Opinions wanted on new laptop

[Anubis]

I would like to hear some feedback on what people think of this laptop. I have been watching macbook's for a while and this seems like a great deal.

Apple 15.4" MacBook Pro Glossy Screen - Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz, 2GB Memory, 120GB Hard Drive Notebook MB074LL/A


This will be a surprise for my wife who is an art director at a graphic design firm. Will this be able to handle some moderate design work? Be able to meet her personal and business needs?

I am still trying to learn about Mac's, I admit to knowing almost nothing.

Thanks in advance for input.



EDIT: She will not own anything else but Mac products. Thanks for the input!

[Jerlent]

Macs are great for graphics work like your wife will be doing. However I'd suggest maybe spending an extra $200 and get this model

Apple 15.4" MacBook Pro Glossy Screen - Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB Memory, 160GB Hard Drive Notebook MB075LL/A

It has a little bit more video memory which would help her out with any graphically intense work she may be doing, faster processor and a bigger hard drive.

[Anubis]

^ thanks for the input and idea.


what are the overall opinions on Applecare warranty? Is it really worth $350 bucks?? I know for a $2,000 laptop $350 isn't much, but still alot of money imo.

[vivanshah]

are you by any chance the same anubis from AT forums?


the extra video memory will only help if she is doing 3d design work. it won't make any difference for 2d. and if she is doing 3d work, make sure you know which applications she will be using, as many are mac only or windows only, which would affect your purchase. faster processor is good for any sort of graphics work, and a bigger hard drive is always good as well.

i would say look for a fast dual core cpu and a hi-res screen as your priorities, as well as at least 2gb of ram.

[Anubis]

Originally Posted by vivanshah

are you by any chance the same anubis from AT forums?

I guess not since I don't know what that is lol. Thx for the input.

[Jerlent]

Originally Posted by Anubis

^ thanks for the input and idea.


what are the overall opinions on Applecare warranty? Is it really worth $350 bucks?? I know for a $2,000 laptop $350 isn't much, but still alot of money imo.

I'd recommend it but it all depends on what it covers. A lot of people think extended warranties are a rip off and some of them are. But laptops, big screen tv's and some other electronics really need one. How long is the Apple Care warranty for?

[e60.deluxe]

i dont know what desktop resolution your wife uses but a major gripe with me on the Mac book pro, is that you can only get a 1440x900 resolution on the 15.4"

thats just not enough for a 15" screen imo, especially not for one for actual work use.

id look at an IBM thinkpad T61 as well. you could get roughly the same specs, but with a 1680x1050 screen and an IGP instead of the 8600 for about $1200. and Thinkpads have got the best build quality in the business.

[nayilsi]

alienware for the wife

[FunkPnut]

I think you should get this model instead:
Apple 15.4" MacBook Pro - Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz, 2GB Memory, 120GB Hard Drive Notebook MA895LL/A
It has a matte screen instead of glossy, which most designers prefer for better color accuracy. Plus this model has the LED screen, which will give better uniformity across the screen.

This model has a 5400 RPM hard drive, may want to consider upgrading to the 200 GB 7200 RPM as design programs generally access the hard disk a lot.

More RAM is always welcome, but can be a fairly cheap upgrade later down the road.

As stated before, know what design applications and versions your wife will be using. This comes with Leopard, but she may needs to run Tiger instead if she is running apps like Adobe CS2. Otherwise, you may be throwing down even more money for unnecessary software upgrades.

I believe this laptop can run Tiger as it looks like originally it shipped with Tiger and then shipped with Leopard when it became available.

The Apple Care warranty is nice because you'd really want it for the screen. IIRC, I was told that they do in home service/repair if you ask them when setting up a service appointment. Its $350 for 3 years? Thats like $10/month for insurance.

Also, get a wireless Mighty Mouse and a hard shell case and I think that you will be in heaven, that is until you look at the receipt. LOL

[atruhondagrl]

Originally Posted by Anubis

^ thanks for the input and idea.


what are the overall opinions on Applecare warranty? Is it really worth $350 bucks?? I know for a $2,000 laptop $350 isn't much, but still alot of money imo.

