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RuNE
bomberman


Registered: 09/23/00
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Macbook Pro any good?
#7508810 - 10/11/07 12:43 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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So long story short, my gf wants a future proof Mac laptop. She is mainly getting it for the new job she just got; an office environment where working with macs is required.
Anyway, she is willing to drop up to $3k on it.  Right now she has a laptop she also bought for about 2.5k about 2-3 years back, and it's still going great (Toshiba M30, higher end model with a Nvidia 6600 GO card). I'd be great if she could repeat this success. Now i know its overpriced, but she's set on it, and really, she needs to know OSX like she knows windows. I'm in canada, so remember a +14% tax on top of the price.
They currently only have 3 Macbook Pro's, listed here: http://www.apple.com/ca/macbookpro/specs.html
I'm thinking of the 15.4-inch: 2.4GHz (MA896LL). Has the new 4mb cache processor, an 8600 GT, and 2GBs of ram. There will be some gaming on it, so the lower end macbooks are not really an option. Cons: Other than the price, it's hard to find proper reviews of this thing. Places like amazon are littered with spider marketers working for apple/MS. One person says the new 'LED backlit' screen has problems. Other people say the wireless sucks. So my question is, does anyone use a newer mac laptop? Anyone work with them, especialy in repairs? $3000 is a lotta money!
-------------------- ~Happy sailing~
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 23,480
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Re: Macbook Pro any good? [Re: RuNE]
#7509171 - 10/11/07 02:42 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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> Anyone work with them, especialy in repairs?
Yes. Take a look at macrumors.com forums for good input that doesn't have the marketing idiots. The people there are pro-mac, so don't get sucked into the hype, but for the most part, they know what they are talking about as far as the good and the bad go.
Wait until the end of the month to buy, as the newer release of the OS will come out on the 28th (or whatever the last Friday in October is) assuming Apple follows what they have done in the past.
The wireless sucks is a software issue.
I haven't seen an LED backlit screen yet, so I can't say if it has problems or not. Are they even released? News to me if they are.
The computer runs hot... it is not comfortable to have it on your lap.
I would recommend applecare; it adds a few hundred to the price tag but extends the warranty from 1 to 3 years. For a 3k piece of hardware, it is worth it. Apple laptops are not cheap to fix as the logic board is the common part to go out and they put everything on the board, including the CPU, so if you have to replace out of warranty, you buy a lot chips that are usually removable on other types of laptops.
OS-X blows windows out of the water... this coming from somebody that hated OS-9 worse than anything on the planet. If you are used to windows, it takes a little bit to get used to the change in paradigm with OS-X, but once you get the hang of it, you probably won't want to go back. The big difference is in windows you use the right mouse button to get a drop down menu to do most things. On apple you drag and drop or use an "action icon" instead (usually a + sign).
Oh, keep a sheet of paper or something thing over the keyboard when you close the case. I don't know that it is still an issue, but in the past, the keys slightly touched the LCD and the oil from you fingers would leech from the keys onto the display leaving the outline of the keyboard... rather annoying.
I don't remember if the screen on that model is a true 24-bit display or if it dithers to get 24-bit color. A lot of people bitch that apple misleads on the 24-bit tech specs, but then, so does every other vendor, as they all use the same panels.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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RuNE
bomberman


Registered: 09/23/00
Posts: 2,331
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Re: Macbook Pro any good? [Re: Seuss]
#7509520 - 10/11/07 04:08 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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Thanks for the info seuss, I'll check out those forums.
Yeah, the backlit screen thing is a new one for me too, It doesn't say much on the website about it. I just read it from the reviews.
As for the OS, would there be a way of upgrading for free? Is the new version a lot better? She will be getting the job officialy on the 29th, so she needs to familiarize herself a bit before then.
edit: from the forum you linked: "The affected units are the new Santa Rosa MBP with the new LED backlit displays." So it seems its an LCD display that is backlit with LEDs instead of the old flourescent lighting to make them last longer. And i just found out the 17" models still use the old tech, so only the 15" models have it. Good site.
-------------------- ~Happy sailing~
Edited by RuNE (10/11/07 04:35 PM)
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



