply asking it to do too much. the plan is to give my mom my existing machine and step up to something else. this machine is stock with the exception that i purchased 8 GB or RAM in order to try and solve some problems but I have the original 4 GB and plan to put the 4 back in and sell the 8 GB.
i am an architecture and engineering professional and need a higher performance machine than this 13" model that i didn't realize was not equivalent in power to the 15" or 17".
i don't want to complain but i am wondering if the following issues might be fixed in the new version of this machine:
1. keys coming loose and already had to replace some of them. now i need to replace more of them.
2. bottom of case is extremely hot. hot enought so that i can not rest it on my skin.
3. power case gets alarmingly hot.
4. fan blows hard and loud sometimes. i actually try to close the case before going out for a bike ride so that i don't worry about a fire or have the machine running like this when i am away.
5. frequent beachball hangs of ten to twenty seconds or longer in software such as Safari.
6. dock icons sometimes won't stay where i put them.
7. bookmark sync gets screwed up every three to four months (i assume this is a mobile me issue).
i've got a first generation macbook pro and i'm still rocking and rolling with this machine and have been extremely happy with the expandability, multiple HD slots etc. Very happy with mac software and with the mac service and the mac genius's etc.
i've seen the posts on the non-serviceability of the retina display models (only retina display models?) and I have been reading up on the no ethernet ports and no disk drive so i am mulling these issues over. all things being equal SSD seems like a good deal.
i seem to be hanging in there OK with the 250 GB HD size.
should i wait for 15" version of retina display? is there a good reason to go with a 15" or 17" macbookpro "normal" model?
TIA

They need to take some of the programmer and developers back from iPhone OS and put them where they are needed, or hire! because I hear so often the Clueless reasons given that tells me they don't have people with Windows experience, and give false and conflicting "information." Genius my no.
There WAS a problem with SSDs when Intel came out early on; there are or were some problems LAST summer/fall with some SSD models.
http://discussions.apple.com/search.jspa?objID=c98&search=Go&q=SSD+256GB
Information on drive upgrades, including SSDs @ AccelerateYourMac.
I would definitely post results there and send in "tips."
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/ news over the last week
http://forums.xlr8yourmac.com/drivedb/search.drivedb.lasso
Sounds like two possibilities: firmware from the vendor; EFI update from Apple (though look how long it took to deal with 500GB in MBP, or other SSD issues).
And it was Corsair P256 that someone said went without hitch, reviewed:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/storage/2009/06/05/corsair-p256-256gb-ssd-revie w/1
http://www.anandtech.com/tag/storage

Confused about a purchase on eBay

Hello, I just purchased some dog toys for my upcoming puppy on eBay. I clicked 'Buy Now', logged into PayPal on the next screen and purchased through PayPal where my bank account was linked. It subtracted the money from PayPal on the side (like the Ebay - NAME - $xx.xx) but I'm not sure where it took it from. Is it going to take the money from my bank or my PayPal account? Because there is no money on my PayPal account, only in my bank which I linked my account to. Please respond ASAP, thanks!

Nevermind, I figured it out. Thanks!

I'm a bit confused, do I purchase Windows 7 full version, or Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac? I am currently running on OS X Mountain Lion.

I'm new to using Mac, however my new job requires me to work on Windows...Go figure, right after I JUST buy my new iMac...anyways, I was told to use bootcamp, however I'm getting different opinions as to what I'm supposed to purchase...Do I just buy Windows 7 or the Parallel Desktop for Mac?
Thanks in advanced!

