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So i am in the process of getting a laptop for my upcoming college year. I have heard macs are very reliable and excellent for every day use. I have decided between the 13 inch (black) macbook and the lowest end 15 inch macbook pro. There is a pretty big price difference between the two and was just wondering one thing. First of all i play videos games here and there (i know this sounds off topic) but not a whole lot cuz my computer as of right now is pretty bad. I was just wondering if buying the macbook pro would i get a much better gaming experience out of it graphics wise? I plan to run bootcamp on it but am not 100% sure i will be playing games all that often. I know this may be a hard question to answer but what would you recommend to me, the Macbook or Macbook Pro? Thanks for all the help. PS price is not the main concern but it is a little bit of a concern (im just trying to get my money's worth) and if it helps i will probably be doing a little video editing as well. Thanks!

I think if I remember right the Pro has a dedicated video card where as the Macbook does not. So that being said you would want the Pro. I have a Macbook and it is the best money I have ever spent. Welcome to Apple if it is your first enjoy your stay.

I'm happy to help you.

I got my MacBook last December for Christmas and I have been in love with it ever since. Prior to that, I'd always used PCs.

Okay, I get excellent gameplay with the MacBook. The processor is very fast (Intel) and the graphics are terrific. The MacBook Pro offers some more power, but the MacBook holds its own. Either way, you're gonna love being on a Mac!

If you're planning on doing video and music editing, then the MacBook Pro would be the one you should buy. Most of those advanced music, video and design programs are already built in.

Safari (Mac's version of Internet Explorer) is safe and secure. Be sure to download the Mac version of Firefox, as you will find from time to time some people who still are not aware that the Mac share of the market is growing and that people will be visiting their Web sites on a Mac. So you can always use Firefox as a back up in your Web surfing.

Also, for video games, visit your local Mac store for a TON of games for Mac. I'm enjoying The Sims 2. I had the same game for PC, and it just would not play well in the PC version, mainly because the game's graphics are so intricate.

You're gonna love your Mac. When I got mine, I couldn't believe I wasted my time on PC for so long (about 15 years!). No crashes, no freezes, no problems.

I'd leave instructions that I am to be buried with it -- if I weren't going to be cremated.

Enjoy!!

You sound exactly like me. I went through this same situation about a month ago. If you just want a quick and easy answer, GET THE MACBOOK PRO! But if you want to know why, I will tell you.

Game Perfomance: The Macbook Pro runs games great! I can turn the settings up on most games and still get a great framerate. But do not expect to have all the settings turned up high on intensive games. You really have to shell out cash to do that. But in UT3 I have all the settings turned up. The only problem with the video card is that it doesn't like high anti-aliasing levels but that is ok. The pro should run all games just fine. The normal macbook i have no idea but my guess would be that it can't because the graphics card is that great.

Video card:I also like to play games on my computer. The reason I went with the macbook pro is because the video card is actually a real video card. What I mean is that it is made by a respectable company and it is meant to do some work. The macbook video card is just there to produce graphics so the computer will run. Basically it is the difference between a golf cart and an actual car.
Winner: Macbook Pro.

Processor: They can both have a 2.4 ghz dual core processor but the low end macbook pro has the same processor as the high end macbook. So the macbook pro wins.

The pro version is in all ways better than the normal macbook except maybe battery life. But this is ok because the pro has better hardware which draws a little bit more power. Since I have the macbook pro in which you want, I can tell you that in battery life mode, it gets great battery life. I have had it sit by my side for about 3-4 hours in battery life mode. It goes to sleep when not in use for 1 min but that is good.

The pro has a heat problem but that is easily fixed with smc FanControl. Just set the fan RPM to 6000 and it cools down quickly.

I know this answer is long and may not be well put together but I was in the exact same position as you and I want you to know that if you do not get the Macbook Pro, you made the wrong decision. Plus, the black version cost $200 more but is the same as the white one. From what you want the Pro is the only option for you. TRUST ME.

Oh and bootcamp runs great. I have Windows Vista Ultimate, I don't know why people hate it because i have had zero compatability issues so far.

So yeah, I was in the same position and my verdict is the Macbook Pro.

(Macs are way better than PCs. They are more reliable and you can run windows easily. So why get a PC when you can get a Mac that does them both? I hope you enjoy you new Mac. I know I do.)

Hope this helps,

GDuran144