Considering a Macbook Pro in January.

So, some of you may have seen on Twitter that I'm considering finally upgrading this Powerbook G4. It's running slower and slower, really, and I don't dare try Leopard on it. I've been debating what I want to get. First, I had to decide between portability and a tower; that is, an MBP or a Mac Pro. Ultimately, a Mac Pro is initially less expensive, a whole lot more powerful, and all sorts more expandable. However, it's a huge, heavy tower - it ain't going anywhere.

I really love the idea of a super powerful computer - but why? I don't do video, I don't do music, and I don't do heavy graphics; I certainly don't do any real-time mathematics processing, so why the obsession with power?

However - here are things I do or will do:

• Play WoW at C & W's.
• Take the laptop with me to Seattle when I visit up there
• Take the laptop with me to NY when I go to visit my folks
• Take the laptop with me to Mass. when I go to re-visit Smith
• Take the laptop with me to N.Cali when I go to visit T and/or G

What do I do on the thing?

• Play World of Warcraft or other, not quite cutting edge games; no FPS, no real-time strat.
• Web development, learning programming, etc.
• Light graphical work and learning
• Mail, browsing
• Writing
• Chatting, including VOIP (Skype) and Webcam

This will also be my work machine:

• Web stuff, lots of it
• Troubleshooting code
• Email/IM
• Light graphics
• A ton of windows I need to see all at once

So, right now we know that MacBookPro will both travel with me and can easily, easily handle my requirements. I'll be able to take it on the road, still do my work, still do my play, and be quite happy. Now, I also have a 2lb Sony Vaio for when I need to be walking around a lot and have the notebook with me as well. I have an ultra-portable that I'm keeping, so...

I'm leaning towards the 17" MacBookPro. It'll be good for doing all sorts of things while not at my desk, and it'll make a great dual-monitor setup. I'm going for the matte screen; I friggin' hate glossy. It is a bit cumbersome to carry around; it won't really work well on a plane (but that's what the 11" 2lb Vaio is for) but other than that, all my traveling involves getting the laptop someplace and setting it up; not lugging it around with me all day (unlike when I was in school).

The high-res 17" MBP seems perfect for what I want. G did point out that I can't really use that thing on my lap - but I use the Dell 17" on my lap (which I'll sell off, probably, or give to my folks, I won't need it anymore, thankfully I got it really cheap); and I know that I don't want to use an MBP on my unprotected lap - those things run way hotter than Windows machines - no idea why, but it's a fairly accepted fact. Plus, the MBP 17" is a pound lighter than my Dell, and I carry that fairly often. The difference is the lack of text-books currently in my life; a lack I quite enjoy.

So - given all that, what do ya'll think?

• MBP 17"
• MBP 15"
• Mac Pro? =)

Comments (13)

Hrm.  I thought about that, and I already have the peripherals (that’s essentially what I’m doing now, with the 15” G4 which this new computer is going to replace).  But the 17” screen-size is awesome; I looked at the two side by side yesterday.  I’m not sure the extra 1.2lbs is that bad… You think a 15” is that big a difference?

Hrm.  You mean the keyboard lighting like in my G4? I don’t tend to use that since I don’t look at the keyboard…

I’m only down in Portland, so 3.5 hours away.  I want to come up before Thanksgiving but at least two of my weekends are spoken for, so I’m not sure.  December-ish at the latest. =)  I intend to be up there several times though, as my lease ends in may and I’m not sure where to move to.  Seattle is a major contender.

Oh! I didn’t know that.  Would you recommend a 17” if that had the LED lighting? I hadn’t considered that or even known about that feature…

Good thing I asked! Thanks for popping in here to help. =)

Hrm, I hadn’t considered that as I have a backpack that my Dell 17” fits in quite snugly.  And yea, I’m familiar with the lugging - said lugging led me to purchase the 11” Vaio - if only Apple would really come out with an ultra-portable. ;)

Thanks, Andru!

Well, since I’m waiting until January anyway…

I’m not in a huge rush on the ultraportable since the Vaio will cover my needs for the next year or two; but a gal can dream, can’t she? ;) 

*fades off into dream-world, imagining a Mac Pro at home, and a sub 3lb Mac Notebook for traveling*

Oh, but yea, I do need to replace this G4, so that I can, y’know, run Leopard and.. Photoshop.  This locks up for 10 minutes when I try to initialize the Photoshop installer. =/

I thought you would like to know that I’ve actually decided to go with a 13” “black"book.  The portability is important; and I already have the “docking” set up - as I do that with my G4, and I have a 24” monitor it will connect to.  But more than that, it’s $1000 less and does everything I need and with extreme ease.  I also love the keyboard.  I just wish I could get it in matte; but I’ll manage. 

Since this is a grand cheaper, in a year or two if I do graduate to needing more power, I can easily justify a more powerful iMac or even Mac Pro to use alongside the Macbook.  This just gives me the most options and is perfect for my needs.

Thanks for all the input, guys.  The update to Santa Rosa today, and the ability to take up to 4gig of ram in the Macbook really pushed me over the edge. =)