13" Macbook or Macbook Pro
 

Ok, it's been a while since I owned a non-work laptop. I really need something compact but the Netbooks are just not there yet and decent Thinkpad and other laptops cost just as much as Apple. Therefore, I am making a switch to Apple and will most likely get a Macbook.

The laptop will be used for standard web browsing / office/ photo & music sorting but I need it to be light and small therefore 13 inch.

I notice that old 13" Macbooks are getting phased out and replaced with 13" Macbook Pros. However, with EPP discount I could get a decent deal on the 13" refurbished Macbook for about $900. The cheapest Macbook Pro 13" is about $1100. I also like the white poly shell better than the Aluminum one (it seems this will get scratched easily). However, I do understand that the Pro 13" has firewire and a better screen.

What would you recommend in terms of getting the Macbook versus the Macbook Pro both 13" models?

Thanks!

I would definitely go for the Mac Book Pro!

You will feel that your pc almost i outdated when you get it, if you go for the white Mac Book!

My sister just bought the 13" Pro, and she is so happy with it! She was too considering the 13" white 'Book but eventually went for the 13" Pro!

We purchased a 13" MacBook in late 2007. My husband has been upset with me ever since as he wanted the Pro. Our MacBook is very loud (internal fan always seems to be running). We do pretty much the same types of things you do.

Regardless of which you choose make sure you have ample storage. We have 250 and the machine is almost full.

Good luck.

What is your definition of "light"?

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: BlackBerry9630/4.7.1.40 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

Go for the pro, you get lots more features (eg. Multitouch trackpad) and a more solid case. It's a small price difference for a lots better computer. Think of the pro as a better investment in the long run.

There is a rumor that the plastic macbook will be replaced in the next couple weeks. I would hold off on making a purchase unless urgent.

Well I just bought a new Macbook - the new model was just released last week. It should arrive next week. My first Mac! I am so excited. I just got so tired of the PC BS.

You are going to love it. I just took delivery of mine this week. If this is your first Mac, the Apple website has some good info for switchers - Switch 101

I would agree that Mac Book Pro is a good option because of its superior features and solid cases. All the best!

I don't understand this. I have a MacBook and it has the same unibody case as the Pro machines.

Do some research and see what you get for the money. For many, the Pro model is unnecessary.

Originally when the aluminum Macbooks came out (2008), there was a remaining entry level plastic Macbook. The 13 inch models were Macbooks while the 15 and 17 inch models were Macbook Pros.

Many felt that the aluminum Macbooks were very very close in performance to the Macbook Pros. In the summer of 2009 when the products were refreshed, Apple made the 13 inch aluminum models Macbook Pros. The aluminum models have sealed batteries.

A few weeks ago Apple updated the 13 inch plastic Macbook and gave it a sealed battery as well and also introduced the new iMac line.

So essentially, anything above the base level 13 inch computer is now a Macbook Pro.

My wife and I both have the plastic Macbooks from 2006, when they were first introduced. With the models out now, though, I would spend the little extra and go for the Pro. It's not super light, but has all the things you would need. I would not spend extra on the larger screen for most users, as it is heavier as well. I also believe the aluminum one will be stronger. If super light is what you want and are willing the make the sacrifice of an integrated optical drive, you could go for the Macbook Air, though that is even more expensive.

If possible, you should also go check out the computers in person, whether at an Apple store (more selection) or at a Best Buy.

With previous models, it was very easy to upgrade RAM and the hard drives on your own, though now with the sealed models it is a little more involved.

fuzz

Fuzz's update is right on.

I had a 2003 G3 iBook - best Mac I ever bought and lasted me until late 2008 when the dvd/cd player died. Rather than repair, bought the 2008 alum MB (not MBP). Added 1gb more of ram and compared to my iBook, wow!

For anyone that doesn't use the Mac for heavy gaming or graphics, you really won't be able to tell the difference btw MB vs MBP. You can't go wrong with either machine, just make sure to pop in additional ram.

I have a 13" unibody MacBook sitting right in front of me. I'm typing on it now. I bought it in October 2008. It has a 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3 RAM.

I would've bought the MBP except in October 2008 they didn't make a 13" MBP. And I wanted something smaller for my bag than a 15" laptop. In other words, what you and Fuzz typed is spot on. Today I would've bought the 13" MBP for the unibody.

The key thing is that I bought this for work and I'm on a 2 year refresh cycle and the computer still seems brand new and I will probably be asked to replace it in 11 months. Wonder which Mac I'll buy then?

My Macbook Pro 13 in. arrived on Saturday, so I'm playing atm.

I've put on Parallels 5 and Win 7 Pro so that I have a PC with MS Office and our own apps on it - I got the bottom MBP but with 4GB memory and a 500GB drive.

What should I be looking for by way of essential Mac apps for it?

Looking at my machine, I run the following:

Firefox 3 (with ....... Pro, which is my default browser)
NetNewsWire (RSS)
Unison (Usenet reader)
Adium (multi-protocol chat client)
VersionTracker Pro
Transmit (FTP client)
SlingPlayer (for my SlingBox)
Google Earth
Skype
Handbrake (I use it for taking DVDs and turning them into QuickTime movies)
CleanApp (an uninstaller utility I've had some limited use for)
eFax Messenger
Office 2008
iWork 2009
iLife 2009
iBank (replaced Quicken for me on the Mac)
SpamSieve (great email Spam filtering)
VMware Fusion 3 (you have Parallels, same concept)
1Password (a password manager and browser plugin I couldn't live without)
TweetDeck

Bunch more, but since they aren't on my dock I probably don't run them often.

Have fun.