Windows on Intel Macs
There are presently several alternatives for running Windows on Intel Macs.
   1. Install the Apple Boot Camp software. Purchase Windows
         XP w/Service Pak2, Vista, or Windows 7. For Boot Camp
         4.0 and above you can only use Windows 7 or later. Follow
         instructions in the Boot Camp documentation on
         installation of Boot Camp, creating Driver CD, and
         installing Windows. Boot Camp enables you to boot the
         computer into OS X or Windows.
     2. Parallels Desktop for Mac and Windows XP, Vista Business,
         Vista Ultimate, or Windows 7. Parallels is software
         virtualization that enables running Windows concurrently
         with OS X.
     3. VM Fusion and Windows XP, Vista Business, Vista Ultimate,
         or Windows 7. VM Fusion is software virtualization that
         enables running Windows concurrently with OS X.
     4. CrossOver which enables running many Windows
         applications without having to install Windows. The
         Windows applications can run concurrently with OS X.
     5. VirtualBox is an Open Source freeware virtual machine such
         as VM Fusion and Parallels that was developed by Solaris.
         It is not as fully developed for the Mac as Parallels and VM
         Fusion.
Note that VirtualBox, Parallels, and VM Fusion can also run other operating systems such as Linux, Unix, OS/2, Solaris, etc. There are performance differences between dual-boot systems and virtualization. The latter tend to be a little slower (not much) and do not provide the video performance of the dual-boot system. See MacTech.com's Virtualization Benchmarking for comparisons of Boot Camp, Parallels, and VM Fusion. Boot Camp is only available with Leopard or Snow Leopard. Except for Crossover and a couple of similar alternatives like DarWine you must have a valid installer disc for Windows.
You must also have an internal optical drive for installing Windows. Windows cannot be installed from an external optical drive.
A Windows 7 installer disc is a requirement for Boot Camp and the virualization software.

How can I get ilife (iphoto/imovie) on my Used Retina ... Previously purchased new mbp 17 and have an Imac 27....

Well I just purchased another Retina mbp 15 and this ones a keeper (sold 2 before this was just looking for a mint one). Now my issue is I cant get ilife (in particular imovie and iphoto) without purchasing it and I dont want to do that.... yet.
I did purchase a brand new mbp 17 in 2010 but not sure if I registered it or logged into the app store. Dont think I did because I dont see any downloads available in the app store.
I have an imac 27 Im using right now and I dug up the appllications cd it came with.
My questions are:
How can I install ilife or any of the apps without buying them?
Are the applications one use only for the specific machines?
Is there any way to use the resource dvd to install onto my retina ?
(regarding this I have tried using remote disc and my retina wont show anything under remote disc when the cd is in my ima )
ANy input or help is appreciated. I did enjoy using imove and iphoto alot and would like to have them again.

I appreciate the replies. Grant if I have an Imac and the apps on the cd then what you are saying is it should be tied to my apple id and therefore I should be able to install them on my new macbook?
I dont recall when I bought my mbp 17 if it had a cd and back then it was my first mac.. dont think there was an app store just itunes. It isnt tied to my account but shouldnt it be? I guess the person who bought that 17 from me got a free bundle :/
Its not a matter of $30 I understand that fully. Its just its $30 wasted if I am able to get it.
What im confused about (and I dont care to argue apples reasoning for it) is tying ilife to 'that Mac alone" is just dumb when a new owner of a machine cant install it and has to buy it again. that means the original owner keeps the apps for any machine he wishes and it isnt for the machine.
I think im confusing myself and possibly answered my own question but ill leave it lol.

Can I system restore a purchased mbp mid 2010 but keep the upgraded OS?

I purchased a used MBP mid 2010 and had the seller meet me at the apple store. After I verified the computer was not stolen I asked to have it factory wiped, but they said I needed an appointment. Now I've read directions on this forum on how to restore it myself, is it the same technique they use in the store? Can I restore this machine and keep mavericks or must it be restored to the original OS?

fastcash124,
when Mavericks is downloaded from the Mac App Store, it is non-transferable; the seller should have wiped it from the internal drive before selling it to you. Once you’ve done a clean reïnstallation of Snow Leopard and run Software Update to get it to Mac OS X 10.6.8, you can then download and install your own (non-transferable) copy of Mavericks from the Mac App Store.

How can I purchase lion to install on my wiped MBP

I've just purchased a used MBP 13" and got started wiping the HD and doing a clean install of Lion. Before I erased the principal partition with the disk manager, 10.7.4 was installed and running fine.
As I wasn't the original owner, I can't reload Lion as my Apple ID doesn't match that from the previous install. I don't have the original system disks either. Any ideas for getting my system up and working again, ideally without a trip to the Apple Store?
Thanks!

