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Macbooks

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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
Sup guys, i really need a new laptop and im sick of pc's. i have used macs before so i know they are different and stuff, but i am not sure what macbook pro i should get. i was thinking the 13inch 2.7 GHz or the 15inch 2.0 GHz. im not that great with computers and all this stuff, but looking at the specs they look like they pretty much have the exact same things except the 15 inch has "AMD Radeon HD 6490M with 256MB GDDR5" whatever that is?


so if any of you could help me out it would be greatly appreciated. and +k to helpful replies.
Jul 6 2011 10:01PM
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Jaymon
Posts: 860 - Karma: 1,213
15' also has quad processors as apposed to dual so if you are running lots of info intensive shit (rendering fcp) it will help but usually is unnecessary.
Jul 6 2011 10:03PM
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Departmentsaur
Posts: 277 - Karma: 28
Well, its really all about what you will be using the computer for; If you play graphic-heavy games on your computer, you definitely want that 15 inch Macbook, However, If you're just any standard computer user, 13 inches is a reasonable size, and cheaper too. Hope this helps you out, and congratz on leaving PCs behind.
Jul 6 2011 10:05PM
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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
i am assuming that both of them would do about the same speed, but overall do you like it just for everyday internet stuff?
Jul 6 2011 10:05PM
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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
im not like a hardcore gamer, il play minecraft or something like that on it but i was more concerned on the size of it. im not really sure if the size of the keyboard is different on the two different screen sizes? and i have a 15.5 inch laptop now and i like the size, so im leaning more towards the 15"
Jul 6 2011 10:07PM
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Departmentsaur
Posts: 277 - Karma: 28
I know this question wasn't directed to me, But if i was in your position and had the money, I would get the 15 inch
Jul 6 2011 10:07PM
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Departmentsaur
Posts: 277 - Karma: 28
If you dont mind throwing in the extra few hundred bucks, go for it man, its the better machine.
Jul 6 2011 10:08PM
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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
i have the money to get a couple of the 17" models. i just want to get the one that will be the best for my money if you know what im saying?
Jul 6 2011 10:08PM
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AntEater
Posts: 207 - Karma: 45
13 inch model is sweet. It is super fast. Only reason to get 15 inch one is if you are doing alot more photo/video editing. But even then it isn't that noticeable. So save the 600 dollars and just get the thirteen! hope this helps
Jul 6 2011 10:08PM
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Departmentsaur
Posts: 277 - Karma: 28
Damn i wish i had a job... But yeah, i know what you mean. I think the extra 3 inches of diagonal width are quite desirable.
Jul 6 2011 10:12PM
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JakeAssBeatClap
Posts: 6673 - Karma: 2,537
15 inch mac book pro is the way to go. for real 27 is too big. 13 is too small. 15 is just right
Jul 6 2011 10:12PM
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Mr.Turtle
Posts: 3690 - Karma: 96
ive been looking at the macs since im about to get a laptop. decided on the 13" air, like it a lot more than the macbook pros and the 15 and 17" are too big for me
Jul 6 2011 10:13PM
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jibjunkie
Posts: 3807 - Karma: 191
why are you sick of pc's?
Jul 6 2011 10:16PM
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BuSkiz
Posts: 2240 - Karma: 65
dont not get the MBP cuz of size, way more benefits on the MBP than the air
Jul 6 2011 10:16PM
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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
im leaning towards the 15", i dont think it would be to great going from a 16" screen to a 13". and the 15" will be able to run more things at the same time, aswell as im going to start making videos of the upcoming ski season.
Jul 6 2011 10:16PM
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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
i have been one PC's my whole life and ive only heard good things about macs. the pc im on is also 6 years old and has gotten 2 complete processor upgrades over the 6 years and it is shitting the bed.
Jul 6 2011 10:18PM
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Mr.Turtle
Posts: 3690 - Karma: 96
the extra size and weight dont seem worth it if im carrying it around every day for the next 4 years. all i will use it for is interet and microsoft office for school
Jul 6 2011 10:18PM
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BuSkiz
Posts: 2240 - Karma: 65
honestly if its in your backpack and your toting it around with your notebooks, the difference wont even be noticed, unless your a weakling. plus the MPB will take more abuse, My mom has had her air crack where the connecting joint is from regular use
Jul 6 2011 10:20PM
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StevenR
Posts: 1372 - Karma: 33
You'll be happy with either one. Things to think about though:

-Will you be carrying it around a lot? If so, the 13" is definitely more portable for taking to classes and such. Its lighter and is less huge when its on a desk.

