MacBook Pro vs MacBook

So I want a new computer! Go figure.

It is time, I have had my latest computer (Dell 600M) for over 2 years, that is a long time for me. I also have one of the original MacBook Pro Titanium's. Both nice computers, but a real pain if you need to carry both operating systems.

The only reason I keep the Dell around is for development purposes. Macromedia Flex only runs (currently) on Windows.

Since the new MacBook Pro is Intell based, and with the announcement from Apple of BootCamp, I now have the ability to run one computer. So now the deliema, MacBook or MacBook Pro? When looking at the website, I noticed a few minor issues.

1. MacBook has a smaller screen, not a big deal since I usually hook up to an external monitor
2. MacBook is less expensive (that would be a plus)
3. Same Processors available
4. Same Hard-disks
5. Same Memory

But with a $500 price difference for a similarly configured machine, I had to ask the experts at the local Apple Store what the real differences where. The answer, the video card. The MacBook is lacking one, see MacBook Specs here. The MacBook Pro comes with an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600, see MacBook Pro specs here.

So why would one care? The answer is, you won't, unless you are playing video games that are video instensive or more complex gaphics manipulation. Most people will be fine with a MacBook, I on the other hand will not. I want to be able to edit video's and digital pictures and play video games like WarCraft.

But note this, most applications built for Mac will run slower until they are rewritten for the new processor, such as Adobe products. However, you can run most of those products under Windows running on the Mac ~ which is what I plan on doing until the tools I need are written to take advantage of the Intel on the Mac.