It seems that I can't purchase Lion in an apple store - the only help they could give me was: log into the App Store on a friend's computer and purchase Lion. Now that it looks like Lion was pulled from the App Store today, I may well be screwed. Does anyone have any suggestions? Is it possible to completely wipe a hard drive and start over? I may be able to source a snow leopard install disk to do this.

Exchange recently purchased MBP

I purchased a 17" MBP 10 days ago (I know, I know, I didn't know the new ones were coming out). It is opened. Will Apple let me return it, without paying the 10% restock, in order to purchase the new 17" MBP with the 320GB drive? Will the 2.6 GHZ MBP with the 320GB 7200 rpm drive be available at retail, or only online?
Thanks

Regarding the most recent update to the 17" model -- since it still has the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT, and we know, as Apple has stated that those chips are known to be susceptible to defective packaging (from nvidia) if made up to September 2008, does anyone know of any way to know if these "new"/refreshed 17" macbook pros were assembled with newer chips from nvidia later than September?
I can't accept the new design for the unpro keyboard/screen so my only choice is this 17" version.
Won't go for previous revision of 15" due to the nvidia defect, and so I need to know if the newer 17" model is not susceptible.
Anyone with one of these systems know their manufacture date -- apparently you should be able to determine this from the serial no.

Help! Purchased used MBP with admin password, want to install OSX Leopard!

I purchased a used MBP with Tiger. The seller sold me a laptop with a password! I can log into the computer but I can't install programs (it asks for the password).
I don't have the original Tiger disks.
*If I purchase OSX Leopard tomorrow at the Apple Store, will I be able to install Leopard? Will it ask me for the password? Is there ANYWAY to get around this?*
*Do I have to buy a completely new hard drive to install to?* If I do I'll be really upset. I thought this was a good deal but I guess not if I have to pay for all this...

The machine is set to use "automatic login" that is why it does not require a password on boot up.
Boot from the Tiger Install DVD and choose Reset Password under the drop down menu on the top menu bar. You did get the OS disks with the machine, correct?
It will search the machine for all admin accounts and you can choose which one you want to reset.
And FYI, you always need the password of an admin account to install software. It is one of the safety features of OS X.
Installing 10.5 (Leopard) is your choice but it is not required to get you out of this jam if you have the 10.4 (Tiger) DVD. But you will need to boot from the 10.5 DVD and then decide what kind of install you want to do. If it was me, I would erase and install and start clean with legal software and applications.

Purchase ML for my iMac, can I download it again for my MBP ?

As the title suggests I have purchased MLO for mr iMac. Is it ok to download again on a recently purchased second hand MBP or do I need to purchase it again ?

A lot depends on how she wants to use it...Snow Leopard is a rock-solid operating system. The big advantage to going to Mountain Lion is access to iCloud and the iOS-like features that were addded, iMessaging is the big one for some people.
If she is not interested in those additions, SL is a good system.
Personally, I really like ML...have it on my MBP and iMac, and have Lion on the MBP. Rarely use the Lion installation now as ML is so much faster. But note that other users appear on here saying ML is much slower. For some of us it is faster, for some slower...I realize that is not a definitive answer for you
If you like ML and see advantages for your daughter, you have already purchased and can freely download another copy.

