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macbook as a desktop replacement

H

hungryduck

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Mar 29, 2005
Messages
1,530
I'm thinking of selling my current computer (AMD 3800 X2, 7900gt, 1gig DDR) for a MacBook 2ghz. I'm not sure that I'd be able to afford a macbook pro, and I really like the form factor of the macbook. I know that the macbook has integrated graphics, so gaming probably sucks on the machine, but how is everything else? Is it a fast and capable machine in terms of running audio/desktop/graphic software? What about the screen.....how is the resolution? Can you change the resolution? Would I feel constricted working on such a screen (keep in mind I've been using a 15in CRT FOREVER (1152x864 strange res, I know...never had anything bigger....)
Thoughts?
 
If you've been running a 15 CRT all this time, I would guess you were running it at 1024x768. The MacBook will have a 1280x768 which will give you more room to the sides as it is widescreen. As for performance, you won't notice it in day to day operations like surfing, emailing, etc. The MB won't skip a beat in that regard.
 
Is it really 1280x768? My Powerbook runs at 1280x854... I hope they didn't change it.


-Matt
 
I stand corrected.

I always found it strange how Apple could manage to squeeze in a few more pixels into their screens. Considering they use the same panels as other OEMs, I just don't understand how they do that.
 
a ronin said:
I stand corrected.

I always found it strange how Apple could manage to squeeze in a few more pixels into their screens. Considering they use the same panels as other OEMs, I just don't understand how they do that.
Click to expand...

a part of me thinks that they just like odd resolutions as a part of the mac allure...
 
hungryduck said:
I'm thinking of selling my current computer (AMD 3800 X2, 7900gt, 1gig DDR) for a MacBook 2ghz. I'm not sure that I'd be able to afford a macbook pro, and I really like the form factor of the macbook. I know that the macbook has integrated graphics, so gaming probably sucks on the machine, but how is everything else? Is it a fast and capable machine in terms of running audio/desktop/graphic software? What about the screen.....how is the resolution? Can you change the resolution? Would I feel constricted working on such a screen (keep in mind I've been using a 15in CRT FOREVER (1152x864 strange res, I know...never had anything bigger....)
Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I thought about doing this too with my system that is very similar to yours (athlon 64 3700+, 7900 GT, 2gb ram etc). My conclusion was just to go ahead and buy the Macbook and keep my gaming rig. If you are strapped for cash why not just spend the next few months saving? By that time multiple revisions of the macbooks will be out and hopefully fixing the reported whining, mooing, and heat issues.

Are you certain you want to give up your gaming PC? The Macbook is a great entry level primary computer for those who don't game. It is a great secondary machine for those of us with custom PC's. Do you really want to give up tweaking with hardware and use only a mac?

I didn't want to give that up.

Jeff
 
I'm going to be doing that to mine here shortly....don't game much anymore and I'd rather have the extra space and portability, however, I'm saving for the 15" MBP.
 
I have been thinking about making my Macbook Pro my main "desktop" and selling my big PC rig (which is fairly high-end). The reason I don't think I will right now is because of hard drive space. 100 gigs seems like alot on a laptop, but when I add in lots of room for Bootcamp so I can run some MMO's, that doesn't leave much space for all the Mac apps I want to run.

The only thing that would change that is a SATA express card. I could add a big external SATA drive to it and not lose any speed. Also, Bookendz is planning on releasing the Macbook Pro docking stations sometime in June.
 
hungryduck said:
I'm thinking of selling my current computer (AMD 3800 X2, 7900gt, 1gig DDR) for a MacBook 2ghz. I'm not sure that I'd be able to afford a macbook pro, and I really like the form factor of the macbook. I know that the macbook has integrated graphics, so gaming probably sucks on the machine, but how is everything else? Is it a fast and capable machine in terms of running audio/desktop/graphic software? What about the screen.....how is the resolution? Can you change the resolution? Would I feel constricted working on such a screen (keep in mind I've been using a 15in CRT FOREVER (1152x864 strange res, I know...never had anything bigger....)
Thoughts?
Click to expand...


yes gaming does suck on it.... but you asked about everything else

with a ram upgrade to at least 1.5 gigs total ram on the macbook it does everything else very nicely. ripping, encoding, watching vids, surfing the web, gimpshop (i refuse to pay for photoshop), and just about everything else i could throw at my friends macbook seemed just about as fast as my 20" intel imac.

hope this helps
 
what about the slower hdd, that seems to be my biggest issue with laptops as desktop replacements. is anyone else not happy with that?
 
blank said:
what about the slower hdd, that seems to be my biggest issue with laptops as desktop replacements. is anyone else not happy with that?
Click to expand...

Replace it with a faster unit? The MacBook harddrives are user replacable.
 
I was also considering the switch as a desktop replacement but had a couple of questions. First can you run the Macbook/Pro 24/7? Second can I use two external HDDs and 2 printers: one laser the other ink jet using a USB hub? Third question I wanted to ask is can I hook it up to a HT system along with a 32" LCD TV? Is this all possible?
 
Why don't you just get am iMac?

I've never been aable to understand the point of "Desktop replacement laptops". It just seems like a waste of money.
 
Gob said:
Why don't you just get am iMac?

I've never been aable to understand the point of "Desktop replacement laptops". It just seems like a waste of money.
Click to expand...

I want the portability.
 
If you don't game, why do you need two systems? Computers from five years ago are strong enough to do a majority of basic tasks.

Yeah, a land line is great... but i have a cell phone...

In both instances, why have both portable and static units if they're only going to decrease the others' effectiveness. (people end up calling your house when you're out (and vice versa), you cannot have access to all your files all the time, etc.) It's easier.

This supports the coalescence of the preliminary steps in my theory that the future of technology will be what i call in what my brain-dead stoned musings the 'iPanacea.' maybe we'll have it surgically implanted on our faces!

Gob said:
Why don't you just get am iMac?

I've never been aable to understand the point of "Desktop replacement laptops". It just seems like a waste of money.
Click to expand...
 
Gob said:
Why don't you just get am iMac?

I've never been aable to understand the point of "Desktop replacement laptops". It just seems like a waste of money.
Click to expand...

People look at you funny in class when you setup your iMac.
 
^^Hahaha^^

That's a pretty sick gaming machine you have, so you would have to give up your superior gaming ability. If that's okay then the 2.0Ghz Core Duo sounds like a good solution. Or as someone else mentioned save up during the summer and then buy one, who knows maybe it will have a GPU in it from ATi or Nvidia? Then both your 'bases' are covered.
 
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