glacies Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Hi all, first of all I need to tell you i'm living in the UK. The bloody VAT here is 17.5% so it's not like these little precious Books come cheap. Anyway I can get an Education discount for about 15%. Well here's where I need help. I'm saving up to buy my first Apple laptop, and should be able to get the money in a few months. I'm aiming for the - 2.2 GHz Macbook (White) with upgraded HD to 120GB and Superdrive. This will set me back roughly 715 British pounds. What do you think? Will the price of the older MBP (presumably Apple will release a new one within a month or so) come down a lot? Do you think they'll replace this Macbook soon? Any thought orsuggestion would be appreciated! Ps. Ohh and will a Macbook last me 3-5 years? I know the battery will deteriorate by then but if it'll be solid and workable for at least 3 years then I'm more willing to put down the money for it. My Acer is about 3 years old and the CD burner is dead, and the screen is failing once every blue moon. Sigh~ Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/87588-need-opinions-on-buy-my-first-macbook-or-mbp/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
----------- Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Im also interested in recommendations. I have always been PC user but was thinking of buying a Mac....Im not too sure about a laptop as I already have a dell laptop that's getting old. I just wanted to get some ideas on where to get started. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/87588-need-opinions-on-buy-my-first-macbook-or-mbp/#findComment-623981 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synaesthesia Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Hi there. Well I'll try help you out with my opinion. Macbook. Some things I like about it: Size, nice and portable. Thin and sleek design, good keyboard. It's really fast, and can take 4gb of RAM. Very fast for most applications...Boots quickly. Sleep mode. Can go to sleep and wake up instantly, like all macs. This is great. Of course Mac OS X and the included applications. Battery life is great. 4-5 hours is sooo much better than 2 hours or so on my Acer! The only real disadvantage is that it has not got very fast graphics. This is critical if you are doing intense 3d work, or want to play games. I think they are well built, they certainly feel rugged and sturdy, and Apple gets good ratings in this regard. It should last 3-5 years. It should hold up speed-wise too. Macbook Pro is really awesome. Everything I've said here applies to it as well, it has good battery life and all. Over the Macbook it has a gorgeous large screen and very fast 3D graphics. You need to decide yourself if this is worth the premium for you. Unfortunatly even if the new model comes out, the older model will still stay quite bloody expensive. But once you've used one you see what the fuss is about. Ok well ask if you want to know anything else... Cheers! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/87588-need-opinions-on-buy-my-first-macbook-or-mbp/#findComment-624378 Share on other sites More sharing options...
westwaerts Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 look at the refurbished store at apples. if newer models come out, there is a 30% discount minimum. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/87588-need-opinions-on-buy-my-first-macbook-or-mbp/#findComment-624676 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermatea Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 If you're looking to buy an Apple notebook, you should really consider getting a MacBook Pro at Amazon.com. They have good shipping rates and don't charge a premium on tax for products over a certain price. You can also get a $150 rebate on certain models like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-MA895L...6588&sr=8-1 I bought a similar model on Amazon and it arrived in only two days. Had everything up and running with Windows XP dual-booted using Boot Camp in like, two hours. It was great. The aluminum finish is a nice touch too, I like it. I don't know much about UK rates, but don't expect the price on the older MBP models to drop that much when the newer models come out. Apple computers are always generally expensive, older model or not. And I wouldn't buy refurbished notebooks, or any refurbished products at all for that matter. It's just not a good idea. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/87588-need-opinions-on-buy-my-first-macbook-or-mbp/#findComment-624890 Share on other sites More sharing options...
glacies Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 Hi there. Well I'll try help you out with my opinion. Ok well ask if you want to know anything else... Cheers! Hey. Thank you so much for taking the time to thoroughly answer my questions. I like the improved battery life that you mention, and I'm not game intensive so I think I'll just stick with the Macbook for the time being. After all, I'm just a poor student, . Will properly upgrade once I get a real job T-T. PS. Oh by the way do you know if Oracle Database will work if I install WinXP via Bootcamp. I need it to run a program called Genemapper for my study. look at the refurbished store at apples. if newer models come out, there is a 30% discount minimum. That sounds very interesting. I'll have to save up money for a few months anyway so might take a look at the refurbed store later on. I don't know much about UK rates, but don't expect the price on the older MBP models to drop that much when the newer models come out. Apple computers are always generally expensive, older model or not. And I wouldn't buy refurbished notebooks, or any refurbished products at all for that matter. It's just not a good idea. Thanks for your answer. Unfortunately I checked amazon.com out and they only deliver to places in the US. I've only heard good things about the refurbed Apples though. Apparently ppl argue that the refurbed models would have been through extensive testing and run-ins, and all the parts are new with warranty. But honestly IMHO, I love to have first-hand products if I could afford it. Guess I'll just see if the prices of the 'old MBP' would drop by 30% for the refurbed ones. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/87588-need-opinions-on-buy-my-first-macbook-or-mbp/#findComment-625192 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synaesthesia Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 PS. Oh by the way do you know if Oracle Database will work if I install WinXP via Bootcamp. I need it to run a program called Genemapper for my study. Yeah, it will work. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/87588-need-opinions-on-buy-my-first-macbook-or-mbp/#findComment-625234 Share on other sites More sharing options...
----------- Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 If you're looking to buy an Apple notebook, you should really consider getting a MacBook Pro at Amazon.com. They have good shipping rates and don't charge a premium on tax for products over a certain price. You can also get a $150 rebate on certain models like this one:http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-MA895L...6588&sr=8-1 I bought a similar model on Amazon and it arrived in only two days. Had everything up and running with Windows XP dual-booted using Boot Camp in like, two hours. It was great. The aluminum finish is a nice touch too, I like it. I don't know much about UK rates, but don't expect the price on the older MBP models to drop that much when the newer models come out. Apple computers are always generally expensive, older model or not. And I wouldn't buy refurbished notebooks, or any refurbished products at all for that matter. It's just not a good idea. huh, I didn't even know they had Macs on Amazon. Im going to check that out. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/87588-need-opinions-on-buy-my-first-macbook-or-mbp/#findComment-627630 Share on other sites More sharing options...
thespottedelf Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 I can vouch for a mac laptop running a long time was using an i book g3 made in late 2001 just over 6 years old and its still running great Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/87588-need-opinions-on-buy-my-first-macbook-or-mbp/#findComment-628178 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTR-33 Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 I wouldn't buy refurbished notebooks, or any refurbished products at all for that matter. It's just not a good idea. Actually, that line of thinking doesn't apply to Apple products. If this were a Compaq or Dell I would say avoid a refurbished unit at all costs, but that isn't the case. Many people have purchased refurbished Apple products and never had a single problem with them and unlike most products Apple refurbished have the same warranty as new Apples and are eligible for AppleCare just like any other Apple. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/87588-need-opinions-on-buy-my-first-macbook-or-mbp/#findComment-628673 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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