Which MacBook Pro?

[Nick]

I finally have enough to go ahead and upgrade from my ancient PowerBook and I'm planning on going with a MacBook Pro. I'm trying to now decide which configuration I should go with. I'm planning on one of the 15" models, but I'm not sure if that extra .2GHz and 128MB of VRAM. Any opinions or experience? Will I be sorry if I don't spring for that upgrade? Currently it's more financially comfortable for me to just get the lower end MacBook Pro and I figure I'll be fine for the next few years (after all, I'm still using a PowerBook G4 :p).

Thanks for any insight or opinions.

[ThemsAllTook]

$500 seems like a lot for the small difference in features. I'll bet you'd be fine with the lower end model... Note that the midrange one also has 40 GB more hard drive space, but that still wouldn't be worth it for me, personally.

[Nick]

Indeed. Hard drive space isn't something I really need. I have a PC desktop with 160GB and an external hard drive (well, my old PowerBook's "dead according to Apple") 80GB hard drive.

[Malarkey]

I have the 17" and I'm really liking it a lot. Definitely glad I sprang for the extra bit of screen real estate. Are you getting a new MacBookPro? If so, you may want to consider getting a refurbished older model. I got mine for about $2000 from Apple (check the Apple Store under refurbished Macs) and a friend of mine got a 15in for $1400, I think. Both have been running great for months.

[Nick]

I actually just ordered it two days ago.

I'm not a huge fan of the size of a 17" laptop. I think 15" is the perfect fit for my lap and I've never really been low on screen real estate.

I'm also not a big fan of refurbished products. None at all. But either way, I'd rather spring for the newest to add that little bit of extra time before this one goes the way of my PowerBook.

[Hairball183]

As a side note(For future buyers), try www.macmall.com. It will save you a lot of money.;)

All the best,

Lincoln Green

[Nick]

As a side note(For future buyers), try www.macmall.com. It will save you a lot of money.;)

All the best,

Lincoln Green

Perhaps for non-students, but as a student my MBP was $1799 whereas MacMall advertises the same model for $1894. So for me, going straight with Apple was the best way. I also personally feel more at ease purchasing directly from Apple as opposed to a retailer.

[DoG]

As far as I am concerned, I just recently ordered the 2.4GHz version, just because of the added VRAM. If you plan on doing 3D stuff, either modelling or programming, that extra 128MB goes a long way to extend the computer's usable lifetime.