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MacBook Pro

M

Mike Van Laanen

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I got the Red em a few days ago!!!! #855 is finally on its way. Getting ready for the arrival and have been reading posts trying to find what I need in a new 15.4" MacBook Pro laptop. I want to run a FCP workflow. I will be purchasing a new Mac Pro 8-core sometime down the road, but need the new lap ASAP. I apologize if this was covered somewhere, I just couldn't find anything comprehensive on the MacBook.

I spoke with a sales rep at a local Mac certified video/digital/computer boutique store. There aren't a lot of choices up here in Green Bay. Possibly the cold?? Well the rep just em'd me this quote:

Apple 15.4" MacBook Pro
2.6Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
2Gb RAM (2 x 1GB DIMM's)
200GB 7200rpm Serial ATA
nVIDIA GForce 8600M GT 512MB
8x Dual-Layer SuperDrive
Mac OS X 10.5.x
1 x 2GB 667MHz DDR2 Sodium
$3100

So I am hoping that someone here has some feedback. I would appreciate any advice or concerns. I just want to be sure on this part of the puzzle.

Thanks,
Michael
 
Hmm... Something doesn't add up here. I think the guy quoted you an incorrect price. For $99 more you can get the 2.6GHz 17" with high-res screen and the rest of those same specs from the Apple online store.

I would definitely recommend the 17" model with the high-resolution (1920x1200) screen. DO NOT GET THE GLOSSY SCREEN! The extra screen real estate really helps.

The specs you have above are fine for both the 15" or the 17". You will definitely want 4GB RAM and you can save $300 by buying RAM from NewEgg or other good vendor. Yes, Apple has a 600% mark-up on those 2GB RAM modules right now -- it's complete BS.

mcgeedigital recommends the 250gb drive. that may or may not be of interest, I would probably go with the 250gb drive myself. The 200gb is 7200rpm so it will provide slightly faster seek times, and data I/O. But on a 2.5" HDD, you don't see as dramatic of an improvement as on desktop 3.5" drives. Also, the extra density of the 250GB drive makes up for some of that difference in transfer speeds. Personally, I always run out of HDD space on my notebook, so the bigger drive would be better for me... I use an eSATA RAID for performance because the 7200rpm notebook drive still isn't that fast.
 
Yes but the extra screen makes it bigger. I know a few people who regret having more bulk to lug around. So just think twice before going for the bigger screen.
 
The 17" MBP is the one notebook that really doesn't have much more bulk than its 15" counterpart. It's the same thickness, only weighs about 1.4lbs more and is 1.3" wider and 0.8" deeper.

Anyway, I think anyone interested should stop by an Apple store or other place that has them on display and do some comparing of their own. I personally went with the 15" based on my own logic about 17" bulk at the time and I have mostly regretted it ever since. I've borrowed 17" MBPs on occasion and the only time I can think where I would prefer the 15" is if trying to use my notebook while jammed in business class or coach on a flight. Personally I don't think the larger dimensions make much difference, there are still some very compact bags / cases to fit the 17". And if the extra 1.4 pounds adds that much more bulk, then you need to hit the gym. :)
 
Great thread!

Jeff,

What type of eSATA raid do you use?
 
I have the 17" G4 as my old laptop. I got tired of the extra size since I travel a fair bit.

Thats why I went with the 15".

But like Jeff said, you should DEFINITELY go to an Apple store and see what fits YOU the best.
 
I took a look at the APPLE store and this what I came up with...
If money is an object the store also has a few good referb deals on the 2.4 GHz Macbook Pro models.


Summary
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Subtotal $3,199.00

Estimated Ship:
7-10 business days
Free Shipping
Click "Update Details" to reflect changes to system price and shipping.
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Specifications
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* 2.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
* Accessory Kit
* 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
* 200GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
* MacBook Pro 17-inch Hi-Resolution LED Widescreen Display
* Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
 
David Birdy said:
Jeff,

What type of eSATA raid do you use?
Click to expand...

For shooting on set / in the field, I use my Macbook Pro as an off-load station. I have a CalDigit SV2R Duo equipped with two 750GB HDDs in a RAID-1. Pretty quick, fairly secure. It's gone many places with me and although it's kinda large, it still fits in a backpack and travels well.

For higher performance, I have a CalDigit HDPro 5TB RAID. It screams!
 
Thanks all for your thoughts. I've got an old 1.5GHz PowerPC G4 with 1GB DDR SDRAM that's a 17". Love the big screen!! But the bulk of it sometimes gets in the way. While working out of my trailblazer last year up in Yellowstone it just seemed that a 15 might have been a better choice. Will let you know what I choose and how it performs. I am leaning toward the 17 right now just for the room. What ever I choose it will definitely have the high resolution (1920x1200), non-glossy screen!!!!!! Thanks Jeff.

