Macbook or macbook pro, what really is the difference?

Question

I'm a scientist working in a lab dealing with A LOT of data on a day to day basis and I'm looking to upgrade from a ibook G4 (which I love, but it's starting to show it's age). Looking at the macbooks, there doesn't seem to be major differences between the macbook and the macbook pro except price. I realize that the macbook pro has an independent video card that would be better for video editing (which I don't do) and the macbook has the integrated video card. Other than this difference, what is the advantage of spending the extra $$ to get the pro? Thanks.

Answer 1

Discrete Graphics vs. Integrated graphics, may not be relevant for data work, but shared vs. discrete memory for graphics will make a difference, shared video memory takes away from your system ram and if you are working with large data sets the more RAM you have the better your system will perform.  The MacBook Pro also has an express card expansion slot that is not available on the MacBook as well as Firewire 800, Both of these expand the realm of possibilities of what you can do with your Mac.  The MacBook Pros also use higher end CPU's with larger cache and higher processor speeds, which both lead to increased performance.  

I upgraded to a MacBook Pro last year from an iBook G3 that I used for seven years and I am amazed with the difference in my new machine.  After a year of hard use it still feels like it is new.  

The other thing that I would consider is Plastic or Metal.  I like the thin Aluminum case of the MacBook Pro over the Shiny black or white plastic of the MacBook, but that comes from personal preference.  Personally I wish that they still made the case out of Titanium instead of Aluminum.  Then again they would be even more expensive if they were.  

Answer 2

Screen size and price. I just switched from a PC to Mac and I went back and forth for a long time and settled on the Mac Book and am THRILLED with it

Answer 3

the macbook pro has sturdier casing (being that is made of aluminum rather than a hard plastic), illuminated keyboard, larger screen, larger speakers, more storage and slightly faster processors. I always preferred the macbook, anyway. It's smaller and if you are just doing data entry, it should be more than fine.

Answer 4

Man I worked in computer sales and really its really about the difference in art capabilities and data storage between the macbook and pro. the macbook I think is sufficient to get by with pretty good graphics and quality but if you were to get in really sophistocated dept and use it on a daily basis i would go ahead and get the pro. But thats just for people doing graphics and video production and editing. If I were to only need to store data I would get the Macbook with some additional memory ( you can have them custom designed) or at some point buy more memory. Point being the pro does have more memory than the regular book but if you store that much data your probably going to spend in the long run as just much money on additional memory for the macbook anyway. But im going stick up for the macbook 2.4 or 2.5 instead of getting the pro. There the most recent additions. I think it'll do ya good. Now hint if you see a 2.4 macbook from bestbuy and a 2.4 from the apple website they are not the same computer. The one from the apple website is better.

Answer 5

The macbook pro has the option of getting a faster processor which you might need but I think that the macbook would be fine for you.