MacBook Pro vs PowerBook

I didn't want to start a new thread, but was having trouble finding something specifically pertaining to my question...

I'll ask this question in the beginning, and once again at the end of the thread--Is the MacBook Pro a significantly better laptop, to the point that it's worth the extra $500 compared to a 12" PowerBook?

I'm looking at getting an Apple notebook. The new MacBook Pro is very attractive, but a little more than I intended to spend--however, I would consider it justifiable. It's also a little larger than I'd prefer, but also still justifiable.

The PowerBook only seems to come in 12" and 17" (I thought there was a 15"). 12" almost seems too small, especially w/ 1024x768 resolution.

For $500 more, the MacBook Pro seems completely reasonable, especially considering a dual core, must faster Bus speed, DDR2 RAM vs DDR, built in iSight, not to mention countless other features.

I don't need it for anything too intensive, yet I'd like to start doing some Photoshop theming again finally, and the more power the better.

What laptop would you all recommend? I'd rather have too much on my hands rather than too little, and I'm wondering if the MacBook Pro really outperforms the PowerBook enough to justify the extra money.

Thanks all!

#370167

The MacBook Pro has an Intel processor, which is the way of the future for Apple if you want to go that way. It will probably have some advantages later on in time.

There is a 15" PowerBook, but it was discontinued and removed from Apple's website. If you want one, you can look at eBay or something like that.

The Intel iBooks (MacBook?) shouldn't be too far off, if you are willing to wait for that. I'd say wait at least until April 1st (Apple's birthday) to see if anything comes out before you decide to buy.

#370169

I'm writing this on a new MacBook Pro, and I would most certainly recommend it. Its SO much faster than an old Powerbook that its hard to believe. I've been ripping DVDs on it all morning and have noticed no slowdown in the system whilst doing this, and films can rip in an hour and a half.

Even if you don't do much CPU intensive stuff you'll certainly notice the speed difference. If you want the portability then wait a few months for the Intel 12" laptops to come out (I'm sure they will), and then buy one. They are most certainly worth it.

#370204

@dreamsINdigital: Very good point... I'll wait until at least then just in case.

@owenreading: That was one thing I wasn't sure of... I wasn't sure how large the speed increase was--if it was something extremely noticeable or not. I think I'll be going the Intel route for sure.... now whether it be single vs dual core depends on what Apple releases and when, and for how much.

#370215

I'd go with the MacBook Pro.

#370268

I would too, but if you like to theme, your gonna be in Aqua HELL

MUHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

SS is not intel compatible yet, and won't be me thinks until ss 3.

#370298

SS = ? (Too lazy to look it up @ work... and don't feel like using the bandwidth )

#370310

#370320

I took the plunge... MBP will be here in 3 weeks!

#371053

cool it looks like a sweet system

#371082

good one man....im dying to buy one but i have no use for one lol so it would just be a waste on me

#371135

Tried it today, it was a pretty nice machine. Not too hot and light enough .

-NC

#371225

Yeah NC, that's what I figured... I wanted something fast, and something less likely to become outdated. I have a Dell laptop for work, and that thing gets ridiculously hot. I was reading that the MBP can get pretty hot too. I can deal w/ the Dell getting hot, so I don't think the MBP will be an issue either. I got the 1.83Ghz version, all bone stock, and I'll be ordering an extra GB of RAM from OWC, so that'll make it nice and fast

I'll post pics when I get it, if anyone is interested

#371250

i got my very first mac today

and i happend to choose the macbook pro and i must say its a beautifull thing anyone who buys it will be very happy

#376719