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Distill · 07-09-2008, 01:09 AM

I bought a base-model MacBook (1GB Ram, 100GB HD)about a year ago, and, with a few memory upgrades, it's served me very well. Definitely upgrade memory on your own, and definitely buy it someplace like NewEgg.com--I've never had any trouble with them, and they're cheap.

Also, pick up an external display--being limited to 13" (or even 15") of screen real estate is a pain in the ass when you're laying out anything bigger than a business card (especially if you're coding and want to preview often). I got a 22" HP monitor (HP w2207h) about a month ago for like $330 and I've LOVED it (so much so that I picked up another one for my web developer to add to the 24" of his iMac). It really does pay for itself (unlike an aluminum shell) when you don't have to waste time/get frustrated by scrolling around or swapping windows.

The MacBook Pro, to me, seems like a foolish compromise between utility (when you could get a more versatile and expandable Mac Pro) and portability (when you could save $1000 and buy a MacBook plus a large external display). Decide which (utility vs. portability) you need and act accordingly.

If you need to work "on the go" (or just fancy yourself brandishing your purchase at some trendy coffee shop) the only real reason to go for the MB Pro over the MB (besides that sharp-looking aluminum exterior) is if you do a lot of video editing or 3D rendering. Then the graphics card of the MB Pro will smoke the MB (and might justify the extra $1K). I don't do a lot of video, so I've never missed it. I do run Photoshop, Illustrator and Dreamweaver (along with the usual Firefox, MacMail, iTunes, etc.) simultaneously on my MacBook with 4GB of memory with no problem.

So unless you're doing a lot of video or 3D, do yourself a favor: get the MacBook with 1GB ram, buy 4GB of ram for $130 (definitely not from Apple), buy an external display for $350, and spend the $500 you STILL saved on marketing your business.

Just my opinion, but I've done a lot of homework on the subject.

07-09-2008, 01:09 AM	#9
Distill Designer/Copywriter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: DePere, WI Posts: 93	I bought a base-model MacBook (1GB Ram, 100GB HD)about a year ago, and, with a few memory upgrades, it's served me very well. Definitely upgrade memory on your own, and definitely buy it someplace like NewEgg.com--I've never had any trouble with them, and they're cheap. Also, pick up an external display--being limited to 13" (or even 15") of screen real estate is a pain in the ass when you're laying out anything bigger than a business card (especially if you're coding and want to preview often). I got a 22" HP monitor (HP w2207h) about a month ago for like $330 and I've LOVED it (so much so that I picked up another one for my web developer to add to the 24" of his iMac). It really does pay for itself (unlike an aluminum shell) when you don't have to waste time/get frustrated by scrolling around or swapping windows. The MacBook Pro, to me, seems like a foolish compromise between utility (when you could get a more versatile and expandable Mac Pro) and portability (when you could save $1000 and buy a MacBook plus a large external display). Decide which (utility vs. portability) you need and act accordingly. If you need to work "on the go" (or just fancy yourself brandishing your purchase at some trendy coffee shop) the only real reason to go for the MB Pro over the MB (besides that sharp-looking aluminum exterior) is if you do a lot of video editing or 3D rendering. Then the graphics card of the MB Pro will smoke the MB (and might justify the extra $1K). I don't do a lot of video, so I've never missed it. I do run Photoshop, Illustrator and Dreamweaver (along with the usual Firefox, MacMail, iTunes, etc.) simultaneously on my MacBook with 4GB of memory with no problem. So unless you're doing a lot of video or 3D, do yourself a favor: get the MacBook with 1GB ram, buy 4GB of ram for $130 (definitely not from Apple), buy an external display for $350, and spend the $500 you STILL saved on marketing your business. Just my opinion, but I've done a lot of homework on the subject. __________________ Brand Consultant, Designer, Copywriter . . . All-around Good Guy my blog \| my site Last edited by Distill : 07-09-2008 at 01:13 AM. Reason: Price typo