Need Mac Advice: Help Scotty to the dark side...

[jeffryscott]

Macbook - great airport sensitivity (plastic case helps a lot) and the premium paid for the Pro isn't worth it in my opinion.

The Air would also be an option as it is uber cool and with the SSD it would certainly be somewhat the "toughbook" you've been wanting from Apple. These things, as I know you are aware, are pretty bulletproof. The backlit keyboard would be nice for in-truck operation. Not having an optical drive in the environment of the truck isn't bad as they are the thing that will be prone to getting mucked up more than anything, plus backing up to a beefy external HD is a good way of keeping things safe away from the actual computer.

Go for the Air, I don't think the HD speed will be too much of an issue for you:rockon:

 

[Scott Brady]

I am on the fence... leaning towards the MBP in light trim.

This Mac stuff is not cheap - not at all.

 

[ckkone]

I don't use any of the programs you mentioned, but I would not trade my Macbook for any PC. I've been using mine for about 1.5 years and it's great!

 

[adventureduo]

This Mac stuff is not cheap - not at all.

Nope, but they last a great deal longer. Trust me, you get what you pay for.

I better knock on my wood desk right now as i type this.

 

[DaktariEd]

This Mac stuff is not cheap - not at all.

You get what you pay for....seriously.
I've had about 6-7 Macs over the last 20 years, and in all that time I've had one keyboard key come loose, a hinge break on my 15" G4 Powerbook, and one Superdrive failure.
I have a dozen PC's at my office, invested >$20,000 in all the hardware. In 20 months I've had multiple hard drive failures, motherboard issues, faulty batteries and power supplies....and more.
Although not "made in the USA" any more, the Mac quality control is still superior IMO. And the OS in infinitely superior.
You definitely get what you pay for....

I'm sure there are some great & reliable PC's out there, but again, you'd have to pay Mac prices for similar quality...

 

[Martyn]

Scott

For South America have a dial up modem installed as well as the Ethernet connection. You may remember that last year I took my Mac Book to Mozambique and South Africa with me and I discovered I didn't have a place to plug a regular phone into the lap top and no dial up modem. It kept me off line in some places and confined to internet cafes in others.

 

[Scott Brady]

I don't mind spending the money at all, I just don't want to over spend compared to my needs.

I am liking this 2.2 MBP more and more. I think the 15" screen will be a real advantage for any field design work.

 

[efuentes]

How about a MacBook, and Asus Eee and a external disk, for less than 2 grand you would have speed, portability and redundancy, all very desirable in a trip.

Thats what i would do, maybe i will also get a external GPS receiver and use the Asus EePC as a nice GPS and note taker while my Macbook is locked away in a pelican box.

 

[WhereTheHellIsJames?]

Imho....

Scott- Go with the Pro.

As stated, with the Air you'll have to have external devices, where the Pro is all-in-one... a Swiss-Army computer. I use the CS3 Suite on my pro, and have had no problems with it. I have not used Aperature, but have no doubt that it will run fine. A MacBook Pro is essentially the same powerful computer as the Mac Pro, only in a notebook format.

A useful tool for you may be Boot camp. I run Boot Camp on my Pro so that I can boot either to Windows or to Mac OS. What this means, and where it helps out: you can run either OS (Mac OS or Windows) natively on a Mac, so if you have some programs that are "Windows-only" and you don't want to purchase the Mac copy, or if those programs are not made for Mac, you're still all good. You essentially have TWO computers in one. One place where I think that the Windows OS would come in handy is with GIS-type stuff; there are more options for Windows platforms than Mac, and with Boot Camp, you can have both.

I'd steer you away from the MacBook, and push the Pro. As far as the MacBooks go, they are nice, and the black MacBook is a great machine... unless you do graphic-intensive work (like I'm assuming you will be doing since you are asking specifically about CS3 and Aperature).

I am having trouble seeing the $1,600 advantage of the MacBook Pro.

Obviously, the graphics card is better, it is a little faster, and the screen is larger, and uber cool aluminum too, but dang, that is a BIG premium.

Graphic-intensive applications is where the Pro will really shine, and the MacBook will fall short. That's where your $1600 difference will come from... among many other features that you don't yet realize, and won't until you found out that your MacBook "doesn't do that", but if you had gotten the Pro, you could . Graphically speaking (and what you touched on) is that the Pro has a dedicated graphics card with its own RAM, and the black (or white) MacBook does not. Instead the MacBook has an integrated graphics card (on the mainboard) and shares the system RAM to run it, thus clogging things up and slowing the whole thing down.

During one of our recent "one-on-one" sessions at our Apple store (when I asked the very same question) we were told it was a lot easier to just bring the PC in to the Genius Bar and they would transfer/convert all Outlook (and anything else you want moved from PC to Mac) to our new Macs...FWTW.

That's a great idea! The geniuses at the Apple Store will be able to get you set up. They'll get you taken care of the right way. Also, if it's something that you want to do yourself, it's not that bad- but you really should have an idea of what you're dong in order to get it right the first time since it can be a little time consuming.

Ok, built a cheaper MacbookPro

Subtotal $2,274.00
Free Shipping
Specifications

2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
200GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
MacBook Pro 15-inch Widescreen Display
Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
Accessory Kit

I have the EXACT same one. I run all of the CS3 suite for Industrial/Graphic Design purposes. Hard drive is Partitioned through Boot Camp for Windows ( I run some CAD applications in Windows) and Mac OS X. It is an incredibly powerful and durable notebook computer, and you'd be surprised at how rugged it is. If you were in college, I'd recommend the black MacBook; if you actually use graphic software, you'll really be glad that you got the PRO.

