which mac book

skyandxboxuser · 11-01-2009, 6:46 PM

ok i think I am going to take advantage of my student discount and get my self a macbook. My only decisions now are:
1) do i go for the old mac book cheaper but looks a bit flimsy to me
2) if i go for the aluminum mac book which one. Would like back light for key board but not essential.
3) what case do i buy to carry this thing around think i will be putting it in my back back

Any advice/ideas

Will be using it for web word processing, basic photo work, and possibly games if i get time. Wont be getting another laptop for a good while after this so something future proof would eb good if that makes any difference.

skyandxboxuser · 11-01-2009, 6:48 PM

oh and another thing i have a mac mini so would kinda like to have my itunes account, e-mail etc on both computers and sync my iphone from either one from time to time. how to i do this do they just talk to each other over my network and sync or do i have to do much.

Cheers

stuart07970 · 11-01-2009, 7:30 PM

what to carry it in?

I use a Radtech Sleevz microfibre sleeve and keyboard cover

I use that with this

iStuff iSaver Shell

YouTube - iSaver Shell in Pomcast

its about 3 minutes in!

Digitalize · 11-01-2009, 7:38 PM

For the extra money, i would go for the Top End MacBook, the extra CPU, HDD, and Backlight are worth it.

Where can i buy an iSaver? Looks like a good solution for me!

baldrick · 11-01-2009, 9:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyandxboxuser

oh and another thing i have a mac mini so would kinda like to have my itunes account, e-mail etc on both computers and sync my iphone from either one from time to time. how to i do this do they just talk to each other over my network and sync or do i have to do much.

Cheers

You can only sync an iPhone with one machine at a time, so if you've synced it with your mini you won't be able to use it with your MacBook without wiping it and syncing with the new machine.

Keeping email accounts etc... synced will depend on what mail provider you use. If you go for Apple's MobileMe then you can configure your accounts on both machines and this will keep your contacts, calendars, bookmarks etc... in sync and will let you access your email/iDisk etc... from both machines.

To sync iTunes I use an application called TuneRanger. This lets me maintain my master library on my iMac and sync different portions to different machines eg. I have a playlist on my iMac which comprises all the music my wife wants on her iBook I then sync her iTunes with this playlist via TuneRanger. I do the same with my PowerBook when I'm travelling and sync over my entire library.

Your best bet though is to designate one of your machines as the 'master'.

tpurslow · 11-01-2009, 9:21 PM

I would go for the 2.0Ghz personally. (Which I did!)

There is nothing in the processor speeds when you look at some of the benchmarks and with the extra cash saved you can upgrade to 4Gb of Ram with Crucial and buy a WD 320Gb 7200rpm Scorpio Black Drive.

I have only wanted for the backlit keyboard once and to be honest I think the Mrs would file for divorce if I used it in bed with the lights out!!!!

IanW · 11-01-2009, 9:22 PM

Got my 2.4ghz Alu MacBook for Christmas - LOVE IT!

The back lit keyboard is very nice for use in all lighting conditions. I have this feature on my work WIN laptop and I like that as well. I seems like a bit of a nice to have but once you get used to it, you really love it.

Some have complained about the screen on the new MacBook being a bit washed out, but this is pretty much resolved through the application of the spyder colour profile.

Check out a guy on eBay called BestBuy I bought my 2.4 for £900 from him, as did another member of this forum.

Ian.

Dave Bartram · 11-01-2009, 9:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpurslow

I have only wanted for the backlit keyboard once and to be honest I think the Mrs would file for divorce if I used it in bed with the lights out!!!!

I'm sitting on my bed at the mo with my 2.4 and the BL keyboard is very useful. I really only went for the 2.4 because I got it for the price of the 2.0, the BL keyboard certainly wasn't the deal breaker but now I have it I find it a good addition.

Rafe · 11-01-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanW

Check out a guy on eBay called BestBuy I bought my 2.4 for £900 from him, as did another member of this forum.

Ian.

£900........ What a result for a brand new Macbook!

I'd buy one for that. Do you know if he has any more, lol?

Rafe · 11-01-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Bartram

I'm sitting on my bed at the mo with my 2.4 and the BL keyboard is very useful. I really only went for the 2.4 because I got it for the price of the 2.0, the BL keyboard certainly wasn't the deal breaker but now I have it I find it a good addition.

How did you manage that to get it cheaper Dave if you don't mind me asking?