-Will you be doing a lot of typing? Some people don't seem to notice, but the edges of MBPs can be kinda sharp, and on the 13" model the edges dig into your wrists a bit more because there is less extra space to rest them on.

-What do you want for screen size? Its all personal preference. You can get a much higher resolution display on the 15" if you want, and it definitely does make a difference.

I have the last generation of 15" MBP with a dual core Core i7 and a GeForce 330m and a high resolution glossy display. I love it. Unless you plan on bringing it around A LOT, I'd recommend the 15".
Jul 6 2011 10:21PM
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Departmentsaur
Posts: 277 - Karma: 28
Because who needs durability, right?
Jul 6 2011 10:23PM
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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
im 16 so i dont take computers to school. the only thing that im really deciding on is the need of the extra 2". i dont see myself going with such a small screen since i watch videos and do everything on my computer when im at home.
Jul 6 2011 10:23PM
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POWDER.RANGER
Posts: 1698 - Karma: -24
i just have the cheapest one, 13in i think, and i just loovvee it, the only complaint i have is when editing the trackpad gets a little annoying to use but other than that its super mega awesome
Jul 6 2011 10:26PM
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StevenR
Posts: 1372 - Karma: 33
In that case I would definitely go with the 15" then. Maybe even 17", but be aware those things really are getting into "pretty god damn big" territory, really more of a desktop replacement in my opinion and you can get all the same specs on the 15" for a bit cheaper, so theres the bang for your buck.
Jul 6 2011 10:28PM
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Departmentsaur
Posts: 277 - Karma: 28
That was the deciding factor for me when choosing a macbook. I ended up just getting a used 2006 Macbook. The trackpad is soooooooooooooooo much better, and the computer works fine. these things are built to last.
Jul 6 2011 10:30PM
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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
if i did go for the imac instead i wouldnt have the option to go anywhere in my house, aswell as i go to other peoples houses with it to DJ. and i have to switch back and forth between parents houses. so thats out of the picture id say.
Jul 6 2011 10:31PM
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StevenR
Posts: 1372 - Karma: 33
word. I mean, the 17" is definitely more portable than an iMac, haha. I just find that its JUST big enough to kind of defeat the purpose of a laptop, but thats just my preference.
Jul 6 2011 10:35PM
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Park_Ranger
Posts: 3825 - Karma: 8,635
i have the 15, and i love it.  my friend has a 13, and he really likes his too.  i have used his a lot and its really no different, just a little smaller but you get used to it so fast.  i really like my 15 though
Jul 6 2011 10:41PM
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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
yea i wouldnt ever get the 17" its really not worth it, considering you can get the imac for cheaper and a bigger screen haha. i just find after 15" is getting too big for a laptop, that fits on your 'lap'
Jul 6 2011 10:42PM
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-emile-
Posts: 6613 - Karma: 8,592
i have mac book pro 17 inch and its a little too much for travelling etc , i would recomend a macbookpro , so i'd say the 15 inch is perferct for you
Jul 6 2011 10:43PM
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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
sorry for posting so much in here, but does anyone know what AMD Radeon HD 6490M with 256MB GDDR5 actually does or is?
Jul 6 2011 10:45PM
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StevenR
Posts: 1372 - Karma: 33
Its the video card. Basically a processor dedicated to graphics processing and such. You'll notice that more with graphically intense applications like games, as well as with video editing and stuff.
Jul 6 2011 10:48PM
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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
haha thanks man. +k'd everybody, I'm gunna talk to some people about prices tomorrow.
Jul 6 2011 11:11PM
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Obi-Wan-Jenobi
Posts: 951 - Karma: 119
I have the 13 inch pro for school and stuff and it is wonderful. But i got a student discount so if you get one make sure you ask about that.
Jul 7 2011 1:08AM
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Njens.
Posts: 1688 - Karma: 46
just got the new 13 inch pro and its amazing
Jul 7 2011 1:12AM
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JIBpsy^^
Posts: 2851 - Karma: 36
Now i love apple products just as much as the next guy and i am not trying to shit on you but before you buy an MBP realize that you are paying 700 bucks for the fancy aluminum case and the ability to run IOS.
Jul 7 2011 1:14AM
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panojibber
Posts: 3382 - Karma: 216
Go with the nicest one you can get! If you're doing editing or using really advanced apps like logic or FCP or whatever then the 15 inch screen is a huuuuuge asset. I have an old 13 inch and the screen is nice but some programs that have a lot going on in them are really cramped.