Forget the Air.

 

[spressomon]

You get what you pay for....seriously.
I've had about 6-7 Macs over the last 20 years, and in all that time I've had one keyboard key come loose, a hinge break on my 15" G4 Powerbook, and one Superdrive failure.
I have a dozen PC's at my office, invested >$20,000 in all the hardware. In 20 months I've had multiple hard drive failures, motherboard issues, faulty batteries and power supplies....and more.
Although not "made in the USA" any more, the Mac quality control is still superior IMO. And the OS in infinitely superior.
You definitely get what you pay for....

I'm sure there are some great & reliable PC's out there, but again, you'd have to pay Mac prices for similar quality...

Yep...it's a bummer the newer Macs are made in China. Given the artificially low cost of manufacturing in China you can start to see why Apple is veryyyyyyy profitable! Don't get me wrong...so far we are pleased with our decision to convert to Mac (iMac, Macbook x2).

 

[spressomon]

Scott- Go with the Pro.

As stated, with the Air you'll have to have external deices, wherw the Pro is all-in-one... a Swiss-Army computer. I use the CS# Suite on my pro, and have had no problems with it. I have not used Aperature, but have no doubt that it will run fine. A MacBook Pro is essentially the same powerful computer as the Mac Pro, only in a notebook format.

A useful tool for you may be Boot camp. I run Boot Camp on my Pro so that I can boot either to Windows or to Mac OS. What this means, and where it helps out: you can run either OS (Mac OS or Windows) natively on a Mac, so if you have some programs that are "Windows-only" and you don't want to purchase the Mac copy, or if those programs are not made for Mac, you're still all good. You essentially have TWO computers in one. One place where I think that the Windows OS would come in handy is with GIS-type stuff; there are more options for Windows platforms than Mac, and with Boot Camp, you can have both.

I'd steer you away from the MacBook, and push the Pro. As far as the MacBooks go, they are nice, and the black MacBook is a great machine... unless you do graphic-intensive work (like I'm assuming you will be doing since you are asking specifically about CS# and Aperature).


Graphic-intensive applications is where the Pro will really shine, and the MacBook will fall short. That's where your $1600 difference will come from... among many other features that you don't yet realize, and won't until you found out that your MacBook "doesn't do that", but if you had gotten the Pro, you could . Graphically speaking (and what you touched on) is that the Pro has a dedicated graphics card with its own RAM, and the black (or white) MacBook does not. Instead the MacBook has an integrated graphics card (on the mainboard) and shares the system RAM to run it, thus clogging things up and slowing the whole thing down.


That's a great idea! The geniuses at the Apple Store will be able to get you set up. They'll get you taken care of the right way. Also, if it's something that you want to do yourself, it's not that bad- but you really should have an idea of what you're dong in order to get it right the first time since it can be a little time consuming.


I have the EXACT same one. I run all of the CS3 suite for Industrial/Graphic design purposes. Hard drive is Partitioned for Boot Camp and Windows ( I run some CAD applications in Windows). It is an incredibly powerful and durable notebook computer. If you were in college, I'd recommend the black MacBook; if you actually use graphic software, you'll really be glad that you got the PRO.

Forget the Air.

.

The black Macbook is that much better than the white one eh?

 

[ChuckB]

I'm feeling inadequate as I read this thread on my completely original 800MHz 15" iMac!! :drool:

 

[Scott Brady]

.

The black Macbook is that much better than the white one eh?

Trucks=White
Computers and Ipods and Flat Screens=Black

Got it

 

[Redline]

I use a laptop as my only computer, and have owned only Mac portables since I bought my first machine years ago (after my first loaner, also a Mac IIsi). I owned a Wallstreet, Pismo (my favorite), G4 Aluminum PowerBook (now my Wife’s), and my current MacBook Pro. I use them mostly a portable desktop, that I move around the house often but also take on trips in a soft briefcase, but I give them lots of care.

I seriously considered the new MacBook over the Pro, wondered if I would like the glossy screen better or not. I decided I like the matte screen over the glossy (reflections), and liked the larger screen for the Pro. Although the 13-in MacBook is getting pretty usable for everyday, a larger screen is nicer. I went with another 15-in. to replace the G4PB.

Though both machines are “15-inch” models, the new Pro is larger and it’s noticeable. The battery life is MUCH better (even after buying a new batt for the G4), the airport reception is also much better, and the screen is brighter. My old Pismo always had the best AirPort reception compared to the G4 PB, now this Pro is what the Pismo was (or better) so many years ago.

x2 on buying ram from crucial. I got the standard ram from Apple and upgraded to a total of 4-GB of ram for tons less.

I’m glad I spent the money, I only do it every 3-4 years. I purchased parallels and windows, though have yet to use them, but this should be great for when I am forced to use PC only software.

 

[wagner_joe]

I have't used a mac in years, but I'm certified for the other stuff (MCSE, A+, Cisco, etc). I started out on the Mac+ and worked my way out at a Mac Performa. I left when their stock was really low.. Should'a bought that one.. Anyway...

I like your options on the 2.2 MBP. It's the wiser choice for all will meet all your needs after reading the software requirements. Be all inclusive with the DVD/RW drives and the 15" is perfect for the field. Have't used that software to transfer.. Sorry.

I have the sony VGNTX-770p. It's the 10" screen. From doing past design work in Pagemaker and early Photoshop, I'd hate to do it off this 10" screen. It's great for the car/travels. Even perfect for carrying around for work. But 3K is a lot of money for mobility. 2.2K is worth the money.. The Airport is too new, other than "cool factor".. Might have difficulty with support issues while traveling with the newer device and would recommend sticking with the MBP..

my .02