Well, I recently had issues with a corrupted hard drive, they took care of everything. I told them about my old power cord coming apart and sparking up a mess when I first moved to Texas, they told me I should have brought it in, it was covered by my warranty. This is 6 months after I paid to replace it because I didn't know how far away the closest store is. My mac has seen hell and back. I think it has endured more than any laptop should.

I have the care plan on my iPods also. I had an 80gb that went bezerk after 9 months of ownership. This happend within 24 hours of returning to the states from kuwait. I took it to Apple the day after I got back and they just exchanged it for a new one. It's expensive but 3 years of not worrying about anything that can possibly occur has me putting faith in it. I plan on buying a 15.4" Pro with 4gb ram and a 200gb 7200 rpm hd this fall, it'll have the care plan on it.

[e60.deluxe]

Originally Posted by atruhondagrl

Well, I recently had issues with a corrupted hard drive, they took care of everything. I told them about my old power cord coming apart and sparking up a mess when I first moved to Texas, they told me I should have brought it in, it was covered by my warranty. This is 6 months after I paid to replace it because I didn't know how far away the closest store is. My mac has seen hell and back. I think it has endured more than any laptop should.

I have the care plan on my iPods also. I had an 80gb that went bezerk after 9 months of ownership. This happend within 24 hours of returning to the states from kuwait. I took it to Apple the day after I got back and they just exchanged it for a new one. It's expensive but 3 years of not worrying about anything that can possibly occur has me putting faith in it. I plan on buying a 15.4" Pro with 4gb ram and a 200gb 7200 rpm hd this fall, it'll have the care plan on it.

in other words, apple products are made like **** eh?

[atruhondagrl]

Originally Posted by e60.deluxe

in other words, apple products are made like **** eh?

Not nearly as much as the **** my Sony, HP, and Compaq products were made of. This is the chunky kind. My Sony, HP and Compaq stuff was that runny stuff that causes stomach cramping.

Please do not start the PC vs Mac Bullsh*t. It's annoying because it never!@#$ing ends and I'm not in the mood for cleaning up d-bag arguments tonight. We both know thats what comes from them.

[e60.deluxe]

im not trying to start an argument, for the record, i think that apples build quality is on the higher end of the spectrum(while not the highest)

but try to look at your post from the outside, from a person who is looking to buy an apple product...its a bit odd to say how much your apple product broke down to bolster an apple service am i right?

by the way, look at the PC vs mac argument, your the one who brought up other brands. all i did was point out something that has absolutley nothing to do with PCs. PCs could not exist and my post would make exactly the same sense.

[atruhondagrl]

Originally Posted by e60.deluxe

im not trying to start an argument, for the record, i think that apples build quality is on the higher end of the spectrum(while not the highest)

but try to look at your post from the outside, from a person who is looking to buy an apple product...its a bit odd to say how much your apple product broke down to bolster an apple service am i right?

by the way, look at the PC vs mac argument, your the one who brought up other brands. all i did was point out something that has absolutley nothing to do with PCs. PCs could not exist and my post would make exactly the same sense.

It seemed as if it was headed that way.

[vivanshah]

are you set on a mac? you could probably configure an equivalent dell latitude system for hundreds less, including a 3 year warranty

[Spud387]

Since it is for someone in graphics work etc. ya I'd say that Mac looks good.

[Anubis]

Originally Posted by vivanshah

are you set on a mac? you could probably configure an equivalent dell latitude system for hundreds less, including a 3 year warranty

I am glad this was asked perhaps I should have made it more clear in the first post. She will absolutely not own anything but a Mac for a laptop (trust me I have tried!). Her current G4 powerbook has been nothing but amazing for her in her ~6 years of ownership.

[Anubis]

Thanks to everyone for their opinions they have been helpful. I appreciate it.

[vivanshah]

Originally Posted by Anubis

I am glad this was asked perhaps I should have made it more clear in the first post. She will absolutely not own anything but a Mac for a laptop (trust me I have tried!). Her current G4 powerbook has been nothing but amazing for her in her ~6 years of ownership.

ah got it...remember to boot camp it...can be extremely useful sometimes!