<p>What's the difference?</p>
<p>the only real difference between the $1500 Macbook and $2000 Macbook pro is the screen size (which i think is worse to have a 15") and the video card.</p>
<p>I'd prob. get a 1000 macbook with an extra 512 of ram.</p>
<p>I wish that you could put the ATI video card into the Macbook. That would make it perfect.</p>
<p>The MacBook vanilla also has some other differences, as far as I can tell. If I'm not mistaken you can't get a 7200 RPM drive. And you can't get the DVD burner that writes at 8x and dual layer.</p>
<p>Plus, the lack of an aluminum case means that it probably throttles a bit faster, since heat dissipation will be worse. </p>
<p>Oh well. Great system for the price.</p>
<p>Yea but the 8x only comes on the 17" version which is too big for college life.</p>
<p>Rofl, you can use a 17" in college. /eyeroll</p>
<p>neverborn,</p>
<p>Try lugging most 17" laptops to class, and you'll see just how impractical it really is.</p>
<p>I have a 15.4". My friend has a 17".</p>
<p>The problems with 17", if you want them to be more than just compact desktop computers, is the weight and sheer size. Most bags are not designed for laptops bigger than 15.4", and even fewer can accomodate the 17" MBPs.</p>
<p>I'm not saying that 17" are bad, but that they're largely impractical if you plan on using it as a truly portable system. I mean, it CAN be done, but why?</p>
<p>There are a few big diffs between the macbook and macbook pro... 1)macbook only comes in glossy screen while macbook pro comes with option of glossy or regular 2)different keyboard style and no ambient backlighting 3) This one is big!!! The macbook runs a diff graphic processor, the macbook is crap for playing games.. if youre a gamer def get the pro</p>
<p>i dont think a better graphics processor is worth the extra $500 or so.</p>
<p>actually, b/c this is a laptop it kinda is since there isnt an easy way to just upgrade the graphics processor that comes stock.. the $500 also covers the aluminum alloy casing that helps with temp and the ambient backlit keyboard</p>
<p>keep in mind that you can get an equal PC to the MacBook Pro for only around $1300. so its up to $700 youre spending.</p>
<p>bobbobbob,</p>
<p>Just curious, but can you show me an example of such?</p>
<p>change the processor to the core duo 1.83ghz, increase the hd to 100gb, change the video card to the 256mb, alter the wireless to a/g, change to a DVD +/-, increase the battery size and you have the PC equivalent to the $1999 Macbook pro...</p>
<p>all for $1267</p>
<p>BTW, the standard is now the 2.0 GHz, so 1.83 is no longer applicable! Sad for me, too, since I bought a 2.0!</p>
<p>Anyway, I configured it to match my MBP, and I got $1903, which is only $300 cheaper than my build. </p>
<p>But still a good deal. I just wish that Dell added all the neat "extras."</p>
<p>extras? (10 char)</p>
<p>Backlit keyboard, hard disk protection, built in camera, expresscard port, etc. </p>
<p>Nothing huge, but little things that I think I'll enjoy in my MBP.</p>