Spec’ing a new Macbook Pro
The time has come for me to seriously consider upgrading my 2006 Macbook Pro to the newest model. I’ve been reading Ars Technica’s review of the machine, and performance-wise, it looks like this new model will be significantly faster than the machine I’m using now. That said, I’m always interested in hearing from actual owners of said machine.
If you are using a late-2008 model Macbook Pro: What are your opinions of it? How long have you used it? How do you find the glossy screen in your day-to-day usage?
I work with my laptop in a controlled lighting environment 98% of the time, so I’m not concerned too much about the glossy display. (I would probably lean towards matte screen if there was a choice in the matter.)
What will happen to my current Macbook Pro when I purchase the new one? Aarti’s got dibs on it, of course. I plan on wiping the drive on that unit and reinstalling Leopard.
For the new MBP, I’m considering maxing out the RAM to 4GB and having a 250GB drive (7200 RPM) in place of the default 320GB (5400 RPM) drive.
Thanks for the feedback!
-Krishna
P.S. while I’m inquiring, I’m also interested in hearing opinions / reviews of the new iPod Touch. I’m torn between the 8GB and 16GB models. I plan on using the device primarily for the bundled PDA type apps (I already have a 2003 model iPod that carries my entire music collection.) I’m wondering if the additional 8GB would be important, given that you can add new apps to the device.
November 23rd, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Laptops with glossy screens are very nice, I love my laptops screen. Otherwise I can’t really help on the laptop side of things. I couldn’t get a mac laptop, as they don’t have 2 physical buttons on the touch pad. Which means, even though technically you can do ‘right clicks’ you can never do things like “Rocket jumping” in a game using it, and you can also never do the mouse shortcuts in Opera (ie: left-right click to go forward one page, or right-left to go back one page) And without those 2 things, it fails my test of being a “mouse”. And I won’t always have a mouse to plug into it.
Now the Ipod touch on the other hand. I have a 1st Gen 8gb version. Definitely go with the 2nd gen for the external volume controls.
I have about 351 songs on mine which take up 2.1GB. 4 Movies that take up 3.2GB, 998 photos that take 639MB, and 45 applications that take up 118MB.
Needing room for more apps isn’t important I don’t think. But judge accordingly.
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:31 pm
The apps don’t take up that much room. I’ve got 22 additional apps installed on my iPhone which all together take up 61MB. So that’s not a problem. I’d go for the additional memory, just for the luxury of having more music and films on it.
I would also highly recommend the iPhone over the iPod touch. It doesn’t even have to be the expensive 3G version. An unlocked 2G iPhone with a decent data plan means push email, calenders and contacts where-ever. In the Netherlands there is a plan for 10 euros a month of unlimited data, which you can opt out of at any given month. Maybe there’s a similar one in the US. iPhone 2G, 8GB have gone on ebay for as little as 260 dollars, which is only about 40 dollars more. That plus the plan, to me is worth it. Also there are free push email services.
As posted above, if you do go for the iPod touch, buy the second generation one, though be warned, there hasn’t been a jailbreak for the new one yet. Though having said that, nothing has come out on jailbreak which I think is worth it other than the offline wikipedia app. Thus my iPhone remains ‘unjailbroken’. Though still maybe worth a look in case there’s anything for you.
December 5th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Thanks Lekker!