Understanding MacBook vs. MacBook Pro

Wed Nov 15, 2006 3:54AM EST

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Reader Andrew writes: What is the difference between a MacBook and a MacBook Pro?

At first I thought this might be a question too obvious to answer, but most people probably haven't had hands-on experience with both machines. Fortunately, I have. Here's what you need to know about the dynamic duo.

  • Price - In a nutshell, the MacBook is a replacement for the old iBook, a lower-end machine designed for students and budget-conscious buyers, but without the candy colors. The MacBook starts at $1099. The Pro starts at $1999.
  • Size - MacBook comes in one size: a somewhat tiny 13.3-inches diagonal. The Pro has 15.4-inch and 17-inch screens, and the difference is visually considerable. Both are widescreen notebooks.
  • Specs - Both machines can be configured with hard drives up to 200GB in size (wow), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, slot-loading DVD burners, and a built-in web camera. But the Pro has plenty more on top of this: A FireWire 800 port, and a real graphics card (instead of low-grade integrated graphics). Finally, both machines also feature Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs, but the MacBook tops out at 2GHz while the Pro tops out at 2.33GHz. This isn't a big deal worth worrying about though.
  • Color - The MacBook comes in black or white. The Pro is silver.
  • Quality - This is the biggie. I think the Pro is a really stellar laptop, but the MacBook struck me as a little cheap. Playing a DVD on the optical drive, the machine rattled so much I thought I had one of those vibrating football games on my desk. A computer shouldn't be that noisy. Performance is also considerably lower with the MacBook, largely due to its lack of a video card: You won't be gaming on this machine, period.

So that's the gist. MacBook little and cheap. MacBook Pro big and powerful. I would recommend the Pro for just about anyone who can afford it (especially if you're a MacOS fan). The MacBook, not so much.

Comments on Understanding MacBook vs. MacBook Pro

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  • 1 Posted by namoohooy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    Thanks Chris, this really helped. Now i know i really want the Pro and not the basic MacBook

  • 2 Posted by jimiyash on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    Default configured, I must admit the macbook was slowwww, almost unusable for some applications. The reason was the 512 MB RAM, but when I upgraded to 2 GB RAM for $150 from Newegg, the machine is very fast. Even applications like Dreamweaver running off Rosetta is exceptional for my everyday use. With all the firmware updates to fix the loud fan and random shutdowns, I am now satisfied with the regular macbook.

  • 3 Posted by solopassenger on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    I bought a Macbook almost three months ago and can't stop using it! I love this laptop! I upgraded to one GB of RAM and have no concerns with it being slow. I use to have a PC (a Dell) and really didn't care for it. I'm a thrity year old going back to school and can't wait to show my high tech machine. Leave it to Apple to make world right is what I say.

  • 4 Posted by amabugnon on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    laptop is very useful machine.In my case I use it to configure telecommunication equipments.Other uses of laptop log in to: uses of laptop

  • 5 Posted by starfish842003 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    laptop is very useful machine. In my case I use it to configure telecommunication equipments.Other uses of laptop log in to: uses of laptop

  • 6 Posted by jdarst0629@att.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have been wanting to get a macbook pro for a while now... and it is pretty much a matter of time before i get it. The only worries tha I have is having never used one before, is it easy to transition from a pc to a mac and it is a better overall product than a pc notebook.

  • 7 Posted by sdoggydog45 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    First of all...you are totally wrong! The macbook is great. The only reason you would want to get a pro is the big luggish 15 in. screen. Sure...the graphics card is not shared but you can still play basic games on the macbook. Also I have the White macbook with 4 GB ram, which is realllyyyy fast! Plus Leopard is amazing. I did get the superdrive..because I like to make home movies. And I chose to upgrade the HD to 120 GB and an external Hard drive. (500 GB). It all comes down to if you want power, yet with portability and a pretty fair sized screen. You should go with the macbook. ***BUT, you should upgrade the ram from 1 GB to at least 2. Don't have apple upgrade this for you. You can get 2 one GB ram sticks and easily install them by reemoving the battery and un-screwing three screws. Then you will see two RAM slots. Just simply pop them out with the handy spring loaded prongs. And insert the new upgrades! YOUR DONE : ] And you pretty much have a macbook pro without the big honky screen. Oh and what yolu said about the rattling when you insert a DVD...that has never happened to me. It must be a hardware problem. I hope this helps.

  • 8 Posted by jbee6589@verizon.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have been using a PC for longtime, however i would like to know more about THE MacBook and MacBook Pro. What books would you recommend? p.s. switching to mac from pc.

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