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Titan · 03-02-2013, 11:12 AM

So my early 2008 MacBook Pro is dying a slow death. I have been really happy with it and have no problem buying another Mac.

My first question is whether the Air is worth the extra money when compared to the states of the Pro. To me it seems like I am paying a whole lot for the lightness factor. (The below has the optional 8 gb for a extra $100) The Pro has no options added.

As this is primarily a stay in one place computer that doesn't really hold a lot of value for me. It would seem the Pro is a far better bang for the buck. Am I missing something? What else should I be considering.

My second question is whether I should consider going back to a windows machine? Can someone suggest a laptop similar to the Pro that I could consider? As you can see my budget is about $1500 but if I can get a smiliar machine and save $500 I would be a fool to not at least consider that, right? What are the best brands to consider?

I do have an Apple ecosystem but would that matter if the windows machine is running iTunes? The reason I went to Mac was to eliminate all of the "futzing" with the computer that I seemed to have to do with my old XP machine. I know things have come a long way since then. I should add that all of my photos are in iPhoto and that is one of the primary uses for the computer. Otherwise, it is mostly a surfing machine. I know the Pro is overkill for most of my uses but I do like to make movies and manipulate photos so I would use the extra horsepower for that. I also don't mind spending a bit more to future proof a bit, although I know that is a mugs game to a certain extent.

I did a quick look on Dell and based on price the Alienware seems to be the same price point. I am too out of touch to compare the machines though.

Is there a machine that will do what I need for considerably less?

Is there a big difference b/w windows 7 and 8?

Is there a big jump from the i5 to the i7?

I appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

$1,499.00

13-inch MacBook Pro

Remove Save

Part number: MD102LL/A

Hardware

2.9GHz Dual-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM — 2x4GB
750GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Backlit Keyboard (English) & User's Guide (English)
Accessory Kit

Software

OS X
iLife '11

$1,599.00
Quantity (MacBook Air, 13-inch)
$1,599.00

MacBook Air, 13-inch

Remove Save

Part number: Z0ND

Available to ship: 1-3 business days

Hardware

2.0GHz Intel Dual-Core Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz
8GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
256GB Flash Storage
Backlit Keyboard (English) & User's Guide
Accessory Kit

http://www.dell.com/ca/p/alienware-m17x-r4/pd

03-02-2013, 11:12 AM	#1
Titan First Line Centre Join Date: Dec 2006 Exp:	Advice on a new MacBook, or not So my early 2008 MacBook Pro is dying a slow death. I have been really happy with it and have no problem buying another Mac. My first question is whether the Air is worth the extra money when compared to the states of the Pro. To me it seems like I am paying a whole lot for the lightness factor. (The below has the optional 8 gb for a extra $100) The Pro has no options added. As this is primarily a stay in one place computer that doesn't really hold a lot of value for me. It would seem the Pro is a far better bang for the buck. Am I missing something? What else should I be considering. My second question is whether I should consider going back to a windows machine? Can someone suggest a laptop similar to the Pro that I could consider? As you can see my budget is about $1500 but if I can get a smiliar machine and save $500 I would be a fool to not at least consider that, right? What are the best brands to consider? I do have an Apple ecosystem but would that matter if the windows machine is running iTunes? The reason I went to Mac was to eliminate all of the "futzing" with the computer that I seemed to have to do with my old XP machine. I know things have come a long way since then. I should add that all of my photos are in iPhoto and that is one of the primary uses for the computer. Otherwise, it is mostly a surfing machine. I know the Pro is overkill for most of my uses but I do like to make movies and manipulate photos so I would use the extra horsepower for that. I also don't mind spending a bit more to future proof a bit, although I know that is a mugs game to a certain extent. I did a quick look on Dell and based on price the Alienware seems to be the same price point. I am too out of touch to compare the machines though. Is there a machine that will do what I need for considerably less? Is there a big difference b/w windows 7 and 8? Is there a big jump from the i5 to the i7? I appreciate any feedback. Thanks. $1,499.00 13-inch MacBook Pro Remove Save Part number: MD102LL/A Hardware 2.9GHz Dual-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM — 2x4GB 750GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) Backlit Keyboard (English) & User's Guide (English) Accessory Kit Software OS X iLife '11 <LI class="cart-product clearfix top-divided"> $1,599.00 Quantity (MacBook Air, 13-inch) $1,599.00 MacBook Air, 13-inch Remove Save Part number: Z0ND Available to ship: 1-3 business days Hardware 2.0GHz Intel Dual-Core Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz 8GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM 256GB Flash Storage Backlit Keyboard (English) & User's Guide Accessory Kit http://www.dell.com/ca/p/alienware-m17x-r4/pd