For the HD I think the 250 sounds best. Thanks again everyone. However, Jeff's last post spoke of a "CalDigit SV2R Duo equipped with two 750GB HDDs in a RAID-1". I have to plead ignorance and newbeeness here. Could you explain what you built there? It sounds nice and I have some room in my budget to push the MacBook.
Michael

PS: One more question please. When you are working out in the field devoid of power except for your car or truck, what do you use to convert ac/dc?
 
Hey Mike,

This is what Jeff was talking about:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/457856-REG/CalDigit_S2VR2B1500E_1_5_TB_S2VR_Duo.html

You'd need the following (or similar) to connect it to an Intel Macbook Pro:
http://www.firmtek.com/seritek/seritek-2sm2-e/

I just picked up a 15" Macbook Pro yesterday, with the extra $300 I'm saving not getting the 17", I'll pick up a Dell 1708FP (1280 x 1024) for on set monitoring.

Ed.

b.t.w here's a useful resource for MacBook Pro express card compatibility
http://www.freemacblog.com/how-to-use-the-expresscard34-in-your-macbook-pro/
)
MVL Films said:
Thanks all for your thoughts. I've got an old 1.5GHz PowerPC G4 with 1GB DDR SDRAM that's a 17". Love the big screen!! But the bulk of it sometimes gets in the way. While working out of my trailblazer last year up in Yellowstone it just seemed that a 15 might have been a better choice. Will let you know what I choose and how it performs. I am leaning toward the 17 right now just for the room. What ever I choose it will definitely have the high resolution (1920x1200), non-glossy screen!!!!!! Thanks Jeff.

For the HD I think the 250 sounds best. Thanks again everyone. However, Jeff's last post spoke of a "CalDigit SV2R Duo equipped with two 750GB HDDs in a RAID-1". I have to plead ignorance and newbeeness here. Could you explain what you built there? It sounds nice and I have some room in my budget to push the MacBook.
Michael

PS: One more question please. When you are working out in the field devoid of power except for your car or truck, what do you use to convert ac/dc?
Click to expand...
 
Can someone chime in on how the Geforce cards are doing on the new macbook pro's please? Specifically for some (reserved) use with redcine/redalert

I know the radeon's are best for use with RC/RA but with the new core 2 duo and ram, how does a new MBP with a geforce card compare?
 
Jeff Kilgroe said:
Hmm... Something doesn't add up here. I think the guy quoted you an incorrect price. For $99 more you can get the 2.6GHz 17" with high-res screen and the rest of those same specs from the Apple online store.

I would definitely recommend the 17" model with the high-resolution (1920x1200) screen. DO NOT GET THE GLOSSY SCREEN! The extra screen real estate really helps.

The specs you have above are fine for both the 15" or the 17". You will definitely want 4GB RAM and you can save $300 by buying RAM from NewEgg or other good vendor. Yes, Apple has a 600% mark-up on those 2GB RAM modules right now -- it's complete BS.

mcgeedigital recommends the 250gb drive. that may or may not be of interest, I would probably go with the 250gb drive myself. The 200gb is 7200rpm so it will provide slightly faster seek times, and data I/O. But on a 2.5" HDD, you don't see as dramatic of an improvement as on desktop 3.5" drives. Also, the extra density of the 250GB drive makes up for some of that difference in transfer speeds. Personally, I always run out of HDD space on my notebook, so the bigger drive would be better for me... I use an eSATA RAID for performance because the 7200rpm notebook drive still isn't that fast.
Click to expand...

What eSATA raid are you using? I have the original macbook pro only 100gig drive and badly need to get a raid setup.
 
If I get a 15" macbook pro I can use my apple cine screen for the big monitor when we have video village. and be smaller when we are more mobile: what is the min ghs of the process or and min memory to use REdcine etc and work in 4K raw with playbacks and live feed fm camera to laptop as a monitor???
 
Jeff Kilgroe said:
I would definitely recommend the 17" model with the high-resolution (1920x1200) screen. DO NOT GET THE GLOSSY SCREEN! The extra screen real estate really helps.

.
Click to expand...

Jeff,

Excuse my ignorance but why not get the Glossy Screen, is it to do with color accuracy ?
 
Turnover said:
Jeff,

Excuse my ignorance but why not get the Glossy Screen, is it to do with color accuracy ?
Click to expand...

Regardless of color, if you're in the field and don't have total control over your environment those glossy screens can be almost impossible to see.
 
Glossy reflects very much (unwanted if you are in the open) but the colors aren't accurate also, they are extra saturated for customers looking to view dvd's on their laptop, not for professional work.
ps: saw normal Macbook's in the Apple store, reflections were horrible to work with, because the sun was really bright that day and the Macbooks were at a window.

If you're a pro, go for the matte screen.
 
I have the 17", and do ALL editing on it, and I think you should go for the 17" as well.

If nothing else, the speakers make up for the bulkness.

They are AMAZING compared to the 15".

Also, the 17" gets the highest rating from "Consumer Reports".

Worth the extra definitely!

Also, smalldog.com has some specials every once in a while...I got mine from them for only $1899.
 
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