If I could go back now I would have saved up more cash and bought the 15 inch, but my 13 inch is 2 years old and runs everything thats not reeeaaally graphic intensive very well. The newer ones, at least the pros, have amazing hardware. 15 inch pro ftw... I might cop one later this year.
Jul 7 2011 1:30AM
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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
well they are generally better for what i want in my computer. music is better for djing and the graphics are going to be way better than my current pc. but i read on macforums about the 2011 macbook pros crashing underloads and stuff. the people that posted claimed that theirs would lock up and freeze when they were running multiple things. does anybody have the 2011 mbp? does that happen to yours?
Jul 7 2011 10:49AM
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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
so im assuming yours isnt doing the lock up thing that i mentioned right there^?
Jul 7 2011 11:03AM
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Algebra
Posts: 5215 - Karma: 1,677
Yeah cause ns is the only thing you need a computer for
Jul 7 2011 11:09AM
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whoa-dere
Posts: 10596 - Karma: 7,103
I thought it's titanium?
Jul 7 2011 11:18AM
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StevenR
Posts: 1372 - Karma: 33
I know somebody who has a 2011 15" MBP and to my knowledge he hasn't had that issue. There were lots of posts about crashing when the '10 models came out, and mine works flawlessly. The thing you have to remember is that people who are having problems are likely to be way more vocal about it than those who aren't. People won't make a thread every time they buy a computer that works perfectly, which is most of the time.
Jul 7 2011 11:26AM
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BROSEIDON
Posts: 3702 - Karma: 1,495
i have a 13" mbp and i love it, i havent found a difference in speed or anything compared to my friends 15" and i like mine more because its more portable, i find the 15" and 17" to be too big
Jul 7 2011 12:35PM
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Heart
Posts: 6156 - Karma: 3,462
I hate macs with a passion, but if you have your heart set on a mac consider doing this instead of buying a more expensive model just for the larger screen:

You could buy a second display and get the smaller screen size mac, then leave the screen at home. It doesn't sound like you'd be putting the extra computing power of a more expensive mac to use anyway (not trying to hate), and this way you can have the best of both worlds, a portable pc for on the go, and essentially two displays for when you're at home.
Jul 7 2011 1:22PM
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Benjo
Posts: 709 - Karma: 23
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Jul 7 2011 1:26PM
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T.DUDE
Posts: 1681 - Karma: 129
once you go mac, you'll never go back
Jul 7 2011 1:30PM
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andrea.
Posts: 16 - Karma: 10
i have the 13' and i love it, works perfectly ! the 15' was just unnecessary for me but honestly whichever you get you're going to be happy with because they are 1000000x better than pcs :]
Jul 7 2011 2:22PM
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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
thanks to everybody up there^. im going to some store on the weekend with my moms friend who has like 20 macs that she bought for her office. still havent made up my mind.
Jul 7 2011 6:10PM
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=nick=
Posts: 10471 - Karma: 2,182
i think you mean OSX? And yeah, that is what youre paying for, if you' do any kind of video or graphic design work its essential
Jul 7 2011 6:20PM
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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
this makes me want it even more.

Jul 15 2011 11:22AM
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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
finally got it. first post with it. haha its actually really sick
Aug 6 2011 2:49PM
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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
yea i think im going to do that too, ive got an old lenovo ive had for like 3 years, its a piece of shit but it will still work for like all the stuff i need for school.
Aug 6 2011 6:39PM
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