MAC What and When
Mr. Casual
953 Posts
I need to get a new laptop. My 1996 Dell just isn't cutting it... I need help.. few questions..I like the 13inch(compact)... Any complaints on screen size?MacBook or Macbook pro... Anyone have any real issues with the regular MacBook that would prevent me from saving myself a couple hundred dollars?When is a good time to buy? After holidays...?
Comments
As far as sales and stuff...Xmas time is probably a good time...but tons of places will price match so if you find something on the net for cheap..shop around at local shops in your town because they would rather have your business for the same price if they can do it.
Also I know its been suggested to NOT buy the freshest version of a new laptop because you dont exactly know what bugs to expect. Its better to buy the last version of whatever model your looking at rather then the newest thing on the scene. Its easier to trouble shoot and find solutions if people have had the same problems...with a new invention your going to be the first one with the problems.
As far as differences between the Macbook and Pro go, they arent that big, unless you compare the low-end Macbook with the hi-end Pro. There is the obvious cosmetic difference, and the pros have larger HD's and more connectivity options, but will you really be using them? Unless you are doing serious graphics or you are going to base a studio around this machine, I think most people would be fine with the MacBook, spend your extra money on RAM.
Also, what asstro said. Even the low-end macbook will suit you fine long as you're not doing intense video or graphics, just remember to pick up a 1 gig ram stick from www.crucial.com. They'll try to tell you you need to get "matching pairs" but they are misinformed.
The 13" screen feels fine to me, although the shiny screen takes some getting used to. Overall a good buy, plus you can always pick up a cheap VGA LCD screen if you want.
Also, big apple press conference tomorrow (the 12th).... probably on the iPod updates and video offerings.
now about buying models, just buy what you need, prices for macs are standardized. You can sometimes buy refurbs on apple's site or you can purchase through the educational discounts program.
Do what feels right for you, there is no RIGHT time to buy. A lot of the bugs people worry about from a new release is overhyped. So take that with a grain of salt.
I have not heard of an abnormal spike in problems w/ the release of the latest models to be honest. There will always be small problems w/ every release, nothing is perfect in life.
I forget the website, but they did speed tests and found even on programs that utilized it, a 3% increase. That's not really anything to write home about. Plus a 1 gig stick is about the same as 1 512 megs, but with 2 slots you get 33% more RAM, because 2 512 megs = 1 gig but 1 256 meg and 1 gig = 1.25 gigs.
Interesting - if you were to get matching pairs, would that enable you to record a mix live from Microwave into a program like Audio Hi-Jack pro?
WHY THE FUCK IS IT SO HARD TO RECORD A MIX!!!!!!
Slots are precious in macs in general, so if you can at least buy one 1gb now and you can always have the option to upgrade later to 2gb.
if all you have is 512mb for ram, then yes recording Microwave while playing will be tougher. Get more memory......
I use soundstudio and it hasn't given me any problems.