Registered: 04/27/01
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Re: Macbook Pro any good? [Re: RuNE]
#7509593 - 10/11/07 04:33 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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> As for the OS, would there be a way of upgrading for free?
Probably not. They put coupons for a free upgrade in the boxes that sell after the new OS is released, but for computers that were already boxed at the factory with the old OS installed. The new OS will be worth it, from what I have seen. You can always find copies on torrent (don't bother with the betas that are out now), burn the image, and upgrade with no problems (assuming no sun spots, etc). The guys at macforums would know for certain how it works. I don't sell the things, only fix them when they break. (Apple has the worst laptops in the world to have to repair. They love to use 50+ tiny screws that are fractions of a mm diffrent in length, but the same diameter, to hold the things together... that and tape... and those fractions matter, if you put the wrong one in you short something out and blow a $700 board... job security for he who has access to the service manual, I suppose.)
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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TheCow
Stranger

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Re: Macbook Pro any good? [Re: RuNE]
#7509614 - 10/11/07 04:38 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
RuNE said: There will be some gaming on it, so the lower end macbooks are not really an option.
I think you mean, 'there will be some gaming on it, so ANY mac is not an option'
Gaming=Windows, that is barely debatable. Very few games are ported to Macs, I realize some are, and I also realize they have an emulation layer you can run it on. This is not the same however, so strike that off the list.
Also 3000 dollars? Are you shitting me? I had no idea those things cost that much, honestly I can't ever imagine going totally insane enough to buy something like that. Boggles my mind.
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TheCow
Stranger

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Re: Macbook Pro any good? [Re: TheCow]
#7509619 - 10/11/07 04:40 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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Sorry, I didn't mean to come across as so sensationalist or demeaning, I just had no idea they charged that much.
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RuNE
bomberman


Registered: 09/23/00
Posts: 2,331
Loc: tartarus
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Re: Macbook Pro any good? [Re: TheCow]
#7509659 - 10/11/07 04:51 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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Thats why I can set it up to dual boot.  Maybe XP or even Vista for a few games.
Trust me, if it were me i'd never spend that much for a laptop, especialy a mac. However, a) its not for me, or my money b) The mac OS will not run on any non-mac PC without hacking, and my gf will not allow me to hack any laptop she'd buy. Nor would i really feel comfortable doing so, since i hear it's not very simple. Also, she's not paying for all of it by herself. She's getting financial assistance for a nice chunky percentage.
-------------------- ~Happy sailing~
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TheCow
Stranger

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Re: Macbook Pro any good? [Re: RuNE]
#7509671 - 10/11/07 04:53 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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But whats the fascination with a mac that she has? Honestly Ive never liked the OS I guess, I never felt like I was in control enough over it. Also the mouse having one button might be the single dumbest thing Im aware of. I keep hearing the OS is good, but honestly everytime I use it I feel like
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 23,480
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Re: Macbook Pro any good? [Re: TheCow]
#7509707 - 10/11/07 05:03 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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> I never felt like I was in control enough over it.
Open a terminal window and you can do pretty much anything. From a control standpoint, much stronger than windows, and on par with any flavor of Unix. OS9, I agree completely, which is the main reason I didn't like it. OSX, not an issue, unless you don't know Unix and want to pretend that you are a power user.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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RuNE
bomberman


Registered: 09/23/00
Posts: 2,331
Loc: tartarus
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Re: Macbook Pro any good? [Re: TheCow]
#7509717 - 10/11/07 05:07 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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You probably didn't read my first post thoroughly. She's not fascinated by macs/OSX, she needs it for a new job she is starting at the end of this month. The office has nothing but macs, and she needs to understand it, as well as bring work home from the office. While she's at it, it might as well be an up to date and future proof laptop.
-------------------- ~Happy sailing~
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the man
still masked



