MacBook Pro

[Mike Van Laanen]

I got the Red em a few days ago!!!! #855 is finally on its way. Getting ready for the arrival and have been reading posts trying to find what I need in a new 15.4" MacBook Pro laptop. I want to run a FCP workflow. I will be purchasing a new Mac Pro 8-core sometime down the road, but need the new lap ASAP. I apologize if this was covered somewhere, I just couldn't find anything comprehensive on the MacBook.

I spoke with a sales rep at a local Mac certified video/digital/computer boutique store. There aren't a lot of choices up here in Green Bay. Possibly the cold?? Well the rep just em'd me this quote:

Apple 15.4" MacBook Pro
2.6Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
2Gb RAM (2 x 1GB DIMM's)
200GB 7200rpm Serial ATA
nVIDIA GForce 8600M GT 512MB
8x Dual-Layer SuperDrive
Mac OS X 10.5.x
1 x 2GB 667MHz DDR2 Sodium
$3100

So I am hoping that someone here has some feedback. I would appreciate any advice or concerns. I just want to be sure on this part of the puzzle.

Thanks,
Michael

[Matt Gottshalk]

I'd get the 250 gb drive instead. Upgrade the ram to 4 gb fron newegg.

I got the 2.5Ghz on Tuesday and love it.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Hmm... Something doesn't add up here. I think the guy quoted you an incorrect price. For $99 more you can get the 2.6GHz 17" with high-res screen and the rest of those same specs from the Apple online store.

I would definitely recommend the 17" model with the high-resolution (1920x1200) screen. DO NOT GET THE GLOSSY SCREEN! The extra screen real estate really helps.

The specs you have above are fine for both the 15" or the 17". You will definitely want 4GB RAM and you can save $300 by buying RAM from NewEgg or other good vendor. Yes, Apple has a 600% mark-up on those 2GB RAM modules right now -- it's complete BS.

mcgeedigital recommends the 250gb drive. that may or may not be of interest, I would probably go with the 250gb drive myself. The 200gb is 7200rpm so it will provide slightly faster seek times, and data I/O. But on a 2.5" HDD, you don't see as dramatic of an improvement as on desktop 3.5" drives. Also, the extra density of the 250GB drive makes up for some of that difference in transfer speeds. Personally, I always run out of HDD space on my notebook, so the bigger drive would be better for me... I use an eSATA RAID for performance because the 7200rpm notebook drive still isn't that fast.

[Mike Van Laanen]

Thank you Jeff & McG

[Airlawn]

Yes but the extra screen makes it bigger. I know a few people who regret having more bulk to lug around. So just think twice before going for the bigger screen.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

The 17" MBP is the one notebook that really doesn't have much more bulk than its 15" counterpart. It's the same thickness, only weighs about 1.4lbs more and is 1.3" wider and 0.8" deeper.

Anyway, I think anyone interested should stop by an Apple store or other place that has them on display and do some comparing of their own. I personally went with the 15" based on my own logic about 17" bulk at the time and I have mostly regretted it ever since. I've borrowed 17" MBPs on occasion and the only time I can think where I would prefer the 15" is if trying to use my notebook while jammed in business class or coach on a flight. Personally I don't think the larger dimensions make much difference, there are still some very compact bags / cases to fit the 17". And if the extra 1.4 pounds adds that much more bulk, then you need to hit the gym. :)

[David Birdy]

Great thread!

Jeff,

What type of eSATA raid do you use?

[Matt Gottshalk]

I have the 17" G4 as my old laptop. I got tired of the extra size since I travel a fair bit.

Thats why I went with the 15".

But like Jeff said, you should DEFINITELY go to an Apple store and see what fits YOU the best.

[David Birdy]

I took a look at the APPLE store and this what I came up with...
If money is an object the store also has a few good referb deals on the 2.4 GHz Macbook Pro models.


Summary
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Subtotal $3,199.00

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Specifications
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* 2.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
* Accessory Kit
* 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
* 200GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
* MacBook Pro 17-inch Hi-Resolution LED Widescreen Display
* Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Jeff,

What type of eSATA raid do you use?

For shooting on set / in the field, I use my Macbook Pro as an off-load station. I have a CalDigit SV2R Duo equipped with two 750GB HDDs in a RAID-1. Pretty quick, fairly secure. It's gone many places with me and although it's kinda large, it still fits in a backpack and travels well.

For higher performance, I have a CalDigit HDPro 5TB RAID. It screams!