Dave Bartram · 11-01-2009, 10:05 PM

Same as Ian W £900 and picked up in person to check all was in order. He has the new Macbook Pros at the mo, don't think he's has any other's at present. Very pleased

Dave Bartram · 11-01-2009, 10:07 PM

Bestbuy022

apolloa · 11-01-2009, 10:12 PM

Get the 2.0 or 2.4 aluminium Mac Book. Also I would say 2GB or ram is more then enough for your needs, you can always upgrade the RAM and the hard drive later. I am however a firm believer in the 7200 rpm hard drive being a worth while option. But as said you can always buy one later, you can already get 500GB ones.
Your iTunes account is easy as you can set up to 5 machines to use it and I think you can have your music on those machines as well? but with the email, that depends on who your email provider is, if you use google mail for instance then you can always use it online, but you can also use IMAP, it's a email protocol that basically lets you browse and use email on multiple devices but the emails remain with your providers servers, but if you delete an email then it deletes of everything and it is made for the exact thing you want.
So check with your email provider if you can use IMAP instead of POP.
I would also use your student discount to buy it direct from Apple as you will make a substantial saving.

IanW · 11-01-2009, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apolloa

Get the 2.0 or 2.4 aluminium Mac Book. Also I would say 2GB or ram is more then enough for your needs, you can always upgrade the RAM and the hard drive later. I am however a firm believer in the 7200 rpm hard drive being a worth while option. But as said you can always buy one later, you can already get 500GB ones.

I would agree with this. My MB takes a lot longer to boot up than my iMac, I am sure that most of this is down to the 5400rpm disk in the MB.

However, I am lucky in that having the iMac for serious work, the MB is only for lite use and serves its purpose very nicely, thank you.

Ian.

Dave Bartram · 11-01-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanW

However, I am lucky in that having the iMac for serious work, the MB is only for lite use and serves its purpose very nicely, thank you.

Ian.

Ian, freaky

exactly what I use my iMac for, serious stuff (Aperture, iMovie, movie's etc) and the MB for loafing around with AND we bought from the same guy lol.

Dave Bartram · 11-01-2009, 10:24 PM

And if your user name is ianxx.xxxx then we bought from the same auction lol

Gregorski · 11-01-2009, 10:28 PM

Is a 4Gb upgrade worth it. I'm about to buy a 2.4Ghz Macbook and I'll be mostly using it for reasonably extensive iPhoto use along with iTunes and the usual surfing. Will I notice any difference with 4Gb or is it not likely to get used ?

RecordablDVDfan · 11-01-2009, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apolloa

But as said you can always buy one later, you can already get 500GB ones.

Where from though, overclockers say they will have them in soon but months later still waiting

Rafe · 12-01-2009, 7:02 AM

You can get the 500GB 5400rpm ones but I haven't seen a 7200rpm one.

Western Digital 500GB 2.5" Hard Drive SATAII 5400rpm 8MB Cache - OEM - Ebuyer

Nik73 · 12-01-2009, 5:47 PM

Quick qn for Ian and Dave. How does the warranty work guys with buying it off ebay? If there's a problem can you just call Apple and they'll collect, same as when you buy direct from them?

apolloa · 12-01-2009, 6:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rafe17

You can get the 500GB 5400rpm ones but I haven't seen a 7200rpm one.

Western Digital 500GB 2.5" Hard Drive SATAII 5400rpm 8MB Cache - OEM - Ebuyer

Have a hunt for this one:

Seagate Technology - Momentus 7200.4 SATA 3Gb/s 500-GB Hard Drive

Dave Bartram · 12-01-2009, 8:07 PM

Not entirely sure TBH, if I check the serial number via the Apple Site it states that the warranty is due to expire net December so I'd imagine I'd be fine taking it to a local store. Hopefully won't have to find out

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nik73

Quick qn for Ian and Dave. How does the warranty work guys with buying it off ebay? If there's a problem can you just call Apple and they'll collect, same as when you buy direct from them?

IanW · 12-01-2009, 9:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Bartram

Not entirely sure TBH, if I check the serial number via the Apple Site it states that the warranty is due to expire net December so I'd imagine I'd be fine taking it to a local store. Hopefully won't have to find out

Did not have any problems registering mine.

IanW · 12-01-2009, 9:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Bartram

Ian, freaky

exactly what I use my iMac for, serious stuff (Aperture, iMovie, movie's etc) and the MB for loafing around with AND we bought from the same guy lol.

Next you will be telling me that you loves cars and AV gear!!

I have to say that I am a complete Apple fanboy convert. Always used to be PC all the way, but finally took the plunge into Apple with the iMac early last year. I loaded up bootcamp and WIN XP just to be on the safe side, but now I rarely use Windows at home; in fact so much so that it is a right pain in the butt because each time I use XP I have to wait ages for all the updates to come down!

Unfortunately I only have CS2 license for Windows, need to cross platform upgrade to MAC, but funds are now a little tight after an Apple Christmas.

Ian.