<p>I am going to college and I need a good laptop for your basic needs of research, notes, and whatever else. I currently want to get the Macbook Black and I do not know if I should consider the Macbook Pro as it is a little expensive, is it worth the extra $500 for it or does the Macbook work great just as well. Macbook or Macbook Pro?</p>
<p>Macbook. For your needs you don't need the black. Just get the lowest priced one and get extra RAM.</p>
<p>may i ask why you want a macbook specifically?</p>
<p>Great choice on Mac!</p>
<p>I'd say go for Macbook Pro, it's definitely what I want for college. I have a Macbook right now, and the only thing I don't like about it is how easily it gets scratched and dirty. Macbook Pro is more sturdy =) Great power, design, OS X is AMAZING, and best of all, you can run VMWare, which allows you to run Windows and OS X at the same time.</p>
<p>Up to you - depends on your budget, the intensity of what you'll be doing, how long you want to use it for, and what you expect out of a computer. (I just prefer Pro =)</p>
<p>I'd get the lowest cost Macbook if you really want a Mac and don't need to do any heavy duty graphic design.</p>
<p>MacBook is smaller, more lightweight, MBP is more powerful. Most people will benefit from the lower cost of the MacBook as it more than meets their needs, go and get an iPod or something with the price difference.</p>
<p>You don't need the Pro if you're just taking notes and checking email and that sort of thing. If you prefer the regular MacBook, go for it. You will not notice a difference.</p>
<p>Personally I find the regular MacBooks to be sturdier than the Pros - I know a number of people who have put serious dents in their Pros. I suspect, however, that as long as you aren't flinging the computer onto the ground either computer would be "sturdy" enough. The black one may stay less grimy looking, but I have a 2-year old white MacBook that still looks pristine. The black one certainly is pretty.</p>
<p>if you're planning on taking your laptop places go with the macbook. I have a macbook which I'm really happy with, and friends with pros like them, but are much less likely to carry it place because of the extra weight.</p>
<p>Do you have a screen size preference? That's the only big difference that hasn't already been covered. I really didn't need the extra power of a MacBook Pro, and I think that the black MacBooks are nice and sharp looking, but I really preferred a bigger screen than 13", so I went with a 15" MacBook Pro. If screen size isn't a factor for you (or if you would actually prefer a smaller size due the the lesser weight), than I would definitely go with the MacBook. </p>
<p>I haven't dinged my MacBook Pro up any, but I will say that it won't stay closed all the way anymore (it has these really little magnetic clutches and they just don't hold anymore--the computer still goes to sleep and everything; it's just a mild inconvenience. In the computer's defense, I tended to pull it open instead of hitting the release button in front like I should have, so I'm sure that wore out the clutches much faster).</p>
<p>Yeah I want the smaller screen, the macbook sounds perfect to me. Anyway, I was going to pick it up today but I noticed that Apple might announce new laptops at the WWDC conference June 9th- 13th so I might as well just wait to see if anything new comes out.</p>
<p>If you are doing video encoding or things with music or pictures, get the Macbook Pro. If not, get the Macbook.</p>
<p>do you guys think a new macbook is going to come out before the end of the summer?</p>
<p>I think it's pretty much planned.</p>
<p>But along the same lines, what I right in hearing that Snow Leopard won't be coming out until next year? If so, I'll probably just jump for a MBP as soon as the new one is released.</p>
<p>When is the new MBP going to be released?
I want to get my laptop before the free printer option is over, is there any chance it's coming out before that date?</p>
<p>lame and lamer. mac blows. its expensive, average hardware, awful os. although it looks nice but some regular laptops look better.</p>
<p>No one knows for sure when Apple will release new MacBook/MacBooks Pros.
Intel has a new chipset for laptops called Centrino 2/Montevina. Intel was going to release in June, but due to a few problem, the initial launch date from Intel has been pushed back to July 14 and the complete line of chipsets won't be available from Intel until early August. I wouldn't expect any updates prior to that. MacBook Pros will probably be updated first, MacBooks will follow. As with everything about Apple new product announcements, this is nothing more than informed speculation.</p>
<p>Hmmm... Maybe I should just get the 15" MBP now so I can take advantage of the free printer and iPod</p>
<p>In terms of when they will be updated, I would recommend looking at this:
MacBook</a> Buyer's Guide - Mac Guides
MacBook</a> Pro Buyer's Guide - Mac Guides</p>
<p>And as for my recommendation for which one: I have seen five Macbooks go to various family members, and two Macbook Pros. Two of those five Macbooks died within a year, and many have suffered case damage. Now it looks like we've just had particularly bad luck, but I believe that the Macbook is overall just less of a hardy computer. The two with the Macbook Pros could not be happier with the performance and durability displayed by their computers.</p>
<p>If the price turns you off, try for a refurbished one off of Apple's website. It may not be the newest model, but just for schoolwork, it will still perform awesomely, and can cost you in the $1200-$1300 range.</p>