Confused as to what to buy - brand new, refurbished

I got my first Apple back in 2009. And still have it. It is a 15 inch MacBook Pro. However, it not does not hold its charge, the charger is giving up the ghost, the keyboard is very worn and it "timesout" alot and "crashes" quite a bit. Time for a new one I think and keep this as a back-up.
But that is where I get confused. I am not sure whether to go for an older refurbished Macbook Pro or a new one. I want the 15 inch screen and a MacBook Pro. I don't do any major graphics on it, it is used for my work but that basically consists of emails, general internet surfing and a few documents and spreadsheets (usd Office in the past on this current Mac). I would like something quick. I don't store too much on the Mac, mainly photos, emails, some documents. I have not used the 250 GB of storage this one has, and could and will give it a good clear out.
So at the moment my choices are:
Brand new from apple - the Retina model with 16 GB RAM, 256 GB flash drive, 2.2 i7 Ghz processor with the turbo boost but its £1599
Or could go for an apple refurbished one - there is an October 2013 model, 8 GB Ram, 256 GB flash, 2.0 Ghz with turbo boost for £1189
Or there is an Apple MacBook Pro MC975BA 15 inch retina display, 16 GB, 256 GB SSD for £1149, a 2012 model I think from a third party seller. But this does not have the turbo boost, not the new flash storage, although not sure this makes any difference to me for what I want it for. But does have the 16 MB RAM. But its not from Apple.
Or could go for older refurb ones for around £700 to £800 and some have more hard drive capacity up to 500 GB...........mapleuk do quite a lot.
Any thoughts. I am not a computer person particularly so its all a bit over my head but understand more RAM will make much quicker, the Retina display just gives better graphics and not sure I would notice the difference or even need this........
I know I could get things updated but at the moment don't really have time to do this as we don't live near an apple store and we are leaving to go abroad fairly soon.

I have purchased three refurbished MBPs from APPLE and I feel it is an excellent option. Warranty, Applecare and telephone support is identical with a 'new' one.
That will not be the case with one from a third party seller. You will have to balance the cost differential in order to determine if the refurbished is worth it.
You perhaps should consider the costs to upgrade your current MBP. Installing the maximum amount of RAM with a SSD might be a good option and keep the financial outlay to a minimum.
Ciao.

IMac can not share internet with new MBP

I just purchased a 13" MBP(10.5.7)and wanted to update software, register, etc. I'm trying to share the internet from my G5 iMac(10.5.7). With airport turned on,I've turned on internet sharing from ethernet to airport on the imac but the Radar icon does not display the "arrow" to show that the iMac is acting like a base station. The firewall setting in the security pref. is set to allow all incoming connections. i keep trying different combinations of settings but the only change is a light gray "monitor" icon on the airport radar in the tool bar. ( and I can't seem to repeat that)The new MBP sees the iMac in the airport drop down menue but does not connect, it says it needs a password but none was established on the imac. When opening safari is says not connected to internet. I've read many post regarding sharing but I must admit I'm confused. I thought this was supposed to be simple.
Thanks for any responses

I have done those things. I tried the same with an older ibook and three clicks and the airport icon showed an arrow (signaling it now is a base station) no problem but not on either of the leopard machines. is there a problem with sharing using leopard?
When I set the imac to share the ethernet connection and choose by airport the red Button changes to green. the preference window says "sharing your ethernet connection" but no change at the icon on the upper right menu bar. (I've always thought it changes to an arrow over the "radar" icon) if I close the sharing window and then reopen it or turn the airport on/off the internet sharing box becomes unchecked and sharing is turned off. I can't seem to get the radar icon to change and the sharing settings to stay "set".

Need help with firewire problem with white macbook to new MBP...

Hello...I purchased a new MBP 13.3 inch with retina display a week ago because my old white macbook from 2008 has a cracked screen, rendering it unusable. I would very much liek to get some files off of it and onto my new MBP or onto an external drive. I bought the firewire to thunderbolt apple adapter, but I then saw I need ANOTHER cord or adapter to go from the old macbook to the adapter. Is this doable? What is the best one to use? are they all the same and which one will fit the adapter and the right end fit my old Macbook? So confusing and it's been hard to try to find an answer online. I am assuming I can boot the old Macbvook into Target mode and transfer the data. Thanks for any help.

This is the other cable and adapter you'll need http://store.apple.com/us/product/H7990ZM/A/moshi-firewire-800-cable-with-firewi re-400-to-800-adapter?fnode=51
You may be able to fine it cheaper somewhere else though.

So Confused On My Purchase! (MB vs. MBP)

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