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Re: Macbook Pro any good? [Re: RuNE]
#7516740 - 10/14/07 05:29 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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no problems with the LED screen. im lucky enough to have the one you are talking about. i love this thing so much it hurts. not that i am one to say really but when ever i go back to windows and try and do anything it seems there is always hassles no matter what. OSx is easy to use intuative never had a virus spyware or anything like that.
and that new OS on teh 26th i believe is pretty nice. some really cool new features and programs built for that OS are gunna have some cool things aswell with that core animation... ie burning progrma smokes when in use and if you blow at your comp(the mic) it will move teh smoke accross your screen. useful, no, but is candy ever useful..
-------------------- And Moses Said "Let my mushrooms grow!"
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ThirdEyeOpening
Lost In My Head




Registered: 08/24/04
Posts: 2,287
Loc: How the fuck should i kno...
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Re: Macbook Pro any good? [Re: TheCow]
#7521971 - 10/16/07 01:57 AM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
TheCow said:
Quote:
RuNE said: There will be some gaming on it, so the lower end macbooks are not really an option.
I think you mean, 'there will be some gaming on it, so ANY mac is not an option'
Gaming=Windows, that is barely debatable. Very few games are ported to Macs, I realize some are, and I also realize they have an emulation layer you can run it on. This is not the same however, so strike that off the list.
Also 3000 dollars? Are you shitting me? I had no idea those things cost that much, honestly I can't ever imagine going totally insane enough to buy something like that. Boggles my mind.
Cider
Transgaming has made great leaps in gaming for Mac. Granted its only for intel macs, but they are also the best suited to game any ways. I have an Intel Imac 20", with a windows partition for my games. I havent use that partition in over 8 months.
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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity. Im not too sure about the former. -Einstein Of course the rules need to be enforced, but the goal of law and order should be to create a just society, not to enforce laws. -Unknown “I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.” -Stephen Roberts
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 23,480
Loc: Caribbean
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I've been very impressed with Cider. A tiny bit buggy, but given what it does...wow.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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RuNE
bomberman


Registered: 09/23/00
Posts: 2,331
Loc: tartarus
Last seen: 7 years, 11 months
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little update:
We have the laptop now, it's pretty neat. Right after updating OSX, i used bootcamp to make a 32g FAT32 winxp partition (so we can swap files between OSes). It runs WoW flawless, even in the most laggy spots. However, yes, it gets incredibly hot during games, which is almost expected considering what kind of hardware is jammed into a 1" thick space. A laptop cooler will be the first investment.
So far so good!
-------------------- ~Happy sailing~
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 23,480
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Re: Macbook Pro any good? [Re: RuNE]
#7526623 - 10/17/07 03:59 AM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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If you bought after Oct 1st, then you should be able to upgrade to the new OS that is to be released on Friday for the cost of the media... around $10.00 or so.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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RuNE
bomberman


Registered: 09/23/00
Posts: 2,331
Loc: tartarus
Last seen: 7 years, 11 months
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Re: Macbook Pro any good? [Re: Seuss]
#7531025 - 10/18/07 12:05 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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Awesome, i'll look into it, thanks Seuss.
-------------------- ~Happy sailing~
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HELLA_TIGHT
Madge the Smoking Vag



Registered: 08/19/03
Posts: 84,387
Loc: Afghanistan
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Re: Macbook Pro any good? [Re: RuNE]
#7531122 - 10/18/07 12:39 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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UlcerPentacidis
psilophile


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Re: Macbook Pro any good? [Re: HELLA_TIGHT]
#7532447 - 10/18/07 06:14 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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sounds cool.
i just unloaded my powerbook on monday,
and am in the market for a new machine..
-------------------- µgrammar
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